Lu Summers’ Quilt Improv

I was excited when I was asked to be part of the blog hop for Lu Summer’ new book Quilt Improv.  It’s a delightfully colorful and playful book that focuses on Improvisational piecing of all types.  And it’s extra fun to offer a copy of Lu’s Book to one lucky winner.

I’m not going to lie…Improv piecing is difficult for me.  I know, I know…it should be easier because there is no stress about matching points.  It is freeing.  But for a type A personality like me, I find myself a bit at sea sometimes.  So a book like this is a perfect guiding point for me.  It is full of plenty of eye candy and ideas.

So I decided to tackle a project inspired by one of Lu’s Quilts, Farm Building.

I was really drawn to the use of mixed solids improv pieced in particular.  Lu has a helpful sketch too that was a good jumping point for me to design my own quilt.

I started with purples…all solids (I set my beloved prints aside) and worked with tiny strips of fabric cut with very slight angles.

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

I am probably the most rigid improv quilter out there, so I couldn’t let go of all control and just throw together the fabrics.  I wanted balance with lights and darks, and that takes some thought for me.

Then I moved onto oranges…

 Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

and then realized I had a beautiful Heather Bailey fabric that tied together my current colors and needed some more.

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

So then greens came in and lastly creams.  I deviated from Lu’s design by only using heavily pieced sections and not dividing it up with solids.  It was just a personal preference of mine and how I felt my piece had the most balance.

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

Quilting was a big decision for me, but with the help of pals on IG I got some ideas percolating.  I ultimately decided on straight line improv quilting that was “perpendicular”  to the piecing of each section.  I quilted each section separately with a matching top thread.

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

I didn’t want to lose the detail and interest of the piecing, and I think that this quilting is true to the nature of the piecing.  Although admittedly once again, I was pretty planned in my “improv” quilting.  Hey, you can’t change overnight!

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

I bound it in the perfectly matching random polka dot which I love for adding a new shape (circles) to the visual of the quilt while also keeping all the colors pulled together.

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

It’s a small quilt for me at around 36″ x 45″, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the piecing with too many sections.  This way I can focus on each color and the subcolors. It will either be a wall hanging or a baby quilt.  I haven’t decided where this one should end up.  Suggestions?!

Lu Summers' Quilt Improv

162 thoughts on “Lu Summers’ Quilt Improv”

  1. Oh my gosh, you sound just like me. I have been thinking about this book and you may have just sealed the deal. Your quilt is beautiful even if you don't think it was completely improv!

  2. I really like your improv quilt & like you, I'm not very comfortable with the whole improv thing but it is something I'd love to learn. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Lu's great book.

  3. I love your quilt and I am sure anyone including me would love to win your quilt. I also would love to do something I haven't done before. Love all your projects.

  4. This almost type A personality is challenged by improv piecing so I think you jumped off the diving board and did an excellent job. The problem with a wall hanging is you can't see the backing that goes so lovely with the front. Great finish.

  5. Angela, I took an improv class at QuiltCon with the wonderful Valori Wells. Her first instruction was to put away the rulers. SCARY! But once I got going, I loved it. Of course, when I got home I fell back into my old habits. 🙂 I do want to spend some time this winter working in improv, so this book would be just the inspiration I need!

  6. I love your choice of colors. I need this book as I would like to try improv piecing. I am like you. I want all my points to match but I see these quilts and love them.

  7. Your quilt is beautiful! Improv quilting is something I'm just starting to play with so this book would be a great tool. The book looks amazing! Thanks for the chance to win and for all you do on your blog!!

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