I was excited when I was asked to be part of the blog hop for Lu Summer’ new book Quilt Improv. Â It’s a delightfully colorful and playful book that focuses on Improvisational piecing of all types. Â 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. Â I know, I know…it should be easier because there is no stress about matching points. Â It is freeing. Â But for a type A personality like me, I find myself a bit at sea sometimes. Â So a book like this is a perfect guiding point for me. Â 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. Â 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.
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. Â I wanted balance with lights and darks, and that takes some thought for me.
Then I moved onto oranges…
and then realized I had a beautiful Heather Bailey fabric that tied together my current colors and needed some more.
So then greens came in and lastly creams. Â I deviated from Lu’s design by only using heavily pieced sections and not dividing it up with solids. Â It was just a personal preference of mine and how I felt my piece had the most balance.
Quilting was a big decision for me, but with the help of pals on IG I got some ideas percolating. Â I ultimately decided on straight line improv quilting that was “perpendicular” Â to the piecing of each section. Â I quilted each section separately with a matching top thread.
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. Â Although admittedly once again, I was pretty planned in my “improv” quilting. Â Hey, you can’t change overnight!
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.
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. Â This way I can focus on each color and the subcolors. It will either be a wall hanging or a baby quilt. Â I haven’t decided where this one should end up. Â Suggestions?!
Your quilt is fantastic! I have never tried "improv", but think it is about time that I tried.
Inprov is becoming my new favorite, thanks for the opportunity!
Your improv quilt is gorgeous! I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one who has to plan and control everything 🙂 I guess the book would be a great help to me, too! Thanks for a chance to win.
I am dying to improvise on a bigger project. It can be intimidating. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
super cute quilt! I love the colors (b2malan@cox.net)
I love your planned improv quilt. Yummy colors. Did you use the flower print on the whole back or was that just a swatch? cism1955 at g mail dot com
Wow. I love your improve. Great colors and the backing its great. Now for my question…you got the idea for the quilting from pals IG????? What's that? Or who is that?
Wow! What a stunning quilt – you look like you have improv down pat!
Love the colors and the quilting! What a fun quilt! Thanks for the chance to win!
It sounds like it should be easy and fun to break the rules and do what you want, but improv does not come easy to me. I like the look of other quilters' improv work, but am struggling to find my own way to accomplish it.
You did a great job on your quilt. How about making it a table topper or wall hanging? Quilting Improv sounds intriguing. Might be just the thing to get me out of my "box".
Oh, I have so much trouble with these concepts. I would love to be more random and modern, but *gasp* it has to be balanced! Maybe someday!
It's hard to let go but the quilts come out so unique.
Love what you've done with those solids! Would be a joy to win a copy of Lucie's book – thanks for offering a chance 🙂
Your quilt came out beautifully! Enter me in the drawing for the Improv book, please!
I could so benefit from this book. I am a very structured sewer and would love to "loosen up."
Thank you for sharing your way of making this improv quilt. I am inspired to give it a try!
Gorgeous! I've never tried improve quilting, thanks for the chance!
yeyioasis@yahoo.com.ar
I love what you came up with. I'm excited to try some improv quilting!
Beautiful quilt! I definitely need a little improve in my life!! Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book!
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This book would be a great way to try a new technique. You did a great job on bringing it altogether and making a lovely quilt! Thanks for sharing.
yoyopattycakes@hotmail.com
Great job on your Improv! Sounds like a lovely book!
That is fantastic! Would love to try something similar.
Looks like a lot of fun. Your quilt is adorable.
Love your use of colors!
jachelno(at)gmail(dot)com
Love your version of the quilt. I have just chosen this book as Part of the Library Project QAL. Can't wait to make it!
I love your quilt! I love piecing so I need to let loose and try something like this, and your colour choices are awesome. Thank you for the giveaway!
I love improv. Would love to have this book.
Nice improv!!! That is fantastic!
Thanks for the chance!