Improvising Tradition Sneak Peek, Video Promo, and a Giveaway!

With a little over a month before Improvising Tradition hits the shelves, I'm pleased to share a little video promo created by my publisher, Interweave Craft. Thanks to Alison Korleski for the lovely introduction.



Here is another sneak peek from the book, as well.  This quilt, Shattered Chevrons, is from the Strips section of the book.  I show you how to create the irregular chevron design, shattering into the negative space, using simple strip sets and an easy to follow pattern.

I'm excited to offer a copy of the book to one of you!  To enter the giveaway (for US residents with a street address only as it will be shipped by the publisher),  please leave a comment.  I will choose a winner on Monday morning.  I will announce the winner here on the blog and contact you by email, so be sure I can reach you.  You can comment however you would like, but if you feel like sharing, tell me what improvisational technique you would most like to try.

Autumnal Table Runner

I made this improv table runner as a wedding gift for a good friend.  I wanted to use some gorgeous Oakshott scraps in fall colors, and that inspired me to divide the runner with a strip of brown, evoking a tree branch.

 

The improv technique I used is a variation on slice and insert, and it creates some wonderful abstract shapes.  My younger son informs me that "Abstract is when you get to make whatever you want - kind of like scribbles, but it is artwork." That's not too far off, and I'm a fan.

The blocks of color made it fun to quilt. I emphasized the divide between the colors by quilting the cream in swirls and the tan in elongated meandering ripples.  I did a simple rectangular spiral in each of the colored inserts.

I made a pieced binding to continue the background colors in the runner. It makes the binding sort of disappear, leaving the focus on the fall colors.

I was very tempted to keep the runner for myself, which I'm told is the sign of a good gift.  I hope it will see many happy years in my friend's home.

Improv Wonky Cross Quilt

This 40 x 50 baby quilt is the product of my blocks from guild friends in the Whatever Bee.  I made a practice wonky cross version (a maquette, if you will) a few months ago which helped me to identify the features I liked in this sort of a slice and insert block.  Like the practice quilt, I kept the blocks the same height but varied the widths.  I also added a few half blocks and stacked them in pairs, just for fun (hint: this is a great fix for a block that may end up being slightly too small).  Improv quilting is awesome like that. Here a fun tutorial by a guild member Carla on how to make this type of block, two at a time.

This type of improv block is perfect for a bee.  It gives the quilters specific instructions while allowing them some flexibility to experiment.  My friends were all kind enough to make me two blocks, so I had some extra to use on the back of the quilt.

I am donating this quilt to one of our guild's community service projects, Birthday Blessings, a local charity.  I am also submitting it to 100 Quilts For Kids.  This annual quilt drive is great because it allows you to donate locally to a children's charity of your choosing.  Just add a link to an online photo of your quilt, and you can participate.  There are prizes!  The link is open through the end of the month, so you still have time.  The post even includes ideas for simple quilts to make.

Thanks so all my friends who contributed blocks!  I know this is going to be well used by some little guy in our community.

Improv Quilted Pillow

Quilted pillows are such a nice way to explore new designs.  They are quick to make, a great use for scraps, and easy to quilt on your home machine.  The small size means you can try out a new idea, especially an improv one, without much commitment in the way of time or materials.  It is a maquette you can use on your couch!

 

I used shot cotton scraps in warm colors with black Essex linen for this oversize pillow cover.  It is 24 inches squares.  The back is a self lining envelope closure based on Amanda Jean's tutorial.

I created the wavy quilting with my walking foot and Aurifil 50 wt thread.

This quilted pillow cover is in my etsy shop now.

Rectangular Wonky Stars

 

This tiny block was an experiment with making a rectangular wonky star block.  Instead of beginning with squares, as in regular wonky stars, which are a super fun block to make, I began with itty bitty rectangles.  They work out just the same, except you have to be careful to which side of the rectangle you add the star points.  I put an adorable Japanese fabric fussy cut in the center of the rectangle.  The block finishes at 1 7/8 x 2 1/4 inches.

 

I set my miniature block into the front of a Perfect Zip Bag (pattern by Elizabeth Hartman) via reverse applique and added some hand stitched details.  The outside of the bag is black yarn dyed essex which has incredible texture and at the same time is super soft.  Thanks to Rachel for sending me some!  I hope I can find more somewhere soon.  Love this stuff.

 The lining of the bag is oval elements in a great dark purple and plum.

I enjoyed making my first block so much I made another.  This on is slightly bigger and pieced into the front of a cell phone case.  I think I prefer the reverse applique setting, but this one is sweet too.

 They make a cute pair; I think I'll keep them.

Atomic Quilt

What began as an experiment with strips sets became something of an improv piecing puzzle.  I wanted some of the shapes to nestle together, which made for some interesting piecing.  I finally got my atomic shapes arranged and added plenty of negative space for quilting.

I used a combination of straight line and free motion quilting to created some ghost atoms, which I really love.  The free motion design is a squared off meander.

I finally got to use the Shades of Grey chain link print, which is a favorite of mine.  The large scale makes it perfect for backing.  I added an Echo print to one side to make it wide enough. 

I'm happy I followed my instinct to add the little pop of mustard to contrast the starkness of the gray and white.

I think I've decided I want some curves in my atoms in future.  If I dabble with this design again I'd use applique to create the shapes which probably rules out strips sets for this purpose.  Solids would be nice though I think.

This is a throw size quilt, 50 x 58, perfect over the couch or at the end of the bed.  It is in my shop. sold.

Flashdance 2

I can't think of a cute or clever name for this smaller version of Flashdance.  It is 26 x 31 before washing, so it's wall hanging size or big enough to be a stroller/car seat quilt or a large doll quilt.  I oriented the stripes differently and the proportions of the blocks vary from the first quilt.  I seem to have a habit now of making quilts twice.  I really enjoy seeing the difference small changes can make to the same basic design.

I decided to revisit the crosshatch quilting, but I chose a print binding and a multicolor print backing which add a playful feeling to the quilt.  I just love the raindrops dot from Summersault by Erin McMorris.  I have it in four colorways, in fact.  The large scale makes it perfect for a backing and the colors are so great for this quilt.  It looks perfect with the Washi print binding too.

This one is destined for the shop too, but I may not get either quilt listed until after the KCMQG retreat.  Now, I have lots of sewing projects to pack.

Flashdance

Something about the colors of this quilt and the slashed solids remind me of the 80s and headbands, hence the name of the quilt.  The quilt was actually inspired by this photo I ran across on flickr.  I loved the composition of the picture, the colors, and the improv shapes.  This quilt ended up taking me outside of my comfort zone.  It's really minimalist and modern to me.  I'm glad I tried it though and that it was done in time to photograph with my favorite spring blooming tree, which I think is a hawthorne tree.

I used kona solids and my favorite lipstick shot cotton to create this baby quilt.  It is 41 x 49 before washing.

I took my inspiration for the quilting from the backing fabric.  It is a great sketchy crosshatch flannel I found at Joanns.  It reminds me of Heath, and the aqua is so pretty.  I finished the binding by machine using this method again.  So quick.

I thought the wonky crosshatch quilting would be easy, but it was actually a little tricky to keep the random unevenness, even, if you know what I mean.  And creating the wonky grid did take a long, long time.

I'm pleasantly surprised with how soft and snuggley the quilt is, given the heavy quilting.  Maybe it's the flannel, but it has a great drape to it even with all that thread.

I'm going to wash and dry this baby quilt, and then it'll be listed in the shop.  Up next, a coordinating doll quilt I made with extra blocks.  I'm not sure if I want to quilt it the same way or try something a little more feminine.

Update: A pattern for this type of quilt can now be found in Improvising Tradition: 18 Quilted Projects Using Strips, Slices, and Strata.

Wonky Kites

Did you ever make a quilt to go with a pillow?

I saw this little quilt by Alexis, and thought it would be the perfect quilt to go with my wonky zigzag pillow.  I think they'll be a great pair - coordinating but not matching exactly.  I used the same fabrics, and the block is a similar type of block.  You just cover the corner though, with one strip, and you add another strip to the opposite corner.  Otherwise, the construction is the same.  Then you orient the blocks to create the wonky kite.

I'm waiting on backing materials for my log cabin quilts (yes, two of them), and now some for this one too.  Then I think I'll be done with this color combination, at least for a while.

Wonky Zigzag Pillow Tutorial

I used my happy stack to make this wonky zigzag pillow.It is made from a simple, improvisational block, arranged together to create a wonky zigzag shape. I’ve combined purple, pink, and orange fabrics with Kona medium gray for a fresh, modern feel. It is backed and bound with fabrics from Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley line. The striped binding fabric actually inspired the whole color combo.You can find other wonky zigzag quilts on flickr. Tong created a lovely one using solids for the Robert Kaufman challenge, and Emily designed a gray and green pillow that inspired mine. You can easily use charm packs and/or jelly roll strips to make these blocks. They are also a great way to feature your favorite scraps!

Want to make your own wonky zigzag? I created a tutorial for this pillow, which you can find here:
Wonky Zigzag Pillow Tutorial

But if you just love this one, it is listed in my shop!