Modern Strata Quilted Pillow

I used the leftover bits from my scrap solids quilt to create this cheerful, improv pillow (do scraps ever really get completely used up?). This random looking piecing is called strata, and I give detailed instructions on the technique  in a section of my book, Improvising Tradition. I never really noticed, but until now all my strata has been monochromatic. The riot of color from the multicolored scraps has a very different feel, but I think it works in small doses.
 

The quilting is an easy free motion swirl that creates such a fun, contrasting texture to the geometric piecing.

For a nice plump pillow, the cover finishes at 19 x 19 inches to be filled with a 20 inch pillow form. The pillow backing is fully interfaced and closed with my favorite finish for quilted pillows - the lapped zipper.

This happy little number is available in my etsy shop.

Tara's Shattered Chevrons Bed Runner

It's so fun to be able to share a completely different take on the same pattern as the last post: the Shattered Chevrons pattern from Improvising Tradition. Tara of Quilter's Stash, made this lovely bed runner version. I think the chevron design is so effective in this long, thin arrangement.

I also love the fabrics Tara chose. This isn't a color scheme I have ever used, but I think I will. It feels autumnal, but I think it will work throughout the year too.

The quilting is fabulous as well!

Thanks so much letting me share your work Tara!

Nancy's Shattered Quilt

I was delighted to see Nancy's version of Shattered Chevrons Quilt from Improvising Tradition, and I'm so pleased she agreed to let me share it with you. I love the combination of green fabrics she chose. The lime stands out so nicely against the Peppered Cotton background. The quilt is a wedding gift for a couple who met as dancers on the set of the musical Wicked, so the color scheme takes its inspiration from the show, which such a neat way to personalize it.

If you looks closely you can see Tia Curtis' custom quilting which are lyrics from the couple's favorite songs. Don't you love the lime thread she used? It really is such a special quilt. 

Check out Nancy's Instagram page for more shots of her quilts and cute twins.

Quilt As You Go Coasters

It's fun to pull out your own book to make a project. These are the Jewel Box Coasters from Improvising Tradition. It's so nice to have the quilt math done already by the pattern.

The center of each coaster is improv pieced strata, although really, you could put anything you like in the center, including a fussy cut square or a miniature block like the hour glass I used in this coaster set. The outer frame is pieced quilt-as-you-go. It's a simple technique that works perfectly for projects which can be made turn and flip.

As the pattern specifies, I used a layer of Insul-Bright and a layer of batting, which gives the coasters a nice weight as well as real heat protection. They really stand up on their own, and who really wants a floppy coaster, after all?

The pattern makes four coasters, but I doubled it to make a nice matching set of eight. I like that each coaster is unique because of the improv centers, but they still go together as a set.

The coaster set is a great host gift, although I'm contemplating making another eight and keeping these.

The Morse Code Quilt

I get a little thrill every time I come across a quilt or project made from one of my patterns. I suspect every designer does. I found this Morse Code Quilt on Instagram because its maker, Andrea, included the hashtag #improvisingtradition which is a great way to add your work to a group of other quilts from the same book,designer, or pattern, FYI.

I appreciate how the dramatic background sets off the cool colors. Check out Andrea's other sewing projects and great photos on her Instagram page. Thanks for sharing Andrea!

photo by Joe Hancock

To my surprise, when I tried to find my original post about this quilt to add the link, I discovered there was none. I never posted about this quilt. Really? Well, better four years late that never, right? The Morse Code Quilt is in the sewing with strips section of Improvising Tradition, and it is a super simple throw sized quilt, great for quilters new to improv. The varying sizes of the strips reminds me of the dots and dashes of morse code. As you can see, I chose warm colors in contrast to Andrea's cool palette. Both work beautifully with grey.

Re-purposing Prototypes

These placemats started out as prototypes for the By the Fireside Pillow from Improvising Tradition. I don't know about you, but I'm just about at capacity for throw pillows around here (not that I'm promising to abstain from making more, mind you). Consequently, I was happy to re-purpose the tops into placemats. A simple trim down to 14 x 18, and they fit the bill beautifully.

I've quilted each placemat differently. Look how effective a simple all over square meander can be, even on a geometric design.

On the other I played up the geometric design by quilting the sections differently to make each stand out.

This pair of placemats brings my total number of placemats for Meals on Wheels to 10 which  is halfway to my goal of 20 by December. If you want to join me, add #placemats4mow to your social media posts to share.

Scattered Colors Table Runner, Custom

I was commissioned to make a Scattered Colors Table Runner with teal and mustard solids. I used mostly shot cottons on a peppered cotton background in charcoal.

This is a really quick project if you need a housewarming or hostess gift. It's also a great pattern to double. Like cookies, it is just about as easy to make two as it is to make one, while you've got all the strips out. You can find the pattern for this runner in Improvising Tradition.

I grabbed a few shots of the runner in the golden morning light.

En Pointe 2.0

I suppose En Pointe 2.0 is a bit of a misnomer, although I like the way it sounds. This was actually the original version of the wall hanging from Improvising Tradition before I decided to change the colors as inspired by Degas ballerina paintings.

I found the abandoned top a while ago and decided to finish it. My favorite bit is the sparkle of the golden shot cotton.

Do you ever make a quilt more than once, changing the fabrics? I tend to prefer the original when I do, but these each have their charms. I like the more masculine colors of this version, as well as the teal voile binding.

Inspired by Improvising Tradition, Again

I have more of projects share with you today, made by readers of Improvising Tradition.

Veronica, a talented graphic designer, business owner, and quilter from my ancestral homeland of Scotland, made this lovely quilted pillow cover based on the By the Fireside pillow in the Strips section of the book. I really like her use of prints in this.

 

Eva made matching placemats and a table runner from the Ribbons Placemats pattern in the Slice and Insert portion of the book. She won a second place ribbon on them at the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild Show that's runs in conjunction with the AQS Des Moines show!

I was so pleased to see the progress shots on Instagram of Cassie's baby quilt from the Shattered Chevrons pattern. This was her first FMQ project start to finish, and it looks so pretty. I love the colors she chose!

I had a sweet email from Kaaren who doesn't use social media but shared this set of coasters made from the Jewel Box Coasters pattern from the Strata section of the book. This is actually a pattern you can read for free as a excerpt on Sew Mama Sew.

 

With the strata technique under her belt, Kaaren made this cute baby quilt, a variation of the cover quilt, Waterfall.

I'd love to see what you make too. Send me a photo via email or use the hashtag #improvisingtradition online to share. I'm happy to link to your blog or other social media site, with your permission.

A Tale of Two Table Runners

Believe it or not, this is the first project I've made from Improvising Tradition since it was published. A family member requested a handmade item, and the Scattered Colors Table Runner came to mind because it is quick to make and easy to customize. I loved seeing it come together in the cool colors he requested, and I shortened the runner lightly to fit his table by simply omitting a couple of strips. It would also be easy to make it wider or narrower. The pattern is very specific, but it also teaches you the method. Once you understand the method, you can adjust it to fit your needs so simply.

Using the fabrics from the front as a simple striped backing makes the runner reversible. Love that! I used beautiful blue and green shot cottons, and the gray is a Moda crossweave.

Once you have the fabrics out and begin cutting the strips, it is just as easy to make two runners as it is to make one. I made both over the weekend, finishing up the binding over the course of a piano lesson and an evening of movies. I have listed the second runner extra for my etsy shop. It measures 13" wide by 51" long.

A Whole Month of Improv Quilting

Did you know that Sandi of Crafty Planner  and Daisy of Ants to Sugar are dedicating a whole month of blog posts to improv quilting? Improv Quilting Month includes tutorials, podcasts, prizes, and book and class reviews. It's a great place to get a taste of the many different perspectives and techniques available on the subject. I find it interesting to see how quilters approach the same topic in so many unique ways.

Today Sandi reviewed Improvising Tradition, and you have a chance to win a copy, among other giveaways. Just post a picture of a recent or current improv project with the hashtag #improvquiltchallenge for a chance to win. I definitely recommend you peruse the hashtag on instagram for tons of improv inspiration!

Scattered Colors Table Runner

One of my favorite projects from Improvising Tradition: 18 Quilted Projects Using Strips, Slices, and Strata is also the simplest to make. Scattered Colors Table Runner is the perfect pattern to try if you are new to improvisational piecing or if you are more experienced and want a quick project. The pattern is in the Slice and Insert section of the book. The design is simple, but it really packs a visual punch. (I can't believe I haven't shared the photo before now, even though I shared a project inspired by it in this post.)

photo by Joe Hancock

I made the runner using a crossweave for the background and shimmery shot cottons for the pops of color. The straight line quilting and matching binding keep the focus on the design.

I used rectangles of the featured fabrics on the front to create a striped backing, making the runner reversible. The texture of this runner is delicious.