A little improv

I consider myself to be a modern quilter.  Not every quilt I make fits that definition, but I think my overall approach to quilting is more modern than not.  However, I don’t do much improv piecing.  As I’ve been working along on some of my current projects, I’ve been thinking that I really need to add a little improv to my quilting life.

Quilting Modern by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen is the perfect book to get me started.  I’m a huge fan of both their quilts and blogs.  (I could gush for several pages here, but I’ll stick to the point)  I think one of the reasons I avoid improv is that the number of choices seems overwhelming.  Jacquie and Katie break it down and explain how they approach a new quilt.  Then they show seven different improv techniques to try.  OK, I can do this!  Choosing a quilt size, a technique and a few fabrics before I began cutting made approaching my task much easier.

I desperately need a new bag for carrying my laptop around.  So I started with that size in mind, Urbanicity by Michele D’Amore and Jacquie and Katie’s log cabin makeover technique.  My original idea was to make large center squares with the background fabric and frame them to make “hollow” looking square blocks.  As soon as I got out the fabrics, I changed my mind and decided to make framed rectangle blocks using some of the other fabrics in the line.

My first blocks were way too big so I cut them down and went along adding bits around the blocks to make it all fit together.  I’m pleased with the way this part of the bag turned out.  Now, shall I use the same technique for the other side or try another one?  I can’t wait to try their ideas for triangles!

Have you tried a new technique lately?

3 Comments
  • Brigitte
    Posted at 04:47h, 01 July Reply

    I sewed a quilt from HST's and made them by sewing a tube and than cutting triangles out. This is not really a brand new technique, but I loved to have the blocks in bias and they could be easily be assembled.

  • sew katie did
    Posted at 15:46h, 27 June Reply

    So happy you tried something from the book! Looks great.

  • cinzia
    Posted at 06:36h, 27 June Reply

    Setting certain boundaries within which to work in improvis the way to go! I like what you did so far. My 'something new' is making a large appliqué quilt. We'll see how that turns out.

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