Wow, what a busy month December has been. Not a surprise at all, is it? I am surprised that I'm managing one last blog post this year....Yay me!
We had a wonderful Christmas this year. A little different, in that we did all our socializing on Christmas Eve which means we got to spend Christmas Day at home for the first time a in few years. That was nice - very relaxed! No schedule, no visitors, no stress. I actually slept in until 12:30 in the afternoon! It was the latest in the day that we've ever had Christmas. We just had sandwiches for dinner. And then we watched the Dr. Who Christmas Special. A very lazy Christmas and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I haven't done any sewing this month, other than some little snack bags for the granddaughters. *sigh* I really need to clean the quilt studio before I can do much more. But, I do have some sewing to share.
After my last post, I thought I would share my Bullseye quilt to show what the raw-edge applique looks like after a few washings.
This quilt is about 15 years old now. It's been washed lots of times. This is the pattern called Bullseye based on the pattern in the book "Quilts From Aunt Amy" by Country Threads (Mary Tendall Etherington and Connie Tesene). I didn't have the book or the pattern with me when I made this at a quilt retreat. I didn't even have any circle templates. I just cut the center out of a paper plate and made it up from there! All of the fabrics I used have dots or circles of some kind on them, even the background fabrics.
Here is a detail shot of two of the blocks. You can see that the raw edges have softened and frayed some, but not as much as you might think. Every once in a while, if it seems as if there are some big clumps of threads, I'll trim those down with some scissors. But mostly the fraying doesn't bother me - I really like it!
Now that I think about it, I guess this quilt also qualifies as an improv quilt! It is my favorite way to make a quilt.
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| Even my candy told me to do improv! |
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| all four placemats |
In September when I went to retreat in California, I took along this project. I wanted to make some placemats, I needed something to demo bindings at the quilt show, and Katie wanted me to teach her something new, So, I taught her how to do Debbie at A Quilter's Table's Cross-Cut quilt! We had a lot of fun doing this process together. I still want to do even more of this technique!
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| a truer representation of the fabric colors |
I used royal blue and lime-y greens because I love those colors together.
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| Katie's flimsie placemats |
Katie decided to use brights with black, her fave combo. She also cut her insert strips wider, about 1 1/2 inches, I think. I cut mine at 1 inch.
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| my inspiration page |
The Tacoma Modern Quilt Guild had a color challenge this fall. due at the October meeting. They had us choose a magazine page instead of a paint chip. It was folded up and in an envelope, so we couldn't peek! This page above was my choice, which I was happy about.
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| 19" W x 17" H |
Here is my challenge quilt. Those books in the cases really spoke to me. I'm not entirely pleased with this quilt - but I don't hate it either and it's DONE!.
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| the back of my inspiration page |
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| the back of my quilt |
If you want to see some of the other TMQG challenge quilt, click here.
For my birthday, my husband gave me a book I really, really wanted - Artful Improv by Cindy Grisdela. I love her work - it really inspires me!
So, following her Building Blocks of Improv Design in the book, here is my first attempt at the Angled Stripes exercise. I just picked the blues and greens that I liked, then added the hot pink for a zinger.
So, then I tried playing with various fabrics for the border.
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| the center is 10" W x 15" H |
And you can see here that I tweaked my design some to be more interesting.
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| sorry for the terrible photo - it's so dark here |
I think this is my final border choice. I like the way the darker border color plays with the interior, making it more important. Now I'm trying to decide on the final sizes for the sides. I think they'll end up being 4 different sizes, just to make it more interesting.
Now I want to play with more of Cindy's exercises, particularly the curves! I plan on doing more improv this coming year - it really is fun to do.
I'm linking up with the Ad Hoc Improv Quilting. Click here to see others' improv!
I'm reading that book now, too. But you're ahead of me; you're actually working on the projects. This one is so good. I think I like the navy border best, too. (I thought I liked the lime best until I scrolled further.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking with AHIQ. It's so interesting to see what everyone is doing improvisationally.
I too have this book, but like Ann I haven't begun to work on anything, yet! I love your bright, fresh colours and the last photo with the lime strips on navy is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting seeing the different choices for your angled stripes! It looks like a lot of fun. Great Challenge quilt result too! Love those colors!
ReplyDeleteThat hot pink zinger really "sings". I like the dark blue the best also. It gives contrast and a little rest for the eye. Great improv.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this book yet, but several people have recommended it. I like the piece you are working on a lot: the dark borders work well, uneven border sounds like a great idea and I like that you have carried the colours from the central blocks out into the edges. I'm also really pleased you posted your Bullseye quilt (I had been hoping you would remember). The applique really has worn well!
ReplyDeleteOMG, like I need another book, Sharon! But I have to say, your angled stripes are excellent, and your instinct with the dark border is spot on. Glad to catch up, and glad to see all your lovely sewing for the month!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, thanks for sharing. I like your placemats too, wow!
ReplyDeleteFun projects to see! Glad I came by!
ReplyDeleteI think you met the challenge admirably. It's a nice little quilt, and I like the playful feel of it, especially the backing! Re your improv piece, good call on the final bordering choice...it did need some relief from the vibrant center. I'll have to check that book, have not seen it yet!
ReplyDeleteNice job with the challenge quilt! And I really like the dark border around your exercise strips. Where in the world did you find/get that wonderful skull pin? I need one of those!!!
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