While there are many techniques for improv, this method gives you the control you are comfortable with. Let's face it not everyone is comfortable slicing and dicing trying to achieve a beautiful improv piece. I feel the same way when it comes to making a quilt from a pattern! My brain doesn't think that way!
This mini charm, mini quilt is the result of being in control, going wonky and very little chaos! I used woven stripes for the starting squares (mini charm) and raided my scraps for an assortment of blue, teal and purple. After cutting the strips according to the tutorial, I randomly pulled pieces for each block.
It's important to have variety of colors and to not think about placement. Make a pile, grab randomly and continue on!
Always looking to practice my free motion quilting, this piece was just the right size for it. It's all FMQ! Yay me!! I quilted tiny 'bricks' from the side to the corner, almost like a cobblestone path and finished it off with dense curved lines.
I used a double layer of Warm & Natural batting hoping to get more texture and depth. At first I wasn't too impressed with myself. FMQ isn't easy! Once it was finished, I was really quite happy! Except for a few issues trying to travel over lines, I didn't do too bad!
Another option I tried was using the same Mini Charm block tutorial, but adding an additional strip on two sides.
Much like making a log cabin. This way you get more variety, or more of an improvised feel. It's still controlled.
Adding black changed everything!
Just like the previous quilt, I FMQ bricks except on a bigger scale. Gotta go with what works!
I didn't want to beat this method to death, but it appears I may have! Wonky is good. Improv doesn't have to be intimidating. For those of you who can't give up control but want to give improv a try, this may give you the confidence and comfort you need!
LINKING:
Hi Jayne! Thank you for encourage us to improv. These are beautiful and the quilting is fantastic! x Teje
ReplyDeleteI know there are a lot of people who would love to try improv, but can't let go of the control! This method gives you all that and more!
DeleteThey are both so beautiful! The use of black on the second one makes the red bits seem to float. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved red and black together! This came together so easily and proves that anyone can do improv…even controlled improv!
DeleteSuch fun! You are really coming along with your FMQ.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to FMQ on small projects, so much easier! I've been working on a baby quilt that has a lot of FMQ pebbles…its crazy! I'll share that later!
DeleteLook at you rocking the FMQing. I love both of these, Jayne. And it totally blows my mind that they came from the Wonky Mini Charm pattern. The design looks totally random, but when you start to break it down the construction is so much easier than random pieces sewed together. Improv without the improv :)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying so hard with my FMQ! Still along way to go, but at least I'm still having fun! I know it's hard for some people to give up control, but this at least gives them an option! I like improve with out improv!!
DeleteThose are both fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alycia!
DeleteWonky is how I gently started my approach to improv piecing. My first block was so barely wonky that it still makes me smile! :) These are lovely finishes and I love the contrasting thread on the back of the red table runner version.
ReplyDeleteI would much rather just cut and go, but this controlled version is perfect if you can't let go! It's funny how far we've come in our quilting when we think about it!
DeleteI adore the little blue quilt especially! And good point - improv doesn't have to be all complicated; it's easy to start simple. Good going on the fmq too - something I need to get back to working on!
ReplyDeleteI think I have gone as far as I can go with this wonky phase now! It was fun to see what would happen by changing up fabrics. Maybe it will encourage others to give improv a try! I still have a long way to go with my FMQ skills! I like the freedom of it, I just have to get the hang of it now!!
DeleteThat black and red gets me every time. Both are great finishes. Your quilting is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonderful quilts! Beautiful colors. Fun quilting. I love your use of the mini charms - would you share which fabric line they were from?
ReplyDeleteI will have to try this. Improv/wonky does not come easily to my symmetry-loving brain.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not a girl that can do improv, I think I can handle wonky. Both projects look great but I really love the red with the black background.
ReplyDeleteImprov tends to scare a lot of people, but it doesn't have to. Using the wonky block tutorial gives you the effect but with the control you are comfortable with. I glaze over when having to pick prints for a project, so I get being uncomfortable with improv!
DeleteWhat a neat variation of your Wonky Mini Charm. This is definitely a form of improv I could get comfortable with. I love how just small changes make such striking differences in the look. I like the idea of double thick Warm and Natural, too--what a great way to use up all those little leftover pieces of batting. Your FMQ is looking great--so much texture in the cobblestones.
ReplyDeleteWe say it all the time, fabric can really change a design! I hope that this wonky improv idea helps you and others feel a little more comfortable about trying improv. I'm not sure why I decided to go with a double layer of batting…it was a scrap and it's always nice to use those up! I'm loving the freedom of FMQ and hope to keep going and learning!
DeleteGreat job making this doable for everyone. The quilting shows so well on the back... I love to see quilting. Yours is like tumbling tiles. The black and red one is really interesting, very artistic. LeeAnna
ReplyDeleteI am just starting to learn more about improv and fmq'ing... You have done a WONDERFUL job on these two projects. And what a great idea to do small things that are practical too. Gorgeous xx
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever get tired of improv. It's always changing! I love seeing your free motion quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love these kind of quilts! And improv is so much fun and so free!
ReplyDeleteI love improv, and yours are completely wonderful!!! That little blue one?!?! OH MY!!!! Off to stitch - thanks, Jayne!
ReplyDeleteLove your work Jayne!
ReplyDeleteBoth are beautiful, but I love the red and black! Your quilting is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThey are both beautiful, Jayne. I specially like the way you quilted them. They compliment the quilt top so well.
ReplyDelete-Soma