This raggedy piece of improv was originally intended for a laptop sleeve in 2013. My daughter requested a specific size of improv, in a very specific color scheme for a specific laptop bag, for specifically herself.
I wasn't going to make it for her, for we all know I'm extremely challenged in that department. I was sure she would take this 'work of love' and seriously do something with it. Seriously, I did. She didn't. I reclaimed it. You snooze, you lose!
It wasn't hard to figure out what I should make it into. Mini quilts...all the rage! Plus, I could really play with the quilting on this.
Much of the fabrics are from Britt's hand dyed stash, and the rest is my favorite...shot cottons. The combination of the two is one I use very often. I've never had any issues or problems mixing the two together.
I knew I would quilt the heck out of this! And I pretty much did just that! Dense matchstick quilting. Just exactly what I wanted to do...and do a lot of it!
I used a blue grey thread for the majority of the lines, and for fun I added chartreuse and orange. I knew it would be fine in the end, I just didn't know how fine it would be.
If it were a song, perhaps it would be these lyrics ' Oh Mickey, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind'. It might be just me, but I was blown away with the quilting!
Truth: I used Coats & Clark thread. The colors matched perfect!
An idea hit me after the vertical lines were finished. Why not keep going and funk it up a bit?!
And that's when the curves started. It had to be. I couldn't stop quilting once I started.
I'm not sure there is anything more fun than putting your pedal to the metal when machine quilting! With no concern about making it perfect, it felt empowering to let it fly! Seriously, so much fun!
The grey back shows the colors of the thread and the crazy line detail. It makes me want to do it again!
I used my go to method for hanging this mini. The triangles and twill ribbon loops hold the narrow board against the piece and the hole in the center of the board makes hanging a piece of cake.
 |
| 16 1/2" x 22" |
LINKING:
Ha ha! I love that you reclaimed this and that you went that extra step with the quilting :)
ReplyDeleteI knew I wanted to do matchstick quilting, the rest just happened as I went along!
DeleteI like this a lot! Great quilting too.
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell you how much I loved quilting this little piece!
DeleteI love everything about this. I have a quilt top, a bit bigger than this, all shot cottons, and I think this is exactly how I'm going to quilt it. Unless you would like to do it for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI had so much fun quilting my little piece, so I would hate to take away the pleasure you will have doing yours! It really is fun to let loose sometimes…even if it's only with machine quilting!
Deletethe curves are genious! do you have a tutorial for that "go to" method for hanging? I guess I'm mostly wondering what kind of "board" that is.
ReplyDeleteI've seen it with a ruler, or part of a meter stick chopped off (from a friend at a lumber depot, where such things are just lying about, one supposes)
DeleteI need to make a tutorial for my hanging method! I get the boards from Home Depot. They have boards that are approx. 3/4" and I think 3' long. My husband cuts them whatever length I need and drills the hole. I have to say, it's a perfect method! One small nail and it's good!
DeleteWow. Thanks for sharing the reclamation journey! Only other thing I wanna know is what size it is.
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot to add the size! It's 16 1/2" x 23". Small and very fun to quilt that way!
DeleteIt is gorgeous!!! I like everything on that it is absolutely fantastic! I like your new rule too!
ReplyDeleteThe motion the curved quilting gives the mini is fantastic. Way to turn a UFO into a glorious work of art. :)
ReplyDeleteJayne, thanks for sharing that triangle trick for hanging. I've never seen it before and I am seriously excited. So much better than an annoying sleeve...Hope it works on larger pieces. And the piece is super cool. Love the colorful quilting.
ReplyDeleteIt works so well for those little mini's! I think the corners are a 3 1/4" square and I use a 3" piece of twill folded in half. I love the way it holds every thing flat! No corners curling!
DeleteWay to go just attacking that thing with quilting. ;) It turned out great. Love the thread color choices especially.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilting Jayne. I love the colors in this one too. Very nice finish!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThere is a perfect name for this...I don't know what it is, but it seems like there is a "floor" on the bottom, and it just gets crazy fun from there on up!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this one. Good for you for taking it back! I can't believe you use Coats & Clark (and it works for you!) The hanging system is genius!
ReplyDeleteAgreed...if you don't use it, you lose it!! This is amazing. Your quilting....wow....I like the curved sewing.
ReplyDeleteoh I like this! Great job with the quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love this, the colours, the quilting - so glad you reclaimed it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!! I love the quilting - so much fun! Great finish!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt makes me want to run into my sewing room and start chopping up and sewing some of my scraps, it is so wonderful and inspirational!
ReplyDeletevery cool!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time you had! and it's terrific! I'm a great believer of you snooze, you lose, too :)
ReplyDelete