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Saturday, August 1, 2020

Fractured :: Improv

I'm not sure what I've been focusing on these days.  Some days it's mini's or pot holders, and with a little luck a quilt or two.  But with all that and more, it's always a welcome relief when I can get back to my love of improv.

FRACTURED
15 1/2" X 23"

Every so often I come across a pile of scraps that are in need of being used.  These colors have found their way into several other quilts and wall hangings, yet there are always scraps leftover.  This time I finally made it to the end and while I may revisit this color combination again, I won't be using this never ending scrap pile!


The day I started this project I was completely unsure what to do.  I layed out my pieces and waited for some sort of inspiration to hit me.  Instead my daughter grabbed a couple pieces of fabric and said 'do something different, use these'!  Well that was easy, except it wasn't!  

I had never thought to use such colors!  You can see just how uncomfortable I was with the selection because I used as little as I could!  The dark color looks black but it's actually Moda Grape.  In order to please Britt and to get into the project I powered through and threw caution to the wind!


Part of what was leftover in my scraps were half circles.  Instead of reinventing the wheel, I decided to slice and dice the pieces together and add 1/4" strips randomly throughout.  Inset circles always intrigue and excite me, so of course I had to 'go there'.


Instead of using one large background piece for the inset circles, I pieced together my background trying to make it as improv-ish as I could.  Curves, 1/4" strips, angles...it's all there. 


Once the large circles were finished I added pieces to the sides and threw in a few more inset circles to meld it all together.  I was having fun once I got into it!  The true test is in the end when it's 'a thing' and finished.


Then again it really wasn't finished until I quilted it!  That took some time.  I mean, what the heck was I going to do?!  With many of my wall hangings I take the opportunity to hone my free motion chops!  I'm never sure where it will end up, but I continue to try.  

I used my circle rules aiming for random perfection.  They aren't perfect, but they are more perfect than if I had done pebbles!  Stippling, straighlines, circles, wiggly little things...the kitchen sink.  It's all worth it to me in the end.  Anytime I get to play is a good thing.


The final touch was hanging corners and a three color scrappy binding.  When I do a lot of 'normal' quilting I like to end the streak with something crazy.  Improv is my palette cleanser.

I've promised myself that one day soon I'll make a large improv quilt again.  I don't even know the last time I went there...but I think I remember how much I loved it!!  

26 comments:

  1. this is so so good! I love the addition of the grape, the thin strips, all of it! the scrappy binding is the perfect finish. well done!

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    1. For some reason I keep forgetting how much I enjoy improv. Once again I’m reminded but wonder if I’ll take my own advice and do more!

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  2. I really love how the large inset circles look like they are floating and three-dimensional. Beautifully done, Jayne!

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    1. Part of the fun of improv is seeing what happens in the end! I never quite know!

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  3. Wow, I love everything in this quilt: colors, blocks, quilting, binding! So, so pretty!

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  4. I just want to sit in the center of a room with all of your quilts on the walls around me. It would make me extremely happy. Always fun to see your use of color and play!

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  5. Like you I don't know if I would have put these colors together But, WOW! I love this quilt. I like bright colors and I want to try improve. Haven't been there yet. But looking at this makes me want to start. And the back is just as beautiful as the front. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. This quilt is amazing and so inspirational! I want to drop everything and go make an improv quilt!

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  7. What a great design, Jayne!! It stopped me in my tracks as I started to scroll through you post. Your quilt demanded a closer look!

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  8. Sometimes a nudge from someone else is just the thing we need to spice things up. I think it came out great — but I’m going to MISS these scraps now that they’re gone!

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  9. The improv is fantastic but the quilting makes it outstanding.

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  10. This turned out stunningly! You couldn't have planned it to look like this, but it definitely works. You never mentioned how you cut and piece your circles. I'm always curious about the rulers and tools quilters use to put them together. Your FMQ is the icing on the cake! Great designs, and bold thinking to use contrasting thread color. It all works well together. Congratulations on a great finish! No doubt you'll enter it in QuiltCon, and it will be accepted. I see a ribbon there too!

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  11. I love the 'grape' as it really pops and makes the whole quilt shine. Great job on the quilting designs also. I love Wendy's comment, I am going to join her when she does it, LOL

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  12. This one really grabbed me when I first saw it. It's like a big, beautiful burst of summer, a little random, a little bright and very happy.

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  13. Hi,
    Fractured is awesome! Love the colors, they all blend in to accept each
    other...have a great day!

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  14. Great palette cleanser! I love the way you extended the lines of your thin strips with your quilting. This is such a happy finish, Jayne! Is your daughter claiming it?!

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  15. Winner winner Jayne. This one is spectacular. Hard to believe it was made with leftovers. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  16. How fun is that wallhanging! A perfect playground of merry go rounds and slides.

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  17. WOW!! That is quite amazing - and I think... Britt was right... but don't tell her I said that - kids have a way of holding it against you ha ha ha!! This is an amazing piece of art and the quilting just really makes it shine!!

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  18. Fractured. We are all a little fractured in some way at the minute. If only all our fractured ways could be as lovely as your quilt. A ray of sunshine Jayne

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  19. I love this quilt. Don't laugh but it appears to me like a bunny rabbit is looking at her image in a pool :-O The blue and black skinny strips are a perfect complement to the warm pinks and peachy hues.

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  20. Absolutely stunning! Love your choice of color with the design. Wonderful quilting to accent this quilt - BRAVO!

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  21. Wow - that is amazing! Love how you quilted it, too.

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  22. I love it! Your quilting is amazing. If I stare at it long enough, I can see a bunny. The color combination is great.

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