Thursday, March 25, 2021

Improv Curves :: Caribbean Waves

In between quilting a couple quilts and writing a new pattern, I was able to make and finish a wall hanging.  I've had the fabric cut and stored away for over a year and finally got around to do what I was suppose to do with it.

CARIBBEAN WAVES
15" x 19"

Small but packed full of color and quilting detail!  Amazingly, once I started it didn't take all that long to have the curves fully sewn.  The warm waters of a Caribbean island was my goal with this one and I think I just may have captured that vibe!


I used 35 colors from top to bottom.  Aqua, teal, white and dark blue all made an appearance in varying degrees.  I like to start by laying out my strips and pieces so I can get just the best flow of the colors.


I found about 6 thread colors that I was able to use for the quilting.  Quilting organic curves or matchstick quilting is always a fun adventure!  There is very little worries when it comes to putting the pedal to the metal!


The most important step to getting this ombre effect is having enough different shades to pull from.  More is better!

I opted for a faced binding for the simple reason that I wanted the 'waves' to go from edge to edge.  Almost like the waves are crashing off the the sides!!


With most improv, curves especially, there is waste!  Over the years I've fine tuned the method that works for me.  And if you know me...I waste nothing!  


A matched set...a wall hanging, pot holders and a mini wave quilt!  Still crazy after all these years!


This mini was made from the excess wave trimmings.  If I thought it was wide enough I set it aside knowing full well I'd be making a mini!  While not 35 colors, this 4" x 5" mini still has 18 different shades...and a faced binding!  

I wonder why I waited so long to use those stored away strips?!  Improv curves are always satisfying!  

LINKING:

24 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. I can get very focused on one color and find that I have to use every scrap before I can stop!

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  2. how fun to dig into a set aside project and you totally nailed the vibe! love the cute mini mini too

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  3. Was facing the small mini mini a challenge? Did you modify the technique at all?

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    1. It was a big challenge facing this one! Because of all the seams on the edges it made the turning from front to back tough. The only thing I modified was the width of the faced binding!

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  4. Well, you know I love this whole ensemble! What fun! I just finished some improv the other day, and the scraps became a fun little cat toy for Wilbs. I can't bear to throw away any usable scraps from my improv play.

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  5. Oh, that sweet mini wave, Jayne! What a great batch of projects!

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  6. It is absolutely gorgeous and totally evokes an ocean sea and sky - I love it!

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  7. You nailed it!! Super soothing ocean waters, gorgeous. Fun way to use up all the scraps.

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  8. Love this! colors are my fav - I first thought it was a painting! Looking at it makes me go "aahhhh" and I feel myself relaxing.....beautiful!!!!

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  9. Your quilt definitely has a Caribbean vibe, though it would also suit someone living in Florida! :-) Love the array of colors, that perfectly matches my sewing room. You'd appreciate my comfy solid aqua swivel-glider in my sewing room. Nice that you have the motivation to use up the littles scraps, right away. Mine go into a shoebox of like colors where they await use. In all my years of quiltmaking, I still haven't tried matchstick quilting, mostly because most of the quilts I make are useable - large. I'm fearful that too much quilting will make big quilt unsnuggly. But gosh, that quilting is really effective on this piece.

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  10. I saw this on IG and it is just stunning! It really does look like the Caribbean. It makes me long for warmer weather and a return to vacations! And I love the mini, too!

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  11. It's amazing. Can't wait until we can travel again. That mini....words escape me. ♥

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  12. 35 colors! That's really amazing. And I agree. That faced binding was perfect for this beaut.

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  13. Another gorgeous finish, Jayne. You are tempting me to try a new-to-me technique! Is there a book you can recommend to a beginner that gives a good overview of the basics of improv piecing/curved improv piecing? I am sure there are video classes, but I learn better when I can read text.

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  14. Such a beautiful and serene quilt! Love the mini too ;)

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  15. All those beautiful shades of blue take me right back to Cancun. Amazing work, and scraps sewn up too!

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  16. So beautiful! I am feeling the vibe. I love the matching accessories you made from the extra bits as well.

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  17. Really stunning Jayne. Every time you finish something, it is my new favorite. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  18. This is just gorgeous, Jayne! You have such a way with color. It's helpful to know that you chose from lots of different colors when deciding what to use to get that color gradient.

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  19. Wow! Yes, you've captured the vibe! What a great way to use the scraps too! I like the way you graduated the colors.

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  20. Oh my goodness, Jayne, this ombre improv curved mini quilt is just stunning! Your work continues to inspire me!

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  21. Love that quilt. The colors and the movement are fantastic. But eep! That mini quilt is simply adorable!!!!

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  22. Your quilt is beautiful! I also like your label, can you tell me where you purchased it?

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