Every so often I start a project with good intentions and high hopes only to have it feel like a big flop! Improv if a funny and fun technique that can be hit or miss, but with a little courage it can change in a matter of seconds.
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| SLICE & DICE 15 1/2" x 17 1/2" |
Looking at the final quilt you'd never guess that it only came together after having to slice and dice one little block to get me on my way!
I was in the mood for more improv circles and curves using a different color combination and came up with this. It hung on my design wall and for weeks I'd look at it and feel...nothing. Not one ounce of inspiration or desire to take it further. I was actually thinking the trash would be the best place for it!
Then one day it was sink or swim! Figure it out or toss it. What's it going to hurt to slice it, dice it, quarter it, mangle it?! Whether it worked or not didn't matter. Something had to be done.
I ended with something quite different from the original block and it was enough to give me the inspiration and desire to take it further. That's one of the reasons I love improv. If you don't like something you can cut it up and alter it.
All that being said, I was excited to keep going and in the end I made a wall quilt that I love.
A combination or curves, color, inset circles and triangles are some of my favorite elements to add to most any improv project.
You'll notice that the gray fabric is all but obliterated! The circle above is the only place where I left it. I couldn't bring myself to use more and I love gray in quilts!
It wouldn't be complete without a lot of crazy dense quilting! I cannot resist when I have a small project like this!
The back in all its glory! I'm glad I used a dark backing so you could see the 'doodle' quilting. Pebbles and matchstick quilting is a winner in my book.
One of my dreams and desires is to take a design like this and super size it to a big lap quilt. Seems simple, right?! When it comes to improv my tendency is to always go small. Hopefully one day I can change that!
I'm so glad you didn't give up on that one little block! and it really doesn't need the gray, though I love gray too. This is a joyful work of art!
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny how one block makes or breaks you! I was about to give up, but I’m glad I didn’t!
DeleteExactly why I enjoy improv, if you don't like it, you can cut it and change it to something else (sometimes multiple times, right??)! It works best if you don't overthink, too. Really fun to see how this one evolved! Great quilting, too. I recently took a mystery improv class and the two quilts are larger than I've made. It was interesting to go larger!
ReplyDeleteJust when I was about to toss the block and idea strikes! Improv doesn’t have set rules which is exactly why I love it. We can do whatever we want and yes…that includes slicing several times until it feels right. Mystery anything scares me a bit, but taking something like this quilt and super sizing it kind of appeals to me!
DeleteLove this!! I bet it is fun to watch you work! does the whole world disappear when you are slicing and dicing? Its a beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteI did notice that the gray went away as part of the changes. The quilt glows, and I'm glad you were able to take the block and turn it into something that inspired you!
ReplyDeleteIt’s always a good feeling when inspiration hits! I think the gray was throwing me off and I couldn’t get past it!
DeleteIt looks like you had some big fun with the quilting, Jayne!! Small quilts are the perfect place to play.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderfully effective design! And once again I'm nodding my head and agreeing with you that too often I have "Not one ounce of inspiration or desire to take it further." In fact, I have two challenge projects at that stage. It's so frustrating! But by contrast, when ONE design idea works out, it makes the creating so fun! Happily, I have a third challenge project that's heading the "right" way, and I couldn't be more excited about it. Just as you're excited about this one, as you should be. Your colors are great, as is your quilting, which as you said, is so much fun when it's on a smaller quilt. You did a super job, and should feel great about it. Having a successful design sure helps make up for the times that pieces don't come together, right?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love how your little block turns into a beautiful quilt! Very interesting to read your process, and this bright green fabric is lovely!
ReplyDeleteHow cool that your one little ho hum block turned in to this beautiful wall hanging! I too enjoyed reading about your process. . .especially the part about sink or swim!!
ReplyDeleteOh your creativity blows my mind Jayne! This quilt just spoke up and said 'no more gray, only a teensy little bit for me' and that is what is fun. We make it and we can do whatever pleases us at that time!
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely the queen of improv and solids. There is so much to love about this project. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteI love how you play and try things and don't always know where you're going to end up! This was a fun result - I love the happy colors!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great story for this little quilt. I love that the cutting it up is what gave way to a beautiful finish. Been there - done that - and it's always mind-boggling, but awesome, when that happens!
ReplyDeleteWow it's wonderful. Keep update with new blogs.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Just found your blog. THIS IS AMAZING!!!!
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