From Trash to Treasure! The Process.

Not really trash!  I would never call fabric trash or scraps for that matter!  From one a little pile of scraps my mind always races with ideas.  But if you have visited me and my blog before, you probably already know that!

Early in May I made a placemat.  Sixteen to be exact!  These Geometric Placemats also got me thinking of other ideas, maybe even a pattern at some point.

Before I share the finished quilt, I thought I would share my process.  What I started with, where it took me and the flimsy finish.  Hold on to your hats...



Lovely, right?!  If I hadn't made sixteen place mats, I'm sure I wouldn't have kept any of the pieces.  The gauntlet was thrown down...the challenge began!

 

I put together several other blocks, added pieces of fabric to existing scraps and figured out ways to use pieces that were 'iffy' to begin with.

The plan wasn't to make each of these triangles the same shape or size.  I went with what I had when adding fabric and trimming them up.  That being said, I still wanted consistency with the shapes for whatever direction I was going to go in.  There wouldn't be perfection.  



I had to made a few extra of the triangle pieces (above) in order to get nine blocks for the quilt.  After those were finished I put them on my design wall for a few days to figure out my next move.  

The 1/4" dark grey lines are the connecting lines or the thread that binds it all together.  It made sense at the time for everything to link together.  Perhaps that's because there was sure to be a lot of negative space and I didn't feel like floating blocks would work.



You can see the inconsistencies of the pieces.  The blocks, the lines...like I said nothing would be perfect.  And I think that's okay.  There are times when things don't need to be. Then again there are times when perfection has to be spot on.  Either way, it's your choice.  



Of course there are places where I wish my seams had lined up better or perfect.  It just didn't happen and I didn't push it or myself.  Call me lazy!

Connecting the dots!  That's where the magic happens.  After days of planning and working on a quilt, getting it together feels so good!

I thought by adding the 1/4" grey border around the center would put the finishing touch on it, or contain the design.  My mind could only think horizontally when piecing the sections to make the top.  Maybe not the best way to go about it, but there's no turning back once I get a thought or idea!

I decided a simple pieced backing would be just fine.  Grey, pink and a rusty orange.  Now to make a quilt sandwich and get the quilting juices flowing!

I love a beautiful close up shot of most anything!  This quilt inspired me to get 'up close and personal' with it.  

After sitting pinned and primed, this quilt eventually made it to my quilting table.  It can take a very long time for me to figure out how I should quilt most anything.  Especially longer when I have negative space on a big project.  Quilting on a domestic machine has its limits, so coming up with something that I can do myself takes time.  

I'll be sharing the finished quilt very soon.  Because I'm still in Oregon, I don't have my notes on the fabric with me!  I know I used Kona Graphite, Shadow and dusty pink.  The orange and pink orange is a Shot Cotton.  Not a lot of info to go by...sorry!

Stay tuned!  More to come!

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Abstract ~ Impvov Wall Hanging

A finish is a good thing!  I have to admit that I was unsure about the colors in this quilt.  The improv I knew would work, the colors...not so much.  But as I worked through the process I came to love the color combination.  Just enough of this and that color, with a healthy dose of red and grey!

I've been eyeing this sculpture in the middle of 'officeland' for quite some time.  With my husband and quilt in tow, we took a detour yesterday to give it a shot!    

34" x 38"

When I started this quilt, the focus was red.  In order for the red to shine or standout without being over bearing, I balanced that issue with grey.  I think it worked perfectly well!  

I machine quilting vertical organic lines using two different colors of grey thread.  And then added randomly placed horizontal waves in several areas.   

You can see the full effect here.  The backing is Kona Graphite, and check out the binding!  

It seemed to me that a very scrappy binding would only be fitting.  It also carries the design right to the edge without having to do a knife edge binding.  Which I've done, but didn't want to do it with this quilt.

The lighting was so perfect this morning for pictures, I could barely contain myself let alone quit taking photos!  How often does that happen?!  For me not too often.  I love capturing the true colors and texture of quilts, when it happens it's nearly magical! 

It's hard to believe this quilt was started after my cracked rib accident!  Where the simple task of using my rotary cutter brought nothing but pain.  Determination fought through pain. While the episode is still fresh in my mind, I'm happy to say that finally...after two weeks I'm just about pain free!

It was pure joy, pure heaven to finally have jumped back in to some improv!  It surprises me how much I missed improv when I haven't done it in a while.  Do you ever feel like that?  Do you have a favorite design, process or technique you love? 

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This is crazy!

Finishing a quilt is the best!  Finishing a quilt that I just discovered has been in limbo for over a year is even better!!

This quilt was the brain child of my daughter Britt.  She had a vision.  A very specific vision.  Knowing that I love a challenge, she got me to collaborate with her.  I love working with her.  She is one of the most creative and gifted people I know.  (Yes, I am biased!)  

We started this one in July of 2013!  Yep!  That's right!  I was shocked after going through my Flickr photos to learn that!

This quilt required a few partial seams.  I shy away from that sort of thing.  Partial seams, Y-seams, pretty scary stuff!  It all fell on Britt's shoulders!  And she did a fabulous job!  

So, this pinned quilt hung on my quilt ladder forever.  I waited and waited for someone to quilt it.  Someone who started this thing!  I kept waiting.  Hoping.  Obviously for over a year until I couldn't take it any longer!  I pulled it down and made a quilting plan.  

The big square is a tightly quilted cross-hatch using a coordinating thread.  Very random. The lines are extended slightly on to the blue.  I went vertical and horizontal with the remainder of the quilt.  It mimics the cross-hatch, but on a bigger scale.  

I do love how it turned out.  Simple and modern.  I am sad to say that Britt and I don't do much quilting together now-a-days.  We use to have our 'power' quilting times.  Both machines whirling away on the table.  Laughing, talking and just spending time together.  I think its time to do it again...I wonder if she remembers how to use her machine!  

On a different note!  I received an early birthday gift.  Again, Britt was the mastermind!

My little card!  Guess who's going to the AQS Chattanooga Quilt Show?  That would be me!  And Britt!  It will be the first quilt show I have been to and I'm looking forward to it.  I have often thought about entering a quilt in a show.  This will be a research mission. Could I, should I?!  

I do have a couple in progress quilts to show off.  

This one is almost finished!  I'm sewing the binding on right now.  It's a modified version of my 'soon to be' pattern.  

Woven stripe baby quilt.  Ready to quilt once I figure out what I want to do!

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Reveal!

I have a big reveal!  My wonderful customer Kathleen, was kind enough to send pictures of her new queen quilt and pillow covers.  It isn't often that I actually get to see what these wild and crazy quilts look like in someones home...so this was a treat for me!

First, I show a few pictures of the pillow covers.  I must say, it is scary and difficult to make something custom.  As for the pillow covers, well I relied on measurements that Kathleen provided me.  Adding extra for seam allowances and shrinkage, I was sweating bullets hoping they would be the right size!  And they were!  You never know how much they will shrink, if any.

This was the littlest one.  12" x 24"

#1~26.5" x 26.5" Square

#2~26.5" x 26.5" Square

Largest at 18" x 52.5"

Just in case, I didn't put any of the fabric away.  It certainly was possible that they wouldn't fit.  And I wanted to be prepared.  You know...just in case!

After receiving a lovely message and pictures...I sighed a huge breath of relief...blushed a little from the sweet compliments and began to relax and plan my next project!

  

And here is the Reveal!!!  Thank you for putting up with my endless posts about this quilt project!  It seemed to go on forever didn't it?  

For me, this is the payoff.  Seeing it displayed and having a very happy customer!  I'm sure Kathleen will have many, many years of enjoyment and warmth from her very own, one-of-a-kind art piece!

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Here I Go Again!

Back at it!  Improv/Abstract mode in full swing again!  After finishing the biggest quilt I have ever made and taking a well deserved brain break from it...I'm 'back in the saddle' so to speak!

Here is the post where I revealed the finished quilt:  Well Worth It!  It was massive and very rewarding!  The finished quilt was delivered to my customer who loved it!  Whew!  It's always a relief to hear that!  You just never know!

The next phase was pillows.  She asked, I said yes...thinking two regular sized pillow covers.  Turns out it four and 3 different sizes!  Luckily I'm up for the challenge!

This is the first one and the smallest of the four measuring 12" x 24".  All the pillows will end up with a classic envelope closure.

I wanted to make each pillow like the quilt, but different so they stand out a little bit.  This one is much darker.  I used a little white, but mostly colors.  Measuring at a whopping 18" x 52.5" it is the biggest pillow I have ever made!  I guess this quilting project has become the 'bigger is better' project!

Right now I am working on the last two.  In the end they will be 26.5" x 26.5" square.  

It was really hard to get back in the improv mode after the quilt.  I was fighting it, trying to get my head in the game.  

It helped to take a break.  I finally got to hand dye more fabric!  My stash has been slowly dwindling!  Here is a sneak peak at a few pieces me and my daughter dyed:

We played with the Shibori method on these pieces.  Kind of a loose version I would say!  It's amazing what a little twine, twisting and folding can create!  

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Catch Up!

Happy Monday Morning!  I know its early, but so far this week is starting off pretty great! How optimistic is that?!

I realize I have some catch up to do.  A few projects to share.  An update.  Maybe a little rambling on.  I'm not sure where time goes.  I know there are plenty hours in the day, days in the weeks and weeks in the month...but really?  It seems like there isn't enough!  (that was my ramble)

So, let me up date you!  My last post was about this big queen quilt:  Well Worth It.  After stressing out on so many levels about this, my customer received it.  Turns out she loves it!  Whew...load off my mind!  She and I discussed pillow covers for the next phase.  I thought she was talking two.  Turns out its four!  Two square and one rectangle.  And one that is, dare I say HUGE again?!  I guess you would call it a body pillow that is used as a bolster.  I'll be back in improv/abstract mode before too long!

Here is my Vice Versa BOM blocks from last month.  Another few days and there should be another pattern...whatever will it be?!

I love the border on this one!

It wasn't until this very second...seriously....that I see I messed this one up!  It looks different from the first one!  It appears I didn't place the corner pieces correctly!  ARGH!  I think maybe I will be doing this one over again!

They look good together even with the mistake!  I'm still scratching my head over this!

Just a pretty little stack of zipper coin purses!  I am loving this color combination!  I have a story behind these!  However, it will have to wait for the next post!!  

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Well Worth It!

Oh boy!  There isn't anything like the feeling of finishing a quilt!  It's one thing to make a quilt from start to finish...that is rewarding in itself.  But making a HUGE custom quilt and having it come out as planned, well it's a relief to say the least! 

I stress from start to finish.  Did I pick the right colors.  Will my customer love them. Should this piece go here?  Will my customer love that.  How should I quilt it.  Will my customer love it.  Time for a wash.  Will it please not bleed....you know the feeling.  One more hurdle to go.  One more bit of time for stressing out.  Although I have sent pictures throughout the entire process, will my customer love it in person???

It isn't any secret that I love to make abstract, improv quilts.  And it is totally subjective. People like what they like.  When I first started making and selling my work I wondered if there were others who would like what I do.  Insecure quilter!  

So, this was the first post I did on this massive quilt:  Officially It's BIG.  The start of the process.  A big undertaking!

And here she is!  A massive bundle of joy, stress and accomplishment!  Thankfully my customer gave me the thumbs up to 'just do what I do'.  It helped my mindset a little bit!  

Let's talk stats!  This is a for a queen size bed.  The final measurements ended up being 90" x 96".  White background was requested because the bedroom is dark, which is why I was freaking out about bleeding in the end!  I barely had enough room to pin the top to the back, but after moving a piece of furniture or two, it worked.  

Because of the size and the fact that my machine couldn't handle anything much bigger, I decided to quilt it using organic vertical straight lines.  Varying widths.  Simple.  Effective.  

Did I mention how heavy this quilt is?  And how big it is?  It wasn't easy.  I will admit I had some sore arms and shoulders!  I intentionally made it much bigger than the finished size (but of course).  I knew that I would need some 'play' when it was time to square it up. Smart cookie!  Actually, I learned that lesson from a previous quilt!

This size of quilt is also hard to photograph!  I enlisted my son and daughter for help.  A couple step stools, a couple tall people and a camera.  I also have a hard time getting good shots of white fabric.  It more often than not ends up blue-ish.

This quilt is the biggest I have ever made.  There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears put into this one.  But in the end...so worth it.  Its gratifying.  

What is the biggest quilt you have made?  What was the biggest challenge you had during the quilt making process?

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Officially ~ It's Big!

My current work in progress is BIG!  Big, big, big!  This one...is officially the biggest quilt I have ever made!

I'm working on a custom queen size quilt right now.  An improv, abstract, mid-century modern type quilt.  Huge.  In the end it will measure 90" x 95".  Immense.

This is the beginning.  A few blocks to get the feel of where I want to go.  From here, well its a lot of tiny piecing.  The block sizes are every size imaginable.    

This quilt is inspired by a previous quilt I made.  My 'Green With Envy' Improv quilt.  This one was way smaller...tiny compared to the one I'm working on now!

I tried to get a couple WIP shots.  My project wall isn't in the best place to get a full size view.  I could move the wall...

I have one more panel to make today.  One more piece to the puzzle.  Hopefully one more day of meticulous piecing and placing.  

With that said...I better get off the computer and get to work!

If you haven't already, please feel free to enter my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway!

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