I've said for months and months how I wanted to get back into some massive improv projects. It's appropriate to say 'be careful what you wish for'! When it rains, it pours! I had no idea I would take it quite as far as I have, most of which I haven't even shared yet. To kick off my improv extravaganza I'll start with this simple table runner!
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| CLASSIC RED & BLACK 15 1/4" x 42" |
I've always been drawn the the classic red and black color combination. I think it can be super dynamic and visually pleasing. It was a nice change working with these colors after my last couple improv quilts. Changing it up with color, yet still having the improv bug!
After raiding my red stash I came up with 5 different red fabrics. The difference in the reds is minimal but noticeable. As always I like to add a slight twist, so for visual effect I grabbed some coordinating woven stripes.
The pieces of stripes that I added are small. I didn't want those to be the standout in this table runner. I'm not sure they could be considering that red and black is pretty much an 'in your face' mixture.
Once I decided basically how I wanted the shape of the center to be I set about making my blocks. As with most of my improv there is no rhyme or reason. I just start and continue adding pieces of fabric until I think it'll work. And when it isn't quite the right size...I'll add another piece to it. Eventually I find the sweet spot and can move on to the final piece of the puzzle...black.
One thing about making table runners is that there doesn't have to be a set size they need to be. I like that I can make something 15" wide give or take an inch or two. If during the squaring up process I need to take off another 1/2" to make it straight, it usually doesn't affect the finished design.
Another plus to table runners is how much easier it is to quilt them! Granted I don't usually get creative or detailed in most of my quilting adventures, but it makes the process fast and fun whatever the final quilting design is.
In this case I started quilting straight lines 2, 3 or 4 inches apart with black thread. That let me add more lines in red thread. I didn't want a lot of red lines from side to side, just enough to please myself. The plan was to have more red thread detail focusing on the center section, which did happen. Once the red was finished I continued with black lines from side to side to fill in.
The quilting ended up being semi dense, not over the top dense. The main attraction is the design and it didn't need more to make it standout. Red and black is a combination that often doesn't need to be enhanced. It's pretty bold all on it's own!
It's been a fun adventure with all the improv I've done this past month, but with all good things it has come to an end. At least for now! All that freedom with cutting, piecing and assembly can get to a girl! Which means I had to move on to something that was more structured!
Isn't that one of the great things about quilting?! You don't have to stay in one lane. One day it's improv, the next day it's paper piecing!
