Friday, March 6, 2015

An Improv Kind Morning

So this month in the Beejeebers Bee Cheryl asked us to simply make two blocks that were red and white.   The sky was the limit as far as the design.  I started going through a few block designs and quickly realized I wasn't feeling up to cutting a whole bunch of tiny pieces this morning.  So I grabbed some of my 2 1/2" squares that are piled up next to my machine (for my AQP Quilt-A-Long) and just started sewing.  And this is what I ended up with ;)  And I am pleased as punch!!!


And I got to say,  there is nothing quite as fun and freeing as just sewing without a plan.  I don't do it near as often as I should, I think it is the accountant in me that makes it a bit out of my comfort zone ;)  But everytime I do I have so much fun and I just love the end results ;)  This is what I started with originally.  Just some fun patchwork.  The whites are different shades, but it is hard to tell in the picture ;)


Then I thought of this pillow I made a while back and bingo!!!  I have done improv string slashing  (I am totally creating a new term there :)  before but never on patchwork.  So I decided to see where it would go.   So a simple slash.


Added a string and liked it.  So I rolled with it.


And I got to his point and decided I didn't want the strings to overtake the patchwork, but my block still wasn't quite big enough.   So how to fix it . . . add a border ;)   I squared up my blocks.


Added a border, and then squared up my blocks again offsetting the borders.  And I can't say how happy I was that the blocks weren't big enough.  The borders just framed them up so nicely ;)


And that was my journey with some improv piecing this morning ;)


I think I will do it again soon ;)


So what about you???  Do you like to have a plan before you start or just start sewing and see where it goes??  Or, are you trying to embrace both??

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!!
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23 comments:

  1. It's like looking through branches at the patchwork. Sounds like a fun process; I may have to try it sometime!

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  2. These are so great! Watching this whole process made me smile. I may have been inspired as well, oooh! Thanks for teaching me something new today!

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  3. I really like the slashed patchwork!

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  4. Great job!! I love working like this too...and I love your red and white blocks

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  5. Those blocks are great! I think that is the best kind of sewing!

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  6. Thank you ,thank you that idea is just what I needed to use up my sewing mess. I am going to show my Star bright, star light quilt this morning at Strip Club and put a plug in for your new book coming out in May. I will make a picture of the book cover so I can show that off too. i\I am so excited about your work and how easy it was to follow along. Thanks again. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.

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  7. These are great! Thanks to you I may need to go outside my comfort zone again.

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  8. That's so clever! Glad you explained too. Thanks.

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  9. I love this! I usually sew with a plan, but sometimes I'm just trying to use up older fabric pieces or blocks and then I 'try' to be creative. Sometimes I love the end result and other times - not :). Your blocks are beautiful - thank you for sharing how you made them.

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  10. LOVE these! The idea of making little squares for the background is sheer genius! I'm totally inspired.

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  11. These are awesome. I really need to step out of my box and try something like this. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  12. Looks like a fun block to make! Love it! Thanks for sharing :o)

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  13. Melissa, I'm kinda in the Improv mode. Planning a baby quilt for a friends first baby, a boy. Dad is a big Pittsburgh Steeler fan so that's my game plan for the quilt. Fussy cutting some 4" squares and I'll try to border those out, somehow. I just love throwing fabric scraps or fussy cut squares on my mat or board and seeing what transpires. Thanks for your inspiration in this improve matter:) Diane

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  14. I love these blocks. Something I've never tried, but I am inspired to try!

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  15. I especially love your improv red pieced block: what a clever thing to do!!! I would have never thought of it! I love how the improv piecing gives it a 3D look!! Hugs, H

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  16. Que bonito y que bien explicado
    Gracias por tu generosidad
    Un besazo

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  17. Oh, what a fab way to get yourself going ~ love these blocks! I'm inspired!

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  18. This is so fun! Love how it came out!

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  19. LOVE these blocks! Red and white always looks great.

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  20. They turned out beautiful! Love the red and white! Many of my projects start with an idea and I build on it as I go. It can be a lot of fun and once in a while crazy!

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa