Last month when I took our guild's Traditional Variations class with Cheryl Arkison, I didn't really plan on starting a new quilt. But considering the blocks I made in class were entirely of scrap AND were delightful fabric-play, I just kept going. Variations is the happy result. Definitely wonky, with 'design decisions' made on a whim at every turn, it's a comfy, cozy but clear reminder that creating for the fun of it is the best reason of all.
And debuting on Earth Day this month was Create and Sustain, with a goal of "Helping Earth One Stitch at a Time." Check out their post on Composting Fabric, then follow them to keep learning more.
ROUND-UP
It wasn't my intent to color-coordinate the quilt round-up, but I'm delighted it worked out that way. Scroll down through them real quick. Don't you agree?
My guild-mate, Michelle, created herspikey improv quilt using her own self-imposed requirements, which is a wonderful way to go about it. Click through to see the fun "extra-chunky" quilting (2 spools of 50 wt threads on top going thru the same needle hole!) and loop-de-loop binding stitch. [@snarkynarwhal] (72" x 74")
Kathy created her “Some are Invisible” for the latest Quilt Improv Studiochallenge, and something about it really called to me. Among other things, such as the design in general and wavy quilting, was her use of two shades of black. Amazing what an impact that subtle detail could create. [@kathycookquilts] (24" x 24")
In reading thru Katy/KatyQuilts' blog posts about this improv project, I saw that she explored lots of layout options before settling on this one. I know the drill! I love what she came up with, and combined with her hand-dyed fabric, it's just really intriguing. [@katyquilts]
The palette of Heather's freestyle string quilt, "Sunset Over the Bay," was based on memories of her honeymoon on Cape Cod. She used her own hand-dyed fabrics with just one commercial print. What a stunning result.
[@heapregger]
(34" x 44")
In short, in Sandra's "Against the Current" the fish were improv made, improv joined, improv quilted and then finished with an improv edge, which is such an inspired element, in my mind. According to Sandra, "the edges are all freely shaped. I made the top and bottom edges wavy to reflect the water. The side edges are more angular. I felt that would kind of reflect that there was no real edge to the water. I cut the edges freehand, top and bottom with the rotary cutter, sides with scissors." What a wonderful little shoal quilt, amIright? [@sewofcourse]
What a unique and wonderful quilt Allie made! She calls it her "Wrong Side Out Quilt" and for good reason. The quilt top is the part that is wrong side out, popped up seams and all. You'll want to zoom in on this one for sure and check out the hashtag. Then watch for Allie's pattern coming soon!
[@exhaustedoctopus]
