I’ve had a little experience
in improv piecing with a couple of the bee blocks I’ve made but a full project?
No. So I decided it was about time I had more of a go and what better project
to take a foray into this technique with than a mug rug or two.
According to improv tutorials
I read a common mistake is forgetting about the seam allowance and making the
blocks smaller than you wanted. I made that one, and the whole mug rug could
have been a little more generous in size if you ask me, but it still works and I’m
using it *slurp* so it’s practical. They finish at around 4 inches by 6.
I’m a fan of Cindy Grisdela’s work so these
pieces channel her influence and I quilted them in a fairly dense crosshatch with
dark green thread.
After that experience
I’m still keen to do more but it doesn’t really suit my control-freak-must-work-with-plan
personality so the projects will likely stay small for a while.
What about you? Have you
tried improv and what are your tips?
Till next time, enjoy
your sewing
Sue
It looks great! Yes, improv has this ability to make things shrink up more than anticipated. Like most things, I have found I am better with improv after I have "practiced" and done it more often.
ReplyDeleteSue it’s lovely, you should do it more often. Love your fabric combination and quilting design too.
ReplyDeleteMy husband laughs at me when I tell him I'm going to work on improv and I have a plan. Haha. I enjoy improv because of it's unplanned nature and the fact that I shouldn't really control it. If it turns out smaller than I anticipate, I just roll with it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for going outside your comfort zone. I have only tried it once and have to say it is DEFINITELY outside my comfort zone. That's not to say I don't like the looks of it, I just need more time and practice to get used to the concept. :D
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I really like the improv green blocks combined with the darker quilting thread.
ReplyDeleteLove these! I applaud you jumping out of your quilting "box" even for a short while. It's scary and maybe not so much fun at first. I like to have a plan too, and find improv fun but challenging. Thanks for linking up to Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeleteThese are cute. I like that green with the black. It's been a while since I've done anything improv - I think I need to try it again soon!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. I like that kind of projects, and always make a hot pad when I have time. They are VERY improved.
ReplyDeleteOh the first time doing improv quilting I also did not want to let go of that all-symmetry, perfect lines thought either, lol. It all has turned out well though. I'd say just learn to let go of order and go for it :)
ReplyDeleteSuch intense colours! It’s great; a mug rug is a great way to do a little more improv must remember that!
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