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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Improv + Structure

One of the challenges in working with a quilt top with a variety of block sizes is how to puzzle them all together. And that's exactly where I'm sitting with my most recent Bee Sewcial quilt, Looking Up.



With Mod Mood, I used a 18" x 22" painters tape frame on my design wall, and filled in with smaller blocks. The skinny accent strips of one of the blocks was used repeatedly on other blocks to tie it all together.



That didn't work quite so well with Baconrific, where once I had the blocks all on the wall, I had three 'holes.' All is took (ahem) were three similar blocks to fill in.... I used improv circles aka pancetta blocks.



With Improv Alliance, I turned to improv spikes to fill in the gaps, and that worked beautifully. Only problem was I wasn't happy with the finished size of the quilt top. After much consideration, I opted for one wider side strip of spikes, and that not only connected with the other spike slabs, but brought the quilt top up to a size I was happy with.



So.... all my bee-mates' blocks from my "Looking Up" prompt are up on the design wall, and I'm mulling.... just what will it take to bring this quilt top together. I trust time will tell.

16 comments:

  1. Looking up is already spectacular. I am in love with the block with the curves. Were you intimidated by the putting-it-all-together process when you first started your improv journey? It looks altogether scary to me.

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  2. Piecing those blocks together is indeed a challenge! I found that it really took my out of my box to do it and made me think in new ways, but it was all good. My Improv Stripes mini quilt turned out so well and expanded my skills that I look forward to doing it again! All of your work is so inspiring, Debbie!

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  3. I learned that painter's tape technique in an improve class this summer at the NC Quilt Symposium. I haven't put it into practice yet, but it has taken a lot of the fear out of putting together disparate pieces.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your idea - I'm far less organized when I do this (which is often). I'll try the painter's tape next time...Love the new improv quilt btw.

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  5. I'm sure whatever you come up with will be brilliant.

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  6. The blocks are gorgeous and so structured. I hope that you have fun finding the piecing solution!

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  7. The blocks are really great ! I'm sure you'll find the perfect layout for them. That was interesting to read about the piecing solutions you found for your previous quilts.

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  8. I love to see your inspirations (photos) and what you made with! It's so great and so inspiring!

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  9. Time will tell and I also know you will put it together perfectly...like it was planned all along!

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  10. All your other quilts came together very well, so I am sure you will figure something out! And I am glad you are workinig on it, because I would have no idea :)

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  11. Your quilts are fun, I enjoy your designs,
    Pancetta blocks and spike slabs, the surprise 'wow' factors.

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  12. The blocks are all so gorgeous! I love following along as you make decisions on these improv quilts. And this one is no different - can't wait to see what you decide.

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  13. I’m another quilter who so much enjoys your Bee and what you create. I think in some ways making it a cohesive whole is the toughest part but boy do you get in right. My personal favourite are those circular pancetta blocks. Enjoy your mulling.....

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  14. More WOW! Mod Mood and Baconrific are fabulous! You work wonders! I'll be watching.

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  15. I agree that the challenge is how to fit the blocks together. It's both fun and a bit puzzling! I know you'll come up with a great solution; you just need to let it talk to you for a time.

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  16. Thanks for sharing all these quilts....I'm looking forward to puzzling out some of these more complex fixes as I move along in my quilting journey. I'm in love with Mod Mod. It's so fun.

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