After participating in the One Week Improv Challenge hosted by Amy's Creative Side, of course I needed to come up with an idea for combining the blocks into a whole. I decided on a table runner, so started in piecing the blocks together in a generally rectangular shape, filling in with the two Essex Yarn Dyeds I had used in my blocks, with a bit of cotton solids added in at whim. And just to set the record straight, the dark color in my piecing may look like black in some photos, but it's really Kona Raisin, a deep dark purple that adds some richness when seen in person.
Deciding on how to quilt the runner took me a bit, but once I settled on Echoing In, called that in Jacquie Gering's WALK book, I didn't look back. I used my #heramarker to create some random shapes within which I did echo quilting with my #walkingfoot, resulting in unique spirals in each section. I've used that technique before with good success, and I felt the same this time - easy and fun to do, while giving the piece some added visual impact. I used Aurifil 50wt #2600 [light gray] which nestled right in to the many grays, and were subtlety visible on the colored solids.
I was actually kind of surprised how much the echos enhanced the improv piecing, not disrupting them as it seems they might.
Were you wondering about the back? ;-) I did indeed include the 'scrap block' from Day 2 of the Improv Challenge!
I used other scraps and pieces from my challenge fabrics to bring the back up to size.
One more little tidbit I want to share, if you haven't noticed already. Anything unusual about this piece - you know, other than the improv? Were you thinking something was 'off?' Well it most certainly is! My runner is not 'square'.... ie. its four corners are not all 90-degree angles. When I was piecing the blocks together, I needed to add a long strip to one section to square it up, but it just didn't 'fit.' So after mulling over my options, I decided for once, to let the piece speak for itself and let it be.
A little crazy maybe. Probably. But once I trimmed it up, it seemed the perfect way to finish off the week's improv challenge - with a little more improv. And now that the runner has found its home on our dining table, I couldn't be more sure.
Amy's One Week Improv Challenge is still available on her website, and you can start your own week any time!
it's great! I wondered when I saw it on instagram if the shape was a bit wonky, but sometimes when I photograph perfectly square things they look that way so I didn't want to say anything! LOL and yes, the quilting adds so much.
ReplyDeleteYes leaving it as is was a great way to finish this one off. It is lovely and you are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI like that you left the shape of the runner as it wanted to be instead of trimming it off to square. The hera marker lines and echo quilting definitely enhance the piece!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting really adds to the whole! I kept once the natural shape of an improv quilt and I still don't know if it was a good idea ... But yours looks great!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I particularly like that you "went with it" in terms of the shape, rather than squaring up. Your piece has a lot to say, I could stare at it a good long while. :)
ReplyDeleteI tried to convince myself it was just the camera angle. But I like it as is!
ReplyDeleteCan't even find the words to express how much I love this runner! I'd use it as a wall hanging if you ever decide to part with it :)
ReplyDeleteI like that it is a little wonky. It fits well with the improv theme and might actually work better with a table runner than a quilt... The quilting design is amazing. It looks soooo complicated... I have not figured out how your randomly placed "spirals" connect so nicely at the straight line cross roads (if that makes sense)
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt, the top and the back. Improv can give a non-square quilt and it's fine. When the quilt "speaks" by himself and you follow it, it's a moment of great joy for me.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out to be one beautiful runner! The shape is the 'cherry on top' for me! So unique, so you and so so good! And I think we all knew you'd come up with a solution for the block on the back!
ReplyDeleteI love that your left the shape as is. Seems to fit your room perfectly . . . odd shape and all.
ReplyDeleteI love the last photo of the table runner. Not sure if that is a mirror or a window on the wall but it almost looks like your table runner. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat improv design and your runner is very attractive on the table.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the challenge tip.
Are you staying warm?
Beautiful. Thanks for great pics and narratives; it's why I love your blog. And the finished piece is beautiful. Non-squared-up is excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the introduction to Kona Raisen. It solves a problem for a quilt I am working on - where black is too startling. This fabric choice warms up the quilt.
ReplyDelete