Showing Off Improv Stripes :: One

Well it's been just over a week since the soft ending of the Improv Stripes QAL, I've shared my own variegated finish, and it's high time to start sharing what others have created! I'll note each maker and link back to their projects so you can read all about them!

Kathy/_duchick_

Lynnette/fabric.frenzy

Katy/katyquilts (KatyQuilts blog post)

Beth/lovelaughquilt

Maree/maree_rogers

Margaret/margaret_pw

Marla/pennylanequilts

pennysillin

Wendy/piecefulwendy times two!

Kathleen/quiltmunnster

Sharon/redapplestitches

Roxanne/roxiquilts

Aren't they terrific? I love the variety - in the stripes, the palettes, and the types of projects. I'll be back soon with more to share!

variegated

Well the last two weeks have reminded me just how fun a quilt-along can be! The Improv Stripes QAL, over 90 participants strong, has been a fun ride, and it's been so delightful to see folks try improv for the first time, fall in love with stripes, and explore their own designs.

I created my own "variegated" by culling all my gray scraps and combining them with a bit of a wild solid color mix - just what appealed to me at the time. After trying several different layouts, I settled on this one - that if you start with the dark blue block and let your eye travel right then down - creates a sort of a spiral. At least it started out that way!

When it came time for quilting though, I went with both horizontal and vertical organic straight lines, creating a grid in several sections. Just for the fun of it, I used a handful of colored threads though that's not really obvious unless you look close.

Measuring 32" x 35", this one was especially enjoyable as I was sewing in community. Can't beat that!

This quilt was on my 2017 Q3 Finish-A-Long list!

Improv Stripes Layout

So over on Instagram, we're considering layout for our final projects and beginning to sew up our quilt tops.. I just kept rearranging my blocks, taking a quick photo after each possible layout, until I found an arrangement I was happy with. Here's some of the options I cam up with.

I like to trim my blocks as I construct my piece. You may even find you'd like to cut some blocks in half and repiece to make longer, skinnier blocks. Or you might need to make a new block or add to one for the size needed for your design. The possibilities are nearly endless! Here's my completed quilt top. 

I'll confess, I've already started quilting, using several colors of thread to go with the multi-colored nature of my quilt....

We'll be sharing our finished quilts on Friday. For those of you at another stage of the process, no worries! Just keep sewing along. It's all good!! Love the wonderful work you all have been doing! A few of you have shared with me, and I've enjoyed seeing what you're done with your improv stripes!

If you're able, do check out the #improvstripesqal hashtag!

Improv Stripes Progress

Just popping in with a bit of an update on the Improv Stripes QAL going on now on Instagram! Over 50 of us are sewing along together and what a gorgeous array of blocks are showing up in the #improvstripesqal hashtag! Not mandatory of course, but if you are sewing along, consider making some 'mixed' blocks if you haven't already. Or in some way, make a few that are different than the others you've already made. Whatever, have fun and don't over think it!



To you who are joining in, do keep me updated either in the comments here with links to your progress photos, or feel free to email me at aquilterstable@gmail.com. Come Friday we'll start considering layout for our final pieces!

The Improv Stripes QAL Begins!

So the Improv Stripes QAL begins today!

Start by cutting a bunch of skinny strips.



Lengths do not matter, but if you want a look similar to mine, angle your strips as shown below, with one end approximately 1" wide, and the other slightly less. It doesn't hurt to go as low as 1/2" on one end. When strips are sewn together, that strip basically disappears at the skinny end, and that's an interesting element to add into the mix. Of course if you want to work with wider strips, go for it!



Follow the same method in cutting your contrasting strips, and begin sewing pairs together. If you like, combine stripe sets to add even more variety, and do keep any little bits you trim as you go, as they may find a home in your finished piece.



Once your pairs are sewn, press them, then begin sewing pairs into larger sets. It's ok for the ends to be uneven. And it's also ok - good in fact - to have a variety of sizes of stripe sets.



If you like, combine stripe sets to add even more variety, and do keep any little bits you trim as you go, as they may find a home in your finished piece. Don't press again, though, until you have a stripe set totally pieced. See how it bubbles up a little? Flip it over and press all the unpressed seams - direction really doesn't matter. Unlike pressing patchwork blocks after each seam to make things lie super flat, pressing the section at this point will cause just a bit of a wobble, which just adds to the overall look of the block - in a good way!



So.... start cutting strips and making stripe sets - as few or as many as you like. I'll be checking in on Instagram midweek, and by Friday, we'll plan on sharing some ideas about how we might arrange our blocks. If you're on Instagram, post progress using hashtags #improvstripesqal and #improvstripes. If you aren't, let me know in the comments how it's going and where I can see your photos, ok? This is gonna be fun!

Improv Stripes QAL :: Gathering Fabric

Folks have been asking if they can start gathering fabric for the Improv Stripes QAL starting next Monday, July 31. There won’t really be a supply list – with it being improv and not really knowing how each of you will use the blocks, it’s hard to say.

But, if you just can't wait, consider starting with scraps.... I’ve enjoyed using coordinating solids with a variety of contrasting prints, but really, anything you like will be fine! Just two contrasting fabrics.... a crazy mix of solids.... a tangle of string strips.... a big ole pile of random scraps.... nicely folded fat-quarters.... all of these would be great options!

So give it a little thought if you must. Ignoring it till Monday is fine too. I'll see you then!

Improv Stripes Quilt-Along!

It's been a year since the Crosscut Quilt-Along, and high time to host another. Oh and yeah, I've been getting some prodding about that, so why not? So.... the Improv Stripes Quilt-Along will start on Instagram Monday, July 31!

This time around there won't be daily prompts, as you'll need just a little more time to make your blocks. But it'll be quick, and definitely feel free to participate as much or as little as your schedule allows. Want to try the block technique and just make a mug rug? Great! Find yourself getting carried away and can't stop making blocks and decide you want to make something larger? Awesome. I'll probably be somewhere not-too-small-but-not-too-big, so just decide what works for you as we go along.



Though I first tried improv stripes in my Greenery quilt, I totally fell for them while making Thinly Sliced.



So are you up for some easy improv? Try a new technique and make a quilt of your own design - whatever size fits into your life right now. Sewing in community is such fun, I hope you can join us!

We'll be using Instagram hashtags #improvstripesqal and #improvstripes so you can follow along!