X Marks the Improv Block Tutorial

The X Marks the Improv quilt was such fun to make that I thought a block tutorial was in order. It's a great block if you're just beginning to dabble in improv, yet provides a design striking enough to attract a more seasoned improv quilter.

Click here for pdf

This block measures 12.5”x 24.5”, and consists of 2 or more smaller blocks. The smaller blocks can be various widths – 4.5”, 6.5”, 8.5”, or 12.5” – and sewn together, they equal 24.5”. The height of each segment is 12.5”.

To make each block, start with a piece of fabric at least 1” larger on all sides than your desired finished size. Cut a contrasting strip 1” wide and longer than the diagonal dimension of your starting fabric. Rotary cut your ‘background’ piece diagonally.

Insert the 1” strip and sew the 2 halves back together; press.

  

Cut your block diagonally in the other direction, add another 1” strip, and sew the 2 halves back together; press. 

  

Note: When sewing the final seam, it can be tricky to get the 2 arms to line up. I place my 2 pieces right sides together, pinch about a ¼” seam on the back where the ‘arms’ meet, then flip open so I can see if they line up. If not, adjust a bit until they do, then pin. Alternately, I sometimes place a pin along the ¼” seam-line and then lift to check. Even so, things don’t always line up perfectly, and that’s ok. Just make it as close as you can without stressing over it. 

Trim your block to your desired size, keeping the middle of the cross as centered as you can, being sure to allow for seam allowances. In the example below, my (unfinished) block will be 6.5” x 12.5”. I place the top right corner of my ruler about in the center of that arm, with the 3.25” and 6.25” ruler markings approximately where the arms cross. This isn’t an exact measurement, but gives you an idea of how to keep the cross centered in your block.

Depending on the size and shape of your beginning fabric, your  ‘x’ may or may not land at the exact corners of your block and either is fine. That just adds to the character of the block. Make 2 or more blocks, as needed to make your full block strip 24.5” long.

Sample block: widths of 8.5” + 4.5” + 12.5” sewn together equals 24.5” 

You've probably noticed that I took free license with the 'arms' of each block. Some are all of one fabric; some are pieced with one or more fabrics. The ones with tiny bits of another color are actually trimmings from a previous block. So get creative with those insets and it'll add alot of interest to your quilt blocks.

In case you missed it, here's a photo of the X Marks the Improv quilt.

  

If you try this tutorial, be sure and share by adding to the Quilting with A Quilter's Table flickr group or tagging me on Instagram using the hashtag #xmarkstheimprov!

X Marks the Improv

From the moment I posted the assignment for Faith Circle, I was excited about this quilt. The 12.5" X 24.5" improv-based block was of my own design, and I was admittedly pleased to be able to provide my bee-mates with structure, yet a chance to stretch their improv wings a bit. A tutorial for the block is coming soon. [ETA: Click here.]



As for colors, I asked for any blue solid for the block backgrounds; any blue, turquoise, teal, or bright green for the crosses. An occasional gold or orange was ok in the cross strips, but wasn't necessary. Both ‘arms’ of each cross did not need to match fabric-wise so the blocks were scrap-friendly in that sense. AND if they feel so inclined, contrasting bits pieced into the crosses were welcome. I used some of my own block trimmings to create cross strips for the next block and found that a satisfying way to use my scraps while still lending a cohesiveness to the blocks.

Dare I say I love how the colors came together?! And those contrasting bits . . . oh yeah.

For the back, I used one full block and then made a few partials, surrounding them with swaths of solids. For quilting, I used the most enchanting Aurifil 50wt #2730 (Caribbean Blue), which brought the kind of continuity that you hope for but can't always anticipate. You can see in the photo above that the straight-line quilting echoed out from an 'X' near the center - that light blue one with an aqua background.

Once trimmed after quilting, I had a width of several inches of leftover backing, pretty  much the perimeter of the quilt. SO, as you can guess, the decision to do matched binding was made for me. Not quite, but still, I had a good start, and it wasn't that fiddly to cut and piece the rest. To me, it was the perfect finishing touch - seen best in the top photo.

 

Measuring 48" X 60", this quilt is the perfect lap size, and I trust it'll bring a smile to its recipient. For me, it was a pleasure to make, thanks to a little help from my friends. And I can't imagine I won't revisit this block again soon.

This quilt was on my 2016 Q1 Finish-A-Long list! 
Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.