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You guys. It was three months after submitting my article to Curated Quilts that I held Issue 2 in my hands and saw my Creative Reset project in its pages. It was immensely satisfying.

When I was asked to create a tutorial for one of my pincushions from last summer's pinnie parade and list some tips on reviving creativity, it felt a very natural request.... something I was totally comfortable creating and writing about, which isn't always the case these days. And truly, an improv log cabin block has been one to call to me over and over again.

So if you happen to get a chance to read the article, know that you are receiving a part of me. The ideas I share are exactly what I do when I find myself in that unsettling place. And though these improvisational pincushions were the result this time, the same processes have led me to equally satisfying places and got me going again at other times. Ie. they work for me.

Gee whiz. I kinda keep forgetting that my Steeped in Tradition also appears in the Gallery section of this issue. Considering this quilt was sold at QuiltCon in 2016, it's always good to see it again!

If you have yet to explore a copy of Curated Quilts for yourself, consider giving an issue a try. I've found it to be a beautifully published and inspiring quilting journal. And I'm pleased to have had a part in it.

Fragmentary

Finally sharing this finish with you is such sweet relief! I've been working on it off and on since spring, letting it rise to the top of the w.i.p. pile and then be covered up again. For me, it's some of the best kind of random scrappy sewing, and I'm debating starting in on another, as my scrap basket is still plenty full!

I used a variation on the Improv Quarter Log Cabin block tutorial that I shared yesterday. The only self-made rule was to begin with a 'square' of natural Essex linen for each 12 1/2" block. That little bit was all the continuity I was after.



For quilting, I used a serpentine stitch, basically because I  like it and it goes relatively fast. I really didn't need any twisting and turning or fancy stuff for this one. At 72" x 72", I'll just say: I wanted it done. Thread was Aurifil 50wt #2309 (Silver White), which was relatively unobtrusive while still being visible enough on the darker sections to add interest.

I save all my binding scraps, and combined most of the solid ones to bind this quilt - blues, grays, and golds. 

So whew! It definitely feels good knowing I used oodles of scraps in this one. Why the scrap basket is still half full remains a mystery.

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

Improv Quarter Log Cabin

Early last year, I shared an Improv Quarter Log Cabin block tutorial on the Seattle MQG blog, and considering it's a block I am really fond of and keep coming back to, I figured it was high time to share it right here.

We used black and white prints with a white solid, so the instructions are written accordingly. Obviously, you can change things up according to your preferences, including fabric choices and number of rounds, even block size. But this will get you going on the basic block.

Begin by cutting a squarish shape from the black and white fabric, about 3 1/2″ square, i.e. it shouldn’t necessarily be a square but close. Also cut several strips of both fabrics, 1 1/2″ – 3″ wide. Feel free to slant the strips or you can wait to give it some wonk when you trim each row before continuing on.

Suggested strip lengths:
2 each of white solid: 6″, 8″, 12″
2 each of each print: 8″, 10″, 14″
Or you may work with WOF and trim as you sew.

Sew a white strip to the left of the square; press and trim along bottom edge. Sew a white strip on the bottom of the square; press.

Continue adding rows, alternating solid and print. Trim left edge and bottom each time before going on to the next round.



Keep an eye on how your block size is progressing as you go – it might make a difference how much you trim or what size strip you use next. The final block size should be 12 1/2″ square. When you square it up, though, feel free to give it some wonk.

Here are the two quilts the guild made with these blocks:

Blue Trimmed Cabin

Fade to Black

You might remember I also had Faith Circle of do.Good Stitches use the block to make Quartersaw, which we finished early this year.

And, I've been working on a scrappy improv log cabin quilt for most of the spring and summer, and finally have it done! So stay tuned.... I'll be sharing that next!

scrappy thoughts

I've had scraps on the brain lately. First, I just finished working on a project for the No Scrap Left Behind blog tour with Amanda Jean/crazy mom quilts - which is going on now, by the way, so do see the terrific scrap-use, both on Amanda Jean's site as well as the blog stops. You may have caught a peek at my project on Instagram. I'll be posting the finish on Thursday!

So I took my sewing machine on vacation last week - for the first time! And it felt luxurious I must say. After I finished my project for the blog tour, and made up some sample blocks for Faith Circle, I just settled in for some random scrappy sewing making quarter log cabin blocks. I hope to keep on making these in amongst other sewing.

One more scrappy-related thing to share is a recent post by Jill/Pie Lady Quilts entitled "Spark." She talks about and shows several quilts that emerged from her scrap pile, and they're like no scrap quilts I've ever made! When I sew scrappy, it's usually without much consideration of what goes with what - seriously random piecing. But the thoughtfulness Jill showed with her scrap projects really gave me some food for thought. She sews mostly with solids these days, so her finished works are very striking, as you can see in the example below. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed her post and think you will too.

Quartersaw

It's good to be able to present the year's first finish, made in partnership with Faith Circle of do.Good Stitches.

My bee-mates used my Improv Quarter Log Cabin tutorial, making blocks in blue, orange and off-white. One optional caveat was that rather than a solid off-white such as Kona snow, they could incorporate one of two specific low-volume prints by Carolyn Friedlander. I thought that worked out well, and there was a nice smattering of both throughout the blocks.



I hadn't purchased a project-specific backing in quite a while, but when I happened upon this "Fernbook" print from Alexia Abegg's Mesa collection on sale, it seemed perfect, and little did I know how right it would be. As sometimes happens with bees, colors from all those stashes coordinated only so well. So it worked out nicely to use a backing - and ultimately binding - that incorporated some of those little differences.

I really had no intention of using it for the binding too, but after auditioning all sorts of prints and solids both from my stash, it seemed best to just bring some of that back to the front. And look at the little rewards for doing so....

Quilting was done with Aurifil 50wt 2021 (Natural White) in a quarter log cabin-inspired design, with improvisational angles, just like the blocks. [Sorry Debbie M., I had no orange.]

I'll be donating this quilt on behalf of our circle to Trinity Place, a transitional housing complex for homeless women and children under the umbrella of our local ywca. What a great way to start out the year.

Faith Circle began in 2010, and though membership has changed over the years, this quilt finish marks our 70th quilt to be donated to people in need. If you're interested in joining a circle of do.Good Stitches, indicate that by filling out this form. 

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.

Decisions, Decisions

Sometimes I know months ahead what my next quilt plan for Faith Circle will be. Then again, like this month, I may change my mind again and again. I finally settled on a quarter log cabin block, reminiscent of a favorite quilt from Heather Jones.

We'll be using my Improv Quarter Log Cabin Block tutorial as a reference, though our palette will be totally different.



Blocks will be sewn in orange, shades of blue, and off-white, while not going quite so creamy as the bottom chip below.

{ color view } image via: @colourspeak_kerry_ on Design Seeds

Rather than a solid off-white such as Kona snow, I used two of Carolyn Friedlander's low-volume prints, and there's the catch. To create a sense of unity between our blocks, I'm asking that if my bee-mates have and want to use one of these two low-volume fabrics, great. If not, I'd prefer use of an off-white solid.



The blocks will be trimmed to 12 1/2", and quilt layout is to-be-determined. Faith circle gals, see our Flickr group for specifics. I'm looking forward to seeing our final quilt of the year come together!

Improv Quarter Log Cabin Block

So my friend Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty and I are the new SeaMQG Giving Committee chairs, and we have come up with a tentative plan for the year. For our first group quilt, we're making use of some black and white printed fabric contributed last year. Packets of fabric were available at our February meeting, but we're encouraging folks to sew from stash too. Just in case any of you would like the tutorial, just click here. (It'll also be under my Tutorials tab here on the blog.)

We were inspired by this pillow made by [theqiofquilting] on Instagram. Isn't it striking?

Photo by theqiofquilting; used by permission.

And several blocks have already been handed in!

So that's the plan! Hopefully you'll be seeing more blocks under the Instagram hashtags #seamqggiving and #seamqg. And if you try some, feel free to tag them #improvquarterlogcabinblock. They're kinda fun!