It’s the first Wednesday of September (how can that be?!) so it’s time to introduce the theme for our Modern Quilt Along series that we have been doing this year. If you have forgotten how we started, head back HERE to read all about it and how you can join in the fun.
We have gone over many aspects of modern quilting, some I am more comfortable with than others, but this month I feel like I am wayyy out of my comfort zone as we delve into the modern quilting tenet of improvisational piecing. Improvisational piecing is the process of taking random sized pieces of fabric and sewing them together. Sometimes you can have a plan in your head but other times it can just be the creative process of starting with a tiny scrap and making a patchwork block out of it. Or even how one small start can make a whole quilt.
Improvisational quilting is basically letting go of lots of the aspects of traditional quilts (making sure your cuts are straight or your points are perfect) and enjoying the creative process. They are rule breaking quilts! Or think of them as quilts to just sit down and sew….no ryhme or reason, just sewing pieces together.
And joining us this month as our co-host is Mister Domestic! We have never met in person (although I am pretty sure we crossed paths at Quilt Market once 😉 but I adore his quilting style and his Instagram feed. (If you are not following…go…but then come back.) Matthew is known for his paper piecing skills, but he also has his eye on improvisational piecing and that is one thing that I want to learn from him.
For example take a look at his improvisational poinsettia he did….I mean, look at this one block turned into a full poinsettia quilt below it.
It’s so lovely. And I love that he did have a plan to start with his colors and values, but that each patchwork block is so different and unique that it makes for an amazing piece.
Here is another full quilt that Mister Domestic did called The Big Bang quilt, all done with improvisational piecing.
So, so spectacular! I want to quilt like that someday…it’s fantastic. Thank you Matthew for co-hosting with us this month! And I can’t wait to show you what I am working on for Halloween with some improv techniques….I just hope it will turn out the way it is in my head.
Here is the link up party to show us all what you are working on in the world of modern quilting….
~Elizabeth
