Saturday 11 November 2017

Some Improv, some foundation piecing, and some mindless sewing.

To start with the improv piece I'm making following the first score in Sherri Lynn Wood's "The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters". Although I've been working on this for what seems like ages I haven't posted a photo since July; other projects got in the way, the fabric in a particular colour ran out, or my inspiration dried up! This week I added the section on the right, most of the part with navy in it and I'll be going further when I've finished this post.

Improv lap quilt following score 1 from The Improv Quilters' Handbook
Improv should be spontaneous; it should grow as you work and just develop within the limitations the quilter has set. I don't think months of deliberation are part of the picture.

Foundation piecing, on the other hand is strictly organised. To start with there's a pattern so designed to ensure perfect points - forget that in my case. At least with this pattern from Make Modern magazine  I didn't make my usual errors of cutting the fabric back to front. That's something I always do at least once, which would be fine if I wanted to use the back of the fabric!
4" Rainbow pincushion top: pattern by Angie Wilson for Make Modern issue 18
There are some missed points, all in the final joining stage; the sections themselves are fine. Does anyone have any tips for keeping the presser foot on track when sewing through so many layers of fabric and paper?! It was like a doing a skid course! In spite of the points I'm satisfied with the result, and it was a good learning experience.

After all that concentration I was ready for some mindless catch-up sewing in aqua which was February's colour for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Each month from January to November Angela gives a colour to work with. This month's colour is brown/black, so I'm taking the opportunity to catch up on my projects.
 

I still have to do green, yellow and orange. If I don't manage to sew them this year there's always next year!

I am linking up later today to 
grab button for SoScrappy
Click on the button to view other catch-up and finishing projects.

Happy sewing

Marly.

21 comments:

Mari said...

Love your aqua block! The improv looks interesting, too, and the paper piecing is just lovely. Nice progress!

Jennifer said...

both of your blocks look great! I'm thinking of RSC18, too, and trying to decide what blocks I'd like to do...

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love that white star in the final piece

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I enjoyed seeing all your projects! I think it's fun to try different kinds of techniques. The paper-pieced blocks are really neat!

Linda M @ Pieceful Kingdom said...

Your improv blocks are wonderful. And I love aqua! That is a great block!

Ruth said...

really like the pale blue mixing in with the navy addition to your improv quilt. Is going to be really cool when finished!

Kate said...

Your improve quilt reminds me of a map they use for rainfall or foresty, very fun. Happy stitching this weekend.

Katie Z. said...

Your blocks are lovely.

Cathy said...

I have a difficult time with foundation piecing - I get dyslexic or something. It just doesn't make sense to my brain. But there's sure some neat blocks to be made if I did like it - for instance your block. It's lovely.

I'm not good at that kind of improv either. Good for you for trying different techniques.

Now the aqua block is my kind of block! Love it.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Perfect or not, I absolutely adore your Rainbow Ring pin cushion top!! Feel free to mail it to me when you are done. I promise to love it forever!! :o))

Sally Trude said...

What a great mix of projects. And I love your floating star block in turquoise. I was going to compliment you on your use of the bunny fabric until I realized it was a seagull. Nice seagull fabric!

Mystic Quilter said...

Your Score 1 improv piece is growing quickly - what is the size presently?

Vireya said...

Your improv piece is intriguing. I've never tried anything like that, but it looks good and looks like it might be fun to do.

When I'm sewing together sections of paper-foundation piecing, I usually clip them together with Wonder Clips or the like, rather than pinning or using nothing. If you have trimmed the pieces so that the seam allowance is accurate, you can rip the paper away before joining them, to help it feed through the machine. Those are the only tips I can offer!

Kaja said...

You have a great mix of projects on the go at the moment. Your score no 1 piece is growing well - it's always worth waiting until you are happy before moving forward with something.

Sheila said...

Love all your blocks. Especially your star block. Like you, I carry over some of my RSC blocks.

Cathy Tomm said...

Great to see your improve quilt. I have the same book but have not done anything in the book yet. Love the star block my favorite colour.

gayle said...

Your improv blocks are really intriguing! Someday I might get brave enough to try something like that, but in the meantime, I'll just enjoy looking at yours!
When I'm doing foundation piecing, I prefer using freezer paper templates, so I don't have to sew through paper. And I highly recommend using batiks - at least you don't have to worry about getting the fabric wrong side up! 8)

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Your score 1 is looking great, I remember making mine and it just took over my life until it was done. It is still one of my favourite quilts. Lovely paper piecing, I’m rubbish and avoid it like the plague, but seeing this I am seriously tempted to have another go.

Danice G said...

All so pretty. I esp. love the improv blocks. The book with that pattern is definitely on my wish list.

Aileen said...

Love your work. As for how to make the FPP match up, I baste on my sewing machine with large stitches. I put 3 or 4 stitches in at the beginning of piece then Skip all the way to the next spot that intersects. Looks like a very long basting stitch then I put 3 stitches in before and after intersection then skip to the next spot. etc. This way I only put in a few stitches so I can open it up and look at the piece and see how it lines up. If I am off then it is easy to pop the stitches at the spot that needs to be fix,

Aileen in Florida

the girlfriend gap said...

Lovely sewing inspiration here challenging my mind to venture into new things as I am a traditionalist through and through. Love the patched star for the RSC. Someday I'm going to jump in on the RSC. I think I've been saying that for a few years now. Ha. I am like one of the others for paper piecing , I find the only way for me to do it without driving myself crazy is to use freezer paper. You don't sew through the paper, you fold the paper back with each seam and sew along side the paper, so nothing to rip out later and using the Add a Quarter ruler to trim after sewing a seam makes it all come out nicely. I am less confused with how big of a piece of fabric to use to cover the pattern piece and hardly have any do overs : ) which makes me a happy camper!!! The freezer paper can also be used more than once. I'm sure you could find a You tube video for more instruction. Happy sewing. Janita