Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Adhoc. Improv. #26 Progress

Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my last post! Such an interesting and lively discussion about keeping and/or gifting the quilts we make. Congrats to the winner of the magazine giveaway--Georgia! I've sent an email your way as well as announcing it here.
The Ugly Quilt is finished!
Knowing that AHIQ #26 was coming up, I was rushing to get in another good finish. This 'Ugly Quilt' was started clear back in the late fall of 2015. It was a rough start, just playing around with a couple fabrics I liked and no pattern at all. Just at the point where I thought it needed to be round-filed, the quilt finally started developing a personality. I decided to incorporate some of my tentative improv. skills for the last border and after that was sewn on, the quilt decided it was done. Finito.
Loving the stitching....

Some quilts just wanna be square! I still smile at how quickly this one turned from really ugly to starting-to-get-sorta-interesting. It has several pieces of 90's calico in it, some make-do piecing and one lovely Coxcomb applique attempt. The free-style Baptist fan stitching makes it look so wonderfully cozy and now I just want to snuggle up with it for the whole rest of Fall. I couldn't believe it had been almost two years since I started this one. Where oh where has the time gone?

I can wholehearted say that I'm much, much more confident about improv. now than when I started this quilt. And also, I noticed while stitching on this quilt, that my initial goal in joining up with the Adhoc. linkups is starting to be realized. I am slowly, slowly starting to think about ways I can use different improv. looks to use in most all my quilts, whether in block piecing, borders or just attitude. While branching out from my safe space occasionally in color and style, simply by using the fabrics I love and continually working on that timeless 'utility' look, my quilts are starting to look even more make-do'ish than ever. And I adore it. LOVE that it doesn't look so forced and cheesy now.
I'm always happy with a good medallion look!
This past week I've also tried to make time for the 'Use Your Words' quilt. I liked the simple, almost stark look when all sewn together, but thought it needed just a touch more color.
Make Beautiful Things
And so I added on a mixed green and bright pink repeating squares border. Hmm... Maybe a bit too in-your-face now? The borders are not sewn on at this point so there's plenty of time for changes. I almost want to cut the sides of the borders down--change the look from fat squares to skinny rectangles. There would be lots of waste, but it might be worth it. Oh my, life has been a little bit too busy lately for me to properly concentrate on getting the best solution figured out. Maybe next week?
Auditioning a border....
This project was a result of last quarters prompt over at Ann and Kaja's. I took their prompt, grabbed some some orphan blocks and tested myself with a challenge to learn improv. letter piecing--wallah! Somehow that quilt top above happened. {I still call it a squirrel!}. The next quarter will be a 'consolidate and review' so yay! for me. Lots of time to get this quilt top squared away and maybe even dive into another improv. idea niggling at the back of my mind. Or two. Wouldn't want things to get boring around here!

It's also that time of the month to link up to sew-stitch-snap-SHARE#15. Progress is progress is progress....

23 comments:

  1. Love your finished improv quilt. It is most definitely NOT ugly. You must think of a more appropriate name.

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  2. The ugly quilt is beautifull. I just love your style. Warm greetings

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  3. Yes to cutting down the border. The full-size hot pink squares draw my eye away from your gorgeous center. And you can always save the waste for a future improv. And I appreciate your insight about improv skills carrying over into other style quilt. You've convinced me I need to give it a try.

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  4. love your "ugly" quilt which to me is not ugly in the least!

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  5. I think one row of pink and green in the border woukd be something to consider. Two rows at that size square feels too strong. I really like the energy the border adds, just not quite so much of it. Love your newly finished autumn quilt! Excellent observations on trusting our improv skills, too.

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  6. I care about you making beautiful things!
    Your words on being more improvisational are good and have me thinking. Do love reading your blog!

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  7. Love that not-ugly quilt!
    I think your idea of trimming the border squares down to rectangles is a good one. Those big pink squares are trying to drown out your lovely words...

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  8. These are both wonderful quiilts. The quilted fans add such gorgeous texture - it's calling out for a snuggle under it :0) I love the Make Beautiful things quilt but I agree the border is drowning it out - I'm sure you will come up with the perfect solution.

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  9. How beautiful can ugly be ? !!!!!😉

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  10. Your ugly duckling turned into a swan. So pretty. Of course, I noticed the Baptist Fans first since I just used them in my quilt. Yours really catch the light. The blues really sparkle against the other colors. And love the borders.
    Use Your Words changed so much with the border addition. I think those dark colors really set off the center. I do love seeing before and after photos of bordered quilts. There are so many ways to go at each stage. I think I'd leave the checkerboard and add another border with sawteeth like your circular blocks. But you will make a great choice we will all admire.
    Thanks for participating in this invitation. I always admire your work and am delighted you feel you've expanded your skills - they looked fabulous to me before. However, there is a feeling of "comfort in your own skin" when we actually own our style, our ideas, and our work. Thanks for linking this thoughtful post to AHIQ.

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  11. Baptist fan quilting always seems to elevate any quilt top into the beautiful status. Something about that texture really makes a quilt sing. I think I like your words quilt better pre-border. Something about the pink - maybe it's just because of my recent experience with a strong pink in my Palmateer Point adventure. One thing I do know, before you're finished with that quilt it will be fabulous.

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  12. Love your 'ugly' quilt! The colours are great with the 'pops' of blue! And I like the pink & green border, look forward to seeing just what you decide to do. Thanks for sharing with 'sew stitch snap SHARE'

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  13. I have to say I don't think I've seen you produce a cheesy quilt, but I had noticed how you are working more in an improv sort of way and that it seems to be melding very naturally in with your existing style. I love the Ugly Quilt - definitely one for snuggling up in. As for the words, you will find the right solution.

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  14. Your ugly quilt might have to have another name attached to it. The quilting did add a lot of texture and now it's done. Looking back at your word quilt without the borders makes it look so small and sad. A border is definitely needed to give it the impact I think you're looking for.

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  15. I think Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. I'm not seeing it! And the Baptist Fans are the icing on the cake. Yummmy. And further more your word quilt says you like to make beautiful things not ugly ones.

    Speaking of word quilt...it, too, will be a beautiful thing one of these days.

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  16. I love how this quilt turned out!! Do you mark the Baptist fan quilting pattern?

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  17. Your Ugly quilt turned out beautiful! I love the pink and green border on the word quilt in the works. It's a joyful pop of color!

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  18. Your ugly quilt is fabulous! You made an ugly ducking into a swan! I made an ugly quilt once and it was so ugly my quilting buddies just howled at it. It was made with baseball fabrics and I just kind of made up a design. It was for a charity project we were doing for the county home. There were 3 or 4 men in the home and they all were eyeing that baseball quilt. The little old fellow that ended up with the quilt loved it, but it was still ugly.

    I really like your words quilt! That pink and green border was a daring choice and it just brought the piece to life! You are fearless with color girl!

    I am glad you liked my wool quilt.

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  19. I don't think your quilts ever looked forced! I like that you are liking the freeing process so much. I love your projects!!

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  20. You know, I can't call it the ugly quilt. Your Coxcomb quilt turned out beautifully! And I agree about the benefits of Improv -- it's improved all aspects of my quilting.

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  21. in my book, no quilt is ever ugly. they are all so pretty in the stitches!

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