The last few weeks I have done mini quilts that were (for the most part) carefully planned before I ever started cutting fabric. This week I thought it would be a fun change of pace to do a small improvisational mini with fabric pulled entirely from my scrap bin.
I started with two left over half square triangle blocks which a sewed together to form three sections including this larger hourglass block.
This smaller hourglass block and oblong shape also came from the original block.
The rest of the mini was formed by adding pieces from the scrap bin, trimming, and adding more pieces. Even the backing and binding were created by piecing together scraps. For the quilting, I continued the improvisational theme with wavy lines moving across the quilt.
Quilt Stats
Title: Blue Improvisation
Size: 12″x12″
Techniques: Improvisational piecing
Quilting: Improvised curvilinear lines using a walking foot on a Bernina 1008
Fabrics: 100% cotton prints, solids, and batiks: All pulled from my scrap bin
Batting: White and Natural cotton batting
Thread: Pieced with white Gutermann Mara 100. Quilted with navy cotton machine quilting thread.
Binding: 2″ wide binding scraps, mostly cut on the bias. Machine stitched to the quilt front and hand stitched to the back
What was new:
Using fabrics entirely from the scrap bin
Starting a project with an extra quilt block
Quilt 6 / 50
Goal #5 is Finished!
I am linking this quilt up with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts, Whoop Whoop Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Scraptastic Tuesday at She Can Quilt, Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts, Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, and Show off Saturday at Sew Can She.
So fun! I love how well the colors play together.
Great piece! I really like the curved piecing. Hope you link up and share on Oh Scrap this Sunday.
This is a wonderful mini, and I like the challenge to work improvisationally and from your scrap bin. The HSTs you used throughout are fun elements, and I can’t believe it is only 12″ square!
Well done! I’ve been trying to do more with scraps, and to try more improv piecing…I got “15 minutes of play” for Christmas, and love it! Maybe I’ll try out a mini first, looks like a great challenge!
Great result from your playing time.
Making an improv can be a delightful change of pace. Your is very pretty with just the right organic quilting. Very modern!
Kathy T. in Tampa
i love your quilting! I have tried curved oines, but not as close together as yours. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is great – it has a kind of landscape-y look to it, I think, and I love how you have mixed curves in with your straighter lines.
Love this scrappy mini! My scraps are on the small side so I should really have a go at this improv style. Thanks for joining us at #scraptastictuesday
Fun little improv here! I think it’s great to be able to work on something start to finish, and just enjoy the process without the worry of a massive commitment. I’m going to give this a try, too.
Your machine quilting choice is perfect here. The dark thread gives it all intensity, too.
Julie @ Pink Doxies
I really love this piece – the movement, and the placement of the colors is super.
Beautiful! I love working with scraps and improvising is one of my favorite ways to work!
This is so cool! I’ve been wanting to do an improvisational quilt, so thank you for sharing! It looks awesome!
So fun! Love the beautiful scrappy look and that stitching is perfect.:)
Love reading about your improv process – and your quilting is amazing!
Wow! That would make a great backdrop for lots of crazy quilt embellishing! Love the quilt!
I came over from Kelly’s Needle and Thread Thursday through your link. Please come visit me too.
Love your little improv!
It’s lovely, and a great use of scraps!