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.
19 Comments
Mini Quilt Mania 2015 | The (not so) Dramatic Life
February 6, 2015 at 8:53 pm[…] Blue Improvisation: Mini Quilt #6 […]
Jasmine
February 6, 2015 at 9:39 pmSo fun! I love how well the colors play together.
Cynthia Brunz
February 6, 2015 at 10:45 pmGreat piece! I really like the curved piecing. Hope you link up and share on Oh Scrap this Sunday.
Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
February 7, 2015 at 1:13 pmThis 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!
Kate Yates
February 8, 2015 at 8:02 amWell 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!
Marly
February 8, 2015 at 5:20 pmGreat result from your playing time.
Kathy T. in Tampa
February 8, 2015 at 6:57 pmMaking 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
Diann Bottrell
February 8, 2015 at 8:45 pmi love your quilting! I have tried curved oines, but not as close together as yours. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kaja
February 11, 2015 at 2:26 amThis 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.
Nicky
February 11, 2015 at 3:43 amLove 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
Julie Stocker
February 11, 2015 at 8:55 amFun 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
Carrie Ottmers Wikander
February 11, 2015 at 9:52 amI really love this piece – the movement, and the placement of the colors is super.
Jayne
February 11, 2015 at 10:26 amBeautiful! I love working with scraps and improvising is one of my favorite ways to work!
That Crafty Cara
February 11, 2015 at 11:57 pmThis is so cool! I’ve been wanting to do an improvisational quilt, so thank you for sharing! It looks awesome!
audrey
February 12, 2015 at 3:16 amSo fun! Love the beautiful scrappy look and that stitching is perfect.:)
Heather Graves
February 12, 2015 at 8:10 amLove reading about your improv process – and your quilting is amazing!
Thearica Burroughs
February 12, 2015 at 8:11 amWow! 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.
Caroline
February 12, 2015 at 6:51 pmLove your little improv!
Adrianne
April 8, 2015 at 3:59 amIt’s lovely, and a great use of scraps!