Blue Improvisation: Mini Quilt #6

February 6, 2015

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.

Blue Improvisation Front

I started with two left over half square triangle blocks which a sewed together to form three sections including this larger hourglass block.

Blue Improvisation Detail A

This smaller hourglass block and oblong shape also came from the original block.

Blue Improvisation Detail B

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.

Blue Improvisation Back

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

Quilt 6 / 50

Goal #5 is Finished!

Goal #5 is Finished!

I am linking this quilt up with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than HouseworkFinish 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

  • Reply
    Mini Quilt Mania 2015 | The (not so) Dramatic Life
    February 6, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    […] Blue Improvisation: Mini Quilt #6 […]

  • Reply
    Jasmine
    February 6, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    So fun! I love how well the colors play together.

  • Reply
    Cynthia Brunz
    February 6, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    Great piece! I really like the curved piecing. Hope you link up and share on Oh Scrap this Sunday.

  • Reply
    Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
    February 7, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    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!

  • Reply
    Kate Yates
    February 8, 2015 at 8:02 am

    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!

  • Reply
    Marly
    February 8, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    Great result from your playing time.

  • Reply
    Kathy T. in Tampa
    February 8, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    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

  • Reply
    Diann Bottrell
    February 8, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    i love your quilting! I have tried curved oines, but not as close together as yours. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Reply
    Kaja
    February 11, 2015 at 2:26 am

    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.

  • Reply
    Nicky
    February 11, 2015 at 3:43 am

    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

  • Reply
    Julie Stocker
    February 11, 2015 at 8:55 am

    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

  • Reply
    Carrie Ottmers Wikander
    February 11, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I really love this piece – the movement, and the placement of the colors is super.

  • Reply
    Jayne
    February 11, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Beautiful! I love working with scraps and improvising is one of my favorite ways to work!

  • Reply
    That Crafty Cara
    February 11, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    This is so cool! I’ve been wanting to do an improvisational quilt, so thank you for sharing! It looks awesome!

  • Reply
    audrey
    February 12, 2015 at 3:16 am

    So fun! Love the beautiful scrappy look and that stitching is perfect.:)

  • Reply
    Heather Graves
    February 12, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Love reading about your improv process – and your quilting is amazing!

  • Reply
    Thearica Burroughs
    February 12, 2015 at 8:11 am

    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.

  • Reply
    Caroline
    February 12, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Love your little improv!

  • Reply
    Adrianne
    April 8, 2015 at 3:59 am

    It’s lovely, and a great use of scraps!

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