Thursday, October 22, 2020

Facets ~ Adventure in Improv

Earlier this year I made the Scrappy Market Tote, an improv bag by Christina Cameli. I really loved the finished result, but I couldn't get enough of the palette of blue / green / yellows I picked, and I wanted to make a full-sized quilt with the same palette.

The pattern I decided on is Facets by Christa Watson. I love how the improv patchwork is juxtaposed with white fabrics for some breathing room, and the solid column of colors is perfect for a bit of balance.

In order to gather fabric however and for a truly scrappy look, I had to dive into my scrap bins. I have quite a few of them, and they're all incredibly heavy. I usually don't look inside them because I'm scared of facing my scraps, but I also don't have the heart to toss them. After pulling a ton of fabrics and ironing them and cutting them into random-sized strips, I had a good selection to work with.

The first step is to make large rectangular panels from where I could cut the shapes I need. This part was fun but also very exhausting. I realized that my brain is consistently on and I'm constantly making decisions when I'm doing improv, and it's not something I can help. The result is that I'm completely mentally drained at the end of an improv session!

After I had enough panels (it took a lot) I cut them into triangles for this quilt. I decided to use foundation paper piecing to make these blocks so they'll be perfect and so I don't have to buy any specialized rulers.

Final assembly took awhile as there are a lot of blocks, but it was exciting to watch this quilt come together.

Well, I'm really, really happy with it!

12 comments:

  1. I would probably opt for paper piecing the triangles as well. I know what you mean about not being able to turn off your brain during improv. The result is stunning!

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  2. This is gorgeous! Your color combination is perfect for the quilt. I also get tired from improv piecing...glad to hear that I am not the only on that does.

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  3. Great idea on the paper piecing. And the colors and layout of each block is so fun to look at. You've created a terrific quilt!

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  4. Well, I'd say the end result is worth all that thinking while doing the improv units. Improv actually frees my brain up and is very relaxing to me. This is a fantastic quilt, Liz!

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  5. Your choice of colors are what make this quilt super!!!

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  6. Very beautiful. It must have been fun to watch it come together.

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  7. Awesome improv, Liz! And I love the added solid row for the calming effect!!

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  8. They are gorgeous and the quilt is too. Paper piecing is perfect for this, and not too fussy either!

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  9. Breathtaking! This is my favorite color combination. You did a splendid job!

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  10. So beautiful! I like the colorcomination.
    What a great way to use scraps!

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