Pages

Tuesday 23 February 2021

New Improv Quilt

 I've been busy working on a new improv quilt but it takes so long to sew that I have to take lots of breaks. Sometimes, I don't sew anything for a couple of weeks then I get it down off the design wall and do a bit more.

Here's how I started.

Beginning my Improv

I haven't done a lot of improv so I am probably really slow compared to people who have done a lot of it. There is no pattern or plan, I just cut some fabric and then cut another piece next to it and sew it together.  I stare at the quilt and decide what to sew next.

Adding leaf shape.

Because I am using red, orange and brown fabrics, I decided to sew a leaf shape, then I have to work out how to add it to the quilt in a pleasing way.

The next photo shows the leaf sewn onto the quilt.

leaf added


Here's what the quilt top looks like now after many, many hours.

Improv quilt.


At the moment, I am thinking that this is the top left quarter of the quilt. That means there is a long way to go. I hope all this work is worth the effort. At least I'll be a lot better at piecing by the end of it.


I suppose I am slow at it because I am also busy with the portrait quilts, plus I am doing a colour course which is time consuming and I am doing some on-line painting classes.

I don't know why am doing these painting classes because I am not very good, but I am totally addicted to them. It's supposed to be good to learn new skills and keep your brain exercised! It will probably help with surface design in future quilts. Most of the classes I am doing are abstract and I am learning a lot about paint and mixing colour.

I am still planning to do another two weeks of classes with Nancy Crow next year. Who knows if that will go ahead. I suppose it depends on the Covid Vaccine and how well it works. The vaccine  has arrived in Australia this week but health care and aged care workers are getting it first, then people over 70. I'll probably get it in the third stage later in the year.

Anyway, that's what is keeping me busy these days.

Bye for now,

Linda


2 comments:

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I have to say I admire you for working improv. I can't bring myself to do it because I think I'm too much of a perfectionist. I tried very hard with my current landscape to go outside my comfort zone and all I managed to do was dip my toe in the water (so to speak). My grand plan to go all 'artsy' failed - miserably. I love the wonderful colours you're working with here and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Vaccines are here too and like AU they're doing the more at-risk population first (as it should be). Those that are in their 80's and up are next on the list and then down to the 70's and so on. I don't expect I'll get mine until at least the summer.

Linda Steele said...

I know what you mean, Magpie Mumblings, I waver between abstract and realistic all the time. I think I actually like a combination of both.