Of all the workshops Jacquie and I taught together in April my favorite was the one that covered modern crazy piecing.
Prior to the workshop I made a new sample to use for it and for an upcoming Crazy Piecing workshop at Drygoods. I’m pretty smitten with it.
At first I scratched all the crazy piecing thinking it was too similar in value and just too soft, but I couldn’t stop messing with it and eventually I cut and added the darker valued purple ‘splinters.’ It clicked.
I used a mix of solids for sure. Purple shot cotton, Michael Miller cotton couture, Kona, linen and Osnaburgh for most of the background.
However, now the background seemed flat, so I started brainstorming on how to give it some dimension. I have a 5 gallon tote full of neutral scraps that I dug through, combining everything under the sun to create some ‘ghost’ crazy piecing into the background. It popped it out.
The all over quilted squares and rectangles were somewhat of a nightmare due to the thickness of the quilt with all the seams and different fabrics. It turned out ok, but in retrospect I would have liked the splinters to have some straight lines to help them stand on their own. Practice is the best teacher eh?
I self bound the quilt, but wanted some of the splinters to appear to run off the edge. I’ve done this on several quilts now and really like the effect it creates.
I’ve got a boatload of left over crazy piecing and still would love to make a quilt like Blue Ice in the book before we run the workshop.
This improv technique and its few tricks are really fun.
Hope you all had a great fourth. I probably didn’t need that margarita on top of the beers I had during our fourth celebration so today I’m keeping life simple.
With the Northern Irish side of the family here we’re loading up tomorrow and heading out of town for the Sounders/Whitecaps game in Vancouver. Have a great weekend!
Love the close up thanks!
Sarah
Great looking quilt! I wonder how you self bound the quilt. Really love the effect it creates.
Love that the quilt stitching is so modern, too. It creates a special feel with the piece. Altogether, it looks like a modern stained glass window. Such a neat effect!
Love this one too, and without even remembering this, I pulled out your book last night and used this method for my challenge block – what fun! I felt like I was more comfy with crazy piecing than I ever had before – so thanks!
I am always so sad that I can’t take your classes since I am the opposite coast! Have you ever thought about teaching through Craftsy or Creative Bug?
Thanks Anna, maybe at some point. Staying busy enough.
Fabulous quilts ………so inspiring!
Not a quilter myself, but I love the craftsmanship and evolving development of the quilt. Reminds me of the layering I associate with my painting. Thank you for sharing!
Can you send some more images to us at our gallery? Divinemoira.com ??
Hi Erin, All images are available here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrosupialdesigns/http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrosupialdesigns/
and in my book, Quilting Modern.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Gorgeous stuff!!
That binding technique is cool!
Love the idea of having the design run into the binding. What an impressive finished look, not to mention there’s no need to to stress over picking a binding that matches! Thanks for another post of great inspiration. Enjoy your weekend away – sounds like it will be a fun family time 🙂
i loved it before it was done and love it more now! Love that binding, too!
So gorgeous, so much texture…
It is the beautiful blogs like these that make me wish I could quilt. I love this quilt especially, it looks beautiful with those colors. Wish I could quilt…
It’s never too late;)
Your talent and fabric collection are mind-blowing. I am so glad I discovered your blog.