Upon finishing a quilt my next step is always tidying up the studio. It’s closure. A chance to clean the slate and recategorize the design wall with what I need to focus on next. Just enough to be excited about something new, but not so much that I get distracted. I don’t need any help with that.
Part of this habit is organizing the ‘seeds’ or ideas that got me to that finish. I use a box system. Into the box goes all the ideas that got me (or not) to the finished quilt, along with photos and any other inspiration.
I save most of these ‘seeds’ to show students how nonlinear my process can be, even when sticking within the same technique. That merging something we already know with new juice helps in developing our own ‘what,’ artistic voice/look, aesthetic or whatever you want to call it. Some ideas go in good directions, some just don’t work and more than a few are waiting for their time to come.
Artistically it’s all beneficial;)
I’m mentioning this because I started with Plan A and ended with Z, so much so that I had to dig through the archives to remember its origin, which was in another box altogether.
My original inspiration started with improvisational Stitch and Flip Triangles and these Supernova blocks in the photo above. I had a curved flower build out idea that didn’t work as I’d envisioned.
I played with centers, outlines and other shapes after abandoning my original design idea. I even made something that looked like the Easter Bunny threw up.
The nesting idea came after I got a hang of sizing the curves.
I worked fully from stash and no surprise liked my usual mixed background of texture. Some shot cotton here, Kona, something else, plus some tone-on-tone prints brought it together. I ran out right at the end and digging from the wastebasket placed the ‘ghost’ flower. It’s those surprises that usually are my favorite part of the quilt.
I also have an odd lot of Metler colored thread I bought for nothing years ago, so working from that I picked the colors of the flowers and added a grid of quilting. I thought of going diagonal, but decided I liked the centers of the flowers plain. Someday I’ll teach myself to hand quilt, I think the flower centers call for it.
The color way was fully inspired by this flower print on the back. Switching out the white for the green made it into a pretty bold looking quilt.
I auditioned and cut the binding in blue. It was sweet, but a little too baby, so I ended up switching it to the same print in green. You might see the blue binding in the next finished quilt:)
It has Spring written all over it for sure. I thought in celebration I’d make a new ironing board cover to match.
I had to throw in the towel when it came to posting this workshop before Spring Break, just too much going on, but have one two spaces left. If I see there’s more interest I’ll add another date. Since I have our annual Camp Runamuck retreat and a teaching engagement in Georgia, May will be dotted with Open Studios and a couple workshops. I think the last time I was in Georgia I was 23?!
Happy week Peeps!
I am inspired! Having always been a traditional quiltmaker…I am finding myself stretching. This process is similiar to mine…but you are so much more orgzanized!
Thanks! I also share my space with students, so organization is a must;)
It’s beautiful! I love the grid quilting and the colours are amazing. Quilting is something I really want to learn (but haven’t yet made time for) but I always do the tidy up after I finish a sewing or knitting project, too. It sort of restores the mind and empties the brain-space, ready for the next project.
Birds of a feather;)
Can I be in your Saturday May 7 stitch and flip curves class? Thanks. Lissa Valentine
Lisa Valentine
Hi Lissa. Sure thing. Will send you email.
Love this quilt!! Did you quilt on a domestic machine or longarm? I just did the same grid on my domestic machine & all looked good until I started the cross grid. Lots of rippling & ripping for a supposedly quick design! Any suggestions?
I just follow a quarter inch from the seam on my domestic. My Bernina’s walking foot has nice lines you can use to follow. Let me know if you have questions.
I like this one very much. The colored and simple quilting is perfect!
Thanks Alice;) Simple Simon worked.
Thanks for sharing your process and your organizing after a project is finished. Since you teach, it gives you valuable examples to share with students. Improv piecing makes a big mess in my studio. I often leave my favorite unused bits on the design wall if they are something I’m wanting to explore in the near future. Others get put in the “maybe someday” bin.
Yup, some seeds left behind;)
The way you worked in the ghost flower was brilliant. I love this quilt!
Thanks Quilt Fairy;)
Love this quilt. The green background was a great idea as was the ghost flower. I love great design ideas that come from necessity!
Love, love, love it!!
Thanks Lori!
Did you make the “curve” with a bias I have been asked to do a program on Drunkard’s Path for my guild in August. I am thinking that I could do something ‘improv’ to bring the pattern up to the 21st century. Any ideas? Love the green.
Hi Carol. I made them using the improv curves method in our book Quilting Modern. Email if you have problems figuring it out;)
Lovely as always – so cool to hear your design process – Thank you for that. And thank you for this: ” I even made something that looked like the Easter Bunny threw up.” LOL – You are a riot.
OH please please please tell me you are selling a pattern for this!!! I absolutely love it ! What a bright fun quilt for our group to make for the women’s shelter ????
Wow! You are very talented.
Thanks so much, you’re too kind;)
Thank you for sharing your process from start to finish. I like your organization after you finish your project. A seed has been planted in my brain. Hopefully it will blossom with organization of my own.
We’ll take what we can right;)?!