It's Time to Dabble in Free-Form Quilting ala Author Rayna Gillman

What is Free-Form Quilting?

In 2011, Rayna Gillman published a book through C & T Publishing called Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts: A Stress-Free Journey to Original Design. I am so happy that I came across her book and had the good sense to purchase it. Her ways of breaking out of the 'norms' and 'rules' of quilting are refreshing! The photos in the book are fabulous and inspiring. If you're looking for ways to break "free", consider her suggested techniques: "...no seams have to be lined up, no corners have to match, and you are free to do what you like." (p. 20)

Some of the chapter titles to entice you:

• "Start Stripping"
• "Slice, Dice, Combine"
• "Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide"
• "Fearless Color"
• "Reinventing UFOs..."

With inspiration bouncing around and filling my head for the past few days after reading and looking through her book again, I found some time today to do what she calls "therapy sewing." I needed it!

First I took out my plastic tub of miscellaneous scraps from other projects.

I selected various strips of fabric that were each at least 6-8" long.

I sewed them together somewhat randomly, varying lengths and colors. I tried not to get stymied by fabric colors, tones, patterns, motifs. These are the types of concerns that usually give me "creative constipation." I'm not confident when selecting fabrics for quilts, and I get overwhelmed by the vast array of choices and decisions I need to make.

Here's two blocks I made from the strips, after slicing, dicing, dividing, multiplying, and subtracting:

8.75" x 10.25"

8" x 10.75"

Which one speaks to you? Can you visualize a use for either of them? Can you imagine them being surrounded by neutrals and allowed to be the main feature? What about combining them somehow? What about transforming them yet again by slicing, dicing, dividing, multiplying, or subtracting? Could they become a free-form interpretation of: a tree? a house? a landscape?

They're both different sizes. I don't have a plan for their use yet. Thanks to Rayna, I'm not intimidated by these and other details. I can let my free-forms percolate in my mind for however long they need. I know I'll find a place for them to appear someday. They may get chopped up and used in new ways yet again! I'll just enjoy the process and let myself be free of constraints. 

This is a nice way to break free! Are you ready to take a break, too???

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I'm seeing green & yellow...Quilt!

Here's a project that some friends from church and I have almost completed:

This is Diane's Green & Yellow Quilt because she's a University of Oregon fan (the mascot is a Duck)! I will create a label for it, and then we bind it.

I did the free-motion quilting on my domestic machine, using the motifs of flowers and leaves for about 104 blocks! It measures out to be an over-sized twin.

Free-motion motifs on the top of quilt

Since I don't have a large table that is level with my machine's sewing surface, I had to muscle it around and do the best I could. I found this to be an awesome opportunity to practice my free-motion skills, which I do enjoy. I think I'll concentrate on doing smaller projects on my machine in the future though. With a smaller project I can experiment more and use smaller fill patterns.

Free-motion quilting on the back

Since she is a duck fan, there had to be duck fabric. I searched and found this:

"Everything but the kitchen sink" fabric by Yuko Hasegawa for RJR Fabrics

The photo doesn't do it justice, but it's very cute and would make a darling quilt, place-mat, outfit, handbag, etc.

Being a University of Oregon fan myself, I'm just ducky on what's going to be a rather hot day for May in the Northwest. How about you?

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Stash Busting: Throw Pillow, Improv Block, Potholder & Small Quilt

*First "Work in Progress":  "Friends" Throw Pillow

I used to embroider by hand much more than I do now. I find sewing/stitching by hand a relaxing, creative activity, giving me something to do while I'm doing something else. I came across an embroidered panel that I'd finished several years ago which included seed

beading. The red beads encircle the hearts and accent the tulips. I'm inspired to make use of it...finally! Invading my stash, I found two good print candidates to border the main panel and solid blue for corner accents. Then I found another fat quarter to use for the back with an all-over leaf print to continue the top theme of leaves. 

I pieced the top and decided that I could embellish the solid blue corners with machine embroidered hearts. I just have two more to do! I'm happy with the results.

*Second "Work in Progress": Cat Quilt? Throw? Wall hanging?

I have some novelty fabric of cats. I thought they'd look nice cut apart and set with machine embroidered cats I had stitched out using a variegated thread.

I needed another fabric to offset the 3 panels, so I auditioned the panels with some other fabrics from my stash and chose the red. I don't know who this will be for nor what it will end up being, but it's a creative process!

*Third "Work in Progress": Improv Block

Block is cut down to measure 9" x 9", per her request.

A member of my Modern Quilt Guild asked some participants if they'd make improv blocks for her. She provided some fabric scraps with some general suggestions...VERY general suggestions. I did some research and decided on the "Asterisk Block" on Moda Bake Shop. I added a small scrap (the yellow strip) from my stash with her fabrics. I like it and thought you might like to try it, too, or others shown on their site.

*Fourth "Work in Progress": Paper-Pieced Potholder

Another optional monthly activity our Modern Quilt Guild sponsors is a swap. Each swap features something different to make and exchange with others who choose to participate--we never know how many will actually do the swap until we're all at the monthly meeting. I haven't participated until this month, but last month they made small clutch bags, the previous month they made wrist pincushions, etc. The chairperson suggested we make potholders this month and try our hands at paper-piecing.

I've done paper-piecing and have some blocks that are still uncommitted to any project. I am using one of the paper-pieced house blocks and will finish it for next week's meeting:

The purples in my block match the spring bouquet
from a neighbor's and my yard :)

*Projects Finished: Quilt Label & 4th Mystery Quilt Star Block

I machine embroidered and sent this label off to my sister for her latest quilt for a healing friend:

I also added the bordering triangles to my (4) fourth star blocks for Eleanor Burn's Mystery Quilt.

It's been a productive week!!

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iPad Bag Made & Delivered!

iPad Bag

In a previous post (January 19, 2014) I featured some shoulder sling bags that I'd made with Pattern #1201 "Flip Flap Bag" by Whistlepig Creek Productions. I showed a friend the bag, and he immediately said, "An iPad bag!! That's exactly what I need! Would you make me one?" Who was I to refuse a man with a great idea?!

"Flip Flap" Sling Shoulder Bag
Under the two top flaps are hidden pockets.
Lifting the top curved flap reveals the first hidden pocket.
Both hidden pockets accommodate smart phones easily.
When the phone is inside the pocket, it doesn't show,
while the pocket is shallow enough to allow easy access.

He picked out fabrics from my stash, favoring colors like blacks and grays. The bag calls for 4 different fabrics, and while it states that it's "Fat Quarter Friendly", I beg to differ. I highly recommend that when a pattern claims this, don't believe it! You'll need just a bit more, you can bank on it. Many fat quarters include the selvage, which subtracts from some of the precious inches needed for the project. Then I found the instructions are brief and confusing, and I'm not new to sewing!!

But I digress....   

Lift up the second triangular flap & find another nice hidden pocket for a cell phone or such. This pocket shares the hidden feature and easy access depth of the first pocket.

I finally finished his bag! In spite of my qualms with the aforementioned inadequacies of the pattern, I really like this design. It's fun to put together (once you understand it!), and the design works well. It features 2 hidden pockets, which perfectly accommodate Smart Phones and other items, like a wallet. The main bag generously accepts an iPad or similar tablet/notebook with room to spare. There's 2 more pockets inside the main bag as well as room for other items, such as notebooks, books, wallet, etc. Before adding these gizmos, the bag itself is very light. The wearer decides how much weight to carry! I love the shoulder sling strap which is adjustable: knot it as a fashion statement and/or to shorten its length whenever needed.  

Proudly modeling the main bag area that holds the iPad.
Note the "Domo" character decorating the back of his iPad,
matching his stuffed toy.

For his bag, I chose not to add decorative top-stitching or add a button as an ornament (the bag needs no closure) as I had done on my previous bags, which were for my personal use. "Closing" the bag is simple: flip the cover over. You can mix and match fabrics that fit your mood. I suggest making several, for all occasions. Why stop at one?? I estimate that it takes at least half a day for total assembly, but plan longer for the first time you make it.

Interior pockets in the body of the bag (he chose the colors!).

Modeling the bag: lightweight & secure.
The long strap allows it to be slung over the shoulder
so that one's arm covers the top of the entire bag
when the arm is at one's side.
Notice that  the iPad nor the cell phone can't be seen.

Quilt Label

I also machine embroidered another quilt label for my niece Aubrey. She asked for one with a larger font than the one I'd originally made the previous week.

Label measures 5" x 5" and includes a 1" border for attachment to quilt.

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Spring Carrots & More Quilt Labels

 Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilting Company 

is one of my favorite people online. 

Check out these cute spring carrots that I made over the weekend:

Close up of carrot on a cute chick tablerunner made by my sister, Diana, of SewCraftyChick.blogspot.com

  

My dining table decorations.

If you'd like to make some simple carrots, too, here's the demo on YouTube: 

How to Make a Cute Easter Carrot with Fabric Scraps!

(I admit that I didn't use the wedge template. 

I made my own wedge from paper. I just estimated, & you can, too!)

Applique Garden

I don't have enough projects to fill my time--HA, HA, HA--so I decided to do another "mystery" wall-hanging sponsored by Susan Claire in Australia of Gourmet Quilter. She's refreshing and offers many free tutorials on YouTube. Her slogan: "...because quilting is delicious!" I like her spirit!

Each month she's sponsoring a free mystery piece of the Garden wall hanging, which started in March. I've just finished March's panel:

This first panel is about 42" in length.

Topmost flowers.

Long stems.

Butterfly at the top.

Flower and leaf.

I love the background white on white fabric--nice find for a nature theme. I've been using scraps of fabric as I go along. This project gives me an opportunity to work with my machine's blanket stitch, and since she's "revealing" each month, it helps me to pace myself.

If you'd like to join the fun, Susan offers the pattern for a small fee on her website for any of the months you've missed which is only March at this point.



Happy creating!

Sweet, Unique Star Blocks and Labels

I'm working on the fourth installment of the Mystery Quilt sponsored by Eleanor Burns. Each installment has included different types of stars. She uses techniques that help me quilt more accurately. I think you'll agree that these fabrics from a fabric line called "In the Beginning" make it sparkle. I'm using yellow toned "Architextures" by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman fabrics as a background. I threw in other fabrics from Michael Miller, Clothworks, more Robert Kaufmans, and some I can't identify now.

Two of four stars, which will be joined by background triangles and another large scale green fabric triangles to become the corner squares of the borders.

Close up of Mystery Star 4

On my design wall, four different stars. 

These new stars are not in their corner spot yet because my design wall is too small.

My sister, Diana of SewCraftyChick.blogspot.com asked me to machine embroider another label. She is an ACTIVE quilter! I can't keep up with her, and she works full time, raises kids, and cares for pets!! I always collaborate with the individual requesting the label concerning colors, label size, motifs, fonts, etc. I'm able to send screen shots via the internet during the design process so that modifications can be made before stitching it out.

The label looked like this on the computer screen. Diana asked for bright thread colors and the butterfly motif to match her fabrics.

The finished label, measuring about 4.5" x 4.5" (note: I'm still snipping threads that connect the design on the front). I always leave an additional half inch or more around the label for the seamstress to trim and attach with their chosen method. As I stitched this out, I decided against the black thread for the script. It seemed too severe among these lively colors.

Other labels I've designed:

Designs can also include appliques, as seen of the Snow-girl on the left. 

Stitched out on selected fabric.

Screen Shot of Label

Screen Shot of Label

I've made and designed others as well, in various sizes. If you would like to order one, feel free to collaborate with me. It's a nice addition to whatever you're making, and so important to document the work.

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