Improv....Technique 7

Curves....Freestyle Cutting and Piecing

I pulled a bunch of my hand dyes...

I set myself up at the sewing machine:

I put a portable pressing station nearby

and a small cutting mat.

Just outside the window is the red goat barn

and yearling cattle out in the field...

I won't want for company.

Block...1

I layered yellow and purple hand dyes:

I drew an organic shape 

and cut it out freehand...

The bottom half is stitched together.

At this point the seam is wonky...

It presses down perfectly flat.

Time to piece the top seam...

First curved block is done.

When you layer 2 fabrics...

you get a 2 for 1

Block...2

Again, I layered 2 fabrics,

drew out the curved shape,

cut it out freehand...

Here are the 2 blocks....ready for stitching

Both blocks are stitched at this point,

but there is room for more curves.

Using a chalk pencil, I drew out

a second shape...

The shape is cut out through both layers...

Both blocks are ready for stitching...

Most of the curved seams need trimming...

Both curved blocks are pieced and trimmed.

Block...3

This time I am layering 3 different fabrics...

I drew out the shapes

All of the freehand cutting is done...

It is fun to pick and choose

which colors go into each block...

Since I used 3 layers of fabric...

this block was a 3 for 1

CLICK HERE for the video tutorial

that inspired me to give this a try

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May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Elk Cows and Yearlings...

I was coming out of the Thread Shed

to photograph a quilt I had just finished up...

just in time to see the elk across the river

They were grazing in the hay field,

then decided to jump the fence and go down

to the river...

These are mainly cows with last year's

yearling calves with them...

Their new calves will be born in June...

The calves are reluctant about jumping the fence,

yet do it with ease...

I was able to get this on video.....see below

Enjoy the Elk Videos:

CLICK HERE:  to see My Quilts

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Improv.....Technique 6

Improv Technique 6

Freehand Curved Piecing

I had to dig deep to find this one...

I haven't seen this for 5 years......eeek!

What got me started was this 2015 issue:

I took it camping with us that summer...

Great directions...

I stitched in the camp trailer every evening.

Here it is almost 5 years later...

I unearthed some of the strips and scraps...

Here goes....Freehand cutting and piecing:

Just like riding a bike.....it comes right back

Before Pressing:  the sewn strip is wonky...

After Pressing:  lays perfectly flat

Every now and then....throw in a pieced strip

This is yummy FUN!

If you are interested in giving this a try...

CLICK HERE for Freehand Curved Piecing Tutorial

CLICK HERE:  to see My Quilts

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Improv....Technique 5.....Borders

Remember this Improv Quilt Top?

Pick Up Stix

30 blocks

measures  36 x 30 inches

I am impelled to give it a border treatment...

Last summer I did some thickened dye

screen printing:

This piece of screen printed fabric

might work for a border treatment...

I sliced it up into 6 inch strips...

I like it better already!

I auditioned strips on two sides 

of the pick up stix top...

I am liking it!

Here is the Pick Up Stix top:

This just screams.....FUN !

The X's and O's in the border

go great with the Pick Up Stix...

I am thinking.....baby quilt.

Need to find a backing.

I will post images when I get it under the needle.

CLICK HERE to view ALL Improv Posts

CLICK HERE:  to see My Quilts

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn Kessi