Scrappy Improv quilt back + our Grand Prize winner!
Improv is all the pieces shuffled, trimmed and reimagined in a way that fits - fits color-wise, design-wise and practically too, suiting a new purpose not entirely advanced-planned, but thoughtful and intentional and
balanced.
Today I'm breathing in a sense of reclaimed balance, schedule-wise. This year homeschool is taking more time than ever (which it likely should, as they grow), plus I've committed to taking Liam to several far-flung after school activities. For a few months now, I've managed, but last week I dropped the gauntlet, declaring "This Is Not Sustainable!" Sustainable is kind of my mantra. What is not sustainable, must change. In fact, it will change whether you like it or not... so best embrace change in a constructive way rather than letting life slowly unravel.
Anyhoo, as a result of some shifting, some improv so to speak with my schedule, today feels so different. Today after we finished homeschool I actually had time to do a little bit of sewing and sit down to post at my own desk, in blessed peace and quiet, and smack in the middle of my day, just as I like, rather than smooshed in somewhere around dinner. It has to fit, this Stitched in Color stuff. It has to be sustainable. First, because it's my job. Second, because I'm soon going to add a baby to the mix, which clearly won't make balance easier. And, third, because I want to enjoy it. I want to always like sewing.
I recently finished my Never Easy quilt top, the one made exclusively of Loominous 2 fabrics. An entire extra row of half rectangle triangles in yellow/blue plaid was rejected along the way, because they were too chaotic and eye-catching on the quilt top. For the quilt back, they'll do nicely.
Rather than composing a quilt back of mostly large fabric cuts, as I do so often, I decided to improv piece something more lively, using up as many of my Loominous scraps as possible. I won't be mixing the Loominous scraps freely with my quilting cotton scraps because they are different weights and deserve a little special consideration. (Remember, I am sewing with a generous 1/4" seam and a tiny stitch length as I piece the Loominous fabrics to enhance durability as a quilt.) Using up the scraps on the quilt back makes tons of sense, in this case.
I love how the finished quilt back developed. All these sultry colors mixed with black bring to mind those vintage scrap quilts that clash, but somehow in a good way.
*********************
Today I also have the pleasure of announcing the grand prize winner of 30 Days of Quilt Design. According to Instagram, forty-three users tagged 30th designs with #30DaysofQuiltDesignCompleted. From among those, Mr. Random selected Sarah Ruiz (aka Saroy) as our lucky, lucky winner! I'll be in touch, Sarah, about delivering your Tula Pink bundle from Gotham Quilts and batting roll from The Warm Company. Enjoy, enjoy!
Today I'm breathing in a sense of reclaimed balance, schedule-wise. This year homeschool is taking more time than ever (which it likely should, as they grow), plus I've committed to taking Liam to several far-flung after school activities. For a few months now, I've managed, but last week I dropped the gauntlet, declaring "This Is Not Sustainable!" Sustainable is kind of my mantra. What is not sustainable, must change. In fact, it will change whether you like it or not... so best embrace change in a constructive way rather than letting life slowly unravel.
Anyhoo, as a result of some shifting, some improv so to speak with my schedule, today feels so different. Today after we finished homeschool I actually had time to do a little bit of sewing and sit down to post at my own desk, in blessed peace and quiet, and smack in the middle of my day, just as I like, rather than smooshed in somewhere around dinner. It has to fit, this Stitched in Color stuff. It has to be sustainable. First, because it's my job. Second, because I'm soon going to add a baby to the mix, which clearly won't make balance easier. And, third, because I want to enjoy it. I want to always like sewing.
I recently finished my Never Easy quilt top, the one made exclusively of Loominous 2 fabrics. An entire extra row of half rectangle triangles in yellow/blue plaid was rejected along the way, because they were too chaotic and eye-catching on the quilt top. For the quilt back, they'll do nicely.
Rather than composing a quilt back of mostly large fabric cuts, as I do so often, I decided to improv piece something more lively, using up as many of my Loominous scraps as possible. I won't be mixing the Loominous scraps freely with my quilting cotton scraps because they are different weights and deserve a little special consideration. (Remember, I am sewing with a generous 1/4" seam and a tiny stitch length as I piece the Loominous fabrics to enhance durability as a quilt.) Using up the scraps on the quilt back makes tons of sense, in this case.
I love how the finished quilt back developed. All these sultry colors mixed with black bring to mind those vintage scrap quilts that clash, but somehow in a good way.
*********************
Today I also have the pleasure of announcing the grand prize winner of 30 Days of Quilt Design. According to Instagram, forty-three users tagged 30th designs with #30DaysofQuiltDesignCompleted. From among those, Mr. Random selected Sarah Ruiz (aka Saroy) as our lucky, lucky winner! I'll be in touch, Sarah, about delivering your Tula Pink bundle from Gotham Quilts and batting roll from The Warm Company. Enjoy, enjoy!