Kale and Carrots, a finished quilt

When we last left off with my improv project, I had finished the center of the work. It grew from there in a log cabin style. How did I manage that? I returned the quilt center to my design wall and pinned possible fabrics to the wall to organize next steps.

A reader wondered how I join blocks together in a ruler-free style. It’s actually not difficult! In short, you lay blocks side by side so that they slightly overlap. Then you cut again along the overlap section, cutting through both pieces at the same time. This creates a matching-cut seam that can then be properly and smoothly joined.

With this improv style, I can also add more stripes/sashing if I want to even out block sizes before joining. Most improv is forgiving like that.

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Tada, the finished quilt! It’s called Kale and Carrots because the colors and energy remind me of a late summer garden. The big, leafy greens are bolting in every direction and the earthy orange carrots are ready to be plucked. Everything is a bit topsy turvy, but in a healthy sort of way that indicates life and abundance.

I’ve added a lush green border in metallic XOXO fabric. It’s a tidy, even hedge around this garden plot. Plus, mint green binding to frame it all.

Yes, this is a green quilt, I said it from the get go!

Did you notice the quilting? This pattern is one of Karlee Porter’s graffiti designs. I call this one Graffiti Grow, so it’s no wonder that I chose it for my wild garden quilt. All the flowing shapes and pearls are a nice foil for the stripe-y patchwork.