into the unknown

You know, for how much I truly love improv piecing, I don't do it all that often.  I'm so easily beguiled my grand quilty plans, ignoring that little voice that whispers the process is important too.  So even though I had planned to make an improv quilt with this selection of Shelburne Falls fabrics by Denyse Schmidt, and even though I had told you as much yesterday, I almost, almost talked myself into a pickle-dish.

 

I think only a quilter can do that?  The pickle-dish that is.



But, no, around noon I started cutting willy nilly into my new yardage, slicing 7" wide width-of-fabric strips and dividing them into smaller cuts at random.  So brave, so reckless.  Then I tacked up a big piece of batting for a design wall and started arranging pieces.



Fabrics will stick to the batting just like a felt board.  It's perfectly delightful!



This is the first time I used a design wall for improv.  It was so much more effective than blindly piecing at the machine, evaluating and then cutting/piecing again.  Doing the improv design up front and all at once gave me a sense of control (that I apparently craved) while also saving time and allowing me to make a more intentional design.  I popped in a few solids and some other scraps in coordinating colors, most of which happened to also be Denyse Schmidt fabrics!  (insert geeky quilter grin)



After lunch and a few hours of sewing, I've got this.  She's a square-ish baby quilt, I do believe.  Not sure how that happened so fast.  But darn sure it was fun!



Hmmm.... what's next?

Shelburne Falls by Denyse Schmidt can be found online in Canada at Mad About Patchwork & Fabric Spot, or in the States at fabricworm, Pink Chalk Fabrics, Sew Modern, The Intrepid Thread & Fat Quarter Shop. 

Thanks to Freespirit for providing these fabrics at my request!