Paper piecing blocks means they stand alone, mixed with other stand-alone style blocks in a quilt. Rarely are paper pieced designs repeated with other blocks to create a distinctly modern, secondary pattern that appears to be unrestrained. But Amy's paper-pieced patterns and 9 quilt designs combine both the precision of paper piecing and a spontaneous appeal. Design opportunities are opened through the repetition of paper-pieced blocks. This creates irresistible, modern quilts with precise--yet improvisational--flavor. Amy's patterns easily appeal to both the modern and the new traditional quilt maker alike.
From fussy cutting particular design elements from commercially manufactured fabrics to working with selvages and stripes effectively, Amy offers readers unique patterns that feature precise piecing for graphic and sometimes whimsical results.
An exciting new approach for beginning to advanced quilters who want to improvise on their own, with a friend, or with a community of fellow makers. Forget step-by-step instructions and copycat designs. In The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters, Sherri Lynn Wood presents a flexible approach to quilting that breaks free of old paradigms. Instead of traditional instructions, she presents 10 frameworks (or scores) that create a guiding, but not limiting, structure. To help quilters gain confidence, Wood also offers detailed lessons for stitching techniques key to improvisation, design and spontaneity exercises, and lessons on color. Every quilt made from one of Wood’s scores will have common threads, but each one will look different because it reflects the maker’s unique interpretation. Featured throughout the book are Wood’s own quilts and a gallery of contributor works chosen from among the hundreds submitted when she invited volunteers to test her scores during the making of this groundbreaking work. “Wood offers a series of techniques, guidelines and lessons on color choice for those ready to explore improvisational quilting. Her book is loaded with full-color photos and examples to inspire.” —Dallas Morning News “Despite how it may “seam,” quilting isn’t all about rules! Quilting can be an exhilarating way to channel your creativity and express yourself. This book is focused more on exploration than explanation—a perfect mindset for beginners!” —Powell’s Books Staff Pick
Welcome to structured improvisation, where there's a plan in place...but still plenty of room to play! Learn three methods for sewing together rectangles, squares, strips, and even the tiniest fabric scraps to create new yardage; then use the resulting scrappy fabrics in a dozen dazzling step-by-step quilt patterns. Start by working with just one color at a time to get the hang of improv piecing. Soon you'll progress to mixing colors and prints in scrap-packed quilts that will give a happy home to every piece of fabric you've ever saved!
No patterns here, but definitely a plan! Explore the freeing power of improvised piecing with Nicholas Ball in his first book, Inspiring Improv. Learn his step-by-step technique-based process to explore six fundamental piecing structures. Practice how to stitch fabric together in an improvisational manner to create blocks or sections before using them to sew unique quilts all your own. Improv piecing doesn't have to mean chaotic end results. Look to the eight original projects included to see how to create sophisticated quilts with structure focusing on repeating blocks or large-scale scrappy designs. Follow along as Nicholas walks you through his original inspiration and follow his plan through to finished pieces, as he discusses which combination of his core piecing methods he used, and how to achieve showstopping, exciting work. From simple strip piecing through to complex circles and rings, you will be eager to experiment with making slabs, gentle curves, insets, triangles and even 9-patch and Log Cabin stacks. In no time, you'll be using them as a stepping stone to sewing original full-sized improvisational designs.
A natural follow-up to the best-selling Create Your Own Free-Form Quilts, this book applies Rayna’s no rules, no mistakes, no worries style to modern quilting. Starting with strips and geometric shapes, you’ll cut and sew without patterns, required yardage, or complicated diagrams. This freeing method lets you create modern quilts organically as you follow your instincts, ask "what if...?", and experiment with scale, color, value, and placement.
Infuse your quilts with love--how to add your personal story and more meaning to your handmade quilts. In Wise Craft Quilts, celebrated quilt designer and crafter Blair Stocker shares ways to use cherished fabrics to make quilts with more meaning. Each of the twenty-one quilts featured here gathers a special collection of fabric, outlines a new technique, and spins a story. By using special fabrics as the starting point for each project—from a wedding dress to baby’s first clothes, worn denim, Tyvek race numbers, and more—the finished quilt is made even more special. Create quilts that have a story to tell and you’ll find a whole new level of appreciation for what they represent in your life and the lives of the ones you love.
Learn how to create twelve stunning contemporary quilts and develop your own designs using improvisational methods. Take inspiration from simple objects to create twelve beautiful, contemporary quilt blocks. Create original quilts from each block design and adapt them to your own style. Learn how to interpret print, pattern and shapes into unique quilting ideas and experiment with a range of innovative techniques for impressive, professional results. Inside you’ll find techniques such as square piecing, basket weave, half-square triangles, chevrons, quarter circles and portholes. So, if you love fabric and color, take a step into the world of improv quilting.
Start with a simple block. Slice, turn, and sew slices back together. Then watch the magic happen! It's hard to believe such complex-looking quilts can come from such easy-to-sew blocks, but turnabout techniques transform even the most basic blocks into showstopping quilts. In some cases slicing isn't even necessary--just turn units as directed for unique designs! Each chapter focuses on a single block; just follow along to sew, slice, turn, and sew again. Find several design options for each block, along with a total of 23 quilt patterns, so you can make lap quilts, runners, and more with the turnabout blocks you create.
