Improv Spotted Graffiti - Part Three

This is a continuation of 2 previous posts about the making of Improv Spotted Graffiti.  I continued to make pieced blocks for the wonky border.  Some were made as triangles; some were made as squares.  They were fitted onto the sides as I went to make sure I was filling the space.  

When I needed to join the pieces, I lined then up on one of the lines on my cutting mat.  After overlapping the ends, I trimmed one of the sides so that the angle was the same.  These were then sewn together and the other side was trimmed to be somewhat even, but still sloped.  

One thing that bothered me (besides the unbalanced center) was that the piece might need to have a small dividing dark border between the busy background and the wonky border.  (That was a decision that I made when I made the improv blocks.)  It seemed like that reasoning needed to be carried through to the edge.  Well, here is the top with the improv border pinned in place.  I decided not to add that first interior border.  But I thought that I wanted to applique some of the darker curved pieces out into the border after it gets sewn.  However, the interior pieces still bothered me a lot.  I seriously considered tearing it apart and trying to remake one of the interior squares and one of the exterior squares.  I wasn't that sure how much matching material I had left after making all of the outside borders.  (Sigh).

I let it sit for a couple of weeks, while I pondered my next step.

Ombre leftover quilt - part 2

This is a continuation of a previous post about the making of an improv quilt with the leftover ombre fabric.

I thought it might help to show you how I do some of the steps.  I've already sewn the first 3 rungs of this piece.  So, here is how I add the last piece to "square" up the block.  I place the curved edge on top of the next piece, both face up.  I cut the curve through to match the previous one.  The new piece should overhang just a bit on the lower edge.  The pieces are separated to remove any of the cut-off pieces.

Then I match them back up and flip the top piece over the curved piece and pin about 2" from the leading edge.  I place a few more pins to match up the edges until I reach the leading end (at the top in the picture).   I don't pin the rest of the curve.

I start sewing with a narrow seam, removing the pins as I sew.

When I reach the end of the pins, I use my fingers to gently match up the edges, but only an inch or so at a time.  I'm very careful not to stretch either piece.

This is what the piece looks like after it's sewn.  I flip it over and press the seam towards the outer edge.  It wants to go that direction most of the time.  I do use a light spray starch and try again not to stretch things as I go.

The piece does need to be "squared" up after sewing and pressing because all of the bias edges move around.  I don't try to make it the final size until I know where it is going to fit into the quilt.

I placed this one up on the design wall and knew that I needed to add a strip of fabric to fit the other pieces in the row.  I cut this one oversize and sewed it to the block.

I sewed it to the previous block and then trimmed it to fit.  No measuring first...sew first, then trim!

Here it is all trimmed.

And here it is up on the design wall.

Here is the piece with all of the vertical strips sewn.  Now I have to figure out how to sew the background ombre fabric.

I hope you like it so far!

Mix and Mingle by Natalie Crabtree

 I made a top for our charity group that was based on a pattern called "Mix and Mingle" by Natalie Crabtree.  It was such a modern and cute quilt that I just had to make it, but with some improv blocks.

It's 59" W x 83" H.

I hope you like it.