Sea Glass Under Water - An Improv Quilt

Last year I had the fantastic oppertunity to test out a score for an upcoming book by Sherri Lynn Wood.  Her book, the Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters (available for pre-order) uses scores to guide you through creating a unique amazing quilt.  I have to say that I was so nervous when I began the journey with this quilt.  It was a no ruler, no straight lines kind of quilt.  So outside of my normal quilting work.

To begin with I chose fabrics.  I broke into my much loved batik fabrics.  They have a great texture without a set pattern and I felt that it would enhance the quilt.  After a few fabric pulls I figured out the perfect balance and set to work.

Once I started I became more comfortable and my quilt began to grow and grow.  With each piece I began to love it more and more.

Once I had all my pieces sewn I laid them out and figured out the perfect way to join them together.  

With all the curves, I decided that no straight line belonged in the quilt so each block is joined with a curved seam, too.  (I didn't even square it up before binding it!)

I love the look from the wrong side of the quilt with the seams.  It looks like stained glass.

It was at this point that it made me think of sea glass, so the quilting had to be like ripples of water.  It took days to quilt it with there being just a half inch between each quilted line.  

If you look closely, the ripples come together at points in the quilt and move away, much like the waves in the bay do as they meet from different directions.

For the photos, I went to one of my favorite little spots where I tend to find sea glass on the bay.

The back of the quilt even has some curves in it.  I couldn't help myself.

I know, photo overload.

When I went to take some photos in my backyard Maggie felt she needed to join in, too.

I am also so happy to share that Sea Glass Under Water will be at The Quiltfest of NJ March 5-8 in Somerset, NJ.  (Along with my Garden Maze Quilt).

I can't wait to see the rest of the scores in Sherri Lynn's new book.  I stepped outside my normal quilting lines and really loved the process (once I let go) and the outcome!

Project Quilting Challenge 3 - Orphan Blocks and UFO's

This weeks Project Quilting challenge was all about Orphan Blocks and UFO's.  I knew exactly what I would be working on as soon as I saw the challenge.  A while back (2012) I created two quilts for brothers Calvin and Henry.   They were actually take 2 because my sister did not like take 1, which were reverse applique circles.

I still had take 1 sitting around and was planning on doing something with it along with the scraps from Calvin's and Henry's quilts.  In the summer the boys became big brothers to little Charlie so I figured a quilt with both sets of fabrics, combining them would be fun for the youngest.  Well, it sat for so long because I couldn't decide on a direction.  This challenge pushed me to finish it.

I took apart the quilt top that had the 6 reverse applique circles, using two of them in the quilt.  I then pulled the left over brick pieces out of the scraps and cut them into 3.5" squares.

After I put them up on the design wall I felt like it still needed something.  I dug through more scraps and found some leftover Color Weave by PB Textiles, which is what I used in the original quilts, and decided to frame the square blocks.  After then I decided to add just a touch of color to the circle blocks to finish off their edges.
 

Once the top was together I pulled the leftover backing from the brother's quilts from my stash and was ready to quilt in no time.  

I did a simple stipple all over the baby quilt using cream thread on the front and a variegated green on the back.  The variegated green looks pretty cool up close.  

I used a fun yellow print for the binding, machine stitching it on like I usually do for baby quilts.  

I know, photo overload, but I am so happy how this quick simple orphan block/ufo baby quilt came out.

I've decided to name it Spiffy Dinosaur Quilt because of the little argyle and plaid fabrics mixed with the dinosaur prints.

Spiffy Dinosaur Quilt

33" x 33"

Pellon Cotton batting

Assorted stash fabrics and ufo blocks

Made in my home in Lanoka Harbor, NJ