Project Imrov - 2nd block (or 1st?)

I completed another block for my Project Imrov quilt. I decided to challenge myself by using all patterns and no white. I also added yellow to the color palette because this fabric was screaming to me from my stash that it belonged with these reds and blues. I am very pleased with the result! Now I'm wondering if it will work with the first block... It could, I have to think about which direction the quilt will take and if it will follow one block or the other or will incorporate both.

Project Improv - First Block

I've joined Tallgrass Prairie Studio's Project Improv group (you can read about it here). I actually had the time to work on my first block today! This will be my first "real" quilt. I'm working on some doll quilts for the girls, using them to practice quilting, etc. But this will be the first larger quilt I make (I haven't decided a size yet, but will probably do a lap quilt size so I don't get overwhelmed!) I'm very excited to do an improvisational quilt as my first because I've always been worried about the frustration in not lining up seams correctly or cutting accurately. Also, I prefer guidelines over rules so this will be perfect for me!

I decided to use Tallgrass Prairie Studio's Wonky Log Cabin block tutorial to design my block. I'm using only fabric from my "stash", which is mostly vintage and thrifted. (Except for the charity block, I'm looking forward to buying some fabulous fabric for that!) I first sifted through it to find a color combination I wanted to work with. Oddly enough, I ended up with red and blue (odd because I never use those colors in anything - decorating, clothing, gardening...) but the colors felt right. Since this quilt is 100% improvisational I felt it was important to pick fabrics based on emotion rather than logic (logic would say, pick colors that match your home, right?)

I was surprised to learn that most of the time involved in making this block was in picking the right fabric for the right spot. I challenged myself to make the block look modern and fresh even though I was using vintage fabrics. I cut a lot more strips than I used because I kept changing my mind! I made some mistakes in the piecing, but since this block is improvisational and I like the final look, that means they're not actually mistakes, right? Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased with the final block! I took the picture after dark, so maybe I'll post another one tomorrow if the sun comes out! EDITOR'S NOTE: Still no sun, but I took (somewhat) better pictures on a bright, snowy day. If the sun ever shines on Wisconsin again, I'll get some better pix!

I'm A Winner! Part One!

I've actually won two (2!) blog giveaways! This one is a vintage quilt block from this giveaway on Giddy Goat. It turns out that she doesn't live too far from me (or, more accurately, I live rather close to the ballpark!) so she dropped it off in my mailbox. What a wonderful surprise! It is really beautiful with gorgeous vintage fabrics. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I like really like this pillow idea from Tallgrass Prairie Studio.

Quilt Month

It's Quilt Month at Mr. Monkeysuit. Coincidentally, I just started my very first quilt this month (although I've been planning to make one forever). I decided to start with a doll quilt so I can make all my mistakes on something small that I haven't committed too much emotional energy to. I actually plan to make three doll quilts, one for each of my daughters. Hopefully that will give me enough practice to start a real quilt (or, quilts - one for each of my daughter's beds!)

These first quilts will be made entirely from my "stash", and it's sort of a stretch calling my pile of fabric a "stash". I basically have fabric picked up from thrift stores and rummage sales - you know the bags of scraps for $1. Also, some vintage sheets and thrifted men's dress shirts. The quilt pictured below is made exclusively from men's shirts (the stripes) and vintage sheets (the florals). I have it pieced and basted into a "quilt sandwich" and I can't wait to finish it!

The book I'm using as my guide and teacher is: The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide. I bought this book years ago when I first decided I wanted to start quilting. I noticed that it is listed in the Sew, Mama, Sew! Blog in their post Readers' Top 10 Favorite Quilting Books.

So far, I've loved every part of the process, even though I've made many mistakes. I'm glad I'm starting small with something that will be loved. It's so much more fun than making something "just for practice".