Elm Street Quilts' PLAY QAL has captured my curiosity and has become my idle-mind's daydreaming: how far can I take improv? who's mastered this style of quilting? am I doing it right?
I was thinking that my improv PLAY work was not as improvisational as it could be, so I searched out some references to see how the pros do it. I fount Sherri Lynn Wood's book, The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters, and found my improv way! Her book is fascinating in its open-ended approach of introducing what she calls a 'score,' from which you can then create in any direction you want. Check out her website daintytime.net.
I was thinking that my improv PLAY work was not as improvisational as it could be, so I searched out some references to see how the pros do it. I fount Sherri Lynn Wood's book, The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters, and found my improv way! Her book is fascinating in its open-ended approach of introducing what she calls a 'score,' from which you can then create in any direction you want. Check out her website daintytime.net.
I started with the improv on the left--it was the "stack, cut, sew" prompt and I had added the dark brown window-paning to call out the quadrants, but it bothered me with its static nature. I like the addition of a new fabric color, but... it needed more activity, so I cut it up again and re-pieced it. The photo on the right is the result. Much better, right?
Wonky stars was the next prompt, and I am not a fan, so although I completed the exercise, I did not use them as-is in the quilt.
Crumbs! Lots of fun with this prompt, putting together bits and pieces and scraps. I always keep everything when I'm working on a project, so I had what I needed to construct this panel. I even used some of my wonky geese in here!
The next 2 prompts were 'strips and curves' and 'text' and I completed them both in one sitting, but was so eager to begin constructing the quilt that I forgot to photograph them individually. Both made it into the final layout though.
I auditioned different styles of layout (lots of neg space, all in a row, etc.), but kept coming back to this style, the different prompt pieces running together and blending into a whole.
I worked this layout for several days to make the pieces work together. All my prompts were modified while I constructed this final layout, either by cutting them down, ripping out sections or adding strips to make it fit.
I love my word for this quilt, STILL. It works as an adverb (it may be wonky, but its still a quilt), a noun (a still image that is the result of much thought, time and creativity), a verb (finishing this quilt does not still my creative thoughts), and as an adjective (my eyes move over the still fabric). I can see it all in my play time making this quilt.
#playimprovqal
I worked this layout for several days to make the pieces work together. All my prompts were modified while I constructed this final layout, either by cutting them down, ripping out sections or adding strips to make it fit.
I love my word for this quilt, STILL. It works as an adverb (it may be wonky, but its still a quilt), a noun (a still image that is the result of much thought, time and creativity), a verb (finishing this quilt does not still my creative thoughts), and as an adjective (my eyes move over the still fabric). I can see it all in my play time making this quilt.
#playimprovqal