Creating a Work Flow

When I'm in improv mode (which is most of the time), I find it helpful to create a work flow of sorts. I don't usually do much in the way of sketching before I start, but tend to cut right into the fabric, which begs the question....WHERE does one begin? And after one has begun and the fabric is flying in multiple directions.....HOW does one keep on top of the chaos?

Sometimes it begins with an inspiration, but more often than not, it can be just a simple technique that I'm trying out. I have started being a bit more observant about what works for me and what doesn't. I have also taken note of what size strips I seem to gravitate towards and seem to use over and over again.

After choosing a few colours I just start cutting a variety of strips.

 



Here are some buckets of my favourite strip sizes.....they just happen to be the same widths needed, in the various QAYG  joining methods I like to use and also the width I prefer to use for binding. Well, actually I plan it that way.
 
My favourite  go-to strip widths:

• four and one half inches
• two inches
• one and one quarter inches
• two and one half inches

I used to try and sort them by size.....that just didn't seem to work for me. As soon as I started sorting, by colour things became a little less chaotic.

 

Something else I like to do when I'm in that improv mode is set up a machine at standing height for piecing.

 

 

 

Right next to the machine, I have a pressing board and right next to that is a cutting board.

 

I go from:

• cutting
• to piecing
• to pressing
• to cutting some more
• and on back again



 

 

Because I often Quilt As I Go (QAYG), I sit down at another machine for that. All throughout the process I keep adding more fabrics and putting stuff up on the design wall. And then I start the whole cutting and piecing process etc. all over again. At this point I don't worry to much how it will all come together. I find working this way to be a very interactive process. 







Unexpected Delight

Every new learned technique is like another tool in the tool box or another colour in the palette, to be explored and applied in anyway you like. The more tools in the box the more options available to you as a quilter.  You don't have to use any technique in the same way a particular book or teacher does....just add it to your arsenal of tricks and apply it your way.   Or,  mix it up with other techniques and see what happens.  After all, this your creative journey

 

After arriving in Victoria,  I had the unexpected opportunity of going to a workshop, on elongated triangles, by Katie Pedersen, co-author of the book Quilting Modern.  I have been reading Katie's blog Sewkatiedid for several years, so I was thrilled to spend some time with her, here in Victoria.  Katie teaches a very informative workshop with a relaxed and calm vibe.  I  love having the freedom to take the technique in any direction I wanted. A few of my quilting buddies were waiting to see how long it took me to deviate from the instructions.....darn, I messed up my first triangle.....but hey, I loved the result anyway and just went for it.

 

 

Of course, I couldn't resist turning it into a QAYG project.

 

 

 Katie, sharing all of her beautiful quilts!!

 

 

 So lovely seeing Katie's quilts in real life.

 

 There are those  lovely Elongated Triangles

 

 Not only did Katie bring a carload of quilts, just look at her beautiful display of cushions.

 

 Jo-Anne and Katie

 

 

And as usual, me with that goofy smile I seem to reserve just for photos and Katie (just sharing a laugh over something outrageous Jo-Anne said to get us smiling).

 

All in all, what a lovely unexpected week.

 

 



Fearless Quilting

Ah....FEARLESSNESS in quilting gets my heart beating a little faster. You know the cliff diving, wind surfing, roller coaster riding type of fearlessness. All, of which I wouldn't attempt, in real life, even if my very existence depended on it. In other words, I sort of....okay, I really like to play it safe. I am basically a non-risk taker. Just ask my kids, they will verify this without blinking. There is always talk of my "Worry Line" showing. But when I quilt.......I get to ride the wave, fly through the air....well, you get the picture.

When I registered for Quilt Con I got booted out of the system three times. By the time I got back in, most of the classes were full.....I managed to get into one workshop, but that was it. At first I was a little disappointed but I decided to check out the lectures. For me, this really turned out for the best.

Luke Haynes...... just jumped right into the deep end of quilting....he didn't seem to know there were rules. I mean, why would you change a sewing machine needle unless it was actually broken!! Fearless!!!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe....When something doesn't work, what do you do....cut it up!!!! Fearless!!!

Sherri Lynn Wood.....Ruler free! Letting our work come from a deeper place!  Fearless!!!

Having fun....in Sherri Lynn's workshop...It was a struggle limiting myself to only a few colours for this particular score from the Improve Handbook for Modern Quilters. Never fear....if it doesn't work out I'll just cut it up!! Fearless....right??

Then there's Jacquie....always ready with a smile and a hug. Jacquie gave a fabulous lecture on The Art of Teaching. So completely authentic, when sharing her experiences as a teacher (the negative as well as the positive)! Fearless!!!
Pardon the goofy expression on my face.....there seems to be a lot of that whenever the camera comes near me. And yes, we planned our co-coordinating outfits. Kidding!!

The word FEARLESS just resonated within me throughout all of Quilt Con. The Gee Bend Quilters shared from the heart.  Again....the word fearless came to mind as they sang and shared.

Then, there was the meeting of the other quilters....perhaps a little fearful. But no need, the friendliness was simply overwhelming.

The exchange of cards and buttons......wonderful!!

Meeting up with Kathleen....catching up, exchanging ideas, stories and of course good food!!

Lots of laughter and hugs! Good times with Jo-Anne! 

Meeting new friends and catching up with old ones....it was a total delight and I haven't even talked about the quilts. Maybe next post. The show was a delightful visual overload!