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Sunday, March 22, 2015

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. 




16 comments:

  1. Looks like fun and is that another new sewing machine?

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  2. Love learning about your process!

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  3. I understand your process and think I am working in the same way. Always starting out of the blue, 'just an experiment' is my favorite phrase and then see what happens. And then, somewhere underway, I see how it will become. You need to organize the materials, working like this.
    Great work you make!

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  4. Thanks for sharing your process - I want to give some time to improv and see if it would work for me!

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  5. Thanks for sharing! I often wonder how others work through their designs from start to finish. I think Improv is a bit more 'chaotic', only because who knows where it will go! I tend to get an idea and get to work without a lot (if any planning). This year I vowed to work 'cleaner'...we all know how that goes!!

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  6. Hi Marianne...I have not yet attempted to quilt, using the inprov process, but it looks like something I might enjoy. I am always looking for something to make for one of our grandsons who is a professor of architectural design. A wall hanging would be my first choice, and I saw something behind your sewing machine today, that looks as though it might be perfect, but could not find it anywhere on your website. Is there a pattern for it? They really like the minimalist look, and even though I can't see it all, it looks as though it would be a good fit. Thanks for sharing your thought process with all of us. lv2bquilting2@comcast.net

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    Replies
    1. Sorry I didn't get back sooner....but that is actually a piece of Art.

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  7. Your process definitely works for you. Thanks for sharing it.

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  8. Fascinating (as Mr. Spock would say..LOL)!

    Now I know how a creative mind works :)

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    1. All over the place usually....so I try to keep somewhat of a system.

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  9. I've just discovered your blog, love your quilts and reading about your process. I noticed you have a book listed on the rt side of your blog and wondered if this is a book you would suggest for someone who is just starting out in this type of quilting.

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  10. I've just discovered your blog, love your quilts and reading about your process. I noticed you have a book listed on the rt side of your blog and wondered if this is a book you would suggest for someone who is just starting out in this type of quilting.

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  11. Hey that's a great idea, having a machine at standing height. I get tired of sitting and try to stand when I can...I think pretty much everything I do is improv, too, only I do draw sketches most of the time. I need to learn your QAYG methods, though...thans for sharing.

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  12. Hey that's a great idea, having a machine at standing height. I get tired of sitting and try to stand when I can...I think pretty much everything I do is improv, too, only I do draw sketches most of the time. I need to learn your QAYG methods, though...thans for sharing.

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  13. I love your work - truly a gift -- the quilt named Montreal seems to have a glow of light - very magical

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    1. Thanks so much...about that, it's actually a picture of a building in Montreal....someday it might end up being a quilt.

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I try to respond to all of your wonderful comments....if you are not getting any response from me it's because you are set up as a no-reply blogger. In order to receive a response you can change your status in your blogger profile. I'm no longer accepting anonymous comments.

Thanks again for all your wonderful comments
Marianne