Morning Make 1 - Improvisational Curves Make a Quilt

Morning Make 1

48'' x 48''

What started as demo pieces in my Improv Curves class moved their way into the Morning Make pile. Morning Make is my practice of sewing for 10-30 minutes immediately upon waking. No phone, no shower, not even tea. Taking the time for this practice gets me set up for the day, much as a daily meditation practice would. And creating before consuming does wonders for my productivity and mood!

So these blocks were moved into rotation and I think I had the blocks and top done in less than a week of mornings. Deciding on a layout probably took longer!

It also took me a bit to decide on a quilting motif. I tested a few ideas, then as a deadline loomed and my procrastination got the better of me I decided to wing it! Roughly following the line of motion made by the one print in the quilt top I used my walking foot to stitch. My thread of choice was a variegated pink from Aurifil. I used it in the bobbin and on top. Next time I would probably go for invisible or a middle ground pink in the bobbin because it kept me on my toes tension wise! It wasn't off, but it would look like it depending on how the threads met up colour wise.

On the back of the quilt I used the same print. It seemed a shame not to, even though I really wanted to keep it for making a shirt. But matching your quilts that much seems awfully cheesy.

For binding I did a quick machine binding. I'm a bit out of practice on that front, but I call it good enough. This is a teaching sample, not a show quilt. Amanda Jean's Good Neighbors fabric from Connecting Threads was absolutely perfect for this. It matched the colours of the solids and the print. For bonus points, the print is already on the bias!

My trusty helper during the photo shoot decided he wanted to do more than help tape. He took photos himself!

On to the next Morning Make project...

Forgiveness - A Word Quilt for Wednesday

Forgiveness.

One of the most difficult human actions. Especially when we need to forgive ourselves. And still with others. It is so much easier to be angry, to be scared, to hold a grudge. Recently I took that energy and channeled it into this quilt top. 

What a release. 

Don't ask me how many pieces are in here. Don't ask me how long it took. Don't ask me the personal details. Just know that it worked. That forgiveness is not only possible, but it does indeed feel better and require less energy than holding on to the anger, the frustration.

And bonus, my sewing room has a few less scraps in it.

With forgiveness in your heart you welcome the cute photobombers who draw on themselves and the reluctant quilt holders. Even the wind. 

Take a deep breath, get your butt in the seat and sew. Let the good stuff ride.

Morning Makes - The Australian Verson

If it wasn't for my morning make I would not be surviving summer. To clarify, I would not survive the kids being home and very limited time to sew or work. I'm doing my best to be a calm mom and the act of creating before I consume is making a huge difference in that goal.

This is just an exercise in improv. It's just play.

The first bits started as demos on my Australia trip. I grabbed two fat quarters fairly randomly to demo something on the fly. Then I used the fabric to demo something else. By the end of the trip I was rather in love with the combination so I bought the rest of those two fabrics. At home I added in bits of love from my stash, treats that Leslie at Maze and Vale gave me, scraps from my Kawasaki's Theorem screen printing, and some special fabrics also gifted on the trip. 

There are a million ways to approach improv and a million ways to play. I've decided to focus on shape to have some cohesion in the quilt. Triangles/diamonds, curves, little bits. This way, that way, any way. Scale provides some great interest and keeps me on my toes in the making.

So here and there, each morning, I make a little. Some days I can sneak in a whole hour. Most days I'm lucky if I get 20 minutes. All that counts is that I sit my butt in the chair and sew first thing in the morning. 

Quilts from The Creative Retreats

Wow. Wow. Wow.

At The Creative Retreats on my Australia trip I had 12 students in each retreat create some amazing work. They were tasked to bring an idea - an image, a feeling, fabric, a concept - along with fabric and a willingness to play. We started with a warm-up exercise to unleash our sense of play and went from there. Over tea and a wonderful cookie called an Afghan Biscuit we developed our ideas and then people got sewing. And sew they did!

Original ideas ranged from an homage to a family property and the Outback, a trip to French cathedrals or Eastern Europe, simply wanting to play with colours or a specific block, showcasing a fabric. We could have started all with the same idea and ended up with 24 different quilts! The creativity and the creating was intense and fun.

As a teacher I worked with each student on technique, layout, and design difficulties. I spent as much time with each student as possible to make sure they were happy with their own project. It was all about each student creating the quilt they wanted to make. That being said, I was totally impressed by how they each pushed themselves to try something new - whether that was improv, a colour grouping out of their comfort zone, or a different technique. Their spirit was infectious! 

Because we were in a space where we could sew all night if we wanted to, our every need was met by our awesome host, Jules, and the laughter was contagious it was just as much fun to hang out as it was to sew. There may have been some champagne (and margaritas and scotch) along the way. To be able to spend three uninterrupted days (until I made them go for walks to see birds or the beach) was a luxurious treat for many and we made the most of it.

Thank you to the wonderful women in both groups. You came from Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Ballarat, and Perth. You brought your humour, creativity, and sense of both adventure and play. I returned home totally inspired and excited. 

If you would like more details about any of the quilts or their makers leave a comment and I will try to point you in the right direction or answer any questions.