Ten Ways to Love Improvisational Quilting Giveaway

My friend, Malka Dubrawsky, is getting ready to film a class on Creative Live called "Ten Ways to Love Improvisational Quilting." Are you familiar with Creative Live? It's a great platform to learn so many new creative things. You can watch classes for free while they are streaming the live filming - this allows you to participate from the comfort of your own home. You can post questions that the instructors answer and, because the classes also have a live in studio audience, you get the benefit of listening in on some discussion, too. And if you can't make the class while it is streaming, you can purchase it to watch when you have the time to devote to it. Cool, huh?

Malka's class is next week (October 8 and 9) and I am so excited to watch it. I have been a long-time admirer of her work and find it to be incredibly inspiring. I know that this class will be a treasure trove of good tips and a great jumping off point for my own work. Malka has an amazing eye for color and pattern and her approach to quilting is fresh and modern. And I'm doubly excited because I love improvisational quilting. There are so many ways to approach this fun technique and I'm looking forward to how Malka approaches it in her own work and how I can take what I learn and apply it to my work.

As a little warm up yesterday, I decided I would do an hour of improvisational piecing. Looking around the studio for some raw materials, I found a small pile of narrow (1") Liberty scraps. I sewed strips in sets of three and then chopped them apart. I pulled a fat quarter of pink crossweave cotton from my stash and cut some random strips and started adding them. The first block got two strips of pink on adjacent sides. I really liked the way that looked, so I kept doing the same thing. When the hour was up, I stopped. I'm not sure where this is going (mini quilt, maybe?), or even if I will continue to do anything with it, but I walked away very pleased with what I had done. I especially like the idea of taking small, almost unusable pieces and combining them to make something with greater substance.

There is nothing that recharges my creative batteries like improvisational quilting. The freedom, the spontaneity, the quick decisions, the play  - all those things that happen when I am sewing fabric together without over-planning and over-thinking - are so freeing. I am continuously looking at quilting in a new light when I improv. It's inspiring when it's good AND when it's bad so regardless of the actual, tangible results, I always walk away with something good - a possibility, an idea, or, heck, even a quilt. Win-win.

I hope you take the opportunity to learn from Malka. Creative Live is generously offering a copy of Malka's class to one of my readers. To enter, please comment on this post before Sunday, October 5 at 5pm EST. I'd love to hear if you improv quilt and, if so, why. You can also follow along on the rest of the blog tour to hear more about how other quilters are inspired by improvisational piecing and quilting. Good luck!

9/30 Modern Sewciety

10/2 Fresh Modern Quilts

10/6 Cheryl Arkison

10/7 Wise Craft Handmade

Comments

[Stephanie]

I think maybe twice I did an improv quilt, once for sure. I did like it and the results. Not sure why I don't do it more. That pillow is great and would be a great way to use some scraps to match a quilt just done. Thanks!

[Suzanne]

I have only dabbled in improv. I need to do more. I like how people who do lots of improv refer to the uplifting feeling it gives them. I find it still daunting and hope to do more.

[mjb]

I love improv quilting!

[Susan]

I haven't tried improv quilting yet, but you've certainly piqued my interest.

[margie]

I find improv always helps when I'm in a rut.

[Gill]

I haven't tried any yet but I like what I see!

[lee]

I have not tried but have wanted to! Love your work! thanks!

[Veronika]

I haven't yet but always think about it!! It sounds absolutely freeing and I love the thought of that :)

[Vickie]

After studying Gee's Bend and Nancy Crow quolts, I'm giving improv a try. It's harder than it looks so I think I'll tune in for the show!

[Chris]

I do when the mood strikes me but I'm not always happy with the results.

[Lynn]

Thank you so very much for this post. I believe that improv is really freeing, fun and inspiring. I love your Liberty/pink project so far. For me, improv is the only way to go. I think it best "draws me in", gets the love I'm trying to express, and keeps me fresh and motivated as an artist.

; ), Lynn

[Daphna Epstein]

I tried improve and it's wonderful! And I absolutely love Malkas work--so very inspiring! Can't wait to tune into he r show!!!

[Darcy]

ooh - thanks for sharing this class - I love Malka! Also love the freedom and unexpected gems that come from improv quilting. Great way to use those Liberty scraps.

[Jane B]

I am signed up to see the class live, but probably will have to duck in and out because of well, you know, work. I would love to win the class. Thanks.

[Francis Berryhill]

I have always wanted to learn this technique but have not had any classes in my area. Crossing my fingers I will win this class.
Francis

[Diane]

I have had great luck with combining improve and Boro quilting. Thanks for telling me about the upcoming class, I checked out the site and it all looks exciting, Diane

[Tamie]

I really struggle with improv. Maybe a class would help.

[Kate E.]

I've tried Improv quilting a couple of times and I've never been happy with how it turned out. I'd love to learn from Malka! She was one of the first modern quilters I came across and I love everything she makes!

[Ellie WOOD]

Love where you are and your style. Love Malka, too!

[Leslie]

I tried improv quilting once at a workshop and liked it, but haven't tried it at home on a larger scale yet. Hope to soon though!

[Mom C]

I feel that almost every quilt I make has elements of improv. Even when I'm following a pattern I add or subtract so it never turns out the same. So fun to just sew fabric together and see what turns out. Thanks.

[Nancy Hilderbrand]

am just learning how to quilt and would like to learn improv

[Betsy]

I've tried a few projects. Much to learn about being confident at Improv.

[carol]

I"ve never heard of this type of quilting but it sounds soooo interesting! I would love to try it.
Carol

[kay]

I've only done a little improv quilting, but I was pleased with the results, so I'd like to do more. Malka's class looks like a great opportunity to learn the process from a master!

[Jeneta]

Oh I LOVE your improv cushion!