Improv Patchwork: Dynamic Quilts Made With Line & Shape
By Maria Shell
Stash Books/C & T Publishing, 2017, 96 pages
$22.95/print version; $19.95/e-book
Hey, Q-bies! Have we got a book for you! And it’s like an Rx for your heart and soul.
On page 6 in big, bold letters, author Maria Shell declares, “Creativity is Good for You!” Ain’t that the truth. Creativity is good for you. Creativity literally feeds our souls. It’s probably one of the reasons that we took up quilting, no matter what style of quilting we embrace. And it is from this happy point that Maria shares the beginnings of her quilting path. Kudos to a shop owner named Trudy, who taught Maria how to quilt, and embrace the “make-do” part of our quilting history.
Maria also had the opportunity to learn from heavy-hitters Nancy Crow and Lisa Call. Nancy, in particular, is one of our quilting mothers. She’s influenced generations of quilters, including those who love the modernistic flavor. And she’s sharing those lessons in Improv Patchwork. (Lucky us!) She breaks piecework down into lines and shapes that can be manipulated into a variety of shapes and patterns.
Uptown Rail Fence by Maria Shell
In chatting us up about color, Maria asks us to start working with the colors we love. Doing this allows us to become confident in them. For example, Maria recalls there was that one brown she had an aversion to, and didn’t use for a long time. When she added that brown to her quilts, though, something changed. There was a blossoming, as if she and the color finally understood each other. By working with our non-faves, we can have this design epiphany, too.
Do the Dot by Maria Shell
Her cutting techniques are also very cool. Maria uses a rotary cutter (60 mm!) and rulers, and she uses the rotary cutter and mat creating free-flowing and organic lines, adding interest to the overall look of the stripes, plaids, and dots. These two techniques add a dynamic look and shape to the quilts.
Rattlesnake by Maria Shell
Improv Patchwork also has great tips for piecing triangles. My fave happens to be pin placement for half square right triangle. She places a pin on the diagonal, in the upper right hand corner (see photo below). This makes sure that unit is going in the desired direction when she brings the pieces to the machine to stitch.
Wild Bone by Maria Shell
Zigzags, chevrons, and herringbone shapes all make an appearance in Maria’s how-to’s, with diagrams and tips for designing and stitching each one. And don’t get me started on how amazing the checks and plaids are!
Of course there’s an opportunity to win a copy of the book (paperback for U.S. readers; e-book for the international set). Comment by October 26 and tell us: If the sky was the limit, and you could drive any car you want, what would it be? We’ll draw a name on Oct. 27.
Oh! there are a few more bloggers lined up to share their thoughts about Maria’s new release, and opportunities to win a copy of the book, natch.
October 16—C&T Publishing
October 18—Yvonne Fuchs – Quilting JetGirl
October 19—Amy Ellis – Amy’s Creative Side
October 20—Deborah Boschert – Deborah’s Journal
October 21—Kathy Doughty – Material Obsession
October 22— Wendy Hill – Wendy Hill’s Blog—Fun Quilts Stuff & More
October 23—Cindy Grisdela – Cindy Grisdela Art Quilts
October 24—Heather Pregger – Heather’s Blog
October 25—Maria Shell – Tales of a Stitcher
Quilt. Sew. Live. Breathe.
COMMENT #1
A new Nissan Sentra because the one I am driving now is 23 years old.
COMMENT #2
I think it would be fun to drive a DeLorean. I love those funky car doors and knowing it was built the year we were married makes it even more special! It wouldn’t be an every day car, but still fun to drive! I love improv and would want to make those dots and plaid projects!
COMMENT #3
To enter for Improv Patchwork you want me to tell you my dream car? A Tesla. Improv Patchwork looks like an amazing book. The images are sharp, the colors inspiring, the writing cheery and concise. I’d love to win a copy.
COMMENT #4
This is a great look at a new/old quilting idea. I see some of Gee’s Bend in these quilts.
COMMENT #5
Sky’s the limit…I would have my 2006 Chevy HHR repainted & overhauled and keep driving him!
COMMENT #6
A VW camper, the old times kind.
COMMENT #7
What car? one of the old “porthole” T-birds, in blue, always have liked these. If there is enough room in the trunk for my sewing stuff!
COMMENT #8
Gee car questions are hard since I rarely think about them, however, a top of the line Prius would be nice. I think they even have heated seats.
COMMENT #9
I would try a pick-up truck! I need one to haul all my quilting stuff around!
COMMENT #10
a 4 door Jeep Wrangler with all the bells and whistles
COMMENT #11
I would drive a Ford Raptor truck!
COMMENT #12
1951 MG
COMMENT #13
Any new car will do.
COMMENT #14
An early 60s Ford Mustang convertible red with white accents and a white top.
COMMENT #15
I’d choose a Mini every time
COMMENT #16
I am not really a car girl so don’t have a dream car but am fascinated by the really old cars. Probably would love to drive one of the original ones that you had to wind to start. Ps would love the book!
COMMENT #17
I would drive a Tesla! Good for the environment and good looking too. Thanks for sharing the great giveaway of Maria’s book. I liked the article that was recently in American Quilter too.
COMMENT #18
I’d drive a Mini,
COMMENT #19
Improv isn’t my comfort zone but this book looks so good I’m excited to give it a try. As for the car question . . . my husband can tell you I hardly know one car from another, but if I had my choice it would be a metallic green sporty car of some type.
COMMENT #20
I’m not that hard to please I would just like a bug again.
COMMENT #21
No being much of a car person, hmmm, an antique Bentley is my choice
COMMENT #22
Something classy with a chauffeur
COMMENT #23
I don’t have any idea what kind of car I would want, but I know it would be colorful. I recently got a new car in ‘metallic mulberry’ wanting purple and it looks black! Quilters need color!
COMMENT #24
My dream machine has always been and always will be a 1957 Chevy half ton which would be painted a beautiful rich cherry red and sport the shiniest chrome ever. I would be one happy driver sitting behind that wheel..
COMMENT #25
Ha ha… I would drive a PINK car 😉 😉 😉
COMMENT #26
Such a different & interesting book! My car purchase would definitely be a Mercedes! Thank you, Susan
COMMENT #27
I would drive a small antique sports car. That would be fun.
COMMENT #28
I would drive the newest all electric Tesla model.
COMMENT #29
I’d like a Jag. That was my fave when I worked as a valet.