Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Improv Star Quilt



Last month, I wrote a post about a table runner I made that was quite different from the original plan and had resulted in a few unused blocks.  One of those was a swoon block in some of my favorite Chicopee fabrics which I ultimately used as a starting point to make a couch quilt for my husband.  This might actually be the first thing I've made for him - not sure what else to say about that!



I didn't have a plan when making this quilt - just a color scheme and the one big block. 


 I started by making this star block.  



And then made some more of the wonky hourglass blocks from the original project.


Then I just started improvising and adding strips of fabrics in my chosen color palette like I did for this quilt.


I backed it in this sheet that I love.


And then used this opportunity to practice all sorts of different kinds of free motion quilting techniques and motifs.


Now it resides on our couch with my beloved folksy flannel quilt.

- 

And that's that!  He says he loves it and now really wants me to make some pillows for his office couch  out of a very specific yellow (um, maize) and blue fabric that you might have seen me post about on Instagram (I'm plumandjune there too.)

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts.

30 comments:

  1. The Slow QuilterJanuary 16, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    It looks like a lable of love to your husband. We creat from the heart and mind and you did a great job.

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  2. Adrianne @ On the Windy SideJanuary 16, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    Such a great quilt! I love the colour palette and how the wee bits of yellow really brighten up the brown and blue fabrics. Your improv piecing looks great too. Did you ever end up doing a tutorial for the wonky hourglass block?

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  3. CarlaJanuary 16, 2013 at 10:28 PM

    This is wonderful! The orphan blocks worked in there so great.

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  4. Nat at Made in HomeJanuary 16, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    Such an amazone quilt!

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  5. Heidi StaplesJanuary 17, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    Wow! This is so fantastic, Beth. I love how fearless you are with the free motion quilting -- you always make me want to go practice a little myself! :)

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  6. Canadian AbroadJanuary 17, 2013 at 1:30 AM

    Cool quilt. I love how you built up all those fabrics around one block.

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  7. heart of charnwoodJanuary 17, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    Looks fab, lucky husband, i really need to make one for my man, but there just always seem to be other projects to do! : )

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  8. Erin QuinnJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:31 AM

    That is absolutely beautiful. When I think that you just threw it together haphazardly... *I throw up my hands in despair!
    I'm glad hubby likes it, or I'd be stealing it from him :-)
    E

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  9. AnnabellaJanuary 17, 2013 at 5:38 AM

    It's very cool and very very beautiful (or handsome) - I LOVE it!!!

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  10. Nancy@owensoliviaJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Turned out great Beth. Good job!

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  11. Lucy | Charm About YouJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Beth that is gorgeous! I love the improv and the strips of fabric really tie it all together so nicely.

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  12. Angela BullardJanuary 17, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    It turned out beautiful!

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  13. ShirleyJanuary 17, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    It looks great a one off piece, lucky hubby.

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  14. Taryn V.January 17, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    The quilt is beautiful! I love your style of quilt making, you are so adventurous! It is fun to look at all the different elements that make up the top.

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  15. Books_BoundJanuary 17, 2013 at 10:46 AM

    Beautiful! I always enjoy seeing "man quilts" out there. :)

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  16. DeborahJanuary 17, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Wow, Beth! What a beauty!

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  17. MaterialGirlQuiltsJanuary 17, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    Beth this looks great, love your fabric selections!
    Amanda

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  18. KellyJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:22 PM

    It look great, I love all the different quilting on it.

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  19. Celtic ThistleJanuary 17, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Your quilt looks fabulous Beth! A real heirloom in the making.

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  20. JenetaJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:19 PM

    Oh the colours in this are stunning! I love that you you use improv - I'm looking forward to following your example and doing a bit of improv design (as soon as I finish a few projects!).

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  21. Tessa @ TheSewingChickJanuary 17, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    It's fabulous !! It can be hard to make a quilt for the guys in our lives, but you did it perfectly!

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  22. fotohokJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    I like this, it looks comfy and sophisticated all at the same time. Well done.

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  23. Kris from Duke Says Sew WhatJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:50 PM

    Love the combination of strips and stars. Beautiful quilt!

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  24. Martha January 18, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    Wow Beth this is gorgeous! I love how the stripes complement the stars so beautifuly.

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  25. HeatherJanuary 19, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous! Your husband is a lucky man. :o)

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  26. quirky granola girlJanuary 19, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    this is stunning, Beth.

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  27. Meg - Lilybird StitchesJanuary 20, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    I love the fabrics that you paired with the Chicopee. What an awesome color scheme. The blocks and quilting are perfect!!! I especially love that picture of the light shinning through. Seems to make the star glow :)

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  28. Nicole_boldgoodsJanuary 22, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    I'm in love. The different improv sections and blocks are really well balanced, and of course love these colors ;)

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  29. MelissaJanuary 23, 2013 at 1:18 AM

    I like the colors here. A little different than what I'm used to seeing from you.

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  30. Rachel SJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    Very nice job. I love the idea of the random practice free motion quilting!! I think it looks awesome and you got some great practice. I might have to try that one day.

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