Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Improv Patchwork Quilt (sort of)



I'm not sure why but I have a difficult time starting something new if I know I have a WIP waiting to be finished. I know some people prefer having lots of projects going on at the same time and I definitely see the benefits of that but I prefer to start new projects with a clean slate. So, since I have a couple of projects I need to start, I decided to first finish this WIP from a few months ago.


Well, it is not that I don't like having any WIPs, just none that are as close to being done as this was. For this quilt (which I last wrote about in the beginning of July), I just needed to add several more rows and quilt it since I had already completed the back BUT I knew if I had to add the number of rows necessary to make it the size of the backing that it would continue to be a WIP and I would never start my other projects. So I just added a few more rows so that it would be a big throw size and backed it with some flannel from my stash. Actually, I guess having that finished backing means I kind of, sort of have a lingering WIP then, right?

leah_duncan_improv_patchwork_quilt

Actually, size is not the only reason I chose to make a different back. Um, well, I only have one package of batting in my house right now (and only a very small batting scrap) and I want to use those for my other projects. Yes, I could have just ordered more batting and I considered that but instead I decided to try backing it in flannel without any batting - which I guess makes it more of a coverlet? 



Since I didn't have to worry about quilting it according the batting instructions, I barely quilted it at all - just some random, somewhat wavy horizontal lines spaced very unevenly throughout the quilt.



Then when it came time to add the binding, I'm not sure what I was thinking but I just folded the front over to the back and used that for the binding. I 'm not sure how to describe it but you can see in the photos. I've seen people do this by folding the back over to the front (which I considered) but I liked it better this way. I even got one of the corners to miter the right way!

leah_duncan_improv_patchwork_quilt

Well, it might not be the best quilt I ever made but it is out of the WIP "pile" and will soon be being used so YAY! Right???




21 comments:

  1. That's one way to skin a cat! I've made several quilts without batting and I think they are the perfect weight when you want just a hint of warmth. Yay for finishing wips!

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  2. I love it! I bet it will be very useful ! I could see that becoming a favorite in my house. Very clever, indeed!

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  3. I'm the same way!! I don't like having more than 2-3 projects going. If I want to start a new one I must finish one first. Lol. So far anyway. And I love your quilt!!

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  4. I am all about reducing the number of WiPs. I like the way the front looks folded over onto the back for the binding. And yay for another project complete and ready to be used!

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  5. Looks great! Congrats one wip done! Keep on sewing!

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  6. Yay indeed! Love the randomness And improvisational nature of this- it's in the original spirit of quilting! I think there are a few people around who wish they could work in your serial way rather than having so many W'sIP!

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  7. What a great useful quilt! The colors are wonderful. I do love random.

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  8. I agree about getting WIPs done before starting a new project, I have a hard time leaving projects sitting around. This is really pretty and bright :)

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  9. Well I love it ...it's simple and it has such a lovely splash of colour :)

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  10. Oh I love this. The patchwork is super pretty, and the flannel is gorgeous too. I have always wondered about making quilts with no batting - it is so hot here that I will never use a normal quilt, but something like this would definitely work :-)

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  11. It sure looks snugly! Yea for a finish.

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  12. I love when I get something finished. Great way to "bind" it, too. Looks light and snuggly

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  13. I'm the same way... I don't have a pile of wip's, I like to finish one thing and move onto the next. I even clean up my sewing room in between each project... I can't imagine the mess I'd have if I had a bunch of wip's! Wonderful use of color in your finish!

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  14. I'm with you Beth! If I have something sitting there, it gives me anxiety to start something new...and if I do, it's like the other project is staring at me, shaming me for not finishing it. ;) This is lovely!!

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  15. It's a sweet one - I could definitely see it getting a lot of use in my house.

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  16. Yep! Done is better than perfect :)

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  17. Looks great. I have done the folding the back onto the front but never the opposite way, I am going to have to try that.

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  18. Finished! Yay! It looks like a perfect wraparound for those coolish early summer evenings when it is nice outside but still a touch chilly. It would be lovely for picnics too. That's what you had in mind, right? :)

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  19. I'm the same - I can't start something new (or I try not to) if I have a big pile of WIPs waiting for me. I'm slowly completing things at the moment in an attempt to start the new year fresh (can you believe it's nearly 2015!?!). This looks like a great snuggles blanket. :)

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