Monday, May 14, 2012

Scrappy Improv Quilt : :

Scrappy Improv Quilt

This weekend I finally finished up my Scrappy Improv quilt! I'm sooo excited!! It took me a little longer than I thought it would -- beginning Friday, continuing into Saturday, with a nice walk and lots of picture taking on Sunday. It feels really good to be finished with this one!

Srappy Improv Quilt

The final measurement is 68" x 80"! This quilt was made using a quilt-as-you-go method, so for finishing I simply added a few long stitches, running both ways, a 1/2" from each of the quilting seams. I chose to leave the pieced backing large and did an easy peasy roll-over binding to finish. If you look back through the posts for this particular quilt, you can see how it all came together. It was quite the process!

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The front of my quilt is made up entirely of the scraps I've accumulated from all the projects I've made over this last year or so, and I finished off the back with five different one yard cuts of aqua & red fabrics pieced together randomly. I chose the aqua & red since from way back when I first began sewing I've wanted to make an all aqua and red quilt. Finishing this one with some of the fabrics I've saved for that quilt just seemed like the perfect thing to do.

Here we have two prints from Riley Blake Designs new collections Apple of my Eye, one from Millie's Closet, all from Skye Reve Fabrics. The others are a Riley Blake Red solid and a Michael Miller Red & Aqua Dumb Dots.

Red & Aqua Quilt Back

Now that's it's finished, if I'm being honest, there are several things I would have done differently with the overall design. Of course there always will be, but if I just look back it really was such a fun project! I didn't plan anything about it, not even the Improv girl in the corner. I just had an idea and decided to give it a go. It was great to have a project that didn't require much thought,  just fun! Now I have this beautiful, large quilt for my family to use, a lot less scraps taking up space in my studio, and a keepsake that is very special to me.

Scrappy Improv Quilt

I see a hundred different projects when I look at it, it's wonderful!

Scrappy Improv Quilt

  Maureen

38 comments:

  1. Goodmorning, Are you gonna leave us hanging like that girlfriend? How is it finished, share with me how you binded it or quilted.

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    1. Good morning!! :) I'm sorry I didn't include too many details. I'm just SO excited to be finished, I skipped right to the "I'M DONE" photos! LOL

      This quilt was made using the quilt-as-you-go method, so for finishing I added a few long stitches, running both ways, staying in the quilting seams. I chose to leave the pieced backing large and did a roll-over binding to finish.

      Is that helpful? I don't have any links, but if you look back through the posts for this particular quilt, you can see how it all came together --
      http://maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com/search/label/scrap%20attack%20quilt%20along

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  2. I stepped away from my sewing machine for the day and played with some paper I had painted. Fun! http://wendigratz.blogspot.com/2012/05/shower-people-you-love-with-love.html

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  3. The back is a PERFECT compliment to the front! Great job. Are you sure it doesn't need a home with me (joking). You may have inspired me to use some scraps.
    I spent Friday finishing a sweet baby quilt for an expectant mama-friend of mine. I gave the quilt to her yesterday at church. It was so exciting because I really stepped outside the box on it (for me, anyway). It's pictured on my FB wall.
    http://www.facebook.com/janelle.thietjedunn

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    1. Thank you Janelle!

      I wasn't able to see the quilt photo? It sounds like a perfect gift to give on Mother's Day!!

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  4. It is beautiful! I finished my mom's mother's day gift and took photos of it yesterday. We had a pretty nice day together too :)

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  5. Absolutely gorgeous!!! What a wonderful quilt!!! Way to go!!

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  6. Absolutely amazing Maureen!! You did a wonderful job plus great pictures.

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  7. It turned out fab!! Great job! =D

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  8. I dream of making a quilt like that. It is just so wonderful! Congratulations Maureen! I am glad you are feeling a bit better now!

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  9. This quilt look great Maureen!!

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  10. Oh Way, there she is again, your Lady of the Scraps! Looks awesome! I Love how you did the binding-- it really frames it all, in a non-framey kind of way! I also like how the block at end of the second row (right side) echos the back! Marvelous, and great pics too!
    My weekend, I finished my itty bitty Zakka quilt block magnets, and made headway on my mugrug swap and doll quilt swap.

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  11. It turned out beautifully Maureen. The back is just as fun as the front. I really enjoyed watching it's progress!

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  12. Gorgeous!!!! It's ahhhmazing!

    I got a whole bunch of Commuter cowls done for a market coming up and for my etsy shop as well as a new skirt tutorial. It was a productive Sat and a wonderful mother's day.

    Glad you had a good weekend too :)

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  13. That looks great! I like the little girl in the bottom corner.

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  14. I love projects like this - it's a memory quilt for quilters! I feel the same way about my selvage spools quilt. Every selvage represents fav fabrics from past projects! Congratulations on a BIG finish!! Enjoy your quilt.

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  15. Goodness, I adore your improv girl in the corner! She's too cool! :)

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  16. Congratulations, Maureen! It's so fun to see it finished. Aria was a bit shocked that anyone would take a picture right. at. the. train. TRACKS! But, I'm sure you were safe =) LOL. Kids are funny.

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  17. oh maureen! it is sooo beautiful and i was thinking...maybe you should bring it with you in june so we can all see it in person! xo

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  18. It sounds like you had a wonerful mother's day. Hope you felt better. The quilt is beautiful. I love the photo of the quilt on the railroad track. Your scrap drawer should be a little lighter now.

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  19. Wow the quilt is breath-taking! You took scraps to a whole new level!
    I may just borrow the idea and make a large scrappy block for my future quilt =D

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  20. Oooh, I love it, congrats! I got my retro flowers done yesterday, I'm so happy with it :o)

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  21. It's so gorgeous!! I really love the girl and all the improv came together beautifully!
    I've only managed some little finishes, seems I can't get the time for the big ones :(

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  22. Are you even kidding me? You put that together so fast and its beautiful! Can I hire you to make me a purty quilt?:)

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  23. I finished two bee blocks... Does that count??

    So... what are your plans for your leftover Good Folks? :)

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  24. wow - fantastic job. Looks amazing!

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  25. Beautiful quilt Maureen! I just posted about my own scrappy quilt. They are so fun to make - probably one of my most favourite quilting styles. I really love the back of your quilt too, that is similar to how I often finish my upcycled quilts. The back can be just as interesting as the front, in its own way ;)

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  26. What an amazing quilt!! I want to make one now {gotta get some more scraps first} :)

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  27. Your scrappy quilt became amazing! That sweet lady in the corner is so unique and beautiful! I love colourful and fuzzy quilts and yours is really wonderful! x Teje

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  28. I love this quilt, the colors are so nice!

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  29. Just perfect. Love everything about it!

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  30. Wow, that is so much work!! It really turned out great. It looks nice and cozy to snuggle under.

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