Back in January 2014 Sophie of Sophie Junction issued a Tea Towel Challenge. (as you can see in my Jan. post if you so desire). I picked a Tea Towel, decided I would make at least a lap quilt sized and went about making various items to add to the quilt. I just knew I didn't want to use the Tea Towel as the center because I don't really like Medallion type quilts.
By March 2014 I had a lot of letters and embroidery completed and there I stalled and put everything away. (You can see where I left off in my March 2014 post if you so desire. )
Now fast forward to a month or so ago when Kaja of Sew Slowly and Ann of Fret Not Yourself decided to form the Ad Hoc Improv Quilters Group (AHIQ). I don't really consider myself an improv quilter and I don't really feel the urge to label my quilting or style in any sort of way but I do like to use some feeble parts of my brain once in awhile before they atrophy so I kind of joined in with AHIQ. I can't just take fabric and play around with it. I have to have a goal in mind because I'm very goal oriented and don't feel I can waste fabric or time on something that wouldn't be useful to me or someone else. That's just not me. No, that's not me at all. I actually get my liberated feeling from taking my bra off the minute I get in the door after work. The shoes usually come off next. Ah...liberation!! Cutting into fabric for who knows what reason doesn't liberate me. In fact it stresses me. I've tried to be "fabric liberated." If I play with some fabric I have to make it into hotpads or mug rugs or place mats or something. And scraps too little to do anything with go into the garden as mulch so I don't have to throw it away. Anyway, enough about my Type A personality (I can live with it)... So, this is a UFO I consider an improv project. I dug it out of the burial mound and decided to give it life once again. Maybe a monthly linky party will give me the push I need to move along on this. Or not. We shall see. I do have a couple of other UFOs I would probably consider improv in the same burial ground where I found this one. And they are to me different types of improv. But let's start here. With this one. I'm going to try to impress myself with what I consider some improv quilting. I may end up with some improv comedy instead. Who knows.
So...what have I done since I resurrected this project?
I haven't done much. I decided I would construct this AHIQ quilt (aka Tea Towel Challenge quilt) by making panels with my bits and pieces...3 of them...and I would then join them together into one quilt. It's a start.
You can see what others consider AHIQ projects at Sew Slowly or Fret Not Yourself.
And why not join the fun too!
Cute idea, Cathy. I like the large rick rack handles and the fabric variations in the bowls. I think some part of improv is using what you have. That's also part of scrap quilting. Because everyone improvs differently, I find it more thoughtful... at times. Anyway, we're both using UFOs and stash. Hooray for us. Thanks for linking with AHIQ.
ReplyDelete"Improv Quilting" does seem to mean a lot of different things depending who/what group you're talking to. I actually took a little Double Dare quilt to my mini group (that started out being called Modern, then Modernish and now Modern/improv) because it is improvisational to me, but surely not to the "improv quilter" in our group. I say define as you like and use it to make progress on your designated project. I still haven't quilted my tea towel challenge quilt, but I am THINKING about quilting it a lot more these days.
ReplyDeleteSo very interesting what we all consider improv. Is it the media who defines these things? The publishing companies? I am always fascinated by what you come up with. Enjoy your free spirited ufo.:)
ReplyDeletePersonally I take off my shoes first, then find some nice slouchy bottoms. I'm a bit like you in that I have to end up with something useful, but so far it's always been a quilt, so I just take that sort of for granted now; isn't it funny how that drive for utility can be so ingrained? I love the idea of taking your UFO and seeing where it goes - hope you have fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated too by the range of what's considered 'improv'. To me, it ranges from 'oh, that's so cool' to 'oh my goodness, why would they do that?', so it's a lot of fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know your quilt building will be fun to watch. Carry on!
Excellent (!!) post - happy to see your tea towel out and about - I never did finish mine (I'm not a huge medallion girl either). Really enjoyed this post!
ReplyDeleteLove those baskets of strawberries and ric-rac handles...what fun! hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy! I love that you don't try to categorize what kind of quilter you are. and I think Improv can jut be anything to anyone - it's a personal definition that probably even changes over time with each individual. You are doing fun things with your tea towel challenge. I can totally relate to what you wrote "I do like to use some feeble parts of my brain once in awhile before they atrophy" LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I don't think anyone CAN define what improv should look like, since it depends on the ideas of the person making it, and we are all different! Even a different mood would probably lead us to different decisions on how to progress with a project. I love the way you have used different blocks joined onto the tea towel, it will be interesting to see how this develops into something you'll find useful, too!
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