Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Improv Circles


Purple is the color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  This is one of my RSC projects I experimented with last year and am continuing on this year. For the blocks I used scrap "chunks" - pieces at least 8.5 inch square.   I use the RSC color of the month plus red and brown chunks (my constants) to make my blocks.   Don't ask me why red and brown - I guess it's because I saw the most chunks in the milk crate of chunks in those colors.  I stack four pieces right sides up and make 3 free form circular cuts.   Then I re -stack the cut pieces in no particular order and sew them together again into four blocks then trim each to 6.5 inches for a six inch finished block. 

I'm warning you right now that this will be a loooooooong term project because I will only be making one or two sets of four blocks per month and only if I have scrap chunks in the color of the month.    Won't that be fun? 


And who knows what the final layout will look like.  I may keep the four blocks of a set together and sew a sashing in between or not...

With last year's yellow and orange RSC project blocks. 

They may just all get sewn together plain and simple. Or maybe some type of sashing will be inserted elsewhere. Or maybe the sets of four won't be kept together and blocks will all be mixed up instead. 

Or maybe...the layouts are endless...

Ad Hoc Improv Quilting with:

12 comments:

Ann said...

I took a class with Jan Soules a couple of years ago with a similar plan except she overlaid the arcs rather than seaming them. I think I prefer your way. Guess I'm just a piecer at heart.
The red and brown is an unexpected combination. Nice to see something different. Love the scale of your prints.
Thanks for linking with AHIQ.

PaulaB quilts said...

The purple really worked well with the Reds and browns, which is surprising. It seemed to be a cooler color, a nice addition. You've got a good thing going. Glad you are going to do the RSC17 colors.

Terry said...

Now that is vey unusual, I never would have thought of it. Good luck with it.

JanineMarie said...

I like how you chose the red and brown in such an improvisational way--because they were there. With the neutral and strong colors, I think they will give a lot of energy to the quilt. I also like that this is really a mystery quilt based on your stash of the color of the month.

audrey said...

Love these so much! Can't wait to see more of them in your great fabric choices.:)

Kaja said...

So many possibilities! I too like the red and brown as your 'neutrals'- it will be cool to see what character they give to the quilt as a whole. It may be slow but I'm looking forward to following your progress

Quiltdivajulie said...

This kind of quilt is BEST when it is done slowly and over a longer period of time - it gets scrappier and more interesting! Going to be so much fun to watch you play with these and their layouts.

The Joyful Quilter said...

You've done it, again... Tempting me when I simply CAN NOT start a new project. I so want to make these funky circle blocks!!! Have fun with them as your scraps allow.

gayle said...

Oh, these are just luscious! What fun new toys you're making, and I'm going to enjoy watching you play them!

claudia said...

These are great! I really would like to do some circles, but I'm afraid of them! I have watched several videos on the technique and it looks simple enough. I guess it's just one of those things I need to just jump into and practice.

Monica said...

I love your process for this quilt, Cathy! Mix and match circles have been on my to do list for years, and this is a great approach. Food for thought!

liniecat said...

Fabulous! I took a Craftsy course for making circles and cutting them up but actually have not made a version yet.
Yours is striking and has reminded me that it's on my 'list' of to do's!