Improv Orphan Block
I’ve spent the past week and weekend sewing on projects I can’t show yet, so today I decided to take a break and play a bit.
This little orphan improv block was made from scraps left from my Autumn Drive quilt. You can see that quilt here and here. The little block has been waiting for its turn, and yesterday was the day.
One of the prompts for the #igquiltfest on Instagram was to post a favorite quilt book. Here are the two I chose.
Whenever I want to be inspired, I page through these two books. I have admired quilts by Jean Wells for many years, and her book Intuitive Color & Design prompted me to begin to give improv a try.
A quick project in that book has been on my bucket list, and I have no idea why I’ve waited so long to make it. The little improv orphan block was just about the right size for the project after I added some border strips.
I cut a piece of fusible fleece and adhered it to the back of the block. Then I got to work doing some matchstick quilting using Aurifil thread in Smoke, Yellow Orange and Lime.
The block is 8-1/2 inches square. Even on a block that small, the matchstick quilting took awhile. I started with the Smoke thread and quilted lines about 1/2-inch apart, then I began filling in the spaces. When I was done with the Smoke thread, I added in the two other colors. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the fun look of the quilting in the setting sunlight.
Next I needed to create a long, wide border piece. It was at this point that I got so involved in what I was doing I completely forgot to take photos. I apologize, but I sure enjoyed myself!
I added the border to the block, which I also forgot to photograph. The border is sewn on in a continuous strip, right sides together. Once done, you turn it and it creates a little box for an 8-inch stretched canvas that is 3-inches deep. Following the instructions in the book, the finished project looks like this.
Here’s another view of the matchstick quilting so you can see the three colors of thread.
From the side, it looks like this. Next time I will piece the side borders with more improv. For this project, I just added a strip of fabric between the gray. It should’ve been a bit more centered. I did some quick quilting with the yellow orange Aurifil thread.
I didn’t add a backing to my project, because it will hang on a wall and no one will see the back.
It’s handy to have a very tall husband who can not only hang the project on the wall just by reaching up, but also snap a photo for me too. Soon this little project will have two friends hanging with it!
It’s hanging just above my patio door in my quilt room so I see it each time I walk in.
It’s been a quilty weekend! What have you been making?
Linking up today with Beth at Cooking Up Quilts and Becca at Pretty Piney.
Wendy
34 Comments
laughinggasquilts
Your improv block is fabulous! Love the colours, and the matchstick quilting is perfect. I, too, have consulted Jean Wells (in book form), and found her excellent.
piecefulwendy
Thanks! I’m itching to make the next two!
Vicki in MN
Love, love, love your little mini! First it was the colors but when you added the matchstick quilting-adorable! Can’t wait to see it’s friends:)
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Vicki! It was a quick project.
Sherry @ PoweredByQuilting
I love that you mounted the block. How neat!
piecefulwendy
Thanks! Easy to hang too!
Tish
Love how you stretched this across canvas to hang! That is some serious match stick quilting and a prefect way to finish this fun little piece off.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Tish! I enjoyed the matchstick on this little piece!
Becca // Pretty Piney Quilts
I love this block! The colors and quilting are fabulous. Thanks for linking up to What I Made Monday.
piecefulwendy
Thanks! And thanks for hosting the linky party!
karenfae
love your mini and how you mounted it above the door
piecefulwendy
Thank you!
Kathleen McCormick
I love this fun little block and the way of displaying it! Those colors are just so much fun and I love when you can back into your inspiration pile and come up with something fantastic.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Kathleen!
Diann Bottrell
That is a wonderful little project! I love the bright colors against the dark background – the colors really pop! What a great way to display it, too. I bet I would enjoy those books you’re reading – I have enjoyed doing more improv the last couple years!
piecefulwendy
Thanks!
rl2b2017
Good Morning Wendy! Oh, I just love this little block. I’m glad you found a place for it, and I adore that quilting. I often think I’m going to do some matchstick quilting but never actually do. I can’t wait to see its companions. ~smile~ Roseanne
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Roseanne. Matchstick is fun, requires patience (or a good movie) and uses a lot of thread!! 😊
Bernie
Great finish Wendy! Love that your style and tastes are so eclectic. Some modern, some traditional – it is a great mix. Makes it fun to anticipate what your next post will be about. 🙂
This will be such a pretty series – looking forward to seeing the companion pieces.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Bernie! I definitely bop from one thing to the other! 😂
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Wendy, very creative improv! I love how you used 3 colors for your matchstick quilting!!! Perfect location to admire it, also!!!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Nancy!
quiltedblooms
Oh, the texture from the quilting is fabulous! The thread color changes complement the snippets of color throughout. And, you can’t go wrong with lime green!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Paige! I agree, lime green never disappoints!!
marissthequilter
I can see you had fun. It’s a lovely piece
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Mariss!
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
Adding the border in the way you did and flipping it to the back is so genius. What a great way to display a mini quilt! I’ve only ever made one improv project and it was fun and relaxing. I’m glad you had fun in your sewing room! 🙂
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Beth! I find improv very relaxing too!
Sandra Walker
Well, isn’t that just the sweetest quilt, with the sweetest Big J of a husband to put it on the stretcher(?) bars. Love it! And love your quilting and the thread colours, ahhh. Like a good massage, thank you!
piecefulwendy
Thanks! I am spoiled with my tall husband. 😊
thedarlingdogwood
What a fun project! I love the different colored threads in the quilting. It looks great hanging above your door!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Emily!
My Sewful Retirement
Hi Wendy, you mini is too cute! I love the bright colors and the matchstick quilting was a perfect choice!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
I love these colours with the grey and your box framing is a very nice way of displaying it 🙂