Improv Spotted Graffiti - part Four

This is a continuation 3 previous posts about the of the making of Spotted Graffiti.

I did go ahead and remake two of the squares before I added the outside borders.  Here is what it looked like with the fixes.  It is SO much better.

I needed to add some length to the borders so that they would fit after sewn into place.  I also had to be a lot more diligent about the shape and width of the borders.  Since they were pieced, I starched them and sewed around all of the outside edges to keep from popping seams and ending up with floppy edges.  I also had to take a few tucks here and there.  I have to say that it is not my favorite improv quilt, but at least I stuck with it to get it done.  For sure, working with solids is a whole lot easier than with pieced fabric.  It was donated to our charity group and measured 56" x 58".

Improv Spotted Graffiti - Part Three

This is a continuation of 2 previous posts about the making of Improv Spotted Graffiti.  I continued to make pieced blocks for the wonky border.  Some were made as triangles; some were made as squares.  They were fitted onto the sides as I went to make sure I was filling the space.  

When I needed to join the pieces, I lined then up on one of the lines on my cutting mat.  After overlapping the ends, I trimmed one of the sides so that the angle was the same.  These were then sewn together and the other side was trimmed to be somewhat even, but still sloped.  

One thing that bothered me (besides the unbalanced center) was that the piece might need to have a small dividing dark border between the busy background and the wonky border.  (That was a decision that I made when I made the improv blocks.)  It seemed like that reasoning needed to be carried through to the edge.  Well, here is the top with the improv border pinned in place.  I decided not to add that first interior border.  But I thought that I wanted to applique some of the darker curved pieces out into the border after it gets sewn.  However, the interior pieces still bothered me a lot.  I seriously considered tearing it apart and trying to remake one of the interior squares and one of the exterior squares.  I wasn't that sure how much matching material I had left after making all of the outside borders.  (Sigh).

I let it sit for a couple of weeks, while I pondered my next step.

Class on Chop and Drop Applique

I combined several techniques when making the Garden Lady series and was asked several times to teach a class on my chop and drop applique method.  So, I agreed to teach the class during the CCQ Saturday workshop day.  The thing I had to keep in mind was the time limit and how complicated the class could be.  I started by grabbing some photos from Pinterest and narrowed the selection down to an images from a clothing manufacturer.

I traced the picture and changed a few of the details before I had it blown up to a manageable size for the class.  I'm showing only a few steps that are needed to complete this class piece.  If you want more, you have to sign up for the class during the Saturday workshops, or schedule it with your group or guild.

I hope to see you in my class!

Clark County Quilters Show - 2025

Clark County Quilters held their annual Quiltfest in March 2025 at the Clark County Event Center.  So many beautiful quilts.  It is always fun for me to volunteer at the show to help set it up, sell tickets, do other jobs during the show, meet with friends, and talk to the public.  Here are some of the highlights:

Featured artists Gerrie Thompson and Carol Hatton

BEST OF SHOW - Large quilts  by Carol Hattan

BEST OF SHOW - WALL QUILTS by Lynn Czaban

Me and my friends Kathy Eriksen and Lynn Patterson.

It was a lovely show!