Monday 14 October 2013

The One with a Stitch & Bitch

This past weekend I finally made it over to my quilty friends for a good ole' fashioned stitch and bitch. You know, you lug way too many WiPs, extra fabric, batting and more notions than you can shake a stick at, PLUS your sewing machine, to a friends house where you proceed to make mounds of snipped thread and scraps, gossip, eat and Quilt! I loves me a good stitch and bitch :)

Here is my new pouch I am toting notions in. Such a show off! I know I should make one for myself! But again, afraid of the zipper, and this one was on sale!

First in the bag was a block for the ModQImprov B. Jennifer (my stitch and bitch partner by the way) wants the group to make an Improv Herringbone from the 13 Spools Tutorial. Let me tell you, this block has generated lots of discussion. Mainly because it looks pretty friggin complicated to make!
But you know what, once you do the fist two "bones, you get the hang of it. And it looks really cool!I only got one column done today, but I hope to finish it tonight.

From the same Bee, I pulled out the scrappy Improv blocks that the girls sent to me in June.The great thing about quilting with a friend is you can brainstorm on quilt issues. Like how would I make these squares into a top?

Here are nine of the blocks together. They look great! I love all of the color and texture from the inprov piecing. The issue becomes that I only have 11 blocks (not that I am complaining!) and 11 blocks do not make a very big quilt. I want to donate this so would like it to at least end up a throw size.

So I though maybe I could make more blocks. But can I tell you, I have so many other projects on the go, that  just don't want to make more blocks for this one? (guess I just told you) I could do a single wide border around a center square, or regular sashing. None of this was working for me. Then Jennifer had the amazing idea to set each block in a square of white, but have them "free floating" in the white. When I join them all together there will be different pockets of negative space. Love It!
So I started adding some white borders. When you do that, each block looks like it's own little masterpiece

Aren't they great!What are you working on this week? I am so determined to get through my WiPs. I am on a quilty mission!
Adrienne

This week I am linking up at

21 comments:

  1. I wish i had stitchy friends close enough to have a stitch and bitch!!! that sounds like fun. the modern herringbone is way cool!

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  2. Guess I know what both of us did when we parted for the day! Next time, you'll have to teach me all about linking up... it's a mystery to me! I learn as many bloggy things from you as I do quilty things these days!

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  3. Great idea! That way the blocks will stand out more as well.

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  4. that's a great idea! you know I love improv!! and the improv herringbone looks awesome!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. oh, and I'm so happy you shared at Needle and Thread Thursday!

      :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  5. Thanks for sharing that improve sashing idea! I like that!

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  6. Everything is looking so good! Love the white sashing idea...sets those beautiful squares off perfectly. Yes, I am trying to get all of my WIP's caught up. Lots to do!

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  7. The borders make those blocks just perfect! I drag too much to those meetings too, never know what you will actually feel like doing. I have usually forgotten something so I need backup:)

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  8. I'm as far along as you on that herringbone, hoping to finish it off today.
    Love the idea of setting the blocks in the white. It looks awesome! Can't wait to see it come together!

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  9. Starting over on the herringbone. Yeesh! I love the blocks surrounded by white, can't wait to see it finished. I'll make you another block if you need more to make it larger.

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  10. Great blocks! I really like them sashed in whited!

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  11. Love the scrappy finish! Sometime scrappy sewing is so rejuvenating!

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  12. Scrappy & improv are my favorites! The blocks you have are great. Funny, I was playing with some of my improv blocks the other day and had the same thoughts as you - border them, randomly so they float. However, because there are SO many WIPs, I decided just to sew them together into one big block - less work. PS. I'm a member of the Afraid of the Zipper Club too.

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  13. Ha! Funny thing...went to tackle that herringbone this morning and my machine broke. Have another but that one broke a week ago! Argh!

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  14. Hi! First time here from WIPLove the lightness and fun in your style of writing. I also like in your profile, your plan to deal with your addiction - too cute! I like your improve blocks a lot...nice solution.

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  15. I love the improv blocks, they are truly spectacular! I just finished my improv quilt using the My Quilt Infatuation tutorial too! http://adventurousquilter.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-finish-finally.html

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  16. I love your improv blocks! Can't air to see how it turns out :) thanks for linking up!

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  17. Nice work Adrienne....lots of loveliness.

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