Recently I needed new samples for a class I’m teaching in June about improvisational curved piecing. I didn’t have anything specific in mind and started with easy cutting and sewing. I used the HQ Stitch 510.

I used big, bold prints with plenty of contrast.

When you have contrast, you can clearly see the difference between the fabrics.

If the fabrics run together, it defeats the purpose of piecing.

Contrast makes the design visible.

These are big blocks, roughly 20″ to 24″ each way.

Big blocks mean that you start to see how it’s shaping up pretty quickly.

For me the trick is to just keep sewing and adding, sewing and adding. It helps if you don’t think too much at this stage.

At one point I did think too hard and I took everything down from the design wall. I started over.

Even the pictures all started to confuse me. I decided to just continue sewing and adding. I would arrange and rearrange later.

These images are not in a perfect order because creativity isn’t a straight line. Have you seen this illustration?

Julia was spot on.

Eventually you have to think about how you’ll actually sew it together. I used a lot of partial seams. I added plenty of coping strips. I did a lot of trimming.

And this is where I landed. I alternately love and hate it.

But it was the most creative thing I’ve made in a long while.

I’m going to quilt it on the HQ Capri stationary longarm. Stay tuned for that adventure!

Quilt on,

Diane