Lucie Summers of Summersville made this amazing quilt. Not sure what’s going on with these English women, but they are making some beautiful quilts these days. Although I think she started out with a bit of a plan, Lucie used an improvisational, piece-as-you-go method for making this quilt. I am loving improvisational quilts these days. As I’m working on 1, 2, 3 Quilt, I realize that I hate making the same block over and over again. Whether it’s due to a short attention span or the need to make instinctual decisions, these quilts have a more emotional appeal to me. Lucie’s quilt reminds me of the abstract, often geometric paintings of Stuart Davis, who was strongly influenced by the free-form nature of jazz.
She started with this block below. You can see her progress as her quilt evolved on her blog here. I also love her choice of quilting random lines, and think it works really well with the top piecing. I love quilting that enhances the design of the patchwork, and I’m often distracted when there’s another layer of pattern that fights the quilt top layout.
Lucie has a new line of quilting cottons that will be available in April. I’ve always been a fan of her screenprinted fabrics, so I can’t wait to use these.
How wonderful! I love the use of the solid colors. It has such great movement and feels so free!
Also, didn’t realize you were working on a quilting book! I can’t wait to see it.
Wow, this is so incredibly cool! I am with you on sometimes hesitating to take on “traditional” quilt projects because of the block repetition. This improv quilt is so inspiring. It looks like the kind of project that would be both fun and freeing to make. I also love the use of all solids.
Can’t wait to check out 1, 2, 3 Quilt!!!!
WOW! I am all about improv quilting right now, I am sharing one of my own today, too. This is just so inspiring to me, it definitely has an emotional appeal to me as well! So gorgeous!!
many thanks for a lovely post ellen, i appreciate it! and thanks to the ladies above how commented, i’m thrilled my work makes others happy and inspired! x
Hi, I looked at that quilt, and thought a child made it. It has no form, the colors are too dark so my eyes crossed, I like real form for my quilts. There are many ways to make a scrap quilt, that is beautiful but has form and buty to it. The English and the paper peacing I don’t care for either. I did one block that way, and then did the same block with out the paper peicing, and it was a lot faster. and came out better also. I feel it is way too time consuming and makes a mess as you try to tear off the paper after. It is time that I could have made another block. I will soon be ob here with a blog, and I will insist that peoplee tell me the truth about whit I show. It will make me do better the next time. I hate raw edges, and so I take the time to finish them. I guess Im from the Old school of quilting. Tho, Im LOVEING all the new fabric that has been comeing out. Thank you for hearing my bitching, Gerry You have a Happy Day
I love this quilt!!!! What an amazing talent she is. Improv quilting is not for everyone, but, for me………It’s the BEST. I love taking scraps and weird shaped fabric pieces and just start sewing. Not having a pattern, not knowing where each piece will go, working as you go, designing as you go, I’m in love with this type of quilting. The wilder, brighter, and, crazier, the better. Thanks so much for sharing.
I loved Lucie’s quilt. The colors are amazing. I wish I could put something like this together myself.