"Improv 2.15" -- Modern Improv Piecing

This spring and summer I'm teaching a new class at Greenbaum's Quilted Forest (Salem, OR) from Lucie Summer's book, Quilt Improv.  I first became aware of her about 5 years ago when I purchased a few of her charming silkscreened fabrics on etsy.

So of course I was intrigued when Lucie's first book was published.  I was also looking for something new to teach, so decided to use her book and step into the world of modern quilts.  Because the title implied that it was based on improv piecing (my favorite way to work), I jumped right in, piecing and slashing and reconstructing like usual.

 I love Lucie's method of making the reverse-applique circles; they all turned out beautifully, like magic!

 

After constructing several different units, I realized that some of the units I was making were elements not included in the book.   So I removed  the areas of intricate piecing and tiny inserts (the green & red section on the left) and made a dedicated effort to work within the confines of the book, since that's what I'd be teaching from.

Before removing green & red section on left and other red pieces.

I decided to use red only as an accent, so I removed the larger pieces of that color: 
                               
   Now it was beginning to look more serene.  I added a few tiny accents of red throughout the design.

Still, that vertical row of white squares (left side) bothered me.  I wasn't sure it fit.  I removed it, switched the positions of the last two rows, and began to audition borders.

Auditioning borders.

 The seafoam-green border won out, giving it a completed, contained feeling:

It was finally ready to be layered and quilted. I finished it with a binding because in the end, this might become a crib quilt rather than one that hangs on the wall.  (No, this is not a notice of impending grandparenthood . . . yet!)  It measures 31" x 37".

"Improv 2.15"

 Here's the pieced back:

It makes me smile to find a bit of piecing on the back of a quilt!

The book's title, Quilt Improv, implied working in an improvisional style, but I feel that wasn't quite accurate.  The book actually prescribes 12 different quilt blocks that you can mix and match in putting your quilt together.  Just one of those 12 blocks is pieced improvisationally.  Because this quilt would be hung in the shop as a sample of what the book and/or class entails, I tried to stay true to the book and it's parameters.  However,  my heart was set on creating a modern improv look, so I also incorporated my own personal touches and asesthetic.

Either way, I truly enjoyed this project and hope that the finished quilt entices lots of students to sign up for the class this spring and summer!