Friday, February 9, 2018

New Improv Stripes Project

Remember the wavy, curvy improv stripes from a while ago? 

improv stripes cut into strips


Don't they look awesome cut into 2 1/2" strips? I just love the curves and varying widths!

improv stripe strips



I got the itch to pair them with an ombre fabric, and knew I had some in the stash somewhere - I just didn't know what color. Fortunately, I didn't have to turn the room upside down looking for that ombre! In the fourth bin I opened, I found this green, which has tiny black and white dots in it, working perfectly with the stripes.

So, after a bit of cutting and sewing yesterday, I now have this on the design wall:

improv stripe blocks on the design wall

Doesn't look like much at the moment, and not sure if it will turn out really cool, or be a wild mess to look at! Every time I walk by it though, I keep thinking there's a bunch of zebras hiding out in a forest, which is odd, since zebras live on the tree-less grasslands of Africa. But the zebra image is certainly providing inspiration for a quilt name!

So what am I absolutely loving about this? Those curvy stripe strips - say that three times fast! - in the block centers. This is one of the center blocks,

center block


and this is an end block, for one column style at least.

bottom block

The plan is to have two more columns, switching the light and dark areas, and off-setting the blocks. I'm thinking of topping off each block with a black strip, giving the whole thing a bit of a woven look. That might work, and it might not.

Today's project is to finish up making the other blocks, testing the black strips, and hopefully birthing a quilt top!
Wish me luck!

Update: check out Zee Quilt, the fabulous finish!

Have a great weekend quilting everyone!

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18 comments:

  1. Love your black and white improv stripes, sounds like an interesting project, looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Isn't it lovely to just have a play.

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  2. Funny, I thought Zebra right away when I saw the first picture! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

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    1. Maybe it's because of the stripes changing shape, just like they do on zebras. If they were straight and regular, it wouldn't conjure up that image!

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  3. Oh, I'm really, really, liking this! Just keep looking at it, walking by it. It will talk to you when it's ready. Seriously. It will be fun to see where this goes!

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    1. Thank you! And yes, I think this one has a lot to say!

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  4. I agree with what Wendy said! Keep at it and see where your creative brain takes you!

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    1. Indeed I will! Need to get off the computer and get sewing!

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  5. Oh, this is going to be a fun one!! I may need to practice improv curves and I know exactly where my hoard of ombre is!!

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  6. I LOVE it!!! Going online now to try to find similar fabric. This is brilliant!

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    1. Thanks Patty! If you find some pre-printed wavy stripes, let me know! I really love the look of them, but not sure I'm up for cutting and sewing these again.

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  7. Wait, definitely looks like zebra colors. Turn everything sideway 'cause zebra's stripes go up and down. It might give you a totally different thought about the whole work. I remember that fabric -- I had some in orange. I believe it was pointeless if it's what I think it is. That came out in the mid 90's. I wish I hadn't used mine up!

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    1. Though the top is now together, I did think about turning it - just haven't done it yet. Then I'll decide which way to go.
      And you're right, Pointillist Palette is the fabric name, from the 90's, as is most of my stash. But it's still fabric.

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  8. Really fun play! I love that ombre fabric with these. I think it's going to turn out cool.

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    1. Thanks Lynette! This ombre is a perfect choice with these strips - fun how things work out!

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  9. It will turn out fabulous. I am sure of it!

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    1. Thank you Pamela! The top is together, and I rather like this one - a new wall hanging for the dining room!

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Thank you so much for commenting...you just made my day!