A few of you are ready to get started, but it’s too soon. However, I can tell you a few things to encourage you and answer some questions. First off, if you are just joining in, you might find this post helpful.
The most asked question: HOW MUCH FABRIC? Okay, okay, you’ll need about five yards of fabric. Of course, that will change depending on the size of quilt you want, so think of that. What size quilt do you hope to get from this exercise. Keep in mind that a baby quilt won’t give you much practice, and a king is a bit much. But, you know, it’s your quilt! That, by the way, is kind of my mantra for this year: It’s your quilt!
“It’s your quilt” is my way of saying you do whatever will give you the quilt YOU want. This is not about me or my quilt. (Remind me of that when I forget.) It’s your quilt, after all.
Okay, so let’s say about five yards. That should give you a 60” X 70” size, which is what I’m shooting for. If you’d like a larger quilt, simply purchase more fabric and make several pieces each month.
Now, about five yards of fabric can mean many confusing questions are coming my way. What kind of fabric? What colors? How much of each color? Can I use prints or solids? Where can I get my fabric? Do you sell fabric? What about kits?
One question I should get out of the way is that I don’t sell fabric (though I probably have enough in my stash). This also means I don’t have any kits. I’m not hosting this experience to make money. Maybe I’ll find a few friends along the way, and that’s way better. Besides, this is an experiment. Use your scraps and maybe dip into yardage. If you must purchase fabric, go buy what you love. You answer the questions above with fabric that makes your heart sing. It’s your quilt, afterall!
Of course, you have options. Always. You always have options. I like to say options are “maybes” that can help or hinder you. If they help, use the maybes to help you make decisions. If they do not help, then they don’t and you can just move on. They are only choices.
Option/Maybe #1: find a beautiful print with lots of your favorite colors. Get a half-yard of that print fabric and fill in the rest of the yardage with colors from the print. Feel free to add what you want. It doesn’t have to be a perfect match. It’s your quilt, remember?
Maybe #2 Maybe you want to use just solids in your quilt. Okay, the print can be a way to help you choose those solids, but not actually use the print. Or just skip the print altogether, choose your solids and you’re set.
Maybe #3 Maybe you want to use up those scraps you’ve been accumulating for the last century. Fine, use up your scraps.
Maybe #4 Maybe you have a big stack of precuts. Oh, great! Precuts are usually already color coordinated, so pull a couple out and you’re set. Just think about how much fabric you’ll need and plan to add to the collection, if needed. I do it all the time!
Maybe #5 Maybe you want me to tell you what to do. Okay, but I’m going to show you what I’ve pulled out (and I haven’t done that yet). I do want to use some bright, happy colors. I’ve been thinking about using greens, reds, yellows, and maybe a bit of orange. Here’s my thinking: green and red are opposites on the color wheel, red, orange, and yellow are analogous. (Usually I don’t put that much thought into it.) The picture above is something I put together in EQ8 just to get an idea of how these colors look together. It’s going to be a loud quilt. I don’t usually like loud (I’m loud enough all by myself), but I think I’ll push myself right out of my comfort zone. What could go wrong, right?
Maybe #6 Maybe you want to use only prints. I could see that, but I could also see it get loud really fast. Since I don’t like a plethora of busy prints, I stick to muted prints and solids. However, if I’m going to push myself out of that comfort zone, I’ll have to use something loud.
Maybe my vague suggestions are just too much. Again, just read and follow the first suggestion—that one is the closest you’ll get to true directions. The other suggestions are just…well, suggestions. If necessary, ignore my ramblings and finish your blocks. Easy. Peasy.
Did any of this help you? Improv is simply just you and your quilt. You answer your questions and go with what feels right for the moment. So what if you decide it doesn’t work? I’ll show you ways to overcome those happy problems. Just set the blocks aside till we get there. Meanwhile, enjoy the journey.
