Improv Quilts

Loewen encourages readers to throw out the quilting rule book in this creative take on the craft. The projects start out relatively structured, limiting improvisation to color selection. For instance, Loewen shares how to make an Irish chain quilt by cutting 125 fabric squares of various colors and feeling out where to place each of them in the chain design. Next, she incorporates the “ruler-cut piecing” technique, showing how to construct a ramshackle sawtooth star quilt by sewing half-square triangles at imperfect angles and trimming the lopsided edges against a ruler. Additional techniques are even more distinctive, including “wonky log cabin” blocks made from irregularly sized rectangles and half-square triangles with curved lines instead of straight diagonals. The quilts become more impressive the farther they stray from the neat geometry of traditional quilts. The “scrap-bin cleanout” quilt involves assembling bits of leftover fabric in an elaborate collage of rectangles, while the “rainbow arcs” project juxtaposes deliberately lopsided arcs of color with sawtooth blocks that resemble the jagged shapes used to emphasize comic book punches. The asymmetrical designs offer a refreshing departure from standard quilting fare, and an extensive section on color theory will aid readers in creating harmonious compositions from their fabric scraps. This is sure to get quilters’ creative juices flowing. * Publishers Weekly * I have wanted to try some Improv Quilting for a long time, but never had the courage. This book by the Author has given me the confidence to try. Right from the start you are led through the process and how to build with stash and to use colour and design to make your own Quilt. She talks you through in sections that help with colour, how to use a ruler to cut your pieces of fabric and also ruler free cutting right up to finishing your quilt. l loved the ease of the book and how to start as a beginner and the ability to if wanted to make advanced blocks to give your quilt, cushions, Wall hangings an edge that is not the norm. The author also gives you colouring sheets to copy to decide how and what colours to use. Anyone can walk their way through this book and not feel as if they will not be able to achieve. l have seen many quilters make improv designs and with this book l feel l will be able to master the way to my first Improv design. Thankyou. A book to but to try something different. * Lynne from Half Yard Sewing Club * This title is designed for confident beginners to experienced sewers. It begins with an explanation of Improv quilting, how to use the book as well as materials required and tips and tricks. The chapters are clear and colourful and explains how to work colours, designs and shapes to create your own style quilts. I would say, as a novice quilter, this book looked quite confusing, but if you enjoy a 'free' style of quilting then you would be interested in this approach to create 10 different quilts. * Helen from Half Yard Sewing Club * So Inspiring! If you quilt and haven’t had the nerve to improvise with colour, shapes, different cuts, etc then this is the book for you. There are so many things to try, and the book gives you the nerve to try so much more. It is quite an eye opener. The first few pages inform you on what tools and materials you will need and the following pages thrill and excite you with ideas you can try to make some wonderful and different quilts. There is no need to be afraid of any of the ideas as there are step by step instructions on how to do everything. There is even a colouring chart at the back of the book for you to design your own patterns. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced quilter/ sewer this book is one for you, and at only £15.99 the 128 glossy pages are really worth it.  * Blodwen from Half Yard Sewing Club * Improv Quilts By Laura Loewen is designed to be read from cover to cover and the projects to be worked through in the order they are presented in the book.  Laura also states, in the chapter on Quilting Basics, “you’re probably reading this book because you are ready to take the next step in your quilting journey”.  Improv Quilts sounds like a book for those who are super confident but I was pleasantly surprised. Information offered covers, amongst other topics, colour harmonies, colour sketching, colour play, quilt planning, assembly and binding. There are ten projects (all designed to get the quilter thinking about the different aspects of their own improv project) and for each one Laura explains the skills and aims each will give. There are good diagrams, plenty of photographs and just enough narrative. Scrap Bin Clean Out and the Rainbow in Squares quilts are two projects that could be tackled by a crafter who loves quilting and wants to get better without worrying about “perfect points”, whilst the remainder of the book provides aspiration to learn and improve into the future. At the back of the book are templates for three of the projects and a useful colouring sheet that can be photocopied for multiple projects. Ten projects ranging from beginner friendly to challenging – not bad for the price. * Juliet from Half Yard Sewing Club * This is a really interesting and detailed book. It also has a very personal tone from the author, Laura Loewen. The book has everything from an explanation about Improv quilting, through to completing a quilt using the various techniques. The book is designed to be worked through sequentially, building from information about colour palettes, to learning the various techniques, although you could also 'jump around' and focus on a particular technique. The instructions are clear and helpfully supported with very clear photographs. It is excellent value for money. The book is suitable for both experienced and novice quilters, and provides opportunities to use any leftover scraps you might have from other projects to create your own Improv quilts.  * Jayne from Half Yard Sewing Club *