Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Imp - Ta Da!

Imp

I named this quilt Imp - she is playful and fresh and sassy!  I think she is the start of an impish series. I have shared my progress in making her here for a while now.

This quilt was inspired by the work of Gwen Marston, who I had the great fortune of meeting and taking a class from at QuiltCon 2016. Gwen is one of my quilting heros and it is just a pleasure to work in the improv style that Gwen's work reflects.

Imp - detail

There were no rulers used in the piecing of this quilt or in the quilting of this quilt. I had a lot of fun with arial view style quilting, all done free hand on my long arm quilting machine. I also hand quilted in a Kantha style on the orange solid bits, again a nod to Gwen who hand quilts much of her work.

Imp

Although I started this quilt thinking I would make a lot of triangles, the quilt insisted on being a log cabin style medallion inspired improv piece instead. It is good to listen to the work as you go, at least I think so.

I used a lot of prints in this quilt, which is a departure from how I usually make modern quilts. The prints are a nod to the traditional inspirations in this piece.

Imp

I did wash Imp and you can see in the first photo that I added a faced binding (a binding that is all turned to the back of the quilt). The washing and drying is a part of my process, the texture created is part of the industrial modern style design I am looking for.

Imp

This last photo give you a bit of scale, although was taken before I trimmed off the edges and before I washed her. The quilt is about 55" x 47", or about the size of a regular sofa.

I have to say that I loved every part of making this quilt, the inspiration, the design and piecing, the quilting by machine and by hand, even the binding. I can't wait to play with this kind of design again.

Imp was also on my Q4 FAL list.

Best,

Leanne

29 comments:

Sharon said...

Wow! I love this! I'm a student of Gwen too, and I think you've nailed it! Great design, great colors and beautiful quilting. I think one should listen to what the quilt wants too, it's usually right. And it's more fun, in the long run.

audrey said...

Just incredible! This is one of my favorites of all your quilts. Really, really sassy, modern, utility and vintage all rolled into a fabulous 'you' quilt! Very inspiring!:)

Kathy@KayakQuilting said...

Absolutely stunning! I love the texture of this quilt! Prints, colors, quilting...all perfect!

Jessica said...

Love that you used prints (especially that Cotton and Steel daisy print) and it still reads as mostly solid or almost solid. Thanks for teaching me the term "kantha!" This is a gorgeous modern medallion-like quilt.

elle said...

I think you have made Gwen proud. Nice!

Unknown said...

wow! so much texture, and the colour combo is gorgeous!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

No rulers??? Wow. It's a great piece, and the quilting is amazing.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Love it. Or rather, love her!

Debbie said...

I like this so much! When you started, I thought it was a small piece, so I love seeing how large it is. Your quilting enhances your design perfectly!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Did you trim her without rulers, too? I do love the texture and all the nods toward the inspiration and yet I can see so much of your own influence and style in the finish as well.

Michelle said...

It's gorgeous!!

Puppilalla said...

This looks great Leanne. Such fresh and modern feel.

janequiltsslowly said...

This is a gorgeous Imp! Love Gwen Marsdon's quilting and methods too. I have a wip that I'm playing with using her techniques.

elizabethdee said...

It is beautiful! Your quilting is so striking!

Rapunzellen's quilt blog said...

It is so beautiful. I love everything about it. Great job.

thatfabricfeeling.wordpress.com said...

Your quilt is so unique. It makes me think of some sunny, foreign and exotic place. I love the machine quilting. I just find that the more I quilt, the harder and stiffer my quilt becomes. I guess it's a special look and feel that is up to the individual. elanagoldberg5@gmail.com

beth s said...

It's a wonderful quilt!!!

Zosha said...

Beautiful fabrics and great design! Makes me smile big! My daughters and I traditionally stay up after grandkids and husbands go to bed and watch "While You Were Sleeping" with Sandra Bullock. Favorite! And of course White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye! Oldie but goodie!
I subscribe to you!

Zosha said...

Also I follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Angela said...

I-luv-it

Catherine said...

It's such a beautiful quilt but particularly your quilting is a revelation. It's perfect.

Unknown said...

Wow, I really like this quilt. Awesome!!!

Vera said...

Neat! I love the texture!

Izzy said...

I really like this - the quilting is just amazing!

tusen said...

I love how all your quilts seem to have personality of their own. Imp is great (I love her name, too). She reminds me a bit of an impish version of a Venus flytrap. And I absolutely love the quilting.

the zen quilter said...

This is a fun quilt - I love it! It seems to me the quilts that turn out to be my favorites are always ones that I had a LOT of fun making...should always remember to have fun!

Kim P. said...

Very lovely.

Karen said...

Love the way your quilt talked to you :) She's got a good head on her shoulders!

Hitch and Thread said...

This is gorgeous!! Love the way you've quilted it.