Improv Patchwork at its best

 Here is something I am excited about...

Its a new release book by Maria Shell.  If you don't know Maria sit back and have a read as she is an artist full of ideas, integrity and original thought.  Have a look at this cover!

                                             

 

For starters, lets consider the meaning of Improvisation which is spontaneous creation sometimes without preparation from whatever tools or materials are available at the time.  Hmmm, there's a lot of meaning in those words.  First of all spontaneous creation without preparation does not necessarily mean without intent. Intent is a valuable part of improvisation. We may not be doing a lot of drafting, crunching numbers or designing layout to get where we want to go but the destination has implied direction.  Going in a direction with no meaning can leave us wondering why.  Secondly, random selection of fabrics can leave us feeling a bit disconnected. A thoughtful gathering of materials considering value, hue, tint, shade and pattern adds to the integrity of the finished result.  This book lays out a path of cookie crumb delights toward successful quilts that engage the viewer and leave us wanting more!

When Maria Shell turns her hand to improv  something amazing happens.  The lines and shapes created define intent, direction, shape and content just be the intensity of pattern created.  Improv at its best engages us as the spectator of a quilted creation and leaves us begging for more.  Improv that creates a pattern is way more than meaningless meandering.

For example, lets make dots...

 

 

Imagine my excitement when I found this Big Rad Plaid.....as the believer that plaid is the new black this one really sent me into orbit. 

Or as a lover of stripes this one appeals to me!

 

As a shop owner I am drawn to subjects that offer more than simple patterns and this book is rich in content.In a world inundated with product, it is nice to find something to sink the mind into and this book delivers everything it promises from first glance through last word. 

There is so much to explore that my first inclination is to plan classes using this book as a guide to creative assembly.  Like minded quilters looking to explore creatively together will enjoy working through the exercises and discussing the variety of ideas presented. In a group we could watch the spontaneous development of palettes and patterns and learn in groups at warp speed.

 

Maria Shell has great focus, long lasting attention to detail and a superb color sense which is evident on every page of this book. 

 

Last July I met Maria when we were room mates at Quilting by the Lake.  To be honest, although I had heard her name she wasn't on my radar despite her 2015  Quilt National win.  It didn't take me long to feel a kindred spirit with a self taught quilter that forged a creative life with a young family isolated from all things familiar.  My experience was in Australia and Maria's in Alaska.  Maria's perfected the art of working with color and is evidence that working with Nancy Crow helps to clarify and define one's own true instincts.

If you like a book just to look at the pictures there are plenty of interesting ideas presented here.  If you like more than that, the instructions and ideas are well set out and easy to follow which always a bonus.  Like so many of the C&T Publishing books, this one has an easy to follow presentation that makes using the book as an individual or as a teaching tool super easy.  Full of great content this book is a must on the shelf in my shop and in my personal library.

Sometimes getting started is the hardest part.  Follow the guidelines for studio set up, thinking about color and necessary tools and it would be hard not to jump right in and get started with an improv project of your own!    One step at a time, the projects start simple and add intensity which means that beginner or experienced quilters will find joy in these pages.

 

I am not the first stop on Maria's blog hop tour so if you are joining in now and looking to follow along here are the other stops:

BLOG HOP CALENDAR
October 16—C&T Publishing <http://www.ctpub.com/blog/>

October 17—Terri Lucas at Generation Q Magazine <http://generationqmagazine.com/>

October 18—Yvonne Fuchs at Quilting JetGirl <https://quiltingjetgirl.com/>

October 19—Amy Ellis at Amy’s Creative Side <http://www.amyscreativeside.com/>

October 20—Deborah Boschert at Deborah’s Journal < http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/>>

October 21—Kathy Doughty at Material Obsession < http://profile.typepad.com/materialobsession>

October 22— Wendy Hill at Wendy Hill’s Blog—Fun Quilts Stuff & More < http://www.wendyhill.net/blog/>

October 23—Cindy Grisdela at Cindy Grisdela Art Quilts < https://cindygrisdela.com/blog/>

October 24—Heather Pregger at Heather <Heather’s Blog <http://heatherquilts.blogspot.com/>

October 25—Maria Shell at Tales of a Stitcher <https://talesofastitcher.com/>

 

If you are a shop you can purchase the book at C&T publishing < http://www.ctpub.com/improv-patchwork/> or for your personal use request it at your local quilt shop or find it on line.
If you are reading this now you can WIN WIN WIN a copy of the book (hard copy for USA, digital for all other countries) by posting a comment at the end of your blog post.  The winner will be selected by midnight Alaska Time on October 26.

 

Be in it to win it...I think I'll make the first comment!!  We are waiting for this book to arrive in our shop.  If you are interested in doing a class at Material Obsession next year let me know by commenting here and we'll see if we have a winner!

 

Looking forward to working Improv...k

 

Comments

[Florence]

I’ve just added this book to my Christmas wish list - it looks wonderful! I don’t usually do improv, as I like order and planning too much, but the finished blocks look to have such uniformity and symmetry that it makes me feel this book could be my route in! The finished designs you’ve shared all remind me of beautiful woven fabrics.

(Ps. Don’t worry about adding me to the draw as I really love having hard copies of books, but I just wanted to say how inspiring it looks to be)! x

[Susan]

This looks like an amazing book. I have been following Maria's work for a while and she has so much to teach!

[Mary D]

I love Maria Shell's work. Her tiny piecing art works thrill me. This books looks like an interesting collection of Maria's works to swoon over.

tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

[Sally Warren]

I have heard about her work and her book. I would love to win a copy of Maria Shell's book! I always enjoy your books too, Kathy!

[Darlene]

Nice quilts. Darlene [email protected]

[Diane Muldoon]

sounds exciting

[Ann]

I already bought the book. It is as good as you say - filled with process and glorious examples.

[la tulipe]

The book of Maria Shell could be a nice gift for Christmas, but if I win it :-) I could ask another gift!!!

[Peggy Holt]

Sounds like the kind of book I keep looking for (and trying to write). I don't need project books; techniques and inspiration books are the only ones I even consider buying anymore. I'll be checking out Maria.

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Beautiful work!! That Big Rad Plaid looks like a quilt I need to try.

[Sheilagh Marshall]

I need this book! I am so not good at improvisation! I can follow a pattern, but need to find my inner creativity!

[Teresa Knittingdancer]

I would love to win this book.

[Jenny]

Wow great introduction to a new to me Quilt artist! Thanks would love this book

[Kathy E.]

Improv is my favorite technique in quilting! I can't get enough of it! Those dots and plaid designs are really calling to me to I want to create them. I love color and whatever improv offers...this book is full of inspiration!

[Suzi in MI]

This looks like an awesome book!

[Sharon Renick]

I hope I win this, (and thank you kindly for the chance!), but if I don't, I'll surely be buying one! I'm so looking forward to it. It will be the next best thing to attending a workshop with Maria!

[Marla Varner]

I am eagerly awaiting my copy of the book to arrive on Monday. I am a long time fan of Maria, her work and her blog posts. I have been fortunate to attend her workshops and she is an excellent teacher, too. If I win a copy, I would love to gift it to a friend.

[Rose Pelfrey]

This looks like a book i could read and enjoy! Definitely adding to my wish list! Would love to attend a workshop.

[Kim G]

I took a class yesterday with Maria! Not only is she an innovative quilter, she is also an awesome teacher. I would love to win her book . Thank you for the chance to win!

[Wendy Hill]

Thank you for great description of Maria's book and the importance of "intent"! As you say, no matter the style or maker process, without intent and without evaluation, we are lost. I'd love to win this book.

[Janne Williams]

Thanks for a chance to win Kathy! If I don't, then I'll have another excuse to pop over to your gorgeous shop, buy a copy, plus more fabric and say hi.

[Laura]

I love the idea of this organized book. Have been working improv but more inspiration is always a good thing. I'd love to visit you, a very long way from Canada!

[Emma kemmis]

I have been following this blog hop, the more I read the more I need this book!

[Q&B]

Fun fun fun.

[Jayne P]

This looks like a great book. So happy to be in with a chance to win

[Gwen Hanvy]

So happy to see you blogging again, you are an inspiration.

[Sandra Lee Ellison]

I am excited about this book, primarily because it is not a "project" book. I've followed Maria's work for a while and look forward to gleaning ideas from her book. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

[Christi]

Looks like a wonderful book, can't wait to see it.

[Pat]

Love technique books.

[Jennifer]

I live on the east coast of Canada but visited Australia last February and March. I did have an opportunity to visit Material Obsessions but sadly, my information provided me with your old address.. However, I had a lovely chat with some ladies at the bakeshop nearby and my husband and I purchased a delicious picnic lunch from them that we ate on the pier near the Sydney Opera House..Sad to miss seeing your shop, but a great day nonetheless.

[Stina]

This books looks so fun and filled with inspiration...I love colours!

[Susan Spiers]

What a different & interesting book! I love the rad plaid too - how exciting to make printed fabric from solids & the quilting techniques used to achieve this wonderful look! Thank you, Susan

[Wendy]

This book looks chock full of quilting goodness!

[Diane]

I love Maria's work. Her book looks great!

[audrey]

I'm so looking forward to seeing this book in person! Maria is incredibly talented.:)

[Heather]

This is a must have! I love her "made" patterns. Inspiring!