May 24, 2018

Dreaming little dreams

The last 6 months felt like one big project after another. But at the beginning of April I turned in my next book, and for the past month I've been in creativity mode (where all good ideas are born). Creativity mode is a lot of playing with fabric, or sketching like crazy, thinking new thoughts and trying new things...

Here is some improvisationally cut foundation that's then improvisationally pieced and joined back together. I want to do this x1000. Big and over the top scrappy. This is my "fabric sketch". Right now I'm appliquéing the edges down but I bet with some practice I could do this all on the machine.


Spring is making the world bright and lovely. I've been thinking about fabric design and how I love shapes and color and so I made an entry into a recent Spoonflower challenge. It's gotten a lot of love over at Spoonflower which felt really good! I have plenty of sketches of other design ideas, it's just a matter of time at the computer to get the repeats and colors right.


Getting everything to fit just right is an interesting (sometimes frustrating and slow!) challenge. But I've enjoyed learning more. And it turns out the same skills are applicable elsewhere too: I was invited to turn some of my quilting designs into pantograph patterns! These are quilting designs that can be followed by long arm quilters manually or used digitally to finish quilts. I've made 5 so far, and hope to be able to show one on an actual quilt soon! (I don't own a long arm! Minor inconvenience...) If you have a long arm though, the designs are available through Willow Leaf Studio and I'd love to see what you quilt with them!


It's fun to see how much there is to show for the last couple of months from playing around and following my curiosity. I'm looking forward to exploring and experimenting a bit more before I dive into my next big project, whatever that ends up being! Are you trying new things right now too? Spring seems to be full of that kind of energy!

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18 comments:

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Congratulations on getting your book turned in; what a big milestone and hooray for more time to be in the creativity zone. :)

Liz said...

Another book? I'm so excited! Wedge Quilt Workshop is one of my favorite books, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned next!

Elsie Montgomery said...

Your panto designs are on my shopping list! Very nice!

Sarah Craig said...

Can't wait to see the new book!!! Yours are definitely on my "must own" list. The panto designs are very cool, but the best is your improv piecing - I have to say that looks like a lot of fun! Maybe I can play some too after Hands2Help is wrapped up...

Lisa J. said...

I'm not really trying new things but Spring has gotten me thinking about it.

Tricia L said...

Loved this post. Good to know you have a book to look out for but also the oddments/dreams are like seeds sown in quilters minds. Loved your quilting designs but have no long arm either. Fabric designs great, too, my original degree being maths I liked the symmetry. Thank you.

KaHolly said...

Lots of wonderful, positive Quilty goodness happening in your little corner of the world! I’m so pleased for you!

Gene Black said...

The "fabric sketch" reminds me of the piece from "Wild Quilting" that you did in the "integrated quilting" section. Did you applique the piece on that one also?

Quiltdivajulie said...

Awesome pantos for longarmers. Congrats on those and another book in the works. Enjoy the creativity zone time.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Christina,
What a wonderful newsy post! I think that is fabulous that you are able to create some pantos for longarm quilting - and even more so since you don't own one yourself! That is amazing. Keep up those great creative thoughts - I love and adore the over-the-top scrappy pieces you shared first. Can't wait to see where those go!
Happy Friday! ~smile~ Roseanne

Anonymous said...

Christina, a tip for your ‘improv’ piecing, if you try it on the machine you don’t have to turn both edges under, just one, leave your joining edge trimmed to 1/4” and put a few dots of fabric glue (very tiny dots....a little goes a long way) on the 1/4” flange and lay the adjoining piece on top and join with a decorative stitch....supper easy and great fun!
Give it a go.....Carole

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Love your new pantos, Christina! Figment and Opal are my favorites. I'm looking forward to your next book.

Brenda Perry said...

I absolutely love the improv scrappy piecing and the new pantos, especially "Ariel!" It is so wonderful to see you going more places with your creativity!

Vicki in MN said...

Won't be long before a big fabric company wants you to design for them as those pieces are wonderful!! Congrats on your continued success.

Rebecca Grace said...

Congrats on finishing your book and on your new venture with Willow Leaf designing pantographs! I'm a new longarm owner but alas, I don't have the (OBSCENELY EXPENSIVE) computer robotics and I have discovered that following the pantograph lines manually is not as easy as it looks as a beginner. But I think your quilting designs are beautiful, and I love your improv piecing in progress, too!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I really like the top scrappy waves. That quilt will be FUN!

Brenda said...

I love that scrappy piecing. Are you appliquing it down or cutting the background and piecing it in?

FlourishingPalms said...

Oh wow! I can't believe how many things you're doing, on top of being a midwife! You are one busy lady. But a new book, and fabric-designing, are both wonderful endeavors, especially when done by you! I'm looking forward to seeing all you have to share in the months ahead. Keep up the great work!

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