Let’s pick back up where the initial Rainbow Improv block piecing post ended:
Auditioning Ideas
I spent a week staring at these pieces on the design wall and I finally realized what was bothering me: I only wanted a single block between each of the previously pieced first 4 blocks. Once I came to that realization, I spent a few days piecing Blocks 4-8.
Rainbow Improv | Finished Exposed Seams Blocks 4-8
Reducing the clutter on my design wall with Blocks 1-8 arranged in colorwheel order lead me to digging around in my stash and locating the Alison Glass print that sent me down a piecing rabbit hole. The good news is that I was really excited by where this was headed (and I was able to get the idea to work).
Solidifying Ideas
Before committing to the piecing experiment, I spent more time with scrap pieces and fabric on my design wall. This is roughly where fabric placement is headed, but I will be adding in much more background (off-white/cream) fabric than is currently indicated. I think.
Rainbow Improv | Finished Exposed Seams Block 9
So now that I have my center 9 blocks pieced, it’s time to go back to considering how this quilt is going to grow. Looking back at what is on my design wall for expansion, the first thing I noticed this weekend is that I want to make some changes to the scraps before I sew them into blocks.
Changing Top Stitching (Before)
Originally, when I was piecing Blocks 4-8, I was thinking that I would use the colored thread to quilt on top of the background fabric. Above is a scrap left over from piecing the bottom center block, which shows that I used a navy blue thread to top stitch the exposed seam on both sides (even on top of the off-white fabric). But now that my thoughts and ideas for the quilt have expanded and I want to use this scrap for another block as the quilt top grows, I realized that I didn’t like the navy thread on top of the off-white fabric.
Changing Top Stitching (After)
After changing out the thread on the off-white portion of this block, I know that I’m going to do the same for the remaining pieces before I start puzzling them together into blocks.
This is a slow process, but I’m glad I am taking the time to consider my choices. This is a small change, but one that I already can tell will make me happier with the finished piece.
It is so interesting to see your thought process with this project.
Thanks for taking us along with you on your creative journey!
There is something very calming about working slowly on a project, just living with it a bit, and then feeling the nudge of what to do next, or what to change. I’m enjoying your posts on this process!
I agree with Carole – really enjoy following your thought process as you work through the elements of this project.
I’m glad you are enjoying your process. I like the two color thread option as well. Have fun.
Okay, I am totally blown away but your thought process and progress (I’m sure it doesn’t feel that huge to you). The progress comes in small, tiny revelations, like the changing of thread on the topstitching. Most of us would have said, oh, whatever, but you go the full detail and understand that even that can make a difference. Maybe it will, or maybe it won’t, but if it bothers you, it will stop your forward progress. Glad you are making your way through this idea! :)
I do love the way this is turning out. You have so much more patience than I do. You can see something happening and it really developing as more pieces get thoughtfully added.
This is going to be fun – I like how all the colors are coming together – and your center!!! You have such a creative mind!