Second Nature

 Here we are at the end of January.  Wow!  I was gung ho on joining 2 BOM's; The National Quilt Museum facebook BOM and my local guild's BOM.  Also, the Patchwork and Quilting UFO group on facebook, and  a Mystery project for March in my local guild (which I haven't chosen fabrics).   Not to mention the ongoing charity projects I do every year.  Maybe I've over-extended myself a bit.  That procrastination is creeping in.   I can say that I am on track, and completed 2 UFO's this month and month 1 of both the BOM's.   But, I can see already that this could lead me to burn-out!  

I really want to start on some art quilt projects I've been thinking about....and subsequently putting off.  I'm starting to realize that improv is so much more exciting to me and to give up on precise piecing and measuring is the direction I really want to go.  I love the intuitive freedom of abstract piecing and want it to become second nature.  

These two placemats were completely done in one day.  

Improv has become more and more popular over the last few years.  There seems to be many people demonstrating the same thing on youtube and writing books about it.  My exposure to improv started years ago with Gwen Marsden.   I've also studied the Gees Bend quilters and see some differences in their techniques and motivation.  I especially like the teaching style and techniques by Sherri Lynn Wood. 

To me, improv is going with your gut (or really your brain).  How does something look as you go.  No plan, no size restriction.  Take it where it goes.  Add, take away, etc... There's a difference between improvisational and free piecing.  With free piecing, you could be creating from a drawing and using general scissor cut shapes to piece.  You have a plan in mind.  Maybe creating a landscape.  The shapes are general curvy strips, sewn and framed to represent the landscape.  With improv, you are starting with a concept like a strip set and cutting a shape from it, adding a strip to frame it, or cutting another shape to add to it and not knowing where you're going with it.  Along the way asking yourself, "do I like it", "what can be next to it", "should I take it away" always moving on.  I NEVER seam rip an improv.  I may cut it up or add to it, but NEVER rip out.  This is inhibitive and frustrating.  If this sounds foreign to you, that's OK.  This is how to learn and grow into your art and style.  

So, I don't think I'm wasting my time with the other things.  It is good to keep in practice and build skills.