Plan or Play? How do you like to Art Quilt?

Which methods suit your style of art quilting?

Happy September!

Are you more of a planner? Or are you more of a player? In other words, do you like to see your art quilting projects all mapped out in advance, or do you like to be more playful, and improvisational?

Ok confession time...as it turns out, I am more conservative than I would like to be. My comfort zone is definitely in the planning camp. And sometimes I can get down on myself for that. I would like to be more spontaneous and more free- you know, not knowing what the piece will turn out like from the beginning. So I have stretched myself in that area, using more improv techniques. And guess what, working that way still isn't that comfy. But it's still fun.

Until it isn't.

I write about this because I wonder if any of you ever wrestle with this when you are starting a new piece. You have an idea, and you just don't know what technique to use to make it come to life.

When working without a plan isn't fun, it's time to stop and re-evaluate. I had to do this recently with a new piece about my trip to London. I had a definite idea, and even came with some sketches and colors. So I started working with the fabrics and a general idea of some shapes I wanted to try. That was fun to play with the shapes, but I couldn't figure out how I was going to use them in my design.

That's when the frustration set in. You see, I already had this idea and sketch of soaring arches and I was trying to make these pieces fit in somehow. So I pivoted. I decided it was ok to use a plan. It was appropriate to use a plan and a pattern, because I already had a design in my mind that I wanted to look a certain way. I gave myself permission to not be totally spontaneous. And it is going much better!

Here is where I am at today:

The pieces are large and the scale is big, to reflect the awe I felt standing in Westminster Abbey looking up. It pretty much takes up my whole design wall, and I am no longer frustrated!

If you like I have made a video on Youtube, talking about this a bit more. I'd love to get your comments on the video inside Youtube. You can watch it here:

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Where am I teaching next?

I'm teaching at the All-Star Sampler Platter next month, and I wanted to invite you along.

What it is: A two-afternoon online showcase with 20+ quilt teachers presenting back-to-back demos across quilting, appliqué, and mixed media, streamed live on YouTube.

When: Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 3 to 6 PM Eastern. I’ll be teaching Sunday, the 25th.

Price: $25 for a pass covering both days. Guild passes are also available if you'd rather bring your whole guild.

How to register: https://6826--quiltnlearn.thri...

Can't watch live? The replay stays up for 14 days after the event, so you have time to catch every session.

As an affiliate, I'll earn a small commission if you register through this link, at no extra cost to you.

Two afternoons, so many teachers, and a lot of quilting inspiration. I'd love to see you there.

Thank you again for reading and following. Stay tuned next month as I have a new live online class opportunity coming up to work with me.

All my love,

Categories: : monthly blog post