Before I even finished The Big Log in the original colors of Black and White, I started to think about what variations could be made to make the look and feel of the quilt completely different. Though I love black and white quilts for babies I thought that in this case the Black and White…
Each month on The Quilt Engineer blog we’ll explore quilt designs within a certain theme. I so often get overwhelmed with the designs that float around in my head that I figured if I picked a theme for the month that I could stay more focused. I know I’ll still keep wanting to skip ahead…
You are so right Cheryl! In a way I think most Improv is like this but, I’ve found that a lot of people who’ve never tried Improv don’t understand this. This approach to Improv is very apparent in many of your quilts for instance your “Wednesday Night Races” quilt. Love it! 
To be honest though, the Improv style was a challenge for me. I’d much rather have a plan and just barrel through the sewing to get it completed. Improv is a much more intuitive process and it is about feeling your way through it and making decisions along the way. This makes Improv quilts more time consuming for me. It has been a lot of fun though.
Interesting term. I am mostly improv, but I don’t necessarily believe that this means all wonkiness and completely random piecing. I often start a project without a drafted plan, but maybe a sketch or a concept. I may do very precise piecing, but I usually leave it up to whim and what I’m left with as I put the top together. I still consider this improv, because it isn’t a pattern.
I am not much of a planner or a measurer. I like to just get going with an idea and see how it turns out. I use this approach mostly making small quilts that can be given as baby quilts. I found you when I saw you The Big Log was posted on Flicker.
Hhmm, measured improv. Sounds interesting. Since I also tend to be a quilt planner, I look forward to seeing what you do with this topic.
Latifah, your new blog looks awesome!
I love your new blog, it’s perfect. Can’t wait to see what you have in store.
Hi Latifah!
The new blog looks great! It’s definitely much more “you”. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Latifah, the new blog looks GREAT! It feels very “you” and I love your idea for monthly themes. Congratulations!
I saw a picture of a rug online awhile ago and was inspired to make this quilt. I wish I could find a picture of the inspiration rug. When I first looked at it I fell in love with the new take on the basic log cabin. I love log cabin blocks in modern quilts…
I’m gobsmacked and I’m not even Irish. I felt compelled to comment on your quilts..awestruck , inspired, okay my thesarus is worn out. I am not worthy, I am not worthy. Looks good on ya’ girl. Thanks so much for sharing. Ann
Wow, this is incredible.
This is incredible!
[...] I even finished The Big Log in the original colors of Black and White, I started to think about what variations could be made [...]
Great meeting you and this quilt in person on Saturday. You are a true artist!
So, so awesome! I love that you put green on the back! I also love how the quilting adds another dimension to the incredible front! Great work, Latifah!
This is amazing! I love this quilt. I have a stalker-ish crush on it.
Wow – what a great piece. Very clever construction, and visually stunning. Well done!
Wowza! That is amazing work. What a great idea – so creative and visually stunning.
Holy guacamole! First of all – how awesome are you in Quilters Home?! I was telling my husband, “I was THERE when she was making that quilt being featured in a magazine!” It makes me cool by association (In my mind, at least.) And now, your awesome new blog – I love it. I clicked on the photos of this gorgeous quilt on Flickr and was surprised to see your little smiling face next to it. My friend Latifah is the now the Quilt Engineer? I guess she is! Now, about this quilt – did you just keep building out and out with the pieces of white and black? Is that what you meant by ‘log cabin style’? I love that little cross and the x. It really has the look of a cool city scape. Awesome work.
Hey Bloggie Friends, I have a new blog! Yay! I’m so excited! For better or worse, I will still “dream of quilts” , but, I will no longer blog at www.idreamofquilts.wordpress.com. Frankly, when I put up my blog at the end of last year, I knew I Dream of Quilts wasn’t the perfect name for…
Ahh, i came to your blog, and found it free of the quilt police!!!!
Sounds great for me!!!
Loved the piece on you in Ladies Home Journal! My kind of quilting!
Great quilts!!
I’m an engineer too, I know what are you talking about the fake “random” thing!
Congrats, you have a great blog and amazing quilts!!
Thanks Holly! You’re the first official post on my new blog! :-
And Melissa, yes, it’s crazy. 
But, for better or worse, it’s me – all me! Glad you like it though! (And thanks for letting me know about the comments not working in the other post. I’m still getting the hang of the new blog!)
(NB: I wanted to post this comment on “The Big Log” post, but couldn’t find the link??)
I love your Log Cabin Revisited quilt, but all I can think is how crazy it is! Not in a “crazy quilt” kind of way, but in a “Man, that woman is CCCrazy!” kind of way. 
) It’s really awesome. I look forward to seeing the next episode of Measured Improv according to Latifah.
Looking forward to reading posts from “The Quilt Engineer”!
So, I just completed a quilt gift set for a coworker. He and his wife were the first friends that I had in the last couple years that have had a baby girl. I love baby gifts and I love little boys but, it’s just something about being able to create a truly girly baby…
I am thoroughly impressed! This is my first visit to your blog (I came by way of Handmade by Alissa for a glimpse of the mini-quilt you made for the LAMQG). Anyway! I love all the pieces of this gift and the presentation, especially.
Do you use stiff interfacing for the bibs?
Those baby gifts are really cool. This is my first visit to your blog and I’m adding it to my RSS page so I can see when you update. I’d love to see you over at my blog some day.
So cute, it makes me want another baby!
OMG, simply wonderful!!!!
It’s great Latifah! What beautiful work!
Wonderful! And what baby wouldn’t love it all! You’ll have to give us a tutorial on making the bibs and burps! Or a link to the pattern? Great work.
Beautiful! What a lovely gift!
WOW. I absolutely looove the quilt, and all of your extras are just wonderful. What a beautiful gift!
Wow, that is such a beautiful gift! Well done!
Wow, your presentation is amazing! I usually throw my quilt into a gift bag with some tissue paper. I’ll have to use your inspiration next time! Can’t wait to see your next quilt.
Just saw your quilt pic posted on Flickr and clicked to your blog to see a bit more detail and OH MY GOSH! That is the most fantastic gift EVER! So thoughtful and totally beautiful–every single piece!
Wow; this is a fantastic baby gift; absolutely beautiful. Geez, I just give a quilt!
Oh. My. Gosh. This is so beautiful, Latifah. I am sure the new parents and baby will LOVE it.
Oh My GOSH! WHAT a GIFT! Such great presentation and thought went into this! Love it! Great job!
by Latifah
this is seriously awesome!
“Measured Improv”…love it and love your work.
This is really great. I love the style and the freedom of this quilt. Would you ever consider taking us through a couple steps of how you create the blocks? Is it all random… where do you start? I love it anyway. Would love to be able to give it a try. Also, how much fabric do you buy for a project like this. I don’t usually keep much solids on hand.
Ohhhh, really what a fabulous quilt, love the variation from the earlier white and black! Beautiful!
cool quilt! Love how there is that one red piece on the binding, really draws the eye.
Thanks Latifah for the reply, which with your original script is actually quite clear.. the fog is at this end I think!
I am all for the playful side not being excluded and am often pleased to hear when my quilts are flipped over as the recipient prefers the knitting cats on the back now! I still look for a patterened back ..hides more mistakes. I do like your quilting showing on on the reverse tho giving a reflection of the design on the front. Will giv it a try .. sometime!
freda, in soggy Edinburgh
16.18 GMT
So beautiful, Latifah! I love the lavender.
Freda – thanks for the comments! I’m so glad you came from the 6600 Yahoo group – I love that group! I guess I should’ve been clearer in my comment about black and white. I am actually a big proponent of using black and white in baby quilts. Though not always with white but, I use black in about 75 percent of my baby quilts. I too have heard about the research about colors and babies and their early recognition of the contrast of black and white. What I meant about stark was that with this pattern the black and white seemed to be mature and not ‘baby-ish’ at all. Hope that explains it better!
Yummy – what an origonal style.. I was led here by the 6600group..bless …source of great e adventures. Interesting comment tho re black and white being too stark for a baby, my new grandson was given pressies by other new mums-in-the-know of op-art style mobiles in black white and red..which he zoomed in on ..at about three to four weeks! Apparently psychologists have found out that these are the first colours wee ones respond to!!
My own reaction was the same of ..oh yeh till I saw it .
Just a thought to share! Maybe in baby shapes of stars and moons??
Cheers from Edinburgh
Oh, sorry. I skipped the words and went straight for the full-screen sized eye candy. Now I see that you’ve thoughtfully listed all the colors you used. You’re awesome. And I dig Kona Coral.
I love it! Especially the little piece of the backing fabric – what color is that? I also especially love the photos – the houses, the pier? Awesomeness. Great work – as usual, Quilt Engineer! I think the block on the back looks like it might spell Latifah!
Cheerful is the perfect description! Great work. Can’t wait to read more from you!
http://www.aqsquiltnews.blogspot.com
Again, I really love this. Such great inspiration!
It’s a beautiful, fun baby quilt.
. I’m curious, is your name spelled out in your label on the back? If so, that’s really cool! 