. . . that I think I really love! Now, to decide how to quilt it. . . any ideas?
Category Archives: Measured Improv
Jul
08
2011
Posted in Circle Quilts, Measured Improv, Quilts, Solid Quilts, Works In Progress show hide 8 comments
jane - August 2, 2011 - 9:52 pm
Wow, this is really beautiful Latifah, you are unbelievably talented.
Tanya Heldman - July 15, 2011 - 9:41 am
It looks like the background is just one piece of fabric. I don’t see any seams. Amazing curve piecing. I would do something that would create a different texture in the background from the curved parts. Also, I would use different thread colors.
Fabric Fascination - July 9, 2011 - 3:29 pm
If it were mine, (I can’t think as if it were yours, because then I would be afraid to ruin it), but if it were mine – I might do large leaves, and seed pods, and alien looking plants from an abundant garden. It is such an organic looking quilt that I think organic shapes would compliment it well. (If it were mine that is)
dana - July 9, 2011 - 3:44 am
I rather like the idea of quilting each shape individually and then the red background in a different color thread and different quilting pattern. I am so loving this quilt and dying that all those curves are INSET.
Cheryl Arkison - July 8, 2011 - 8:26 pm
oooh! Are those inset?
Quilting? Are you hoping to accentuate the fact that the design goes around the edge, or is there a top and bottom to the quilt? I think that decision matters when deciding on the quilt pattern.
If there is a top and bottom, then one idea that comes to mind is actually a traditional fan pattern.
If you are accentuating the all around the edge concept, then it seems obvious to quilt each shape individually. I could see red thread on the inset pieces and maybe a blue or green on the red.
Kate - July 8, 2011 - 1:51 pm
Fun!!! I’ve typed about six suggestions and erased them. I’ve got nothing! But I’m interested to see what you do 
Sep
01
2010
Posted in Finished Projects, Measured Improv, Quilts show hide 22 comments
Hexagons are perfect in so many ways. One of the reasons they are so perfect for quilts is because they are the only other regular polygon, besides for squares and regular triangles, that will tessellate. I hope I didn’t lose everyone in that last statement. In plain English this means that you can piece together...
by Latifah
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Linda High - January 16, 2012 - 6:04 pm
Do you have the pattern for this quilt? How do you make the blocks?
anne - October 21, 2011 - 3:24 pm
wow love this quilt and the fabric looks great. Is there a tutorial on this one as it sounds like it would be fun to make.
Mandy M - July 17, 2011 - 6:17 pm
I really like this top and can see me using several scraps. My question to you are the hexs appliqued or pieced to the kona white? I looked for your mention of a tutorial but didn’t find it, did I miss the location?
happy zombie - January 19, 2011 - 10:52 am
I love the quilt and I love the most perfect name! I really see myself having a problem coming to your blog, Latifah… I want to drop every thing and make something from all that you inspire me with. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing – work can wait!!
NancyinSTL - January 10, 2011 - 10:20 am
For your friend Courtney, there might just be a new quilt business opportunity for her as a professional quilt namer. I’ve had conversations with my quilter friends about how difficult it is to name their quilts.
All kidding aside, I also love the idea of using denim for the backing of a picnic quilt, but until now, never thought of using black or another colored denim. Thanks for that idea!
Angie - January 6, 2011 - 7:12 pm
Very fun quilt – I am a huge fan of a pieced quilt to bring the front and back together Great fabric selection too!
Lori - January 5, 2011 - 8:19 pm
Do you have a tut out for this yet? Every time I see it I fall in love again!
lib - January 5, 2011 - 2:13 pm
latifah, i love your label… care to share about it?
ps – this is lovely… as are all your quilts!
Desiree - October 10, 2010 - 6:50 pm
I really like the Wonky Hexagons! I can’t wait to see your tutorial. Great job!
Jessica - September 24, 2010 - 12:42 pm
I just found your website and I am IN LOVE with every stinkin little thing on it. I want to make them all! You have a wonderful eye for color and shapes and are very inspiring. Thanks for posting!
Rachel - September 11, 2010 - 11:55 am
Love the quilt. A couple of years ago, I declared the hexagon my favorite shape. Aside from just being more interesting than squares and rectangles, it can be divided equally into six triangles, three diamonds, or sliced in half (I don’t know the name of that shape.). I think that’s kind of cool.
Val - September 9, 2010 - 6:50 pm
I love love love it, Latifah. I can’t wait to see the back!
Patty Simmons - September 5, 2010 - 6:40 am
Beautiful work and thanks for putting together an upcoming tutorial! It is such a fresh design.
krista - September 3, 2010 - 5:57 pm
This is so cool! That Modern Meadow is one of my favorites, especially the herringbone print.
I don’t name my quilts because it’s just too hard. Does Courtney name quilts for complete strangers too?
kathy - September 2, 2010 - 3:10 pm
Beautiful quilt and I love the free style….good job! am ready for the tutorial.
mjb - September 2, 2010 - 8:56 am
Can’t wait to see the tutorial – these look like hexagons that even I could handle.
Nichole - September 2, 2010 - 4:11 am
this is really beautiful! i love that you took hexagons and made them log cabin style. very creative use of the pattern!
Mary - September 1, 2010 - 2:02 pm
Gorgeous quilt! I love the bold style and the mix of Modern Meadow and Amy Butler.
Aug
09
2010
Posted in Fabric, Finished Projects, Measured Improv, Quilts, Solid Quilts show hide 12 comments
So, I’m still exploring what I call Measured Improv. If you’ve read some of my earlier blog entries, you will remember that this is what I termed my approach to Improvisational Piecing. I now introduce you to “Up In the Air”, my most current exploration: The inspiration for this quilt was a block created by...
by Latifah
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Rhonda Ludwico - December 31, 2010 - 10:01 am
I love this quilt. It reminds me of rulers, pencils, and sketches laid out on a drafting table. I think “engineer” when I see it. And at the same time, the green on green makes it soft and inviting. I want to curl up in it. Beautiful. I can really relate to how hard it is to plan and implement something so that it all looks accidental. Great piece of art!
Sherri Lynn Wood - August 24, 2010 - 11:15 pm
Very nice! It reminds me of abstract drawing with tape.
Congratulations.
Cheryl Arkison - August 10, 2010 - 9:39 am
It is fascinating to read about other people’s struggles with improv. I struggle with precision and planned out pieces! Your eye is incredible, regardless of the process.
yahaira - August 10, 2010 - 6:05 am
I have loved all your quilts in this series and this one is no exception. it makes me swoon
Lynne - August 9, 2010 - 10:32 pm
Unbelievably fabulous and amazing and stunning and different – I hopped over here from flickr and really have to add you into my bloglist because your things never cease to amaze me – you seem to work completely differently from the rest of us – are you an artist by training?
Amy - Amy's Creative Side - August 9, 2010 - 6:13 pm
Beautiful! I love those colors, and the composition is fantastic!!
adnohr - August 9, 2010 - 1:37 pm
I think for me, improv goes against my frugal nature (scottish roots!) because if something needs to get a chunk trimmed off to make it fit I would have a hard time doing it. But I will try something like this one day, I really love the way it turned out, and the name is perfect.
britt - August 9, 2010 - 1:29 pm
I love this! Your design shows such restraint. The green tone-on-tone work is really nice… this quilt really inspires me to dig into my stash of solids!
Latifah - August 9, 2010 - 1:09 pm
Thanks for the comment! I too am a planner by nature and Improv has been very difficult for me. You should try it though – it’s been quite the experience. It’s nothing like stretching yourself in a direction quite different from the norm.
I’m glad you like it though. I’m always a little hesitant to share when I make things so different from everything that’s out there!
kylydia - August 9, 2010 - 12:54 pm
I have a lot of trouble just making wonky blocks. I know that improvisationaly piecing would be very challenging and tedious to me, too. I’m a planner, by nature.
I think this is SO fantastic, though. I love it. At first, I thought “minimalist” but I looked again and saw that it is very complex in areas. The colors you chose are just great.
Jun
14
2010
Posted in Measured Improv, Quilts, Solid Quilts show hide 14 comments
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...
by Latifah
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Emily - July 31, 2010 - 9:27 pm
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.
aunt spicy - July 31, 2010 - 5:33 pm
Ohhhh, really what a fabulous quilt, love the variation from the earlier white and black! Beautiful!
Sarah - July 27, 2010 - 9:18 am
cool quilt! Love how there is that one red piece on the binding, really draws the eye.
Freda P - July 10, 2010 - 8:19 am
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
Latifah - June 23, 2010 - 10:24 am
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!
Freda P - June 23, 2010 - 6:38 am
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
Abi - June 18, 2010 - 1:44 pm
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.
Abi - June 18, 2010 - 1:42 pm
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!
American Quilter's Society - June 17, 2010 - 12:21 pm
Cheerful is the perfect description! Great work. Can’t wait to read more from you!
Melissa - June 14, 2010 - 9:58 pm
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!
Jun
02
2010
Posted in Measured Improv, Quilts, Theme, Works In Progress show hide 8 comments
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...
by Latifah
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Latifah - June 23, 2010 - 10:38 am
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.
Cheryl Arkison - June 22, 2010 - 8:48 pm
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.
patty - June 4, 2010 - 8:57 am
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.
Debbie-Esch House Quilts - June 4, 2010 - 4:47 am
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.
Melissa - June 3, 2010 - 1:54 am
I love your new blog, it’s perfect. Can’t wait to see what you have in store.
Liz Harvatine - June 2, 2010 - 9:42 am
Hi Latifah!
The new blog looks great! It’s definitely much more “you”. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Lauren - June 2, 2010 - 9:06 am
Latifah, the new blog looks GREAT! It feels very “you” and I love your idea for monthly themes. Congratulations!
by Latifah
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