30 Days of Improv QAL - Week 1: Squares

Modern improv quilt block featuring squares from the first week of 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along challenges | #30daysofimprovqal Shannon Fraser designs

You’re amazing!

We’re blown away by your enthusiasm for the 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along!

Clearly, you have a mutual love for working without a quilt pattern as Amanda (aka @broadclothstudio) and I have 😊 And it’s been so fun seeing you connect with your wonky side!

Block 1 from the first week of stitching the 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along focused on Squares | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #agfpuresolids

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SHAPE OF THE WEEK: SQUARES

Last week was all about fabric selection and getting into the improv mindset. This has laid a good foundation for you to build from as you dive into the first shape to explore – squares.

While squares are uber basic, they also offer lots of room to play.

All the fun tips and tricks are shared with you in the weekly email (~~sign up here to join in!~~ Sign-ups are now closed. Sign up for the weekly newsletter to be notified of the next one!) but I wanted to round up my improv blocks to give you some inspiration as you dive into your first weekly challenge.

Day 1

Taking that first cut is always a little nerve-wracking. Pristine yummy fabric will do that to you 😉 But, it’s also super liberating! So, don’t dwell and just cut!

I always recommend keeping it simple when you’re first diving into a new project and I took my own advice. Here’s the little beauty I stitched up on day 1.

Block 1 from the first week of the 30 days of Improv Quilt Along focused on Squares | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #sewsolids #agfpuresolids #improvquiltblock

Day 2

I was getting revved up and wanted to zoom in on some itty-bitty stitching details. Sometimes you need to ease your way into a project.

Week 1 Block 2 focused on zooming in on the details for the 30 days of Improv Quilt Along | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #agfpuresolids

Day 3

Slicing and dicing is the name of the game, and I didn’t hold back! I also love how I omitted the pink in this one so that you can see how the greens play differently off the Plum Preserve. Colour play and slicing & dicing – sew fun!

Week 1 Block 3 for the 30 Days of Improv QAL focused on squares this week | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #improvquiltblock

Improv Behind the Scenes video on demand

Day 4

I wanted to play a little more with scale and focused on incorporating bigger squares and smaller ones to see what shapes would emerge.

Week 1 Block 4 focused on working with squares improvisationally this week for the 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #agfpuresolids #improvquilting

Day 5

I had some smaller pieces that were trimmings from the previous day’s blocks, and I worked to incorporate them with a ‘waste not, want not’ mindset.

Week 1 Block 5 of the 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along. This week was focused on Squares and learning to cut free hand | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #modernquiltblock

MATERIALS FEATURED

Here’s everything I used to create my improv blocks for Week 1:

Modern improv quilt blocks from Week 1 of the 30 Days of Improv Quilt Along | Shannon Fraser Designs #30daysofimprovqal #modernimprovquilting

For more 30 Days of Improv QAL check out the following posts:

There’s still plenty of time to join the improv QAL and tune into your inner wonk. ~~Sign up for the free challenge here and get all the improv tips sent straight to your inbox.~~ Sign-ups are now closed. Sign up for the weekly newsletter to be notified of the next one!

Can’t wait to see your improv blocks hit the ‘gram under the #30DaysofImprovQAL hashtag.

xo,

Shannon

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30 Days of Improv QAL – Week 1: Squares