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Shannon Fraser Designs

Spreading quilty joy one stitch at a time!

Myth busted: improv quilting wastes fabric

July 21, 2022 by Shannon 2 Comments

I made this Improv Triangle Sewing Bag to bust the myth that improv quilting wastes fabric. Improv quilting is the number one way I incorporate sustainable quilting into my creative practice - it allows me to use up all the trimmings from my patterned quilt projects! This little bag is my way of tempting to you to give it a try! #30daysofimprovqal #improvquilting #color #sustainablequilting #nowaste

Have you heard the rumour that improv quilting is highly wasteful?

This was something that came up quite frequently during the 30 Days of Improv QAL and it’s one of my favourite myths to bust. Because improv quilting is how I incorporate sustainable quilting into my creative practice!

It’s true, there’s this perception that improv quilting leads to lots of fabric remnants. Which I’ve always found confusing since fabric scraps are exactly why I was tempted to dive into improv in the first place (other than it looking super fun!).

After working on a patterned quilt project, I always have some fabric leftovers. Some are yardage remnants from cutting out my width of fabric strips (read this post for more tips on cutting your fabric!), but most are trimmings from piecing my blocks and squaring up my quilt. It’s usually these oddly shaped scraps that leave some quilters confused about what to ‘do’ with those bits. For me, it’s those bits that get me the most excited to see what I can create.

I made this Improv Triangle Sewing Bag to show the fun to be had with fabric scraps! Improv quilting is the number one way I incorporate sustainable quilting into my creative practice - it allows me to use up all the trimmings from my patterned quilt projects! This little bag is my way of tempting to you to give it a try! #30daysofimprovqal #improvquilting #color #sustainablequilting #nowaste

*This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.


MY FABRIC SCRAP PHILOSOPHY

I see these remnants as an opportunity to play and get a bonus project out of yardage I’ve already paid for.

It’s an opportunity to maximize your fabric dollars, save material from ending up in a landfill, and usually leads to a fun quilty outcome that you hadn’t planned on.

That’s a win-win-win in my quilty book 😉

Fabric scraps from making previous improv quilt blocks. These trimmings are still usable and can be stitched up to create lots of quilt projects such as mini art quilts, wall hangings, zip pouches, bags, you name it you can make it with an improv quilt block! Read more up on the blog #shannonfraserdesigns #improvquilting #fabricscraps #nowastequilting
Turn your scraps into an improv quilted zip pouch. Improv quilting is the number 1 way I sneak sustainable quilting into my creative practice.  Not only does it save the earth but it's also super fun. Give it a try as part of the free 30 Days of Improv QAL - more details up on the blog #30daysofimprovqal #improvquilting #modenrquilt #color

WHAT TO MAKE WITH YOUR SCRAPS

One of the things I love about quilting is thinking beyond quilts!

Quilts are awesome, but if you’ve been quilting for quite a while then you’ve probably amassed quite the quilt collection. I certainly have! And have the stack of quilts to prove it – ha! I love wrapping myself up in a quilt, so I’ll still be making them, but every now and again, I want to mix things up and step away from just making quilts.

Sometimes you just want to make something quick. Or you want to explore a technique and then wind up with a bunch of orphan blocks.

There’s lots of ways you can feature those scraps in a quilted project, but my go-to is to turn to my freedom sessions and just see what emerges from my improv play.

Here are just some of the projects I’ve created using this approach:

  • Mini art quilts
  • Framed art quilts
  • Sewing Bag
  • Quilted Wall Hangings
  • Market Bag
Improv triangle sewing bags featuring improv quilting to bust through all those fabric scraps I know you have kicking around your sewing room! See more up on the blog #30daysofimprovqal #improvquilting #shannonfraserdesigns #sewing

IMPROV QUILTED TRIANGLE SEWING BAG

My latest improv finish is this triangle sewing bag. I recently made my first one and shared it with you here and you loved it so much that I’ve started working on the pattern for you.

Since I like to test my patterns multiple times before sending them out to my pattern testers, I decided to use it as an opportunity to show you what you can do with just the trimmings from your improv play. What I mean by that, is the block shown below was made entirely from the trimmings created while piecing other improv blocks.

Improv quilt blocks that I turned into a triangle sewing bag. I love using improv as a way of busting through my fabric scraps. It's a genius way to incorporate sustainable quilting into your creative journey. Read more up on the blog #30daysofimprovqal #sewingbag #zippouch #improvquilting

As I work on my composition, I like to set aside all of my fabric scraps. If it can accommodate a seam allowance, it gets recycled into the pile of remnants to play with.

Just look at the fun you can create with itty bitty bits!

My finished improv triangle sewing bag featuring scraps from scraps! I love turning to improv as a way of incorporating sustainable quilting into my quilting journey. It allows me to maximize my fabric usage! Read more up on the blog #improvquilting #shannonfraserdesigns #30daysofimprovqal

SEE IT IN ACTION

Sometimes seeing it in action can spark an idea. So, I filmed myself creating an improv quilt block using just the trimmings from the previous blocks I had made that day. I’m hoping this inspires you to think about your fabric scraps in a new light and see the creative possibilities they offer.

Improv Behind the Scenes video on demand

For those who’ve been asking about the Triangle Sewing Bag pattern, I still have quite a bit of work to do on that! Feel free to sign up for my newsletter as subscribers are always the first to know about new pattern launches 😉

While I work on the pattern, check out what I like to store in my sewing bag (video tour included)!

Now you know why I love using improv quilting to incorporate sustainability in my creative practice. I’d love to know, what’s your favourite way to use up your fabric scraps?

xo

Shannon

PS if you want to try your hand at improv quilting sign up to join the free 30 Days of Improv QAL.


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Filed Under: Improv Quilting, Quilting Tagged With: 30 Days of Improv QAL, Notions, Quilting

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Comments

  1. Ioleen says

    July 21, 2022 at 11:34 am

    Yesterday was my first Zoom meeting! Loved every minute of this meeting. I enjoyed listening to you, Amanda and Pat. Pat’s comment on using a colour wheel, omg, I’ve had a wheel for years and had to hunt for it, lol. (It’s been used very little). I’m really looking forward to 30 days of Improv. Thanks for the Zoom meeting.

    Reply
    • Shannon says

      July 21, 2022 at 10:51 am

      So thrilled you were able to join the Zoom chat! And what fun that you already had a colour wheel on hand! I love combining that with my color cards to get inspired 💟 can’t wait to stitch together during the Improv QAL!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Shannon. A modern quilt pattern designer based in Montreal. My quilting journey started by stumbling upon a half square triangle tutorial and I've been hooked since. I'm now spreading that quilty joy to you! Read More…

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