I love Anabel Wrigley‘s use of color and the whimsy in her designs so I was excited to have the last-minute opportunity to take Anabel’s class, Intro to Improv and Color Play, at QuiltCon 2024. I also love the colors and feel of Windham’s Ruby + Bee fabrics. While I was on the search for fabric for an upcoming workshop at a local Baltimore fabric store’s grand opening weekend, Jenni of Handcraft Happy Hour gifted me a “freebie” with my purchase. Selecting the Ruby+Bee charm pack as my freebie was a no-brainer! I knew this charm pack was a part of the QuiltCon goodie bag, and while I’ve received the goodie bag as a part of my registration in years past, I did not receive one in 2024.
I had an enjoyable and fun QuiltCon experience in 2024. I had three quilts hang in the show, had my quilty cup filled spending time with friends, meeting new people, and walking the show floor. However, I returned from QuiltCont with absolutely zero sewjo. I knew I just needed something to sew. This little charm pack was what I needed to get me moving again in the “studio” (I don’t actually have a studio lol).
I took a simple concept I learned in Anabel’s class – putting two fabric together based on how they make you feel – and using the charm pack I started sewing improv bits and pieces together. As I worked I put them on my design wall. Once I used all but two of the fabrics, I decided I was done and started rearranging and using monochromatic photos to balance out the color values. The photo on the right is the final layout and assembled top. There are 40 different colors in this little quilt!
Quilting design was my next decision. I went with a simple, angled diamond grid using my favorite 50 weight Aurifil thread, Dove (2600). If you are familiar with my work, you know I don’t particularly love to do improv. But when this piece finally came together, I couldn’t stop smiling at it. I think it works and the composition just makes me happy to look at. It will be hanging at QuiltCon 2025 in the small quilts category, and I hope you enjoy looking at it too!
The Details:
- Finished Size: 16″ (W) x 20″ (L)
- Fabric Front: Ruby + Bee
- Fabric Back: Green prints from my stash with no selvage 😬
- Binding/Facing: Same as backing fabric
- Batting: Warm & Natural and Hobbs 80/20 White
- Thread: Aurifil Dove (2600)
- Shows: QuiltCon, Phoenix, AZ, February 2025
- Publications: None
- Awards: None
