MAKE IT
Improv Patchwork
Forget rules and regulations, one
of Schmidt’s favorite ways to teach
newbie quilters about construction
and composition is to strip them of
choice. Try it yourself below, or register
for a workshop at dsquilts.com.
INGREDIENTS
COT TON QUILTING FABRIC, A
RANDOM ASSORTMENT
(OR ORDER A SCRAP BAG, $20,
DSQUILTS.COM)
1 YARD SOLID 45-INCH COT TON
FABRIC FOR BACKING PIECE
NATURAL, THINNEST-LOFT
FIBER FILL OR THROW
PILLOW INSERT
TOOLS
IRON AND IRONING BOARD
ROTARY CUT TER
CUT TING MAT
3 BROWN BAGS MARKED “SMALL,”
“MEDIUM,” AND “LARGE”
HAND QUILTING THREAD
HAND QUILTING NEEDLES
(SIZE 10)
STRAIGHT PINS
THIMBLE
1. Wash, dry, and press all fabric. Be
sure to test fabric to ensure that the
dyes won’t bleed.
2. Cut fabric into 2; 3 small pieces
ranging from 1; 3 inches long, 6; 8
medium pieces ranging from 3; 10
inches long, 4; 6 large pieces ranging
from 10; 20 inches long. (Remember,
this is “improv” patchwork, so adjust
numbers of pieces as needed.)
3. Place pieces in their corresponding
Small, Medium, and Large brown bags.
4. Blindly draw t wo small pieces out of
the Small bag.
5. Align the edges of t wo small pieces
(front sides facing), pin together, and
sew them together using a ¼-inch seam
allowance. Trim excess fabric with a
rotary cutter to create a straight line.
6. Continue piecing small to small
until there’s a straight surface that’s
long enough to graduate to a medium
swatch.
7. Continue this process until you’ve
pieced a patch large enough to move to
working with the large swatches.
8. Before you know it, you will have
pieced together a surface area large
enough for a throw pillow.
9. Cut a piece of the backing fabric to
match the shape of your quilted panel
and pin with front sides facing. Sew
together, leaving about ten inches
unsewn on one side, then turn right
sides facing out.
10. Insert the ;ber ;ll or pillow, sew up
the opening, and enjoy.
