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Facets – The Background Story
Facets 63″ x 70″ by Christa Watson. Photo courtesy of Robert Kaufman.
I love coordinated scrappy quilts and improvisational piecing, yet I’m more of a “structured improv” kind of gal. I like to randomly sew together a bunch of scrappy goodness, then create order and structure from the chaos. For Facets, I chose 28 Kona Cottons in warm reds, oranges, and yellows, with some green thrown in for good measure. The palette reminds me of crisp juicy apples!
It was such fun to cut up these fabrics into smaller chunks to play with!
It was very liberating to create my own crazy-pieced fabric to work with:
Randomly sewing bits of fabric together is very therapeutic!
I really went to town with the machine quilting on this one. I used both walking-foot quilting and free-motion techniques when quilting Facets. Whenever I quilt, I like to think about the logical sequence of steps I take before starting. That way, it doesn’t seem too overwhelming.
Using my “scrunch and smoosh” method for dealing with the bulk while quilting. There’s an extra table under there which helps hold up the weight of the quilt.
I love quilting swirls, and combining them with switchbacks really creates a lot of movement.
Photography by Brent Kane.
A Bit More – and a Bonus Giveaway!
I was stoked when Robert Kaufman decided to add this grouping to their designer palette series this fall. Coming in October, you’ll be able to get your hands on the Christa Watson Designer Palette in fat quarters, ten squares, charm squares, and roll-ups! You can create a quilt just like mine, but of course it will still be different because of the improv element. 🙂
What makes this quilt modern – offset grid layout, improvisational piecing, geometric design with high contrast and graphic impact, exclusive use of flat solids, bold, bright color palette, design goes all the way to the edges, organically quilted machine quilting.
Time for me to complete – 47 hours from start to finish, including the improv piecing.
How would you like to get your hands on a fat quarter bundle of my designer palette?
The Christa Watson Designer Palette – available at quilts shops everywhere in October!
To enter the giveaway for a 28 piece fat quarter bundle of my favorite Kona colors, just comment letting me know whether you’ve ever tried improv piecing and what you think about it. I’ll draw a winner at the end of the day on Sunday and announce their name on Monday, Sept. 28th.
And remember, don’t forget to vote for your favorite quilt for my QAL in January! Since I know you are dying to ask – yes, Facets is MY favorite quilt from the book. 🙂
Quilting Inspiration from kristy daum
I think my favorite part of this blog hop is seeing all of the amazing quilts from my talented friends! Kristy Daum from St. Louis Victorian and I have been online friends for awhile and finally got to meet up at QuiltCon earlier this year. You may remember Kristy’s amazing pixelated quilts featuring David Tennant as Dr. Who and the lovely Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock.
Now Kristy has knocked it out of the park with her version of Facets. I really love it when others really take an idea and make it their own! It was fun watching her instagram sneek peaks, and her final reveal today will take your breath away.
Pop on over to Kristy’s blog to see her version of Facets.
Teri’s Take
The amazing Teri Lucas from Terificreations shared a sneak peak of some Facets blocks on the Generation Q website earlier in the week. She chose to use solid pieces of fabric and did some killer quilting on them! Like me, she prefers to quilt on a home-sewing machine and she is one talented lady!! She’s one of those that I can talk quilting with all day long!
So far we’ve only met in person once, and I can’t wait to see her again at the next event. She’s always so thoughtful and encouraging – just the type of quilty friend you want in your corner. Teri is offering a book giveaway on her site. While you are there, be sure to browse around, and check out her amazing quilting!!
Head over to Teri’s blog to enter her giveaway.
Visit The Quilting Gallery
Michele Foster is the brilliant name and voice behind the highly popular website the Quilting Gallery. We first met online when I was an advertiser on her site, many moons ago. We have turned that business relationship into a really great friendship and I hope someday soon that we can meet up in person. I mean, if you are like me, you can always use another BQF (best quilting friend), right?
Michele blogs and shares so much inspiration about what’s happening in the quilting community, and she’s has written very nice things about my book over on her blog today. She even scored extra points with me by saying that Facets is her favorite quilt, too! In addition to being a prolific quilter, Michele is an amazing designer and hosts lots of fun clubs on her site. As part of her stop, she’s generously including a fun giveaway of her own. 🙂
Visit the Quilting Gallery blog and enter to win a membership to Michele’s mini quilting club!
Click here for the complete blog hop schedule.
Click here purchase your autographed copy of Machine Quilting With Style.
Christa Quilts 
I haven’t made modern improve fabric but years ago, I did do some crazy quilting…same premise but with velvets, silks and other fancy fabrics. Pulled fabric after the Modern Quilt meeting the other night to make three modern wall hangings with shot cotton. Alas, none of them will use improve fabric.
I have never tried improv piecing, but now that I have seen it. It looks fascinating and fun. I can’t wait to try it. Thank you for introducing it to us.
Never tried improv piecing (I like the name of it!)
I’ve done a little improv piecing and loved it!! I was also very pleased with the results each time!! I just the the colours in your designer palette, it so fresh and yummy!!
Improv piecing always gives a new fresh look; I enjoy doing it.
I tried improve once and didn’t like how it looked. Thank you for the motivation to try it again!
I have tried improv piecing and absolutely love the fact that you end up with a whole different “new” piece of fabric
Haven’t tried it, like the look of your quilt.
I haven’t tried improv piecing at all yet, but it’s something I really want to try! Love seeing your work on this, so beautiful.
Wow, I love those colours.
I haven’t attempted an improv quilt yet, but it is definitely on my bucket list.
I have actually never tried improv piecing but I now have a TON of scraps so I am definitely feeling inspired by this post!!
I love, love, love yours, but haven’t tried any improv yet. When I think I can jump out of the structured and orderly quilts, this will be the one!! Thanks for this whole blog hop! So much fun and eye candy!
I love the surprise aspect to improv piecing. You never know exactly what the finished product will look like while you are in the process of making your top.
I have tried improv, but not with ease. Great book and great giveaway!
I have not done an improve quilt, but I do plan to try making an improv tote or some other small thing (table runner?) to test my skills. I love your Facets pattern.
I really like improv piecing, but have not done a quilt using it, yet…just splayed around with some left over scraps and made a mug rug. Love the colors!
I have been quilting for about a year and a half. My second quilt I made was an improv quilt i designed. I love the freedom. My third quilt was a block of the month by Leah Day to learn quilt as you go and then felll in love with free motion quilting. I’m working on a improv quilt right now and am also learning EQ7. I love Robert Kaufman solids and I love Modern quilting. I’m truly enjoying your blogs.
I do a lot of improve piecing, mostly because I can’t stick to a pattern. And I like to add bits of unexpected fabric. THanks.
That would be improv, blame the auto spelling check.
I have done many scrap string quilts, is that considered improv quilting?
I haven’t tried improv piecing, I like a more structured look. But, I do like using the modern palette of solids and prints. I love the colors you chose. Thanks for the free pattern and giveaway.
I want to try improve piecing – I love yours!!
I have never tried improv piecing but would love to try it. I love the color pallet, it reminds me of Apple’s too. Thanks for the opportunity to win this.
I have never tried improv piecing. Might be fun to try!
I love the colors and love the geometric shapes in this pattern.
I have tried improv but I think I prefer more structure. I love your pattern because it neatens the look of the improv, which on its own overwhelms me! Gorgeous colours too!
I’ve tried improv piecing, and I love it. I love the effect of it. But I’m not terribly good at it! I must admit that I generally do better when I can follow some sort of pattern, it is hard for me just to let go. I keep working on it, though, because I really like it!
Wow a designer palette, congratulations. Yes I have tried improv piecing. Sometimes with success, other times not so much. I find the result more pleasing if I don’t try to incorporate too many different shapes. Fun .
I’ve tried a little improv piecing but want to do more. It’s such a departure for me as I am a pretty traditional quilter. I’ve developed an appreciation for more modern quilts in the last few years as I love their simplicity and freshness.
I’ve been very inspired by your quilts from your new book. My sole effort at modern, so far, is a quilt made from a Jacquie Gering Craftsy class, and really loved the process.
I am currently working on a vortex quilt which is similar to what you are doing. I love working with scraps.
I like so much today’s quilt…never try yet improv piecing but is on my list of to do/things to try…thank you… marta
I have never tried improv piecing, I would like to in the the future perhaps.
I have not tried improv pieceing, but it looks like lots of fun!
Christa, you never cease to amaze me with your terrific patterns and you are
Truly a champion when it comes to quilting! Thanks for sharing!
I have not yet tried improv piecing, but I really want to make the quilt on the cover of Melissa Corry’s Irish Chain Quilts. Then if that one works out, I may try some other patterns I have seen but not been brave enough to try. dragonfly9716 at yahoo dot com
Great quilts in your book. Have done improve with scraps, what fun to do it with a collection.
Haven’t done improve before but I really want to give it a go ☺
I’ve never tried Improv but these beautiful colors would be beautiful for me to tey
I’ve done improv once. Like it but it is scary to make something without a specific pattern. Will keep trying though.
I think of improve piecing I’ve done … as MAKING IT WORK… totally different but similar!! Love the bright colors used…
What a fantastic quilt! I love the bright colors and the unique facets. I have never tried improv piecing, but after seeing your beautiful quilt I will definitely give it a try. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the great giveaway.
Love your Facets quilt, so very bright and cheerful. I love to do improv piecing. It’s a lot of fun, it’s a great scrapbuster, and no two pieces are ever the same. Thank you for the chance to win a bundle of your designer palette, my kind of colors.
Oh my goodness, those colors are gorgeous!!! The perfect, glowing colors for autumn!!!
I love improv piecing, especially as a warm-up before diving back into an ongoing structured project, or when I feel like I’m in a rut.
I love the opportunity Improv piecing gives me to use up the leftovers and add in new fabrics. It is a lot of fun to see where it takes me and it adds a pop to traditional blocks.
Hi Christa,
I’ve never tried improv piecing – I guess I’m too structured/rigid/afraid to mess it up. However, after seeing how easy you make it seem, and how beautiful your Facets quilt turned out – I’m ready to give it a try!
I have not tried improve piecing but I think I would like to try it. Love the color palette. Its in my home, clothes and quilts. Friend know immediately which quilts are mine. 🙂
I love improve piecing. I have done alot of quilts this way. Great way to use scraps.
I’m not brave enough to try improvisational piecing, but I keep reading your blog with the hopes that I can stiffen my spine and try to do a project, even a small wall hanging.
I’ve tried improv piecing with my scraps and with some prints. Fun!