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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 
Never tried improv before. It still kind of scares me.
I have tried a bit of improve piecing to try to use up some of my stash, it really very freeing.
I’ve done some improv piecing creating pieces of fabric that then were used for small projects — oven mitts, purses, and bibs. Great use of scraps.
Yes, have tried some improv piecing with curves.
love the technique and would like to give it a try.
Those colors are just gorgeous wow. I love improv piecing. It’s so much fun and your designs are always changing when you do.
No I haven’t. I am new to quilting.
I have just tried improv piecing,but I am a new quilter so still getting the hang of it.Thanks for the inspiration and the beautiful use of color.
I have tried improv piecing several times and found it very liberating with freedom it gives you. It is also frustrating because you are never sure how it will turn out and if you have chosen the correct fabrics. But with your bundle the color choices are wonderful.
I took your Modern Logs class in Little Rock and loved piecing that quilt top in a wonky way. I would also love to get my hands on a fat quarter bundle of your designer fabric!
I haven’t yet, I’m a little afraid, but Looking at this, I think I should try!
I’ve never tried improv but I’m really fascinated by it. I am going to take the plunge soon.
I like doing improv style when using up my scraps. I enjoy the no stress of not needing to match seams, getting perfect points, etc. when making blocks. Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win these gorgeous Kona solids.
I’m such a control freek when it comes to my quilts but I think it might be time to try some improve piecing.
These colors are beautiful and I love your quilt. I do some improv piecing but I find myself trying to make it straighter.
I’m in a monthly challenge right now where we are given an “inspiration” block. For the log cabin, I started with a crazy five sided (but not pentagonal) center, and just kept adding different widths and angles of strips around, proceeding vaguely log-cabinishy around it. Loved the end result.
I think improv piecing is fun, fun, fun. I love using all those scraps and how the different fabrics play so well together.
I love improv piecing! It’s such a fun surprise to see what I end up with, and sometimes I even like it! 🙂
Have not tried. On my bucket list.
Yes I have tried it and love the out come . It’s fun to just let go and sew.
Love Facets! Love the colors in the kona bundle! I’ve never tried improv quilting but if this one is picked for the sew along I am all kinds of in! Now I know what to vote for. Fingers crossed it wins.
With these colors, everything works! Improv, structured, loose or controlled. I’ve really been enjoying the hop. Congrats on all.
I’ve tried improv piecing a couple times – the best one was for my sister’s bride’s bag (crazy quilted). I love Facets! And the colors are terrific. Another winner!
Yep but back when it was crazy piecing ( I have to admit I’m not a fan of the term “improv piecing”). I like it best when the pieces coordinate a little. The use here is really nice.
I have done some improv-piecing when making small objects like pouches and placemats from my scraps but I have not attempted anything as large as a quilt or wall hanging. I found it to be very relaxing. I am really enjoying all the takes on the quilts in this book. Thanks for offering a giveaway of your designer palette.
I have not tried improve piecing but would love to try with this fabric!!
My improv pieces seem so much more structured than yours. I love your free flow foem
Just traditional patterns for me but these are beautiful colors.
I have tried improvisational piecing! It was harder than I thought it would be. Mine was more crazy quiltesque than modern. What a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!!
What a stunning quilt. I love your choice of colours, they are so vibrant and warm. I’ve tried improv in the past and really enjoy it and at the moment I’m actually at a quilting retreat in the French Alps where the focus has been on improv. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway.
Haven’t tried
I am new to quilting so have not tried most techniques yet but am looking forward to any I can learn! 🙂
Hummm I think my 1st quilt was inprov!! It sure didn’t look like the pattern!!! It would be fun to give this a shot!! The colors are fab!!!
I have not tried it yet …but just might give it a try with this pattern!
I have never tried it, kinda scares me!
I have never tried improve piecing, I’ll have to give it a try.
I have not tried improv piecing. I have several ideas pinned, but I haven’t taken the leap. I love Facets, and that may be just the idea I need to get started with improv piecing.
I have done a stack n whack style quilt using layer cakes, and that was a lot of fun!
I’ve tried improv & for me it was a disaster! Sorry to those who love it but it just doesn’t work for me 😕 I love those colours
I failed miserably at improv piecing. I did it with scraps for a quilt back and it wasn’t relaxing or theraputic. The OCD in me just stressed over it.
Yummy!! I’ve never tried improv piecing, but it’s going on my list right now! I love the look of this quilt, and the fabrics are perfect!!
Love the quilt! I haven’t done any improv piecing but would love to try!
I haven’t tried improv piecing but it intrigues me! The Kona fabrics are fabulous but what a great way to use up random fabric pieces too! Love it!
I have tried improv piecing before, there is something so freeing about it when you give yourself permission to just create. I am contemplating making an all improv throw when I finish my current project as a way to clear my mind.
Love your quilt. I have never tried Improve quilting, but your quilt makes me want to try.
Wow gorgeous colors…I have tried some improv it is something I need to keep working on!
Hi Christa, thanks so much for your fantastic tips and tutorials. My first quilt I’ve ever made is from one of your patterns/tutorials. I love it. As regards improv, I’ve only done a very small amount and it has been thrown into the scrap bin! After reading your blog I’m going to get it back out and keep adding to it!! Thank you!
I’ve done a bit of improv piecing, mostly on small items. I think it’s a great way to use scraps and I do enjoy it. One day I need to experiment with doing something bigger. Love your quilt, might just have to give it a try!
I love Facets!! I have tried free style and set first I really had a hard time letting go. Then slowly it came to me and it is so much fun! Never two the same!
I have really been enjoying your blog hop and learning more about the inspirations behind your quilts. I have done some improv piecing, I just need to let my control issues a little looser.
I have not done any improv piecing, but I am thinking it is about time to try.
Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge, Christa, and this bundle of joy. I love all the projects in the book but Facets is most eye-catching. I’ve been volunteering at quilt shows for nearly 10 years but didn’t jump on the bandwagon of quilt making until 2 years old. If it weren’t for improv-style quilting, I probably would still be admiring from the sideline. I’ve made 18 quilts since then and only one is from a ruler template pattern. I still can’t piece a 1/4″ seam and not likely in the near future. Improv-piecing is liberating, relaxing, zen, and mostly stress-free. Thank goodness I am not surrounded by quilt polices.
I love improve piecing and those colors are juicy! Great tutorial.