Today I’m excited to re-imagine my favorite quilt – Facets – from my book Machine Quilting with Style. It might be my favorite because it was the first quilt I designed for the book. Or maybe it’s because this was my first stab at improv piecing. The fabrics I used might have had something to do with it, too. And when I quilted it, I was really pushing myself to do something really eye catching. It was very validating when this quilt was also a favorite of judges’ at the AQS Paducah show earlier this year, nabbing a 2nd place in the modern category.
Facets 63″ x 70″ by Christa Watson
Facets was a huge favorite of several of my friends and followers in my Facebook Group, too! Here is just a sampling of some of the beautiful versions others have made. Notice how they changed it up to make it their own!
Made by Katherine D – those icy blues are so gorgeous and the black adds drama.
Leah H. chose pretty purples, made fewer blocks, and added extra solids Just stunning!
Sharon S. alternated plain and pieced blocks to make this beautiful version.
To see more amazing variations, head over to my Facebook Group: Quilt with Christa and type “Facets” into the search bar. It’s chock full of inspiration!
My Kona Cotton Designer Palette is available for a limited time only!
Giveaway Time!
I chose my Designer palette of 28 Kona Solids to make my version. Click here to grab a bundle if you’d like to make a quilt similar to mine. The fun thing about improv is that two quilts can look completely different even when using the same fabrics and pattern.
To celebrate the one year anniversary of Machine Quilting with Style, one lucky winner will receive a precut bundle of my entire palette. Let me know which you prefer: a set of 40 precut 2 1/2″ strips, or 40 precut 10″ squares. To enter, leave a comment on this post letting me know if you’ve ever done any improv piecing. For a bonus entry, share a picture of it in my Facebook Group. I’d love to see!
Click here to purchase a signed copy of Machine Quilting with Style.
Click here to see all of the quilts from the book.
Christa Quilts 
I have done a little improv piecing to use up scrap pieces. I had one large quilt with lots of usable small scraps I made a mini quilt called Mr. Cat, I will share on Facebook. I really need to get some more improv piecing done as my scraps are overflowing! I prefer the 10in squares if I win and I know exactly what I would make too.
Your book looks enticing! I have a WIP of my first improv, so far-happy! 10″ wants to come play with me.
Love the bright colors.
I have done scrappy crazy quilts. I would prefer the 10 inch squares.
Love your book! I haven’t done any improv piecing yet, I’m a little scared of it! I would take the 10 inch squares if I won
How fun to see my alternate plain and pieced quilt top in your post! I will post a picture of it all quilted and bound. 3 of my adult children love that quilt! I gifted it to my son and dil, and since my eldest son loved it too, I’ve bought fabric to make a batik one for him. I usually don’t make the same quilt twice, so I’m sure I’ll figure out a way to change it up again.
I’ve done a little bit of improv, but not very much. I love your quilts! Congrats on 1 year! I’d love 2.5″ strips.
Thanks for sharing my Facets quilt. It was great fun.
I’d prefer the strips.
–Leah
I took a class at my guild once but I am new at improv piecing.
I’ve only done a small bit of improv-piecing – small circles that went onto a 4 1/2 inch block. I struggle with being so ‘free’; I always want to control how the improv-piecing turns out!
Haven’t done much improv piecing. I would go with the 10″ squares. Gorgeous color palette.
Hi Christa, I made your facets quilt but haven’t quilted it yet. I love it! Thanks for the fabulous book.
I’ve never done improv piecing. Love 10″ squares!
I’ve done a little improv piecing. I haven’t used a jelly roll in a while, so that’s what I’d choose! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have not done any improv piecing yet but I think it would be fun. What a beautiful quilt you created. Kona colors are my favorite and I like both sizes shown but I will put down the 10″ squares as my choice. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Improv, in other words, happy creative changes made when things go wrong, right? Yes, I’ve made some improv quilts, and some I love, some, not so much 😉 love the color palette, would be happy with a layer cake!
I’m working on some improv blocks as leaders and enders, but I haven’t put the blocks together in a quilt. I would choose the 10″ squares. Thanks for showing the other examples here. I’m not on Facebook so it is nice to see variations here.
Oh yes, I’ve made a few improv quilts and they are among my favorites. Most have been small quilts but one day I’ll make a bed size one. Thanks for the inspiration! sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the giveaway. 2 1/2″ strips are great. So many uses.
I find improv is very freeing! I would love the 2.5″ strips
I love improv piecing – so freeing! Have made one finished quilt and have another in progress- it’s fun to work on when I just want to see without thinking! Oh and I made your modern trees quilt and most of the trees were improv from scraps. Won a second place ribbon at our guild’s quilt show! Would love 10″ squares. Thanks for all you share with us!
You have inspired me to try improv quilting!
The only improv piecing I’ve done is your block for the aurifil designer of the month! I would be happy with either the strips or the squares, but if I had to choose, I’d go with the squares!
Have a great weekend!
no, I have not tried improv before. I don’t have a good reason, because I don’t know why. I would love the strips.
I have not done a lot of improv, just a few small quilts to donate. I think 10″ sqs would be fun to try something with.
I haven’t done any improv piecing. I always appreciate the beauty of improv quilts and plan to give it a try one of these days. I would love the 10″ squares, but either would be great.
Yes, I do a lot of improve piecing. Love your color collection! I use 2.5″ strips a lot, so I’d like those if I win.
Happy 1 year! I’ve done plenty of improv and enjoy if from time to time. I’d prefer the 2 1/2″ strips if I won. Thanks!
Improv is one of the things on my list to try. Here’s to hoping that 2017 will be that time.Thank you for a chance to win that amazing bundle of fabric.
nope, can’t say that I have but I am always opened to something new and wild :). gee since I am a novice , a layer cake?
I would love the jellyroll. I loosely follow most patterns or just wing it based on quilts I have seen so I consider all of my quilts improvisational but have not done a clear cut, so a strip here, add a color here, add another piece, type of quilt. Not that brave yet.
Oops I forgot to add I’d like the 10-in squares.
I’ve done a bit of improve to fill in extra space needed for a backing, using scrapes from the front. However, I’ve been dreaming about Facets for some time now and really would like to try.
The only improv quilting I’ve done was at an evening class for a sample. But I really like the idea of it. I think I’d like the jelly roll, if you draw my name.
No, I have not done improve quilting. It is very interesting and would like to give it a try. I love your color pallet and would like to win the 10″ squares.
Thank you for all you do in the quilting world. You inspire me.
I tried improve once. I used too bland fabrics. I’d love those 10″ squares if I win.
My first attempt was your FACETS quilt along… i think another improv try is in order… 10 inch squares would be a good start at that reattempt.
I’ve done a fair bit of improv, and I love it–even when I find it challenging. If I’m the lucky winner, I would prefer a jelly roll, but really, either would be a treat.
Yes, I have done improv piecing. 10″ squares. Thanks!
I’m a beginner in improv piecing, I would love to win the 10″ squares.
i would love the 10 in squares ..i have never done improv quilting but am looking into what it is tyvm
So pretty! Either would be fine but if I have a choice, I’ll take the layer cake. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
I have not really done any improv piecing but am tempted. Like using the 10″ squares right now but also like the strips. Thank you for chance to win.
Improv is always a term that strikes me as odd. I am very old and we just used to call this using up all the fabric pieces we have laying around. It was a post depression thing. I love strips, string quilts are so easy to throw together.
No improv here but you definately inspire me to try!
Thanks.
I have done a bit of improv, but need to do more. I find it competes with all the amazing quilts I see every day, that I want to make. There has to be a balance, but I have yet to find it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Improv isn’t something I’ve done but would love to make your diamond quilt at sometime. If chosen I’d prefer the layer cake size.
Congratulations on your books anniversary. It’s packed with so much! Thanks and HappyHolidays!
I have not done any improv piecing…….thanks for the chance to win your Kona Cotton Designer Palette – if lucky enough to win, I would choose the 10″ squares.
I haven’t done a lot of improv yet. I would love to win the 10″ squares. Thanks for the chance and Congrats on 1year!
The only improve-type piecing I have done is making blocks by sewing random scraps to corners of 5″ squares, pressing back those scraps, and trimming 1/4″ away from the seam before squaring up to 5″ again. I’m not sure that counts! Either 10″ squares or 2.5″ strips is fine with me.