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’m a new quilter, and have run out of fabric a few times [due to lack of pre planning!!!] and have ended up with improvised results, some of which are really nice!
Your quilts are so imaginative! No I have never done improv quilts before and I would love to try. I would prefer the precut 10″ squares. Thanks for the chance to win!
Great quilts!
I’d love to try some improv!
I enjoy improv piecing as the results are often interesting and unexpected. And, it is great for scraps. Thanks for the chance to win one of these fabric bundles. Brights are beautiful!
Improv is not for me. I can’t think out of the box. would love the 10″ squares and hope I’m a lucky winner.
Never done improv quilting. I’d like to try it sometime soon. Beautiful quilts, bright and colorful.
I haven’t done much improve piecing…but it looks so free and relaxing! If I won I would prefer the jelly roll. Thanks for sharing an awesome giveaway and congrats on your new class!
I have never done improv….I would prefer the squares. I am now quilting the lightening quilt.
I’ve never done improv. I like the stained glass look of the piecing here. I would prefer the strips if my name is picked. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve never done improv quilting however I’m up for a challenge to try it! I think I would prefer the strips.
I’ve done very little improv. I love the bright colors you used.
Never tried improv due to my extremely “squared away” mind set, ha ha. I have wanted to make my version of Facets since seeing it in your book, which I own. Might be 2017 is my year for Facets? We shall see. If lucky enough to win, I would select 10″ squares. Thx for the opportunity!
Love the 10″ squares. Yes, I’ve done a few improv piecing projects. Love the freedom of the process.
I’ve done a little improv, but am so in love with facets that I’m crossing fingers, toes, and everything else on this give-away.
I have never done “improv”. It would really take me out of my “normal”, and I think it is about time I try. I would like to try my improv with strips. Thanks
I would like to try improv quilting, looks fun!
I love scraps and strips !! your work is an inspiration…Thank you…would love to have the squares.
I haven”t done any improv piecing but I’m going to try it. I’d love to win the 10″ squares.
I love the look of the improvement blocks! I made one from a tutorial you posted last year and plan to do more when that project reaches the top of the pile! 10 inch squares would be great! Thanks for all your inspiration, Christa!
I love crazy quilting but haven’t done any recently. Currently doing some square-in-a-square blocks where the size depends on the size of the scrap; does that count? I’d take either set.
Very little inprov quilting. a little on some Christmas stockings. 10 inch squares would be my choice. Thank you, Paula
Slab blocks, as promoted by CQA for Ronald MacDonald homes for cancer families. Would love the 10″ squares.
I’ve not done improv quilting, but I love the idea and am eager to get going. I’d like the strips. Thanks for this!
Hi Christa! I’ve done some improv piecing, but I was calling it “Mile a Minute” piecing. I cannot wait to use this process on your Facets pattern! I would LOVE your 2.5″ strip set, thanks. Also, I just received your two books from Amazon and I can’t wait to begin practicing.
I have never ventured out into improv quilting. I would love to give it a try. I would choose the 10 inch squares. Thank you.
I’ve done some improv piecing, but it is way outside of my comfort zone. BUT I sure do like the different colorways shown above. Maybe I need to try again. I would love the 10″ squares. Something else I’ve not worked with. Might as well go for broke.
Happy Holidays to all!
I do improv when I just want to play around with leftover fabrics and then use them for pin cushions, mug rugs or other small projects. I’d choose the 10″ squares. Thanks for the sweet giveaway!
I have never done improv piecing. If I win, I would love the 10″ cuts. Thanks for this opportunity
I do a lot of crazy quilting using up the smallest of pieces. I would love the 2 1/2 strips.
The only improv piecing I’ve done was a crazy-quilt bride’s bag I made for my sister years ago. I was then doing more needlework than quilting. I’d love to play around with either fabric bundle, but since I haven’t worked with them before, I’d choose the 10″ squares. Thanks, Christa!
I’ve never done improv piecing – will have to try it, though!
I’ve done a few pieces of improv. Would love the 10 inch squares.
I do love improv quilting and I made an entire baby quilt using an improv block of the month you designed! I find the style so creative and freeing with not having to measure or be so careful to line up seams, etc. I’d prefer the 10″ blocks, but either would do! Congrats on the 1st year anniversary, Christa!
I would prefer the strips. I made a crazy quilt with trims and embroidery. it was fun to try something different.
I’ve done some improv piecing, but never really turned it into anything….just a big hunk of blocks….this kind of encourages me to make something from those or try it again! I would honestly love anything if I were to win….strips or pieces, either one.
I doing more and more of crazy quilting using up that orphan fabric. I would love having 2 1/2 strips. Beautiful quilts.
I’ve done string piecing and I’ve made blocks in different color ways. I am intrigued by your design. If my name is chosen, I would pick the strips please.
Ive done lots of improv quilting. Love it and love to try 10 inch squares!!
So much fun to improv.. sure could use those 10 inch squares. Brenda
Never done improv, unless crazy quilting denim blocks counts? Would love the 40 precut 10″ squares would be my choice! Thank you, Susan
I have not yet tried improv quilting. I would love the 10 inch squares.
I’ve done some crazy quilting, love using the fancy fabrics and all the embroidery. I’d prefer the strips.
Most of my quilts are done without a pattern. I find patterns tedious. Seems like it takes twice as long to follow someone else’s directions than to make up my own. Love the summer colors of the original and thinking black with jewel tones could be dramatic
I have just returned from a Quilting Retreat and have so many new ideas (and material). Next year is Canada’s 150th birthday, so I want to do up a special quilt or two for that. I have been making “fire” quilts for friends in Fort McMurray who lost their homes, and am working on the last two, hoping to finish before Christmas. I enjoy machine quilting as I do not have a long arm. If I win, I would like the 2 1/2″ jelly roll please. I learn a lot from videos when I am quilting. Thanks for making visual aides for us visual learners.
The only improve piecing have done is scrappy……because I have so many unmatched strips. I could make one every third quilt top…….lol. You do organized improve….which is gorgeous. Should I be lucky enough to win, I would love to have the 2 1/2″ strips. The solids would work well with my scrappy prints. Maybe this time I could be a little more organized with the pattern. Thanks Christa.
I would prefer the 2.5″ strips. I have improve pieced wonky log cabin blocks.
I’m not sure that it is considered ‘improv’ piecing, but I have been using up my scraps by making 6 inch blocks – just grabbing a piece that looks like it will fit and stitching it on. Once I get a squarish piece about 7 or 7 1/2 inches, I use my 6 1/2 inch square ruler to cut a square out of it. I’ve got about 15 done, so I have to start figuring out what to do with them!
I love your colors and Facets is rather like making your own fabric ( I guess that it what improve piecing is all about). Never having used a jelly roll, I think the strips would be fun to work with.
While I do admire improv quilting, I have never tried it myself. I would love the 10″ squares. Thanks!
I never had – I am a pattern follower! lol I would choose the 40 10″ precuts! Awesome quilts! thank you!