With the new year I started a new bee named the #improvbee. We are currently 10 participants. We sew two blocks for each queen bee though we do have a bit more freedom in planning as we work in a quarterly fashion. So all my improv bee blocks for this quarter are due at the end of March plus I have to come up with my own instructions. As usual or at least often I am almost to the deadline when starting the project. I just had to wait for the right mood :)
The theme by queen Lisa @sewwhatyoulove is minimalistic architecture. I had picked my inspiration right after the email, this theme is just great and I loved browsing for some input. I found quite some but decided on these two.
I loved the curves in the first picture. And after finding out it is the Guggenheim in NYC… I am telling all the people all day long how excited I am to visit Washington, New York and Boston this year… so I had to take it :)
And I liked the idea to do one with curves and one with angles and straight lines, that’s why I picked the second one.
Besides the improv triangles for Yara @Qvilted, I had never done anything improv before. And those triangles had come with some instrcutions. So those first two blocks for the #improvbee were really something new. Totally having to come up with your own way…
But I think I have found my style: #mellstyleimprov. It will be improv with intent, a plan, a strategy but an improv look to it :)
Here are my work in progress pictures:
And here are the finished blocks:
And because it’s fun to see them right up with the inspiration picture:
Overall it was fun to work on these blocks. I did free style curves on the first one. Of course the last one of the curves did not want to cooperate at all. I think I tried it about six times untill I put it away to try again on another day. That day it took me two more tries but it finally worked out.
For the second block I came up with my own paper piecing (FPP) template. It was fun to figure out where to cut the inspiration picture apart to make the lines work. Now after sewing it together, obviously template improvement ideas are staring at my face. But it’s a learning experience right? So I will call those blocks finished and a success – just hoping the queen bee likes them!
Best wishes
xo Melanie
Linking up at
Let’s Bee Social #168 @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Lisa
I love these inspiration photos and the resulting blocks. Very beautiful.
Debbie
Beautiful blocks! I love seeing your prompts and seeing what you were inspired to create!
Puppilalla
Wow, minimale Architektur ist ein tolles Thema und die von dir gewählten Vorlagen sind spannend. Die Blöcke, die du daraus geschaffen hast sind auch toll geworden. Hatte eure Queen Bee euch ungefähre Farben vorgegeben oder wart ihr bei der Farbwahl frei?
Melanie
Sorry, you are right, forgot to mention that: The instructions said to use pink and orange fabrics :)
Louisa @ Sewmotion
Your blocks are beautiful and I love seeing them next to the buildings which inspired them, great work, and thanks so much for sharing!
Christine
These are stunning!! I cannot believe these are your first improv blocks! I’m so impressed. That’s one of my all-time favorite buildings too… so fun that you turned it into inspiration. I’d be so excited if I was the queen bee receiving these… fabulous job!
Allison
They both turned out really nice, and I love that curves block! Great colors… kinda looks like your colors too ; )
Preeti
I am speechless for so many reasons. I have a degree in Architecture and your interpretation is spot-on. Love the color combinations, the nest lines, the curves, the angles. Oh my goodness, I love everything about these blocks. I admire your patience to get the curves just right even if it took several attempts. I am so looking forward to our meeting.