Monday, April 20, 2015

Do You Doodle?

That's the first question that Sherri Lynn Wood asked of the class last Friday morning.  After an interesting and entertaining presentation by Sherri Lynn to the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild the night before, I could hardly wait to take her workshop on Doodling with fabric the next day. Here's the project that I made...course, I've got more doodling to do before it's finished...crazy, huh!
With only six quilters present, our class was a small one, so we had room to spread out and got close-up-and-personal input from our attentive instructor. I especially enjoyed the evaluation exercises spread out over the day. Here's our small beginnings, all grouped together, awaiting input from the class. 
Several hours later, our projects had grown in size and we were beginning to feel a flow to our work. Some of the questions that we were to ask ourselves included: What surprised me? What did I discover or learn? What was satisfying and dissatisfying? We gave each other constructive feedback and it felt like we were truly creating modern art!
Here's Sherri Lynn showing us one of her completed Doodle quilts. It looks pretty in the photo, but believe me when I say that, in person, it is even more  beautiful and happy!
Sherri Lynn's first book, detailing her methods for improvisational piecing, will be available for purchase later this month, but our guild was privileged to get to purchase it early. Of course, I snatched one up!
 The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters is a gorgeous book full of beautifully photographed quilts and tons of detailed pictures of the techniques used to make those quilts. I own several books that describe improv piecing but this one is, by far, the most stimulating how-to. Here's a glance at the table of contents...
 Reading Sherri Lynn's book from cover to cover will be a delight and I already have a good start! In her book, she outlines 10 different scores (Her term for deciding a set of rules or limits to work within as you create an improv project.) to help the quilter jump into this exciting and modern way of creating a quilt. 
Honestly, I don't know when I've ever taken a workshop that was more fun or purchased a quilting book that has gotten me more excited to try new things!
In fact, I'm seriously considering going through the book, chapter by chapter, and creating a project. Anyone game to join me? Get the book and let me know!

9 comments:

  1. Hi Carla! This looks my style quilting fun! I can only imagine how much fun you had on the class! I want absolutely make a 'doodle' quilt and that book looks so inspiring! I hope you share more about your doodle journey. Now starts the busy summer season in our NEW shop so unfortunately I don't have time to sew - other wise I would start this right away! I hope to find little doodle moments and in the autumn step in the train. Happy sewings! x Teje

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  2. Oh, I just love your blocks! Right up my alley. Thanks for all the workshop photos. I will have to watch for the book. I am real picky about what books I buy these days. I am taking a workshop with Sujata Shah in May who does improv quilts (Cultural Fusion) and I hope to learn to work more this way.

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  3. Oh wow Carla. This really looks fabulous! I'll be watching for your posts and am going to keep my eye out for that book. Looks like fun!

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  4. I have the book on pre-order at amazon--love her blog and methods--hugs, Julierose

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  5. Your enthusiasm for this type of quilt piecing is sure infectious! It's great that you learned so much, and are rarin' to learn more. It will be fun to see this finish, and whatever other improv wonders you come up with. I already know that I have a ton to learn about improv, which I neither find easy or fun!

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  6. I was fortunate to be the classroom assistant for one of her classes at QuiltCon and learned lots just from observing.

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  7. I've been anxious to see this book. One of our guild members took a class with her at QuiltCon and really liked it. Improv is not my thing and yet I'd like to experiment. I wouldn't commit to every project but maybe one or two.

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  8. I really want to get my hands on this book and learn more about her methods. How great that you were able to take a class with her!! And I agree with Linda - improv piecing isn't very fun or easy for me either. Maybe doodling is the key?? I'm eager to see your progress with this :)

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  9. The last time I remember doodling was in maths lectures in university. I quickly changed courses! I love these, but improv is so not my comfort zone!

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