FREE Quilting Patterns, Tutorials, Magazine

Improv quilting and your scrap stash is a match made in heaven

Improv quilting and your scrap stash is a match made in heaven

by Jean Boyd

Yesterday I showed you how to scan and embroider Halloween pumpkin designs I downloaded from the internet using THE Dream Machine 2.

The next step is how to use these embroidered pieces to create a small wallhanging or table runner. I find improv quilting very liberating, without too much fuss, an eye-catching quilt can be quickly created using your scrap stash!

Although I’m using a Halloween theme, you could easily adapt this improv technique to use for any holiday or special occasion. I can envision a wallhanging ushering in blessings for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Here’s what you’ll need if you’d like to make this project too:

  • 3 embroidered pumpkins; the embroidered designs in this sample are about 3″ square and the background square has been trimmed to about 5″ square.
  • 5 – 7 Halloween themed fabrics. Cut 1 or 2 – 3″ strips from each fabric. The length doesn’t matter so this is a good way to use up some scraps!
  • ⅛ yd [.15m] blue for sashing
  • ¾ yd [.7m] Halloween print for border and binding
Machine embroidered pumpkins and coordinating fabric

Machine embroidered pumpkins and coordinating fabric

Starting on one corner of the embroidered square, sew on a 3″ strip, right sides together, on an angle. Press seam away from the embroidered fabric. Trim excess fabric from the seam allowance.

Sew a 3" strip on one side of each embroidered square.

Sew a 3″ strip on one side of each embroidered square.

I used the ¼” foot that comes with THE Dream Machine 2. The little lip on the side of the foot makes it so easy to stitch the ¼” seams!

1/4" foot that comes with THE Dream Machine 2

1/4″ foot that comes with THE Dream Machine 2

Using a different fabric, sew a strip, on an angle, on the next side of the embroidered fabric. Press. Trim excess fabric from the seam allowance.

Sew another 3" strip on the embroidered square.

Sew another 3″ strip on the embroidered square.

Using a different fabric, sew a strip, on an angle, on the next side of the embroidered fabric. Press. Trim excess fabric from the seam allowance.

Continue adding strips all around the embroidered fabric. Try to use a different fabric for each new strip and create a variety of angles as you sew on the strips.

3" strips have been sewn all around the embroidered square.

3″ strips have been sewn all around the embroidered square.

Sew on another round of strips in the same way.

Square-up the blocks so they are 9½”.

Square-up the blocks so they are 9½".

Square-up the blocks so they are 9½”.

Sashing: From blue fabric cut 4 – 1″ x 9½” and 2 – 1″ x 29½”.

Sew the 9½” strips to the top and bottom of the embroidered squares.

Sew the squares together.

Sew a 29½” blue strip to each side.

Blue sashing strips ready to sew

Blue sashing strips ready to sew

Border: Cut 2 – 4½” x 37½” and 2 – 4½” x 10½”.

Sew a 10½” border to the top and bottom. Sew a 37½” border to each side.

Using the walking foot that comes with THE Dream Machine 2, I quilted straight lines in the improv quilt blocks and then used the serpentine stitch #Q-16 in the border. This is just 1 of 30 different “Q” stitches that is designed especially for quilting.

After my wallhanging was all quilted, I decided it needed some more embroidery. No problem when using THE Dream Machine 2! I had saved the pumpkin designs in the machine, so I could re-use, re-size and rotate them as needed to fit in the spaces I had.

I just hooped the little quilt and embroidered 4 more pumpkins in each block. Because there was already backing and backing, I didn’t need to use stabilizer for the embroidery.

More embroidered pumpkins are added after the quilting is finished.

More embroidered pumpkins are added after the quilting is finished.

I sewed on the binding, and my little Halloween wallhanging was all finished.

Be sure to come back tomorrow to learn how to make an embroidered label for your quilt on THE Dream Machine 2!

My "Pumpkin Patch" quilt is all finished!

My “Pumpkin Patch” quilt is all finished!

This is part 2 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 1: How to use the scanner and embroidery features of THE Dream Machine 2

Go to part 3: 4 options – THE Dream Machine 2 makes play out of making a quilt label

[shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”23735596″]

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

2 comments

Julie B November 12, 2017 - 7:48 pm

I have a hard time making scrap blocks unless they are themed or color related.

Reply
Jean Boyd November 13, 2017 - 8:35 am

Nothing wrong with that Julie! Just do what you enjoy.

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.