Seven Improv Art Quilts
On September 29th I began a journey that ultimately created seven improv art quilts. These Seven art quilts were among the 16 quilts I recently finished.
Hand-Made Fabric
AQ # 24: Multi-Cultural was created using the second section of hand-made fabric. Added to that were additional segments of cotton fabrics, hand-dyed burlap and over-dyed wool. The burlap, with an open-weave, rough texture, and the wool with a soft, fuzzy feel both add elements of interest not achieved with a cotton only surface.
The Units
This unit by itself could have been declared finished. Instead I decided to draw out the orange and gold colors by layering them as backgrounds behind the over-dyed wool. The edges of both were purposely fringed. The fringe adds even more texture. The final layer of my piece is a solid black 100% cotton fabric. This layer serves two purposes:
- The first is to provide a resting place for your eyes and
- The second is to draw your eye inward.
As you eye travels toward the center, the bright colors explode, announcing their presence.
The Sandwich
Behind the background is a sandwich of black fusible fleece and a layer of black cotton. Using my Pfaff sewing machine I secured all seven layers together with rows of color-coordinated, variegated thread. The variegation gives yet another element of interest. I like how sections of color jump off the fabric. They add far more detail than a solid colored thread ever would have.
On the black background I utilized a solid black thread because I didn’t want this quilting to take away from everything else. I wanted it to be functional yet silent.
Finishing Touches
After removing the excess fabric surrounding the outside edges I added facings. The facings were wrapped to the back and secured with hand-stitching. The use of a facing rather than a binding gave my quilt a clean, flowing edge. In it’s finished state, AQ # 24: Multi-Cultural measures 19″ x 15″.

The Character
This quilt is loaded with elements of texture and color. Together they form an eye-popping multi-sensory experience.

It is Finished!
AQ # 24 Multi-Cultural is now finished. This means that I have now shared eight of the 16 that were recently completed. It’s also the second quilt to have been made using my hand-made fabric. Links for the other seven quilts are listed below:
- AQ # 17: The Chosen Nine
- AQ # 18: Four Friends # 1
- AQ # 19: Four Friends # 2
- AQ # 20: Rising Star
- AQ # 21: Backwards
- AQ # 22: Crossroads
- AQ # 23: On the Fringe
Thank you for visiting today!

Very eye popping – color and texture – awesome 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
This is a very striking quilt…love the fray, color, texture…everything!
Oh thank you so much! I really appreciate your visit as well as your time spent sharing your thoughts. I’m glad you liked the art piece. 🙂
Hi Cindy!
I’m a little late to the party but didn’t forget. I just had a special visitor demanding my attention – I know you understand. 😉 More fringe! I love that and even more than that, the quilting with variegated thread. The black fabric makes a perfect frame for the beautiful colors – so bright and pleasing. If you don’t have a place for this to hang, I could give it a good home. HAHA ~smile~ Roseanne
Roseanne, You have such a way with words. You should be a writer. Thank you for the very complimentary comments. I will keep you in mind! 🙂
I do understand your predicament. You must have priorities. Better late, if that were the case, than never.
Cindy, I believe I AM a writer. I have a blog, no?!! HAHA ~smile~ Roseanne
🙂
Just because you have a blog doesn’t mean you are a “writer.” 🙂
I love the fraying!
Thank you!