More Improv Quilt books to Spark Your Creativity
There is nothing better on a rainy day than cozy-ing up with a stack of quilting books (or any books for that matter) from the library! If you're drawn to quilting without a map…and…letting the design unfold as you go…you're in the right place. This is part 2 of our Improve Quilt Book Series. You will find Part1here.
Whether you're just starting to explore this approach to quilting…or…looking to shake things up a bit, these ideas might be just the creative nudge you need! These books challenge you to break away from the grid and make something truly your own.
Here are 5 books I recently browsed for Improv piecing techniques and fresh ideas for making quilts.
1) Quilting with a Modern Slant by Rachel May
This book features many different quilters’ work; each with their own style. I was inspired by Pippa Eccles Armbrester’s Circle Wonder (page 206), and Weeks Ringle & Bill Kerr’s line work (page 20 and 22). Even though there is a pattern in the book for the last two mentioned, there are lots of ways you can take inspiration from these and make them your own unique style.
I also like the simplicity of Alexis Deise’s, Geese in Full Color quilt. Traditional pieces used in an abstract way!
2) The Quilter’s Appliqué Workshop by Kevin Kosbab
There are two quilts worth noting in this book. The Eccentric Concentric shown above on the left and the book cover quilt shown on the right. These two designs are closer to “improv” style…but… the rest of the book is more traditional.
3) Farm & Folk Quilt Alchemy by Sara Larson Buscaglia
This book is beautifully photographed and is a feast for your eyes no matter your quilting style. If you are looking for a way to add natural dyed fabric to your improve quilts…check out this book!
4) Stitch Your Story by Sarah Fielke
I really liked this book for its improv letter making instructions. I’ve been collecting words (not necessarily nice ones), about the current political situation in the US. I’m anxious to put a few of these letters together to make a stress relief vocabulary quilt for 2025. lol
This book also comes with pull-out patterns for several different fonts.
5) Modern Quilt Perspectives by Thomas Knauer
Cinderblock
In defense of handmade
As this book advertises on the cover, it contains12 different quilts with pattens and instructions. I found the Cinderblock interesting as well as the UPC code quilt titled In defense of Handmade! These both have elements that could be incorporated into an improv idea.
My favorite improv quilt book remains; Irene Roderick’s Improve Quilting; Dancing with the Wall from part 1 of this series. I hope to take a workshop with Irene some day!
Improv quilting is all about trusting your voice and following your curiosity…and sometimes, that means breaking all the rules. Whether you're dyeing your own fabric for just-the-right shade, stitching meaningful words into your quilt, playing with flowing organic shapes, or embracing bold, graphic geometrics, there's endless room to experiment.
The books I’ve shared in this post are full of ideas to help you explore your individual style. Wherever you are in your quilting journey, may these books spark something uniquely you!
Sewing Tools
from $8.50
Linen Ribbon
from $7.00