I have read Rayna Gillman's blog for a long time and have admired the little free form art pieces that she makes. She travels all over to teach her methods and shares class results on her blog. When I saw her book I knew I had to own it. It looks a little lumpy in this photo because I have a pile of fabric folded inside of it; it really lays flat.
One of her exercises uses a block you no longer love being sliced up and getting a new life. I knew this block was not going to go into my Blazing Star quilt and I couldn't wait to slice it.
I pulled out a bag of leftover strips and a couple sections of strip piecing that are possibilities for altering the block.
It looks better already.....
Then I shuffled the pieces.......
I started putting inserts in between the sections.
A few more strips added and then inserts in the other direction.
Turned a quarter turn. I'm not sure which way I like it best or whether I'll add some more pieces to it.
In Rayna's book she talks about how to cut into your "precious" fabrics. To quote her (with her permission): "Cut a 6" strip from every half yard or more that you have purchased, dyed, or printed. Put aside those strips and consider the rest fair game to be used. That way you'll have a mini collection of your precious fabric if you ever need to fondle it or, perish the thought, use it again". I can see that I have had it backwards, I always thought the piece I cut off was the one to use and save the rest. I think I'll be able to use more of my precious collection now.
