Just a couple of things to start with before we get to the February Slab:

1. The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood will be a really good reference for use throughout this project; I know several of us have this book from Sherri’s visit to our guild last February. If you don’t already have it, it contains lots of good information for troubleshooting problems as well as exercises for getting started with improv patchwork.
2. For anyone who wants to scale down from the original 60” x 80”-ish size (before the optional border), the three different section sizes are: 15”x 30”; 20” x 30”; and 30” x 30”.

Now, we are going to start off with a fun and easy technique for February, Strings! The strings slab needs to finish approximately 15” x 30”. Whether you start by sewing together strata and cutting it up and re-sewing, or looking at traditional structured strip piecing designs such as rail fence or spider web, this is a great place to venture into going ruler free…but if you’re not ready for ruler free improv, think about foundation piecing or pulling strings to be sewn together at random from a bag.  This should be a fun and easy introduction, don’t be intimidated and have fun with it! The inspiration for my strings slab (lower right corner of my sample) came from vintage string quilts on eBay.

The next months will have more of a challenge and structure to them but I want to ease in to the project for those of us who are not as comfortable with Improv patchwork.

For those who are intimidated by improv patchwork, or if you have any questions, or if “strings” for February doesn’t give you enough to start from, feel free to post on Instagram and tag me @odditease, I’ll be happy to help with any questions or suggestions.