Quilt Improv: Incredible quilts from everyday inspirations

Whenever I've made quilts in the past I've never been satisfied with my efforts. The corners don't match or my squares weren't all the same size. This is all down to my inability to measure and cut accurately and because I am definitely not a perfectionist. I had decided quilting wasn't really for me.Quilt Improv has just changed my mind. It doesn't call for perfection. Block not the right size? Just add another strip or trim it down. All your squares can be different sizes, your points don't have to match. Run out of fabric? Use something else. Improvise. But improv doesn't mean sloppy. As Lucie points out, you still produce a carefully stitched and beautifully made quilt.At the beginning of the book Lucie describes how to make the different blocks (including her award-winning porthole design) used in the book. Then she takes us through several finished quilts (which are stunning) where she describes her inspiration and thought-process behind each one as well as the piecing map. However the idea isn't that you perfectly replicate each quilt but use them as a jumping off point for your own designs, using your favourite fabrics and gathering inspiration from around you. The last section of the book covers the all important techniques such as how to quilt and bind the finished piece.The text is clear and easy to read (even after a day wrangling a toddler when my shortsighted eyes have gone to bed without me) and the instructions very easy to follow with plenty of diagrams and photos.I've been thinking that it's about time I made my daughter a quilt in time for the chillier weather that comes with fall and winter and this is all the inspiration I need. If you're interested in quilting but have been intimidated by all the "rules" then this is the book for you. Experienced quilters will find oodles of inspiration too. I'm desperate to get started. Now if only my daughter would nap...

I'm very glad I got this book. All the content is useful and has the right amount of detail. The thirteen improv "building blocks" Lucie shows how to make are appealing, and the instructions for how to make them couldn't be more perfectly done. There is a nice, big picture of the finished block and step-by-step instructions with clear photos of each step. I wish every quilting book used this format--very, very helpful for visual people.The quilt instructions are equally helpful. They include the source of inspiration, the initial sketch that resulted from it, details about how Lucie developed the design, and useful tips for making the quilt. If you've ever wanted an actually clear description of the design process and the decisions involved in making a particular quilt, this book delivers. The piecing diagrams are a step above most books as well--they match the way my brain works and show how to put together the most difficult portions.All in all, I find this book inspiring, and it makes we want to start improvising blocks!

I bought this book after watching Sugaridoo praise it. It is a very good book to make unique quilt designs with instructions. My only complaint is that the print is a very light grey on most of the pages and hard to see at night. But it does not take away for the excellent information and pattern guides.

The book has a good selection of quilts, with instructions to create a similar product. It gives measurements but also states that they are suggestions. That's what improv is about, right?

I bought the Kindle version and it's easy to read and understand with excellent photos.Lucie's method is artist and intuitive. If you understand design you'll love this book.A beginner quilter with no sewing experience might be overwhelmed. But if you have sewn garments or quilts you will easily understand Lucie's concepts.I highly recommend this book for quilt improv ideas and construction concepts that are based on good sewing techniques.

I really enjoy improvisational quilting and this book has many, many wonderful ideas for that. I would have given it 5 stars except for the gray text problem. The text color looks nice from a design standpoint, but unfortunately is not practical. I *can* read the book, but I need a good strong light and reading glasses to do so.Apart from that one issue, it's a really great book - the author goes through her own creative process and provides building blocks and ideas for creating that will inspire me to make many quilts.

Seriously, most of the print in this book is nearly impossible to read. I've written to the publisher to complain, and hopefully they can replace with an edition that has been improved. Content seems great but is truly a stuggle!Update: the publisher responded and has acknowledged the problem and they are going to be sure and correct with the reprint. And, they have sent me an electronic version so I can hopefully see the print better!

Lu Summers has written a wonderful little book about her techniques in Improv Quilting. Her writing is not only clear and concise but quite humorous as well. The pictures are lovely and her diagrams are simple to follow. She has combined a series of appliqué, curved piecing and strip piecing block techniques that will make any quilt come alive. Quilt Improv is not so much a pattern book as it is a delightful guide to trying different skills. This book makes me want to spend the day in my sewing room creating bits of art. I hope you will give it a try.

I couldn't wait for this book to arrive and I love the quilts. 2 things let it down which is a real shame. Firstly the Typeface - very difficult to read and see even in the day light ( I don't need glasses to read or sew) because it is a very light, thin font - it needed to be bolder. Even the bold headline paragraphs are not easy to read because of the silly font - not quite italic but similar. This is a book where the text needs to be easy to read as it contains a lot of instructions. Secondly, some of the instructions themselves are incorrect. For example, each quilt has a Key to the blocks that make it up. On page 76, The Garden Wall quilt, the image that should be Strip Piecing is actually Crazy Triangles, and on page 112, The Building Blocks quilt - 3 out of the 4 block images in the key are incorrect. Block 2 should be Half Square Triangles but in fact shows an image of Chain Pieced Strips, block 3 should be Log Cabin but shows a String Block ( this maybe understandable as the strips are placed on point to make a square so someone who has never done patchwork could get this mixed up) block 4 should be Quarter Circles but shows Pieced Squares. I do hope that these issues are sorted out in the next print as it is very confusing for a beginner to patchwork and frustrating to the reader. I think Lucie Summers has done a great job and its a real shame that her first book has gone to print with these issues.

I've been thinking of making a patchwork quilt for some time, but I was unsure where to begin. I'd looked at other books, and even bought some quilt patterns, but I wasn't really inspired until I read this book. I loved the relaxed approach Lucie has to the subject. She believes that making quilts should be fun; that they should be sewn well; and that they should be personalised with the makers own individuality. This really appeals to me, and I can't wait to get started.

I like the ideas in this book and the undoubtedly fresh approach. BUT, and apologies if I have read this erroneously, but in the Plates piecing map, it seems to suggest cutting a quarter circle out before cutting a quarter circle " the same size" to replace it. Now I am no expert but what about two seam allowances?

Real inspiration here. I enjoyed the whole read and got plenty of ideas.

What a challenge this book is. I'm excited to start one in the new year.you can do individual different blocks or use one block for your quilt.