Improv Paper Piecing: A Modern Approach to Quilt Design

by Amy Friend

Love to create repeating blocks in your quilts but tired of the same patterns? Step away from the ordinary and try your hand at a new technique-based approach to improvisation. Gorgeous photographs illustrate 10 beautiful projects where Amy Friend seamlessly bridges the gap between improvised design and technical execution. Discover a unique approach to creating one-of-a-kind blocks with guided exercises that explore scale, symmetry and alternate gridwork. Then, with Amy's help, you'll have the opportunity to design your own patterns. You really can have a dash of the unexpected through improv with the precision of paper piecing and still create those secondary patterns we all love in quilts made using traditional blocks. With a modern spin, Improv Paper Piecing gracefully guides the reader, step-by-step, through improvisationally designing your own paper piecing patterns to strategically setting the grid---so that the end result is a masterful, unique quilt of repeated blocks. If you're looking for a fun exciting challenge, the party is here. Step over and stitch outside the box.

Genres: Quilting, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2017

Reviews

[Tracy Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore EPP (English paper piecing} and Amy Friend has taken this craft to another level with this fantastic book. There is nothing like a handmade quilt and especially one that you have designed yourself.

This book takes you through every process of quilt design and with fabulous pictures along with fabric choices and design ideas you will have no trouble in creating your very own.
Filled with inspiration, there are templates to help you along the way and with Amy’s instruction in how to make a simple and traditional quilt block it looks so easy to achieve.
The thing I love about this book is the way Amy talks about how to make even the simplest block look completely different just by moving the block around.
This book is full of expert advice and one that will be asset on any crafters bookshelf.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! So great! It convinced me to buy quilt design software and I can't wait to start designing my own modern improv paper piecing designs. SO EXCITED! I think this is the first quilting book in which I read every single word written. Such a fabulous book.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good...

[Heather Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the quilts and its a clever technique - but I don't think it really consitutes improv quilting - 'wonky paper piecing' would be more accurate.