Fractured Quilts/ My Slash and Sew Quilts

I have made a few of these chaotic
picture quilts over the years. It is really fun project
for days when I feel like I just can't stand doing perfect
piecing. Remember making collages as kids? This is the
same idea, only I did it with fabric. I also incorporated my love for stained glass into the concept. The black lines both break up the pictures and frame them to stand out at the same time. It's not very hard and I'll list the steps I take. It is more of an intuitive style of work though. That is why it is so much fun. It is pure creativity after you have freed yourself from all the normal rules. Go ahead, let loose, free your sewing spirit and make one these quilts next time you need a break with quilt therapy.

These quilts are so easy and fun to make. You don't need even a pattern. You just start with a great large print fabric that you have been holding onto. If you don't have any in your stash, I'm sure my friends at Fabric.com can help you. Click on their link for a wide selection of fabrics and notions. I like to use oriental prints for these fabrics. They have the large print and can let the viewer create a story. You need to have your main print and three to five other fabrics you like with it. They don't have to be exact coordinates, just colors you like. Don't forget the black fabric, it creates the fractured look.

Okay, tools you will need are:

Cutting Mat * Rotary Cutter * Sewing Machine * Thread * Scissors * Ruler with degree lines is nice to help plan things a little instead of just winging it (30, 45, & 60)

Let's start by looking at your main large scale print. What images would you like to freeze? Stand back and think about it for a minute. When ready, pick up that rotary cutter.

1) Cut out the images you desire. They can be any shape, just make sure to cut in straight lines if you want your life to be easier. There are no rules on size, how many sides, etc. Just cut out your pictures like you would for a collage. The only guide line is to give yourself 1/4 " seam allowance around images to preserve.

2) Cut several strips 1" wide by width of your black fabric. You could use a color other than black as well. ( Notice the combination in the indigo quilt. I don't recommend borders of satin though. They are beautiful and shiny but will never, ever, ever lie flat. )

3) Start arranging your collage. Place the large pictures only trying to achieve balance within the piece. Add strips of black to the edges in order to frame it. If an edge will be a final edge, it will be framed by the final borders, so you can skip the little black border if you want.

4) Look at your combining fabrics now. They should add some color, design, and flow to the piece. Fill in the empty spaces in the design by using these fabrics. Sew several together to fill a space. This is really where you start to slash & sew.

It is now important to remember that because there is no pattern, you can do nothing wrong!

5) Sew piece to piece, slashing away rough ends to create your next straight sewing line. Keep going back to the collage in pieces on the table to see what you need next. Is it another bold, breaking line? Or is it just a touch of that bright, snazzy red print? Oops, did you get to crazy?Tone it down by sewing in a neutral. Notice both my quilts have an overall tone. One is indigo and the other beige. This helps tie things together and create flow even though we keep breaking it up with those black strips.

6) Just play and have fun sewing stuff on and cutting new lines. Enjoy the freedom of chaotic quilting. Once you have sewn the collage together, you can add final borders. I sew on 2-3" borders of the same background color. You could leave borders off, but this technique looks better with a stop to it somewhere. Framing it with small borders just adds that finish.

7) Quilt as desired. Once again, you have a major opportunity for fun on your hands. Free motion quilting lets you follow the picture designs and enhances them.

Until next time, slash & sew the day away!