In modern quilting, improvisation refers to a freeform, intuitive approach to quilt design where quilters create without strictly following traditional patterns, precise measurements, or pre-planned templates. It has its own category for modern quilt shows! We hope you enjoy our photos of improvisational quilts.
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A ZigZag Journey, The Quilted Life by Frieda Anderson (Florida, USA) @FrieStyle
We love the freeform zigzags and subtle color changes in this quilt! Frieda Anderson used zigzags to represent the non-linear pathways that life often takes. "The continuous and sharp turns of a zigzag reflect the unexpected twists, turns and obstacles we encounter on our life's journey. It serves as a reminder that progress is not always straightforward and growth often comes from facing the challenges, detours, and unexpected changes."
Swimming the Salish Sea by Krista Hennebury (British Columbia, Canada) @Poppyprint
With this beautiful piece, Krista Hennebury reflects on her experience of swimming the Salish Sea (near British Columbia). She says, "This quilt is my swimming story. Each breath takes my view from depth to surface in a rhythm of dark to light as I swim in the beautiful and sparkling Salish Sea." Free cutting and improvisational piecing were used to create these effects.
String Theory by Sue Erdreich (@quiltcrochetcolor) / New Jersey Modern Quilt Guild (group members: Margy Schilling, Mary Kirchoff, Miguel Huidor, Kathy Morganroth)
String Theory is bursting with color and energy! Sue Erdreich says, "This quilt was created as part of my guild Improv Bee. I wanted to show how warm and cool colors can play against each other for graphic impact. Bee members sewed the scrap strips together, which I then cut into the curved forms that make up the quilt." (p.s. This is a wonderful way to use up fabric scraps!)
Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 QuiltCon show in Phoenix, Arizona.
