Improvisational Rainbows

Today we're featuring two modern quilts that exemplify what can be achieved with improvisational techniques, imagination, and beautiful fabrics in a rainbow of colors. Truly works of art, these pieces were exhibited at QuiltCon 2025. We hope you enjoy our photos!

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My Heart by Stephanie Ruyle (Colorado) @spontaneousthreads  

Entered in the Modern Traditionalism category, this quilt is a rioutous color celebration of a traditional log-cabin design, in which the "fabric" is created improvisationally from quilting cotton and silk scraps.  The binding, like the top, is also pieced in colors to compliment the overall composition. 

The quilting really stands out against the blocks! Stephanie Ruyle explains that "The heavily quilted top uses the same philosophy as the quilt constructions, using the thread I had on hand in many, many different colors, material and thicknesses to create texture and shine."    My Heart was improvisationally pieced and machine quilted without a frame (domestic machine).

Exist Out Loud by Allie McCathren (Texas) @exhaustedoctopus

 Exist Out Loud is a poem which Allie McCaffrey wrote during a period of self discovery. She says, "It can be terrifying to come face to face with who you are and what you want.  You might lose everything.  And you may live more, feel more, and experience more joy and presence than you ever thought possible."  The words of her poem are incorporated into this quilt, against a brilliant array of improvisational blocks! 

 

The pieced letters stand out beautifully against the brightly colored backdrop. We enjoyed the fascinating details of the construction (check out the closeup photo below). Exist Out Loud was machine pieced and machine quilted on a frame (longarm).

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 QuiltCon show in Phoenix, Arizona.