I wasn’t planning on custom quilting this quilt, but when a reader wondered how I would quilt it, the idea of doing something special began to grow on me.

And actually, the different elements of this improv quilt do lend themselves well to block-style custom quilting. This type of custom quilting isn’t super time-intensive, since you work in larger blocks sections. Still, it gives the quilt a lot of character. Maybe it even makes the improv patchwork feel more intentional.

I repeated certain quilting elements to create a sense of unity. For example, each of the white rectangle sections with 3 yellow squares is quilted with the same diagonal straight lines. Most of the star blocks have a fancy radiating pattern quilted on them, and I used elongated eights repeatedly on the quilt, at different scales.

Yes, quilting it was a fun project! Now, how about the whole finished quilt? Would you like to see?

Today I noticed those charming purple flowers growing in front of a characteristic wooden fence. It struck me as a sweet spot to photograph one of my most optimistic quilts.

That’s Pastelly! She’s sparkly and a perhaps touch mysterious, but mostly sunshiny happy, playful and candy sweet. This improv quilt is a celebration of life’s unexpected joys.

On the back I used some leftover Tula Pink tent stripes from the improv patchwork, as well as a big piece of an Anna Maria Horner Brave print. It’s palette and playful vibe sing along nicely.

I also included my last cut of this Mediterranean map fabric by Katarina Roccella. To me it’s symbolic since this quilt was actually the first new patchwork that I began after crossing the ocean to make a new home in Europe.

I am so, so happy with how it turned out! This couldn’t have happened if I had forced myself to finish the project before I was ready and before my mood matched the energy and colors of the work. These days I am feeling so much lighter, and this quilt is a manifestation of that joy.

Here’s to the Pastelly side of life!

p.s. Pastelly is listed today in my Handmades shop. If you take her home with you, be sure to smile often in her direction. =)