Hive 6 - May Tutorial: Improv Kisses

Happy May!

I'm having you all make improv X's or as I like to think of them improv kisses, hearkening back to salutations of XOXO from letters and cards. This quick block is a fun, easy introduction to  improv piecing. 

I'm looking for bright improv strips or slices to form an x against a black background. For a super scrappy look and so I can play with the movement; I'm asking you each to make 4 (or more) X blocks. I'll combine three of these x's to create the repeating block for the quilt.

You can see what I'm envisioning in the draft sketch. 

Colors: I'm looking for bright saturated or neon rainbow colors with the addition of pink, purple and the neutrals of gray, beige and cream against a black background.  The blacks can have lots of color but should read overall as black. 

Fabric:

Background - Black, black and white, black with color, should read overall as black.
A. Background, Black Rectangle approx 6" x 11"

X Strips - a single color, I used gold in the example.
Each strip is approximately 6"-15" in length, with a width from 1" - to 4" inches in width.  I'm looking for a good variety in widths, so have fun with it.

B. Strip of Light in the chosen color, approx 6" - 15" length x approx 1" - 4" width

C. Strip of Dark in the chosen color, approx 6" - 15" length x approx 1" - 4" width

If you are uncertain if the values of the two strips are different enough, use a mono or black & white filter on a photo of them. 

X block construction in brief:

1. Slice block diagonally (vertical or horizontal)
2. Insert strip
3. Repeat the process in the other direction

Step by step construction of X block:

Select your strips, decide which one you want to be the horizontal slice and which one you want to be the vertical slice. I like to lay the strips over the background to get a feel for the block. 

For my purpose, it doesn't matter if you cut the horizontal or the vertical slice first. In the example I cut the vertical slice first.  

Once you've selected the strip, put your scrap strip on top of the background and use a ruler to cut a slice from top to bottom. This will result in a clean edge to sew against. I pick a spot on the top and use my ruler to cut a diagonal line to the bottom in a slice.

After the slice is cut, flip the background piece over and sew along the clean edge. Feel free to iron your blocks in whatever direction works for you.

Then finish inserting the strip by sewing the other side of the slice, to complete the X's leg.

If you are using a scrap strip, you may need to trim the strip's other side to have a clean sewing edge. 

 

You are aiming to create a level edge across the inserted strip, you can see that edge highlighted by the red mark on the image below.

When I'm struggling to obtain a level edge on the background block, I will pin the strip to the background and flip it back over to see if the background line looks level across the strip/block. Once it does I go ahead and sew the line to finish inserting that leg's x. Don't worry about being too precise, the block is cut big to give you room to play. 

After the strip has been inserted, repeat the process (slice & insert strip) for the opposite direction. 

 

After these steps are complete, the X block is constructed. 

 

You are welcome to trim to 5" x 10", but I'm good with receiving them untrimmed, so no pressure.  Please make 4 or more of the X block.

 

Seriously, have fun playing with fabric and trying improv in making your kisses.