Let's sew a fish block AND chat about quilting without patterns!

[@DeborahGrissom-p8z]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours, I am slowly stretching my 71 year old brain to think outside of the pattern packet file cabinet to attempt making my own additions to simple blocks. Thanks for the inspiration and the great sharing!!!

[@sead705]

My 65 year old brain is stretching too! GOSH WHAT A WONDERFUL VIDEO!!!

[@goldenfd475]

Another oldie thinking of dipping my toe into the improv pool. I'm 74 and although I came to quilting after retirement I have garment sewn all my life, so a lifelong "pattern follower". I am definitely going to have a go at a similar project.

[@debbiebuttars5598]

Fishy fishy in he brook … I’m in love with the fish blocks. I love the wonky improv style. Thanks for sharing your gift!❤ 🐡🐟🐋🐠🐟🐡🐋🐠🐟🐡

[@patriciadavidson3328]

Love love love the fish!

[@SoulsJourney]

Incredibly inspiring. The gears in my head are turning like crazy! LOL Thanks for the encouragement.

[@sead705]

Mine too!

[@camilleainsworth]

I love Freddy Moran. She and Gwen Marston wrote a couple books together. She passed away a week or two ago and she had a wonderfully whimsical wonky style.

[@PinCutSew]

Yes I heard that news! Both ladies are quilting legends.

[@imogenethomas1138]

Great fish! I can’t wait to watch this quilt grow.

[@Ivyandhazel11]

Headed to the library to find these books💕😊

[@jilllombardo2931]

You always inspire me!!! Years ago, I didn’t want to get into quilting because I have always liked to “wing” projects and do them my way and the only quilting that I ever saw was very compartmentalized. Then I found out about Jenny Doan and I was intrigued how she was kind of free spirited and so I dove into the world of quilting. But then came you! Lol. It’s like you have introduced me back to my old “wing it/never measured anything” self! Thank you! Keep being you! And keep up the good work! ❤

[@sead705]

Wing it! That’s the phrase! Me too! I totally and completely agree with you; first Jenny Doan then Nikki. So nice.

[@NanaKathy47]

This is such a fun idea. I have done children's wall hangings with a fish pond, cat tails and butterflies. I also have one with bright colored fish in a pond with a cat reaching over the trying to catch one. But your fish gave me a new idea. I make lap quilts and wheelchair quilts for my doctor's homebound and hospice patients. I always have trouble coming up with ideas for men. I am going to make fish from all the different colored plaid shirts I have purchased from the thrift store. That should make some fishermen happy. Thank you.

[@PinCutSew]

Great idea 😁

[@sewingqueen5409]

Kentucky State Fair? I live in Elizabethtown, Kentucky ❤🎉

[@PinCutSew]

Yeah! I’m in Louisville!

[@dinacervantes9403]

I love the concept “not tu use patterns” is very good idea I do have so much trouble to follow them

[@nicoledaniel5505]

Once I finish my existing projects, I really want to do an improv quilt of some sort. The fishies are so cuteee

[@ChardaeMoore-kg6hj]

I have been trying to find a tutorial. Thankkkkk you so much!!! Very informative!

[@lisarossnagel7815]

With both our girls married, I'm slowly working on getting my former sewing room, that became a bedroom 😉, back into a sewing room. Can't wait to try improv sewing. Thank you for the inspiration. 😊

[@carlaatkins2619]

Wonderful!!! I am excited to watch you do your Camping Quilt. 🎶💐💖🫂

[@SamSavage2292]

Your so cute, funny & creative. Also inspiring! I laugh at your humor in every video!! Thank you for your content!

[@elaineforan4751]

Element idea. A little apple tree somewhere and some 'thieving children' running amok. 😂

[@PinCutSew]

😆

[@daxxydog5777]

I bought the book Quilting for Dummies 25 years ago, and if I ever make 10% of what is in there, I’ll be happy. Great book for beginners!

[@Bon_ie]

Thanks!

[@PinCutSew]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@RomiW]

Thanks for making this video! It makes me want to try this new technique😊❤

[@cherylynn927]

I loved this idea, the pillow is so stinkin cute! The music was 👍, great choice!

[@oliviagatlin2484]

You are so cool

[@PinCutSew]

Aw 😎

[@jojoremlap5031]

I always enjoy your videos & how you are unique, even if getting inspiration from others. I kinda roll that way too lolol

[@cynthiajones1461]

The fish are so much fun!

[@tinatippin5705]

Loving this! Very inspiring. Thanks!

[@nancyshaner8548]

I love your designs and ideas. I just learned of a book today that made me think of you. Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza. It was featured today on Pat Sloan's video.

[@PinCutSew]

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

[@Becky_in_Tucson]

I agree wholeheartedly that it's more fun to make things up as you go. I've always done that. Occasionally, I'll be wowed enough to buy a pattern, but I've never made any of them! Thanks for this.

[@NJGardengirl1961]

What fun! You are inspiring. Love your style ❤❤❤

[@lesleygilbert1945]

Some great tips once again - thank you 🤩

[@jenniferharlan8541]

I like your Fall pillow cover; it's so creative! I'm going to try this quilt block idea for pumpkins and carrots. Your stars are awesome, but they look a little advanced for me :)

[@PinCutSew]

The stars were also advanced for me, my seam ripper was at the ready 😂

[@pixiesweeney6535]

I've never used a pattern. Seems I've always been on a budget! I'm 78 and I have a sewing room (one of the bedrooms...my Happy Place!). I have been blessed to have many people over time give me their fabric. I always do my own thing! If I see a block on Pinterest, I might see how it's made and get the dimensions of the strips etc. Maybe take a screenshot to refer to. I only use what I have! I think I need another lifetime to use it all up! 😂 At the moment, I have about 30 lap/child/baby quilts to donate. The only thing I usually have to buy is batting or a thread colour that I may have run out of! I even know how to make Frankenbatting! 😂 I love your style and I can relate!☺ Keep up the good work! 🤗

[@pauladarling1851]

Inspiring! Thank you for re-confirming, in my mind, a alternate way of thinking of piecing and making a quilt.Coincidentally I have had the same improv book sitting on my amazon wish list for about 6 months. Awesome video

[@claudiawarren6053]

Hi Nikki! I am so happy to have come across your KZbin channel. I already bought your two improve books and I am enjoying them immensely. The way you explain everything is fun and easy to follow! Looking forward to any other books you may write. I'm also looking forward to all of your videos past, present and future. I wish I hadn't packed up all of my fabric now. (We are moving) I am sewing all my little scraps together to tell myself that I 'do' have fabric! I just have to sew something! Thank you for sharing all of your ideas.

[@bbymks5]

Love the fish!!

[@SammieAnne-Angus]

You are inspiring!

[@Sewwithdebee]

Yes very inspirational

[@robinanderson3209]

First off thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. You have inspired me to make a wonky house and a fish quilt. I love them both and can’t wait to get started. I have to finish some other projects first so that gives me time to start collecting fun fabric scraps for them. I have so many ideas. ❤ I have the same machine but the Elna Elnita EF72 version. I love that machine so much.

[@craftdipper]

Very cute fish block, and I like all your different "water" fabrics and the different sizes. This looks like a really fun way to create a quilt top - your plan looks super 😍

[@JeanMcDoniel]

Thank you for the encouragement...I have been thinking about what you said about learning how to make one block and going with it!😊

[@IndecisiveQuilter]

Love it! 🐟🐠

[@elaineforan4751]

Just bought your wonky pdfs. I will be off to play for the summer. Thanks for the inspiration and your creative approach

[@sleepycat8887]

Cute cute fish 🐠. Where I’m from we have the sardine as our National fish. They are not only on your plate …. But everywhere…. From kitchen towels to painted plates to table clothes and even sewn sardines made of fabric as key rings. Super fun and super cute. ( great for scraps!) Now I never thought of making a quilt or anything quilted with fish…. But now you have sparked 🎉 my imagination definitely. Thank for sharing and good luck with your quilt. I’ll be following you along 🤗

[@jeuler7266]

I have sew been waiting for this video since you teased what your next video was going to be. I think I’m going to love wonky and liberating quilts!

[@PattyMoor3]

Still gathering for the improv quilt I am planning ( and over thinking if I am honest)! Haha I have house quests for June but will start it after. I have so many fabrics washed, ironed and hung in the closet as I get prepared. Can't wait.

[@reginacalla]

The little graphics of your description of your idea was really great!

[@candaceewalt9043]

I'm the same. Don't want to follow a pattern. I like to quilt from my imagination. And using all the fabric I already have.

[@marlenehinton5749]

I’m seeing sashing with seaweed and bubbles.

[@9001012]

Thank again for the great inspiration Nikki !

[@carolh8611]

I have the American book. I love it

[@cindywinkler4172]

You read my mind, this is one quilt idea that's been on my mind lately, I love the idea

[@gaylekush1332]

Just a suggestion to make improv curves so much easier. If your machine came with a knee lift for your presser foot, jse it while sewing curves. It's like having a third hand! You can use it to hover your foot while you smoth out any wrinkles in your seam line!

[@PinCutSew]

A knee lift is on my wish list!

[@ParadigmThrift]

I'm learning... like brand brand new... and I'm not sure why I thought you made the fish and sewed into onto the background instead of IN the background!

[@PinCutSew]

Sewing onto a background is called appliqué and sewing it in is called piecing 😊

[@leannebarnes893]

So cute. Not sure I have the confidence to try that. Might have to look at obtaining a couple of books to help. I hope you show us updates of this quilt. 😊

[@PinCutSew]

I definitely will!

[@Carriequilts]

I make most of my quilts this way.

[@debbi-t1z]

Cute 😊

[@blueiris6813]

Not a quilter, incredibly inspired for some upcoming colour blocked fall clothing!

[@vickibaker5298]

Thanks again for another fun and informative video. I do have a question. What brand is your mini iron and where did you get it? I have just spent about 45 minutes chasing squirrels around the internet and I can’t find it anywhere! 😂

[@PinCutSew]

It’s the Sharper Image brand and I got it from Amazon 👍🏻

[@preppedforeternityhomestea2848]

What would you suggest learning first to someone who only knows basic sewing skills and nothing on quilting??

[@PinCutSew]

I suggest cutting some squares and arrange them make a simple quilt! Maybe a small one so you can learn the process. I have tutorials for the batting and backing and for the quilting and the binding if you check out my quilting playlist :)

[@preppedforeternityhomestea2848]

@@PinCutSew Thanks for replying!! I will definitely check out that playlist and give it a try.

[@sherrylesina7224]

t\ Thanks for the video . I don't feel I am up to this ... I was never good at art....my creativity skills are minimal..LOL

[@elaineforan4751]

Im just looking at your cutting method for the fishes and i think you are going to get caught out with unmatched sides. You have laid your fish down right sides facing with the background and then you twist it to lay it in line with the cut background. This does not line up the same edges. I think you should lay your fish and background right sides up, cut and then just flip the fish over towards the cut line, right sides facing, to have them line up. I hope this makes sense. I think this will matter when you are cutting freestyle asymmetrical curves.

[@PinCutSew]

It does make sense and I think I have that figured out now, but also the ones I did wrong still worked, so I decided it’s ok 😆

[@elaineforan4751]

Good. I think it will matter if you ever decide to cut less uniform curves. I'm fairly good at figuring these things out, but I would still have to use a rule of thumb like 'right sides up' or I would get totally confused.

[@cindywinkler4172]

I'm just like you

[@billiecorbett5824]

I wanted to share a photo of my purple wonky house quilt …inspired by my your wonky house quilt…but, I don’t know how to send you a photo.

[@PinCutSew]

I’d love to see it! You can email it to me if you want at pincutsew at yahoo dot com :)

[@karenwerts2331]