LynnVT

I made a baby quilt for friends with somewhat modern taste and decided to make it a wonky square - with little jungle animals in the centers. It took me way longer than it would have to do straight pieces, but the result was just right. Here is a shot I took of the blocks before putting them together. I forgot to get a pic of the completed quilt, but you get the idea. Anyway, they just loved it. Most of the time I do more symmetrical stuff, except for my foundation pieced crazy quilt style wall hangings. [ATTACH=CONFIG]360297[/ATTACH]

MdmSew'n'Sew

While I admire the absolutely precise quilts some are able to make, I love the cohesion and spirit of scrappy and wonky quilts - I'm very moved by Prism99's story about the traditional and wonky quilts being displayed at the same show. There are all sorts of quilt patterns and designs out there so everyone can make what makes them happy, what completes their sense of accomplishment and fulfillment - they are ALL artistic and beautiful

LyndaOH

I think improvisational quilts serve many purposes. I'm taking a class with Kathy Schmidt in a few weeks on just that subject. While I appreciate traditional, symmetrical quilts, I also appreciate more free-spirited creations.

Beyond that, I think that sort of quilting can be good for your creativity. Stepping outside your box can tap into another part of your brain, and while you may not get hooked on something "wonky", it may have a positive effect on the traditional quilts you do create. Just like "muscle memory" is good for doing FMQ because the doodles and designs stay with you, exercising a new part of your brain can get things going in other ways.

I think that's one reason the Quilting Board is so successful. There are so many kinds of quilters here; there's no way you can be expected to love all of them, but being exposed to so many different creations can only be helpful.

Quilt on!

ghostrider

Wow, I never took the OP's question to rule out everything that wasn't 'straight and narrow' traditional quilts. I never work 'inside the box', way too confining, but I still am not drawn to wonky or scrappy quilts. My abstracts are all carefully planned, but definitely not traditional...it's the random scattering of colors, patterns, and lines that I thought the OP was addressing. Guess maybe I misunderstood her?

antylu

Have enjoyed reading the comments on the "wonky" quilts; In my mind I think there is a difference between Wonky quilts and Crazy Quilts. I think that Crazy Quilting was a way of using up scrap and salvageabe clothing and then turning it into something beautiful with all the extra ebellisments such as embroidery and/or sequins etc etc. My idea of a Wonky quilt is a quilt designed to be put together to look out of square. Now this is just my opinion; I love most of the beautiful crazy quilts while I am not drawn at all to the "out of square on purpose" ones. Sincerly, Antylu

schoolteacher

Guess I'm in the minority....sometimes mine are supposed to be an organized "masterpiece" but end up alittle "wonky". Oh, whoa, is me!! LOL!!

barri1

I prefer scrap, wonky, and patterns of my own design . I have seen loads of patterns that are very pretty, but I would never us a pattern, as it is someone else's work. If I am going to spend the time to cut, sew, and what ever it takes to make the quilt, then I want it to be mine, not that I bought the pattern for it, or rfound it in a magazine.

quilts4charity

I love them all, but scrappy quilts are my favorite...I love the abundance of color splashed all over it, the brighter the better for me. It is funny how we all like different things but I'm glad we do, or else we'd go to quilt shows and see the same old thing hanging there in different colors...to each his own, variety is the spice of life!!!

quilts4charity

barri1, I too do a lot of my own...I want them to be different than what anyone else has done...so far I've had no complaints from the people I make them for.

DebraK

I love your perspective, Prism99