Bee Sewcial March Prompt

March is my month to choose a prompt for my fellow bee-mates and after seeing a Spoonflower design challenge a little over a month ago, I knew instantly what I wanted to do.  Honestly I had never even heard of Kilim, so after seeing that Spoonflower challenge, I did some research and below is the basics of what I learned and then following is my prompt. 

Curious to play along?  Read through all the way to the bottom for more details.

Kilim

Definition - A kilim is a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced in countries of the former Ottoman Empire, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkic countries of Central Asia. Kilims can be purely decorative or can function as prayer rugs. Modern kilims are popular floor-coverings in Western households.  Created with a basic tapestry weave, warp and weft strands, therefore having no pile  The technique used today is almost identical to how they were produced in the fourth or fifth century.

What will we be making?  A mini decorative “rug” or quilt block based on the geometric stylings of modern day kilim tapestries.  Using either traditional motifs found in traditional kilim or purely your own design in a geometric improv style.  Here is a link to my Pinterest board that is for design inspiration and not color inspiration- HERE.  You will see in my pins lots of various styles, some very geometric and uniform but the rugs I love the most are very improv friendly with lots of “images” or designs, hence what I would like my finished to quilt to look like. In the end this will be a quilt and in no way an actual rug.  Your block does not have to feature multiple things, you can pick/design one thing and make your “rug.”  I’m hoping that my finished quilt will have a lot of large blocks that will be constructed to look like an overall rug, not a quilt that has a lot of mini individual rugs.  

Size - The block should measure 14.5” x 20.5”, which is slightly smaller than the equivalent of (2) 12.5” blocks.
                                       
Amount - One block only.

Techniques - Improv piecing, paper piecing

Color - The photo below is a picture by Stephanie Ruyle (@spontaneousthreads) and is my color inspiration.  Bright vibrant colors set off with any and all shades of neutrals.  Limit country/western colors, think rust, tans, brown, anything that might make a rug appear dirty or aged.  Bright, happy and clean is how I would like the end product to appear.

Thanks for hanging in there to the end.  Curious to play along?  Using my prompt, create a quilt block for yourself to keep, then post a photo on Instagram using the hashtag #inspiredbybeesewcial and if you want me to see it quickly, tag me in the photo @Marci_Girl.  We would love for you to join us, this month or any month.  These monthly prompts are a great way to play around with improv, learn new skills and have fun sewing!  Hope you join us!