Dancing With the Wall is how Irene Rocerick describes her improvisational, intuitive and spontaneous quilting process that opened a newfound creativity for her.

But it’s her relatively new book, Improv Quilting, Dancing With the Wall, published by Interweave in 2022, the first of two books Roderick has worked on with the same theme, which I’ll be reviewing in this blog.

Now, while quilting has long balanced on that fine line between tradition and innovation, Improv Quilting steps proudly into the realm of improvisation.  These are quilts that are made without any specific intention, breaking the boundaries of tradition while allowing the freedom to explore and experiment.

For some, quilting is a world of carefully measured patterns, precise piecing and historical techniques, but here, it’s a playground of possibility and opportunity.

Within this vast world, Improv Quilting sits as a modern, experimental technique that certainly breaks tradition to emphasise free-form design and intuitive piecing over precise measurements and patterns.  Within contemporary quilting, it is a distinct genre, known for its artistic expression and utter joy in stitching, free from the usual pressures.

Roderick invites the abandonment of rules to embrace spontaneity, self-discovery and self-expression through textiles.  Her approach is that of making ‘a utilitarian painting’, fostered by a love of the Modern Quilt Movement.

This review will explore Roderick’s background, style, ideas, and inspiration.

Roderick, backed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts, includes needlepoint design, painting, mural painting, portrait painting, studio painting, and furniture fabrication in her list of talents.

She began painting at the age of 10 and continued doing so for five decades, giving her the basic principles of colour and design.  She is fearless, with a strong sense of balance and pattern that is the backbone of her style.

But after decades of creating wall art, Roderick now revels in making textile paintings that combine fine art with function, and that’s important to her.

Inspired by nature, graffiti, books, museum exhibitions, social media, buildings and galleries, Roderick applies the elements and principles of design to make very careful deliberations through every step of her process.  Improvisation does not equate with haphazard or sloppy.

The book is well structured and supported by imaginative and sensible content.  Roderick covers Setting the Stage, Let’s Start Dancing, How I Dance and Projects.

There are numerous step-by-step images and a list for suggested reading – something I always look for in any good book.  Her tone throughout was upbeat, yet down-to-earth, with an honest approach.

Of particular interest, as there is no pattern, is where to start and how to continue from there. Roderick emphasises that Improv is thoughtful and considered spontaneity, where creativity directs your process, guiding us gently through those initial, tentative steps.

There are images of inspiration that can be imagined as new Improv designs and step-by-step guidance for making skinny lines, strips and stripes and beads, as well as other pieced patterns that add that unexpected burst of energy to any work.

And if you’re at all unsure of how to put it all together, there’s a chapter on Engineering: Sewing It Together, and Quilting, Backing and Batting.

The graphic nature of her step-by-step piecing of unusual shapes without any patterns shows how trusting your instinct and intuition through playful experimentation achieves results.

Roderick’s style is laid-back and easily understood, appealing to both beginners and more experienced quilters.  Images of recent and not-so-recent quilts abound, showcasing the growth and diversity of her style in Improv piecing.

The strength of this book is its illustrative and dynamic use of line, shape and scale within her work, with instructions that inspire immediate action.

Key takeaways include working with a design wall and working without fear while emphasising the importance of individuality and self-expression.

Does this book change the way I’d approach making a quilt?

Absolutely.  I want to start right now.  It’s that juxtaposition of thin lines, with large, bold shapes and myriad patterns in between that’s so appealing.

The overall impression of this book is one of inspiration and knowledge coming from someone who understands colour and design and the processes that work to create unique quilt art.

I believe anyone seeking creative freedom would benefit from this book as a guide to understanding and embracing spontaneity in making artistic, contemporary quilts that radiate personality.