Caper Quilt Pattern - Printed Version

How Controlled Improv works

If you've made traditional quilt patterns, this one will feel a little different, in the best way. Controlled Improv patterns don't include a placement chart telling you where to put each color or block. You won't find "Fabric 3 goes here."

What you do get is a plan you can trust: clear cutting instructions, step-by-step block construction, and guidance on choosing colors and balancing lights and darks so your quilt flows. Then you get to play. You decide where each piece lands, and your quilt ends up uniquely yours.

If improv makes you a little nervous, you're in good company, and you don't have to figure it out alone. In HIVE+, you can get color and layout feedback from me, join a monthly LIVE where we practice controlled improv design together, and work through full companion courses for select patterns. You'll also get free shipping on every Jittery Wings order, all with a whole hive of color-loving quilters cheering you on. No quilt police, just process over perfection. 🐝

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This fat quarter friendly pattern uses the entire fat quarter with no waste. It also uses the Eight-at-a-time half square triangle method to avoid bias and wonky triangles. This pattern uses my method of controlled improv: you can arrange your blocks and colors in countless ways, but the pattern will walk you through some key options.

Materials:

Baby: 12 Fat Quarters

Throw: 24 Fat Quarters

Queen: 52 Fat Quarters

Choose from solids, blenders, and small print fabrics.