In my last blog post I showed how changing two things could increase your creativity. In this post, I want to show you how reading a book can spark some more creativity.
If you want to venture into improv quilts, I have the book for you:
Rayna Gillman’s Create your own Improv Quilt from C&T Publishing
I downloaded this book on my Ipad before going on holidays last November as an easy read for me while on vacation.
![Create your own improv quilts by Rayna Gillman](http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/n-dvzvde/3l9ek/product_images/uploaded_images/11209-frontcover-67558.1494279485.1104.1280-copy.jpg)
I started reading the book on the plane ride to my destination but as soon as I saw the project instructions from the cover page, I wanted to scream to the pilot to turn around so that I could get back home and make the quilt.
I strongly believe that this book played a significant role in getting me back into my studio and loving to quilt all over again.
As soon as I came back home I started picking out fabrics and I made my rendition of Rayna’s beautiful quilt in a week. But I did keep it simple and made a wall hanging.
![Quilt top based on Create your own improv quilts](https://quiltingwithclaire.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Quilt-top-491x600.jpg)
Machine quilting the project was also fun and easy. I quilted it over my Christmas holidays. Quilting in the diamonds with variegated thread to increase the intensity of the design. After I went for simple straight lines with invisible thread in the background fabric.
![Machine quilting with PFAFF creative icon](https://quiltingwithclaire.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Machine-quilting-my-project.jpg)
![Quilting using the PFAFF creative icon](https://quiltingwithclaire.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Quilting-straight-lines-600x400.jpg)
I decided that I wanted to hand quilt some diamonds shapes using pearl cotton threads. So I had to set the quilt away while waiting for my class in April. I decided to finish the binding while waiting. This was a really good idea! I felt like the project was finished. I was merely adding hand embroidery to add pizzazz.
Finishing this quilt and hanging it in my home was the best thing I could do to help my creativity. I see it every time I arrive home, as if it’s greating me saying: ”look at what you can do!” and I get the urge to go to my studio and make more quilts.
![My improv quilt based on Rayna Gullman's book](https://quiltingwithclaire.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/My-finished-quilt-600x400.jpg)
This truly proves how books can spark some creativity. So Go grab a book! Pick out a pattern that you just LOVE. And finaly play with it until you’re happy. You’ll enjoy the process, I garantee it.