​After seeing each winner’s work at Quilt Canada 2025, we asked how they take a quilt from good to great. In this case, Diane Paquin Provost of Montreal won the prize for Excellence in Threadwork Using Aurifil Thread for HIT or MISS.

I made this quilt for the QuiltCon Windham Ruby+Bee 2023 Fabric Challenge with imposed fabrics selected by Jacqui Guering. Considering that this colour palette was not my favourite, this created an even bigger challenge. Using improv cutting, I relied on shapes and played with their placement to get a pleasing composition. 

I believe that the quilting serves as an excellent tool to enhance a quilt. I struggled a bit with Hit or Miss, since I was not quite happy with the results of piecing. The quilting helped me see the quilt differently and more positively. 

Inspiration from a workshop

During the COVID pandemic, I took two David Owen Hastings online workshops. While I greatly enjoyed them, I learned the most from him during the last parts of his workshops about quilting.

During these two short segments, I came to realize that I could quilt outside the lines. In many cases, it made the work even better. I used to quilt only within a shape or a block, inside the lines. David inspired me to quilt outside the lines.

Unless I decide to quilt an all-over grid pattern or straight lines, I now quilt outside the lines. I strategically use different colour threads and weight threads, either by hand or machine.  This process creates depth and visual interest.

Aside from the two class projects, Hit or Miss is the first quilt I made using this quilting technique.  Looking back at it and comparing with my most recent quilts, I feel I was still intimidated by the process. Today, I embrace it wholeheartedly.

As quilters, we can always improve. One place I felt lacking most was my quilting. It needed that little something to best complement my piecing/designs that would distinguish myself from most. I had tried a few methods without satisfaction.

Once I was “given permission” to quilt outside the lines, both my piecing and improved quilting style harmonized well together. 

More About Hit Or Miss

Dimensions: 19” x 26”

Artist’s Statement: Lacking a definite plan or a purpose for this challenge, I let the fabrics and my imagination go as they pleased and this is the result. The shapes and the directions have no interesting meaning, just appealing to my eyes.

Techniques and materials: Machine piecing, free motion embroidery; cotton

Quilting: Machine quilting frameless