Book Review: Quilts With Style

I enjoyed reviewing this book for Fave Quilts  and am glad that I could keep the copy! 

 This is an excellent book by Gudrun Erla who is a fabric designer and an experienced quilt designer.  Although the book contains six quilting patterns there are two completed variations of the quilts shown, the traditional and the modern look, further increasing the number of possibilities for quilt designs are the arrangements of basic blocks in some of the designs.

All the designs have straight edges that make it extremely simple to piece together and yet produce a sophisticated completed quilt. Every pattern in the book has a modern and traditional color variation. Some of the patterns provide variations to convert to a table runner.  Every design provides measurements for the individual block sizes and for the completed quilt size making it easier to plan and choose the appropriate project size.  In addition, detailed instructions are provided for adapting every design to different bed sizes. These are very helpful instructions to avoid running out of fabric while completing the project.

The contrast in the modern and traditional look of the same quilt is dramatic and draws the attention to proper fabric color selection. In addition, the pictures capture the quilting design in the completed quilts and provide ample ideas for finishing the projects.

The Riptide is one of the coolest designs in the book.  Ideas are provided for four additional patterns by using the basic block. There are instructions for using the cut away corners from making this quilt to complete a bonus table runner.  

Just like the Riptide design the Homebound design offers multiple variations of piecing the quilt from the basic block. The simply rectangles design could be used to showcase one of a kind fabrics to make a quilt that could be used as a wall hanging. A young teenager would love to own the modern version of the Simply Rectangles quilt while the Snapshots design would make a great wedding present quilt.

An entire section in the book is devoted to general instructions on completing the quilt. The tips provided in obtaining perfect points when piecing would be helpful to any quilter. Various ways to border the quilt, including techniques to make the binding from fabric are included in this section.

This book will be a great addition to any beginner wanting to take up quilting project.  Experienced quilters will find a lot of inspiration for a new project and will be amazed to see the numerous possibilities with a simple basic block and the differences in modern and traditional variation of the same quilt. 

Read the published review here:

http://favequilts.com/Books-and-Products/Quilts-with-Style-Leisure-Arts

Warm welcome gift

Early on in my quilting journey when exploring the internet for tips to master those perfect points in piecing, I ran into several blogs with fabulous ideas. There were plenty that shared their valuable experiences, some even took the pains to create mini-videos and cartoons. I picked up a lot of pointers on more than piecing. One of the valuable piece of information was on using scant quarter inch seams. I am yet to master that on my sewing machine, but when I do am sure it will make a big difference in my piecing.

Well in one of my cross referencing in the blog world I chanced upon a blog with an ongoing giveaway for a bundle of fabric. This was something very new to me, like an online raffle. I happened to comment on the blogpost and Brooke of Silly Mama Quilts replied to my comment and we began an email exchange. When she realized that I was new to the world of quilting and that I did not win the prize, she put together another special bundle just for me in the mail. I was very much touched by her generosity and warmth. It is difficult to form connections and bonds in the virtual world of the internet and I sometimes take it for granted that there are actual human beings sharing parts of their life through blogs and webpages. Interaction like these transcend those moments of petty skepticism and selfishness.

My fabric bundle had some of the most fabulous prints. Some by Moda and some having contrasting colors. I will update this post with a link to a completed project using these fabrics. The possibilities  are plenty; since I am new to this world of quilting I have so many projects, quilted mug rug, hexie table runner, and a variety of blocks for a larger quilt. I am following the 2012 block of the month class on Craftsy and have 20 different blocks to try!

I have so much to do and tick off my growing list of must-do projects. I have decided to simply soak in this feeling of kindness and warmth. I hope I get a chance to do something like this for someone. I would love to hear about your experiences of warm welcomes and/or unexpected kindness.

My first prize!

My first prize in the world of quilting arrived today in the mail and I wish I could express my excitement in opening the box!!

I am the winner of the great LP&Q office de-stash! I have to mention that I was very skeptical when filling out many of the giveaway entries and when I received an email from Alice, from Love Patchwork & Quilting last week, at first I thought it might be spam. I am glad I replied to her email. Well, I did check her name and credentials in the signature line on the internet, just to be sure before passing out personally identifiable information! My brother was still very doubtful, said it might still be a hoax. Men are so difficult to convince.

The box was like a bottomless gift! The picture does not do enough justice to the amount and quality of  the variety of gifts in the box. Being a newbie in the world of quilting this giveaway is very much appreciated. I longed to have a fabric stash of my own - now I have so many bundles and fat quarters and an assortment of many yards of fabric that I can start off some of my projects from my list of "must do quilts". Some of the other essentials that I meant to buy and fulfilled in this box are the fabulous labels, fabric markers, quilting pins,binding pins, block pattern book by Amy Butler, and stencils for free motion quilting. The applique patterns, the patterns for various blocks, and embroidery patterns are something that I had intended to explore in the future; and glad to see in the box. The best of all, at the bottom of the box there were panels to make my very own fabric organizer. I will post a picture of the assembled organizer with my stash in a future post.

My super big prize

I am truly very happy to have won this giveaway - the timing is simply perfect for my quilting journey. Thank you Amy and LPQ for sending this out to me and thanks to the quilting community for such a warm welcome. You can count on seeing a lot of projects on this blog.

If you do feel like commenting, I would love to hear if you ever win a giveaway?