Tuesday 27 September 2016

Sew Home...

Welcome to my turn on Erin Bschlosser's book tour!


I first came across the idea of Erin's book when she approached me for using some of my screen printed fabric panels for one of the projects. I was delighted to see this project made the front cover!


Sew Home is a wonderful resource book for creating lovely handmade projects for your entire home, everything from window dressing to wall art and everything practical and decorative in between. 


As well as the book having 30+ projects, Erin has included some interesting and practical advice on choosing and using fabrics, as well as useful techniques.


Each of the 30+ projects are very well written, with easy to follow step instructions, with great accompanying illustrations. Erin has also shown what techniques will be learned/practiced for each project. It is clear Sew Home is a must have sewing book for sewing everything for the home.


When I am doing a book review I really like to make a project to get a feel for it. With my new fabric having just arrived I wanted to make something with it and so I chose the Knife Edge Throw Pillow to use as many of them as possible.


It is a great quick project to add an instant freshen up to your home. The instructions and accompanying diagrams are perfect and simple to follow. One of the techniques Erin is teaching with this project is inserting a concealed zipper. Unfortunately I didn't have one so did my usual envelope finish but I definitely want to try this.



Erin is very kindly offering a reader a copy of her book (digital copy outside US). All you need to do is leave a comment here telling me what item you would wish you could make for your home. Entry is open until Saturday. Good luck!


Go check out the rest of the book tour on these great blogs and perhaps enter their giveaways too!

Wednesday, September 21 - Sew 4 Home & Jen Carlton Bailly
Monday, September 26 - Windham Fabrics & Rebecca at Bryan House Quilts
Wednesday, September 28 - Dear Stella Fabrics & Mandy at Mandalei Quilts
Thursday, September 29 - Erin at Schlosser Designs

Oh and if you don't have any luck do go purchase a copy anyway here or here!

x

Monday 19 September 2016

The Quilt Block Cookbook


Hello and welcome to my turn on The Quilt Block Cookbook by Amy Gibson blog hop!

I am a big fan of Amy's bold, bright, mix up style and knew I would love her new book, particularly as the title itself is so inviting. Cook books and quilt books are my favourite books so combining the 2 had my interest at hello.


Amy opens her book with a list of 'ingredients' - basic blocks that will become the basis to all her 'recipe' bigger blocks. These 25 block pieces become all the ingredients you will need to combine in different ways to make the larger blocks. Genius and simple!


Having taken us through all the 50 recipe blocks Amy then introduces us to her selection of quilts using them. Her sampler quilts show us fresh new ways to combine blocks in really interesting and appealing layouts. A sign of a good quilt book is flicking through and wanting to make everything you see. This is that book.


These 2 sampler quilts, above and below, are case in point. I am in love with both the use of block colour in the quilt above and piecing the blocks on point in the quilt below. So fresh and modern and eye catching.


Another aspect of the book that I absolutely love is the section at the end entitled Perfect Pairings. Again Amy has taken a simple idea of combining 2 blocks together to create really striking quilts. 


It is this idea that I wanted to have a quick try of. I chose Pumpkin Pie block and combined it with a simple plus block, threw them both in the Layout App and voila, instant gratification! 

I have so many of Amy's blocks on my making wishlist, along with her ideas of piecing sampler quilts. I know I will come back to this cook book time and time again and it will become a firm favourite, but thankfully without the usual crumbs and food ingredients that mar my usual cook books!


Thanks for stopping by and if you would like to read more about the book go visit this wonderful line up...

Monday, September 5Angela Pingelangelapingel.com
Tuesday, September 6Aneela Hoeyhttp://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/
Wednesday, September 7Joanne Averyhttp://www.mybearpaw.com/
Thursday, September 8AnneMarie Chanywww.genxquilters.com
Friday, September 9Amy Smartwww.diaryofaquilter.com
Monday, September 12April Rosenthalwww.aprilrosenthal.com
Tuesday, September 13Amy Friendhttp://duringquiettime.com/
Wednesday, September 14Lee Monroewww.maychappell.com
Thursday, September 15Faith Joneswww.freshlemonsquilts.com
Friday, September 16Lee Heinrichwww.freshlypieced.com
Monday, September 19Karen Lewiskarenlewistextiles.com
Tuesday, September 20Nicole Daksiewiczwww.modernhandcraft.com
Wednesday, September 21Kari Vojtechovskycraft-happy.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 22Amy SinibaldinanaCompany.typepad.com
Friday, September 23Allison Harriswww.cluckclucksew.com
Monday, September 26Stephanie Palmerwww.latenightquilter.com
Tuesday, September 27Erica Arndtwww.confessionsofahomeschooler.com