What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Once again, expert quilt designer Elsie Campbell presents a book of quilt patterns that are one part innovation, one part thrift, and a whole lot of fun! Squares and Triangles, the second in Campbell’s “Scrap Quilt Book Series,” offers 13 basic but boldly sophisticated patterns. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want the book for its clear instructions and easy piecing steps. If you’re more experienced, you’ll love the versatility and nearly innumerable number of design possibilities shown here.

A Scrap Quilt Book By Elsie Campbell

Making the book a must-have are “Elsie’s Top Tips ...

Everyone loves to quilt for the seasons.  There are so many fun and lovely projects out there to choose from.  There have also been numerous quilt books written specifically for various occasions.  Here are seven seasonal books tht you can purchase over on the Annie’s Craft Store website.

1. Quilts for Autumn can be purchased as a hard copy or a digital download.  With 11 projects to choose from, you will be wanting to pour yourself a cup of pumpkin spice coffee and start sewing.
2.  20 projects are in this Springtime Sewing Book and they are not all quilts.  It ...

Can you believe it's the last Friday in August already?  This year is just flying by - but Friday means that it's time for us to get our whoop whoop on, so I hope you're ready!  Let's go!

*&*&*&*&*&*&*

As you all know, I may have a slight scrap problem.  After all, fabric is expensive, so we don't really want to throw even the leftovers away!  But mine are starting take over the studio...

...and I really need to find a way to use them - because they aren't doing anyone any good just stacked ...

The hexie project guide you’ve been waiting for!

• 20 easy projects, from a table topper and a pouch bag to a holiday tree skirt and baby quilts
• Quilt-as-you-go method is simple and innovative and can create endless varieties of hexagon projects using pre-cuts and fabric scraps
• Beginner-friendly guide to creating hexagons with less cutting and less time, in follow up to Fast-Fold Hexies
• Step-by-step instructions, helpful illustrations, and easy-to-use, full-size patterns
• Insightful tips, project variations, advanced techniques to try, and more

Learn how to create your hexagon projects with less cutting and in less time!

The simple Fast-Fold Hexie ...

Once again, it has been a month of good and not-so-much books. These days I am trying to concentrate on ones I’ve been looking for that had good reviews, along with some recently published to keep up with the times. But sometimes a book with good reviews and lots of stars isn’t for me, and I don’t rate it as highly as others. Still, it is someplace to start with all the books available. Library holds for the recently published ones are taking a while, as I usually am far down a long list. Others I either ...

Make a perfect pineapple block every time!

• 14 easy projects using the Creative Grids(R) 10-inch Pineapple Trim Tool (sold separately)
• Projects include quilts, pillows, potholders, runners, totes, and place mats
• No math or measuring is needed for making these 6-, 8-, and 10-inch blocks
• Step-by-step instructions with coordinating photography and illustrations teach you how to create complex-looking quilt blocks with ease
• Author Jean Ann Wright is a recognized industry expert as a quilt and tool designer

In Pineapple Play, Jean Ann Wright teaches you her techniques for creating gorgeous pineapple block quilts—cut from 10″ layer cake squares, fat ...

It has been an eclectic month of reading, from non-fiction essays to really good historical fiction. I’ve saved the best for last, two wonderful books both set in England. Links are provided to Amazon if you’d like to read a synopsis of the story. Thank you for using my affiliate links when you can, as they help pay the costs of my blog. Some of these are free on Audible with the Free Trial offer.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi – Quirky story with a provocative premise. If you could go back in time to spend ...

There are many things to consider when finishing a quilt.  In fact, many quilters don’t end up finishing a piece for numerous reasons.  They may not be able to decide on a border, or maybe they are not sure what kind of batting to use.  Some people get stumped on the backing, and binding can be tricky, even for the most experienced quilters.  That is where this book The Ultimate Quilt Finishing Guide, by Harriet Hargrave and Carrie Hargrave-Jones, comes in handy.

With 127 pages filled with photos and illustrations, this book covers it all.  The largest section by ...

Break free from the simple straight line machine quilting and try something new.  This book, 99 Machine-Quilting Designs, by Christa Watson, has plenty of ideas to choose from.  It can be purchased over on Connecting Threads.

The book has step-by-step instructions for 35 walking foot patterns and 64 free-motion ones.  Included for each design is a photo, a diagram, and written instructions.  You won’t need any other ideas once you have this book.  With 96 color pages, it is nicely illustrated.

A quilting design can sometimes make or break a quilt pattern.  It can accentuate areas that you may ...

For a limited time, download this PDF to gain instant access to Art Quilting Studio Winter 2021 across your desktop, tablet, and mobile devices!

Cozy up with the winter edition of Art Quilting Studio and the spectacular, featured quilts to be found in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors.

Inside the Winter Issue:

• Discover the talented Barb Janson and her art quilting journey in the Artist Portfolio.
• Sharon McCartney gives us a peek into her Journey Scrolls in the Series Showcase.
• Carrie Payne shares a sweet thread-drawn quilt series.
• Sherry Shine features her travel-themed series.

*This download is compatible ...

Reading this month has been a very eclectic group of books. I do like to read from varying genres just to keep my interest with variety. This month spans historical fiction to biographical non-fiction, to friendship and philosophy. Thank goodness for sales and Amazon gift cards, and our local library which was able to send me a really hard to find book from the other side of the state!! I’ve linked the titles to Amazon so you can see the synopsis and other reviews if you wish. Thank you for using my affiliate links when you can.

Cometh the ...

Friday has rolled around once more - and for many of us, it's been a week of cold weather, ice and snow.  I hope all of you have fared well, and have had power and heat.  We were fortunate, getting a lot of snow and ice but retaining our utilities, so it's been a week for sewing!  But today I'm not going to share any sewing, because my husband got me such a fabulous Valentine's Day present that I want you all to see.  So let's get our whoop whoop on and get started ...

I cannot tell a lie…I am definitely addicted to scraps, so what better quilt book to get than Addicted to Scraps by Bonnie K. Hunter.

This 96 page book features 12 beautiful scrap quilt projects, all of which are ideal for using up all of those scraps we quilters seem to produce in copious amounts.  There are color photographs found throughout.  From traditional layouts, to designs with a modern touch, you are sure to find a pattern that you will like.

Bonnie K. Hunter is a best-selling author, well-known quilt teacher and a columnist.  Quilting since 1980, she pretty ...

Use these quilting patterns in Prayer Shawl Quilts to stitch prayer shawls for a friend in need. For those who love to quilt, every quilt is an act of love. These special quilted prayer shawl patterns let friends (or even strangers) know you have been praying for them. Featuring quilted shawls, throws and lap quilts from designers with a variety of faith backgrounds, Prayer Shawl Quilts is 48 pages and full color. You can purchase this book here.

Sashiko and Boro reference books – hard to find/out of print editions worth seeking out

Three lovely books for visual and text reference. One in Japanese, and two in both English and Japanese. These are not how-to books, but beautiful resources for getting a feel for sashiko, kogin, and boro textiles in historical context.

Links provided were valid on Amazon at the time I wrote this, but as these books are out of print they may not be available or may be ridiculously expensive. I’ve provided ISBN numbers for the first two you can use to search for these ...

This issue includes 4 chapters: Perfect for a Rainy Afternoon, Projects for a Rainy Day, Rainy Weekend Projects and Ongoing Rainy Day Projects. Each pattern is perfect for that unexpected free time when a rainy afternoon or weekend clears your schedule. Pick out your projects ahead of time and have your fabrics ready for a gloomy day, or get started right away! Patterns are offered in a wide variety of sizes from mug rugs to bed quilts. Great for all skill levels. You can purchase this PDF book here. 

Time for some reviews of the latest books I’ve been reading. With more time at home, I’m getting more reading done than ever. Some I’ve had on my shelf for quite a while and just haven’t read yet, others I wanted to read so much I just got a copy at the library. Several of these are recommended, but three are in the ‘meh’ category. All are affiliate linked to Amazon for you to see the plot synopsis if you would like. For brevity, I have not included that here.

At Home on Ladybug Farm by ...

Japanese clothing in historical context, including social and economic status and what they tell us about clothing

This is not meant to be a comprehensive bibliography but a sample of what I have on specific topics in my reference library. Click on the book covers or titles to preview and/or purchase the books online. I make a few pennies if you purchase a copy through the link, but I always encourage people to check your local library for resources.

Memories of Silk and Straw – A Self-Portrait of Small-Town Japan – by Dr. Junichi Saga, translated by Garry O. Evans

This ...