Appliqué Books
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Mar
5
Giveaway winner
Filed Under Prizes | 3 Comments
The winner of Tile Quilt Revival is Connie Eldridge. Congratulations Connie! I’m currently in Manteca, California, for a quilt show and I’ll be getting in touch with you early next week.
To all those who thanked me for holding the giveaways, you’re so welcome! I greatly enjoy reviewing the books, and I appreciate your reading All About Applique.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Mar
3
Tile Quilt Revival
Filed Under Books, Fabrics, Fusible web, Hand appliqué, Machine appliqué, Needleturn, Prizes | 35 Comments
At the Road to California show in January, I had the excellent fortune to sit at the breakfast table with Carol Gilham Jones and Bobbi Finley. Several friends of mine were staying at the hotel, and they were also friends of Carol and Bobbi, so introductions were made–on a first-name basis–and Bobbi was flabbergasted when I asked her, “Are you Bobbi Finley??” That was a very familiar name to me after years of hanging around with active members of the American Quilt Study Group.
Carol and Bobbi had a special exhibit of their tile quilts in the show. Passing these at warp speed as I did the first time, these beautiful pieces have a stained-glass look, but lighter and airier. Bobbi says that a lot of people compare them to stained-glass quilts, but they’re not. Construction-wise, instead of “leading” applied over the raw edges of the shapes, these shapes are finished with turned edges, and the background is left exposed to create the spaces between shapes.
Tile Quilt Revival: Reinventing a Forgotten Form is Carol and Bobbi’s fascinating, educational, and inviting book that reintroduces this “unique and somewhat obscure” form of appliqué quilt.
Tile quilts are explained this way:
Traditional tile quilts… are constructed with small pieces of cotton fabric appliquéd in a random manner to a white background, leaving a narrow space between the pieces; this white space serves as the “grout” between the tiles or “mortar” between the pavers or stones.
The books starts out with a brief history of tile quilts, with great photos showing examples from the past. Then comes a section on how to make a tile quilt, reinterpreted for today. When I read the following, the heavens opened up and I heard the heavenly choir!
The tile quilt technique, with its large and simple shapes, creates an ideal showcase for bold, contemporary fabrics. Interesting, large-scale prints are will suited for the tile pieces. If you’ve ever found yourself admiring some of the daring prints now available but wondering how to use them, a tile quilt is an idea project for putting them to good use.
Hallelujah! I have a tub of fabrics in my stash labeled “Modern” that has been… well… sitting there.
Now my “daring” prints have a destiny!
The techniques used in the book are so simple they’re ingenious! No need to consider seam allowances, to reverse patterns, or to figure out where to place the pieces. Another really great thing about this book is that it has fantastic appliqué instructions… needle-turn by hand, turned-edge machine-appliqué and fusible machine appliqué too, all expertly explained and illustrated. If you’re reading this blog, you probably like appliqué already, but how about this section where the authors say:
Even if you don’t love to appliqué or don’t consider yourself to be skilled at it, chances are you will enjoy the tile quilt process because it is not exacting. The tile-and-grout form is quite forgiving, and the inevitable deviations from strict uniformity in the grout add to the visual interest and appeal of a piece.
How cool is that?? Get your A-word friends to take a look!
After the appliqué information, there are instructions for several projects with full-size pull-out patterns.
Then there’s a Gallery of Contemporary Tile Quilts. These are fun and inspiring to look at as you see what quilters of today are doing to reinvent the form.
C&T Publishing is graciously sponsoring a giveaway of a copy of Tile Quilt Revival! Leave a comment before 7:00 p.m. California time on Friday, March 5, to be in the drawing. U.S. and Canada only, unless you’d be willing to pay the shipping.
Those subscribed by email, click over the the blog itself and scroll to the bottom of the post to leave a comment.
I wanna start a tile quilt right now, but dang I have deadlines!
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Feb
20
It’s a hoot!
Filed Under Designers, Patterns, Prizes | 20 Comments
Kim Jamieson-Hirst of Chatterbox Quilts is a designer friend of mine in Calgary. Recently, she put out the most darling pattern called Hoot-mon!
I love this perky little family of owls.
“Hoot-mon,” according to the urban dictionary, is Scottish for “Yo dude!” That makes me laugh. My grandmother was Scottish, however I don’t remember her using this expression. I guess she just wasn’t that hip. It does convey to me the sense of Canada being part of the Commonwealth.
And how’s this for cute?
They’re stuffies!
We’re giving away a copy of Hoot-mon! to a lucky winner, so leave a comment by 7:00 p.m. California time on Monday, February 22, to enter the draw. Tell us why you like owls!
Coming up on the blog… revisiting thread topics and a look at Tile Quilt Revival.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Feb
5
And we have a winner
Filed Under Books, Prizes | 2 Comments
The winner of the Beautiful Blooms books is… Bea! Congratulations! Enjoy the blooming appliqué.
Many thanks to all who entered the drawing, and to those who were curious about my exciting news. Today I approved the final color proofs for my new book Dolls & Dresses to Appliqué!
Over the past many months I’ve been dropping not-so-veiled hints about this project LOL. I should have the books in my hands in about another week. There are a dozen cute dolls with different dresses, lots of chances for using special fabrics and little embellishments.
Here are three of them!
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Next week when the book is ready, I’ll show you the book cover and the sampler quilt.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Feb
3
Another Season of Beautiful Blooms
Filed Under Books, Designers, Prizes | 33 Comments
This month’s book review is the brand-new title from Susan Taylor Propst, Another Season of Beautiful Blooms: Appliquéd Quilts and Cushions.
Inspired by the gardens and countryside of England and Europe, this book brings fresh floral designs to appliqué enthusiasts. Each of nine flower designs includes a full-sized block pattern and instructions for both a pillow and a wall hanging—in two different colorways—providing 18 projects in all.
In the intro Susan says, “These designs are great for hand appliqué, but can also be done with fusible appliqué. One of the best things about appliqué, and flowers in particular, is that the result doesn’t have to look exactly like the pattern. Flowers are quite varied, so relax and enjoy the appliqué.” Here here!
This gorgeous book is filled with photos of the cultivated gardens and wild countryside that give the author inspiration. The front matter includes information on choosing appliqué fabrics, backgrounds, and borders, then moves to the appliqué process. Susan uses the overlay method for positioning, and uses freezer-paper templates on the back of the appliqué fabrics. Step-by-step instructions and illustrations take you through her process in detail. Unit appliqué and bias stems are also covered. Then there are some really great general instructions for making wall quilts and cushions.
On to the flowers! So beautiful. Petunias (as seen on the cover), Poinsettias, Black-Eyed Susans, Cherry Blossoms, Lilies, Tuplis, Bougainvillea, and more! Each one detailed and realistic, yet designed to avoid difficult stitching.
If you like floral appliqué, you will love this new book. Martingale and Company has provided a copy for a drawing, so leave a comment before 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, to be eligible to win.
And guess what? I also have Susan’s first book in the series, Beautiful Blooms! The lucky winner will get both books! That’s a whole lotta floral appliqué.
U.S. and Canada only, unless you’d be willing to pay the shipping.
A note to those subscribed to the blog by email: To leave a comment, you’ll first need to click over to the blog itself. Scroll to the bottom of the post and click on the Comments link. Leave your comment there to enter the drawing.
Until next time (with some exciting news),
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Jan
7
January 2010 winner
Filed Under Flickr group, Prizes | Leave a Comment
The winner of Machine Appliqué for the Terrified Quilter is Jeanne Harrington of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Congratulations Jeanne!
Just by coincidence (I promise) Jeanne and I had been corresponding about a tea and coffee themed quilt-along that she and some of her internet friends are starting up for 2010, using my teapot patterns among others. Jeanne describes it this way:
We are a tea/coffee sipping, applique stitching, fabric and craft swapping, can’t stop visiting long enough to get some quilting done, funny story telling, embellishing, cat/dog loving, inspiration/sharing, out-to-have-some-fun group. Phew! The main goal is to get to know your tea buddies while sewing a tea/coffee related craft. We also post all kinds of other pictures as we share our lives with each other. Anyone is welcome to join, only rule is to engage in topic discussions and post one tea/coffee related craft/block a month.
Here’s the link to the 2010 Tea/Coffee Quilt Along on Flickr, in case you’d like to join in or just enjoy the sights.
Jeanne asked if she and her buddies could also post pictures of their projects in my All About Appliqué Flickr group. Of course! When I upgraded my blog a few months ago, my Flickr sidebar logo went away and I hadn’t reconstructed it, but now it’s back. My Flickr group is for anyone who appliqués, or appreciates appliqué! Post pictures of your projects there and tell us a little something about them. Or, just enjoy the eye candy. Read all about this group in my earlier post.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Jan
3
Machine Appliqué for the Terrified Quilter
Filed Under Books, Designers, Fusible web, Machine appliqué, Prepared edge, Prizes, Raw edge, Reverse appliqué, Stained glass, Turned edge | 33 Comments
Happy New Year appliqué enthusiasts!
Hey is anybody going to Road to California later this month? I got a call just a couple weeks ago offering me a spot as a vendor and I said yippee! If you’re going to be at this fabulous quilt show and conference in Ontario, California, in two weeks’ time, please come by and say hello! I’ll be in 806.
Now on to our January giveaway, sponsored by Martingale & Company / That Patchwork Place. Sharon Pederson is a Canadian quilter whom I’ve met a couple times, most recently when she came to give a talk at my guild. If you ever get the chance, be sure to go to one of her lectures because it is a highly amusing experience. Sharon’s book Machine Appliqué for the Terrified Quilter is intended for quilters who (like Sharon in a former life) “refer to appliqué as the A word.”
Sharon says that her book is for those who are attracted to appliqué but feel that life is too short to do hand work. Learning that she could appliqué by machine was what it took to make her a total convert! I’ll throw in my 2¢ worth and add that even if you like hand work, it’s great to throw more techniques into your appliqué bag of tricks.
Lots of introductory information is given about fabrics, threads, needles, sewing machines, and stitches. Then Sharon takes you step-by-step through two methods: invisible machine appliqué, where the edges of the appliqué are turned and the stitches are unseen, and fusible appliqué, where the edges are raw and the stitches are visible. Reverse appliqué is also covered.
Sharon gives lessons on a variety of machine stitches, including the satin stitch, narrow zigzag, and decorative stitches, plus how to manipulate them in interesting ways. Great closeup photos accompany this information.
The projects in the book are mostly small and manageable, because after all, “you might be just a little bit terrified about the prospect of machine appliqué, so why further terrorize yourself by trying a queen-size project first?”
If you’re more of a visual learner, you might be interested in the DVD, a separate item. A sample lesson from it is available for viewing on the Martingale website.
Whether you’re terrified or not, this is one great resource for those interested in machine appliqué! Leave a comment by 7:00 p.m. California time on Wednesday, January 6, to enter the drawing for the book. U.S. and Canada only, unless you’d be willing to pay the shipping.
The winner gets my book Easy Appliqué Blocks too, with its companion CD that lets you print 50 designs in 5 sizes!
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Dec
18
Birthday roundup
Filed Under Prizes | 2 Comments
I mostly lounged around yesterday, which was exactly what I was in the mood to do, so it was a great day. The hubby had purchased this cake mix while he was in Cost Plus World Market and in the afternoon he set out to make the cake.
It called for (2) 8″ pans or (1) 9″ pan. The pan I had was 9″ but neither one of us felt that (2) 8″ equated to (1) 9″ so he did the 9″ plus a few cupcakes.
Just before we left for dinner he said, “I better go frost the cake!” and headed for the kitchen. I got dressed and got down the stairs, took one look, busted up laughing, and headed back upstairs for my camera. I simply had to document the occasion. These are the kinds of things that happen when Dana cooks.
He never thought about putting the cake on a plate before frosting it.
So that’s the way it was served, and it was a good cake, but where were the crushed-up peppermint candies? Not in the box. It was a “serving suggestion.” As was, apparently, the peppermint flavor. We tried hard but failed to detect it. So it was a pretty good chocolate cake, and a very good birthday.
The winner of the extra, extra-special giveaway is… Liz Arbaugh! Congratulations Liz! Your Artful Appliqué books are on the way.
Thank you so much to all who left me birthday wishes. I’m so glad I did this… I feel like I’ve been at one big birthday party for days! I so appreciate all of you for reading my blog and being my appliqué friends.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Dec
14
Double the Artful Appliqué!
Filed Under Books, Color, Cutaway, Designers, Hand appliqué, Needleturn, Patterns, Prizes | 80 Comments
To celebrate my birthday on December 17 (not to mention the holiday season), I’m doing a super-duper, extra, extra-special, double-the-appliqué giveaway! Because you see, these things are as much fun for me as they are for you.
I happen to have copies of both Artful Appliqué: The Easy Way from the year 2000 and still in print, and the brand-new Artful Appliqué II: Introducing Scrappliqué and 12 New Floral Designs by Jane Townswick, provided by Martingale & Company / That Patchwork Place. I’m putting them together and giving you guys an opportunity to win them as a package deal. How festive is that for an appliqué enthusiast?
“Having been a die-hard patchwork fan for many years,” begins Jane in the introduction, “I thought there was very little reason for appliqué quilts to exist — until Nancy Pearson’s “Techny Chimes” stopped me dead in my tracks.”
I’m right there with you on that one, Jane. Here’s a page from my inspiration scrapbook. That’s Techny Chimes on the lower right.
“Beautiful hand appliqué is as individual as a fingerprint,” Jane continues.
I really appreciate this sentiment of encouraging individuality and de-emphasizing the need for exact copying and perfection, which IMO takes away from the pleasure of the work.
In the book Jane presents many unusual (to me) and innovative techniques for creating motifs — partial stitching, modified cutwork, and unit construction. (Just goes to show how different brains work differently.) These methods enable tiny, rich details that still have turned edges.
The appliqué information also shows how to achieve precision where precision is important, and individual, artful results where precision is less important.
Leaves don’t have to be green, did you know that? I know that, but I mostly forget it when I reach for my fabrics. You’ll see some stunning results in the book’s gallery of quilts where the quilters have reached past the green box.
The gallery includes many beautiful quilts made by Jane and her students. The author then includes 16 appliqué blocks, each one with complete skill-building instructions. It’s easy to see why this one is still in print after nine years, it’s a classic.
Artful Appliqué II: Introducing Scrapliqué and 12 New Floral Designs
I just received this one from Martingale so it’s hot off the presses! I can tell from the cover that the floral designs are even more free-form, natural, and detailed. Never fear, Jane takes you step-by-step through her way of mastering this realism. She does advises beginners to consult one of her previous books or another reference book for the basics of appliqué.
In this book Jane introduces Scrapliqué, a technique for creating mosaic-like fabric compositions for your motifs without having to stitch tiny pieces together. There’s also information on unit appliqué, where you can stitch an entire flower before stitching it to the background. Jane explains several advantages to this strategy.
The book has sections on color blending, free-form stems and branches, and a unique way of stitching sharp points. There’s a gorgeous gallery of quilts and 12 floral blocks with step-by-step instructions and photos. You’ll find anemone, camellia, iris, lady’s slipper, pansies, sweet peas, and more! All so detailed you wouldn’t believe it.
Martingale recently published an interview with Jane on their blog. Be sure to go and read that for more information on the artist.
Leave a comment before 7:00 p.m. California time on Thursday, December 17 (my bday 
), for a chance to win this fantastic combo platter. U.S. and Canada only, unless you’d be willing to pay the shipping.
Happiest holidays to you!
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Dec
5
The winner of the December giveaway is…. Deb G!
Deb is pretty excited.
I won? I won! I can’t believe I won! I’ve never won a blog giveaway before! Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome! Let’s thank Martingale while we’re at it for sponsoring the prizes!
Until next time, some really fun stuff coming up,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
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