April 1, 2014

Cathy Perlmutter is my special friend that I visit with whenever I’m in her area for a quilt show. She writes the fabulous blog Gefiltequilt about her wondrously creative projects. When I took a look at this month’s featured book, I knew that it was right up Cathy’s alley. Yay, she agreed to write a guest post!!

Take it away, Cathy!

How lucky am I that Kay Mackenzie loaned me a copy of Cheryl Lynch’s new book, Sew Embellished! Artistic Little Quilts, Personalized with Easy Techniques, published by Martingale in 2012.


This book is a delight, and packed with useful information. For everyone who would like to start embellishing, or be inspired by new ideas, this book is a must-have.


The book starts out as an embellishment encyclopedia. Cheryl shows how to attach a wide variety of beads, buttons, and miscellaneous hardware – anything, as she says, that has a hole in it. She shows how she uses trims as whimsical border treatments. There’s an explanation of how to make custom buttons and beads from polymer clay. She takes us through a wide variety of threads and yarns, and graphs the main embroidery stitches that quilters need.

Cheryl also offers a variety of ways to add words–whether applique, computer printing, embroidery, polymer clay plates, and more. She has a lot of really interesting binding and edging techniques, including folded shapes.

All that alone would be worth the price of admission, but we’re not even halfway through the book yet! Cheryl’s projects, which involve both piecing and applique, celebrate family, pets, nature and love. She turns unfinished blocks into works of art. My favorite are her brooches with shrink-plastic photos stitched on; a stunning appliqued “tranquility tree”, and her accordion-fold heart & home standing book.


I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning embellishment techniques or acquiring more; and who would like a reference and inspiration for personalized and unique art quilt gifts. I am buying myself a copy. It is a keeper that I will refer to again and again!

Kay here… thank you Cathy! Cathy has to get her own copy because we’re giving this one away! If you’d like to enter the drawing, please leave a comment before 7:00 p.m. California time on Monday, April 7.

It is with a sorrowful sigh that I must say that these drawings are now open to U.S. mailing addresses only. I found out with a shock that one of the changes in our recent USPS postal rate increase is that the cost to Canada has more than tripled. Apologies to my quilting neighbors to the north. :(.

Many thanks for reading All About Appliqué,
Kay and Cathy

Comments

17 Responses to “Sew Embellished!”

  1. Kathy Pennell on April 1st, 2014 8:34 am

    I had recently been looking at a couple of books showing how to properly use/attach embellishments. It wasn’t nearly as cute as this book appears. I would love a chance to get my hands on this book!
    Kat

  2. Dot on April 1st, 2014 8:43 am

    This book looks like one I’d buy if I don’t win. I’ve been enjoying Cathy’s projects on Gefiltequilt, and have lots of “things with holes” to use up!

  3. jane d on April 1st, 2014 9:15 am

    “Sew” many awesome projects!

  4. Barbara Kelly on April 1st, 2014 9:33 am

    Oh my this book is so cute! I would love to win the copy of the book. An excuse to buy more “stuff”

  5. Joan Rodriguez on April 1st, 2014 10:25 am

    I have a few wall hangings that need some embelishing but I havent a clue how to embelish properly. This books would be great to own.

  6. Kathy L on April 1st, 2014 10:46 am

    What cute projects. Could get an early start on Christmas. Thanks for the chance to win.

  7. Debbierhodes on April 1st, 2014 12:54 pm

    My friend and I were just talking about this very thing the other day. way or the other I need this book.

  8. Deborah Marshall on April 1st, 2014 1:53 pm

    I have a couple of small projects that need embellishments just like shown…. I NEVER thought to do this myself! Would love to win this copy :-)

  9. Gail on April 1st, 2014 3:23 pm

    just recently started embellishing my quilted
    wall art and could really use this book.

  10. Betty Woodlee on April 1st, 2014 5:48 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win this book. I just know I will enjoy the book to the fullest.

  11. RuthB on April 1st, 2014 6:48 pm

    Looks like fun! I’m all about learning how to do embellishments!

  12. Kim m on April 2nd, 2014 3:18 am

    Looks like a great book! Thank you for the chance to win it.

  13. Pat D on April 2nd, 2014 6:44 am

    What a great book. I enjoy applique and would love to learn to embellish!!!!

  14. Jeanne on April 2nd, 2014 8:46 am

    What a fun looking book. Would be a great addition to my library. Thanks for the chance.

  15. Lyn on April 2nd, 2014 9:33 pm

    I think this would be a fun book to read and experiment with.

  16. Lee on April 3rd, 2014 4:56 pm

    This looks like a book full of fun!! thank you for the lovely giveaway!

  17. Sue on April 5th, 2014 4:02 am

    Looks interesting, the samples are beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Sue