Thursday, October 15, 2015

You Can Quilt Blog Hop


Are you ready for some fun?  Are you a beginner to intermediate quilter who is looking for inspiration, great information, and some fun blocks?  Are you looking for gorgeous fabrics to play with?  Then this is going to be a blast! 



Have I mentioned I LOVE being an Island Batik Ambassador?  Okay, maybe you're getting tired of me saying it, but it's true!  Marlene Oddie, a fellow IBA, recently co-wrote a book with Leila Gardunia called YOU CAN QUILT.  You can find it HERE at Shopaqs.com or if you want a signed copy, HERE at Marlene's Blog (click on the photo of the book) 





So, about the book.  I volunteered to review Chapter 4, Flying Geese.  Of course I needed to read the first few chapters, as well.  It starts out with great info on beginning quilting, from cutting to choosing fabrics, and getting an accurate size finished unit.  The next chapters build on these skills, and go from simple strip piecing to more detailed units, including foundation piecing and sewing curves.  It's a great resource with interesting blocks, and you could make a fun sampler with all the blocks.  Or just use the blocks for something smaller, like I plan for a table runner.  


In Chapter 4, Marlene and Leila detail 3 different ways to make flying geese blocks, from cutting triangles to the flippy corner style, to the "no waste" style (which is my favorite). Then these styles are featured in 3 blocks, from the standard Sawtooth Star to Breaking Out, (love the pinwheel center) and Double Star block.  


The fabrics I chose are the gorgeous lavenders and purples from the soon to be presented at Market collection called Coral Reef.  Yes, this is a preview before your shop owners get to see it.  Aren't they pretty?  I also grabbed a background called ALMOND, a sweet dotty swirl with specks of grey, pale lavender and aqua.  


Sawtooth Star


Breaking Out
Double Star (but I made it 3 fabrics plus background, just because I LOVE the colors in the batiks!


I laid them out on the fabric I picked for a border, but think I want to do a lighter sashing and inner border, then the dark outer and binding.  I may also move the Sawtooth Star to the middle, because it's simpler than the other two.  I need to think on it.  As soon as i decide and finish it, I'll share photos!  
  
I really enjoyed using the book.  I felt the directions were clear, well written, and the illustrations were well done.  I even used one of the foundation pieced blocks for the Teal Mini blog hop (look at my last post for details).  I know I'll pick ideas from this book again and again.  I think it's a great resource for quilters of all levels.  There are lots of hints and suggestions, too.  I'm sure you'll find something that will improve your quilting skills.

Please consider adding this to your collection, and follow along with the other bloggers to see more details about the book.  


Oct. 9 – Ch. 1. Basics - Leila Gardunia  http://sewnbyleila.blogspot.com
Oct. 12 – Ch. 2. HST - Tammy Silvers  http://www.tamarinis.typepad.com/
Oct 14 – Ch 3. QST - Connie Kresin Campbell http://www.conniekresin.com
Oct. 16 – Ch 4. Flying Geese - Maryellen McAuliffe http:// teachpany.blogspot.com (You're HERE! Thanks!)
Oct 19 -- Ch. 5. Wonky - Christine McCrann Martinez http:// madeinscraps.blogspot.com
Oct. 21 – Ch. 6. Improvisation - Connie Kauffman http:// kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com
Oct. 23 -- Ch. 7. Foundation Paper Piecing - Joan Kawano http:// moosestashquilting.blogspot.com
Oct. 26 – Ch. 8. Curves - Marlene Oddie  http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com
Oct. 28 -  Ch 9. One-Patch Blocks - Bea Lee http://www.beaquilter.com
Oct. 30 – Ch. 10. Applique - Barbara Gaddy http:// bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com
Nov. 2 – Ch. 11. Inset Seams - Pamela Boatright  http://pamelaquilts.blogspot.com/
Nov. 4 – Ch. 12. Challenge Blocks - Linda Stewart Pearl http:// www.onequiltingcircle.com
Nov. 6 – Ch. 13. finishing – Marlene   http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com

AND Please click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter to win one of 4 books and some great fabrics.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks so much for visiting!  AND, if you LOVE the fabrics I used, please ask your favorite shops to get them for you.  Make sure you mention the Coral Reef collection from Island Batik.  The colors and designs are gorgeous, and the fabric base is just wonderful to work with.  Also, Aurifil had a thread collection designed to go with some of the new Island Batik collections!  Watch for that, as well.  


If you haven't followed my Facebook page yet, please do!  Marymackmademine is growing, and I share lots of other give-aways and inspiration.  There will be a FB Fan only give away soon!  Maybe even a choice of prizes.  And to keep up with me, please follow by email. Someone on that list may get a little surprise, too.  

Maryellen

20 comments:

Marlene @ KISSed Quilts . com said...

Love your fabric choices. Gorgeous!! Thanks for your review.

Marlene @ KISSed Quilts . com said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sylvia Anderson said...

How can I not like something made with the color PURPLE? It's so pretty, very eye catching, and I am always looking for new patterns for table runners. Thanks for sharing. lv2bquilting2@comcast.net

beaquilter said...

looks great!

quilter said...

Very pretty, thanks for sharing!
cork@pa.rr.com

Anne D said...

Love your fabric and pattern choices. I would like to learn to sew curves.
Thanks for a great giveaway.

Laura said...

What technique would I like to learn? I'm pretty good with all things 1/4" seam, but I'd like to be shown a way to hand applique for the times it would look better than machine applique.

Anna brown said...

Love to try my hand at paper piecing....Kinda avoiding it........happyness04431@yahoo.com

Joanne Roberts said...

I need to learn many quilting skills. FMQ and following a pattern. Lol I tend to wing it. But I'm still learning. Joanrob8@gmail.com

Cecilia said...

I love the colors you chose and your table runner is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your project and the review of this book.

Lori said...

your blocks are so pretty. I agree, I would put the star in the middle also

Ellee said...

I would like to learn to make the Flying Geese so I can make the Double Star block. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

Unknown said...

I would like to learn to paper piece. I love the colors of your blocks
Lynnette llamance@hotmail.com

Leila said...

Beautiful! This group of blocks are some of my favorites. Thanks for taking the time to make the blocks and review the book for us!

Gill said...

I'd like to learn curved piecing

Anonymous said...

Love your blocks! I am starting to like the color purple. I would love to learn to piece curves. Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Barb Neiwert said...

I really like those purples, and the designs you've chosen, especially the Sawtooth Star. Putting that on my Wish List for a future To-Do Project. :)

Anonymous said...

What technique would I like to learn? I would love to have Leila do a tutorial on FMQ or QAYG, I'm really bad at both and her instructions are so clear!

Connie said...

Very pretty!!

Connie said...

Very pretty!!