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Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts - Book Review and Giveaway

Sandi Blackwell is such a lovely woman.  I could not attend Quilt Market this past year so Sandi brought Market to me :)  She sent me her newest book and several patterns to review and give away on my blog.  Can I get a loud Woooo Hooooo for Sandi!!!  She just ROCKS!!!

From the moment I watched Sandi demonstrate how she sews squares together and then turns them into complicated quilt patterns I was blown away.  She uses science to make beautiful quilt pattern designs. 

 I have to be honest and tell you that I would not be willing to cut my fabric on a diagonal and sew the bias edges back together again.  I have enough trouble keeping everything square and I don't want headaches.  I'm sure that is why I was so tickled to see Sandi's method.

The diagram on the back of Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts is an excellent visual description of how Sandi manages to turn a bunch of squares into a beautiful on-point quilt.  First you sew all the squares together and then you cut them on a diagonal and re-sew those pieces together.  Yes, you do have bias edges and I did say I don't like bias edges.  Sandi demonstrates how she keeps those edges stable by using her tape.  It isn't required to use it, but for folks like me...I'd use it.

As I said, you don't have to use the additional Guide Tapes but they are helpful if you are like me and gets things mixed up and wonky.  Sandi also provides templates in her book for the Arrow's that you can print and use as well.

I assure you that with the visual guides and very well written instructions you can make a beautiful quilt like Strawberry Fields without having to cut all those small bias edges.
Strawberry Fields Quilt pattern from Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts

 I just love the  Strawberry Fields pattern.  It is bright, cheerful and can be made with a huge variety of fun fabrics.  There isn't a pattern in this book that I don't like which is a real compliment coming from me.  Typically there are only a few quilts in a book that I am drawn to and I'm drawn to every one of Sandi's quilts.  Just look at the cover of the book....isn't that just a stunning quilt?

Did I mention a giveaway?  I sure did :)
I will be giving away an autographed copy of Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts this Friday to one very lucky person AND 4 other very lucky people will be given one of Sandi's patterns.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sandi has Free Pattern Downloads, you don't want to miss those!!!

Jack Blackwell wrote an article that was published in Quiltposium Magazine that you may enjoy reading.
 CLICK HERE and scroll down to read the article

Smiles,
Kelly

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Book Review: Fabric Die Cutting Tips by Ebony Love

UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF POST 

Ebony Love, Love Bug Studios,  is a new author and she is glowing here at Quilt Market in Houston.  She seems to have endless energy and enthusiasm.

"Fabric Die Cutting Tips" contains many tips and some great information for those folks who either are going to purchase a Die Cutting Machine or already own one.

I have purchased and owned  the Big Shot, Big Shot Pro, Vagabond*, AccuQuilt GO and the GO Baby I have first hand knowledge about all of these machines and I've reviewed them on this very blog.  While reading through "Fabric Die Cutting Tips" I found some excellent tips that I think many people will appreciate.

  • Have you wanted to cut continuous borders using a fabric cutting die? 
  • Every wonder why your was gathering or bunching on top of your die while you were putting it through your machine?
  • Wanted to fussy cut an applique die and wasn't sure the best way to do that?
  • Wanted to learn how to make a quick reference for yourself when using your dies?  Which die works best for which block, measurements, angles of laying your fabric etc?

Ebony has provided answers to all of those questions and more in her new book, "Fabric Die Cutting Tips".


If you would like to win an autographed copy of " "Fabric Die Cutting Tips" please leave a comment on this post and share with all of us why you think this book would be helpful to you.  I will use the random number generator to choose the winner on November 31st.

More from Houston soon :)

Smiles,
Kelly

*My Vagabond is the only machine that I accepted as a gift from Sizzix.  I was so excited about its release I could not wait for them to be in stock at the distributors to order one.  That is the truth and quite happily my excuse too....because I'd gladly pay for it 10 times over and I'm not about to part with mine, that's how much I love it.


For all of you in the path of that storm....all I can say is I'll be thinking about you and I sure hope you all have a Beam N Read Hands Free Light and one for each member of your family!   I have mine here with me, I'm not taking any chances!

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