501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks and The Border Workbook Book Reviews

I hope everyone is having or has had a wonderful Friday!  You may recall this post where I spoke about building my quilt reference library.  Today I have two other excellent books that are wonderful if you are wanting to build your quilt reference library as well. 

The first book is 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks written by Judy Hopkins and published by That Patchwork Place.  There are a few things I sincerely appreciate about this book.  The first is the Gallery of Blocks on the first few pages of the book.  All 501 blocks are included and they are in color, as you can see below.

The colored blocks makes it very easy to see the shift in the piecing and design. I choose my own fabrics (that is what makes it original for me).  Another thing I appreciate about this book is that each block has an extremely well written diagram with labeling.  Depending on weather you want a 4 1/2" up to 12" block there are diagrams showing you the dimensions to cut your fabric.   This is a no-fail book....if you can read and look at the diagram....everyone can cut the blocks.  If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times....I'm visual and I need the directions to be extremely clear...and I"m telling yo,u Judy has done a fabulous job of accomplishing clarity! 

The next book is The Border Workbook, Easy Speed Pieced and Foundation Pieced Borders by Janet Kime.  

Janet has done a great job of explaining how to choose fabrics for the border as well as a discussion about weather or not to put a border on your quilt.  I find these discussions very helpful.  They stretch my thinking and give me great ideas that help fuel my creativity. 

There are 27 different borders to choose from-although you could combine a few of them to increase your options and stretch your creativity.  You can choose one for the sashing, another for your borders and/or make them smaller to outline your blocks if you like.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and creativity. 

Each of the designs in The Border Workbook, comes with a table for planning your border.  It explains great directions for determining the length of your border based on the number of repeats you will need to fit your quilt.   Below that table there is another table that gives the exact measurements for cutting each piece of fabric for the border.   Following that information are excellent diagrams that show how the pieces are fit together.  There are arrows and numbers on the diagrams that illustrate the placement of each piece and the order of sewing the pieces. 

At the end of each border there is a table that helps you calculate the size of blocks needed to change the dimension of your border pieces.

Here is an example of the clarity of the diagrams and instructions.   You will find the foundation pieced border patterns in the back of the book.  I just love the clarity of directions and diagrams!
 
Both 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks and The Border Workbook are part of my quilting reference library and I highly recommend each of these books.  In fact, I like them so much and want others to have the opportunity to build their quilt reference libraries that I'm running a special.  This special is available to IHAN Blog Followers ONLY.  CLICK HERE and see the nice discount you will get if you purchase both books before Monday, October 10, 2011.
 
Tomorrow I'm taking my first offical machine quilting class with Patsy Thompson at a local quilt shop.  I can hardly wait.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend as well.
 
Smiles,
Kelly

Raise Your E-Notion IQ- Scrap Ma Bob & Shirt Tales Pattern

It is Wednesday again...and time to Raise Your E-Notion IQ!   Every time I go to a class or retreat I take my Scrap-Ma Bob Clamp On Holder for Beverage and Scraps.

 

The Scrap-Ma Bob is a sturdy clamp on holder where I rest my drinks and I also have a reusable bag for my trash.  It helps eliminate clutter and potential accidents (oh please don't spill your drinks on your sewing machine or fabrics...yikes).  The Scrap-Ma Bob clamps to the edge of most flat surfaces and is designed to hold a 32 oz cup or mug. They are great for quilting, sewing, paper crafting, playing cards and table top games. 

If you are looking for a great gift for a friend or family member...perhaps yourself...you may want to consider a Scrap-Ma-Bob.  Now, if you are the kind of person who does not want a beverage holder and scrap bag named "Bob" you can just feel free to call her, "Scrap-Ma Betty." 

Check out this fantastic pattern, Shirt Tales 1 by Jill Mead (Rag Merchant). 

This is Carolyn Griffin, Far Flung Quilts, wearing Shirt Tales 1.  I was instantly focused on  Carolyn's shirt when I saw her recently.  The fabric strips are batiks and each strip has a different stitch from her sewing machine.

Isn't this just the cats meow?   Shirt Tales 1 can be made in any of your favorite combinations of fabrics.   Think of all the possibilities.  You can even make your own covered buttons for the back if you like.  I think these shirts would make a wonderful gift too.  I know I would love one for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Perhaps just one for fall and one for winter.  I told you the possibilities are limitless!  LOL...how about one for my birthday :)

Most of us have several stitches on our sewing machines we never use.  This would be a perfect opportunity to use all of the stitches or if you prefer,  just your favorite stitches.  

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Smiles,

Kelly

PA, What A Wonderful Place

Ok, I admit it....I was not fishing while I was away.  I took a overdue trip to see some of my dear friends.  There is no other place on this earth I can go and have more than 10 people show up to have lunch with me.  These gals are part of my Tuesday Stitching Group in PA....and I miss most all of the Tuesdays because I'm now in OH.  I don't miss the chance to gather with them while in PA.  I won't go through the names....these gals all know who they are and how special they are to me.  There are more PA friends who are not in these pixs...but they too know who they are...unless they've forgotten....that does happen to us once in awhile...LOL.

 I had to get a close of up of this Yo-Yo jacket Joyce was wearing.  It is absolutely fabulous!!! 

She did not make it....although she has made other amazing quilts and jackets.

After lunch we went to NY to visit a new friend.  I took pictures along the way because it is so beautiful in PA and NY....breath taking mountains and skies.

This is Barbra and I had the most amazing experience meeting her.  Barbara is 83 and I'm telling you she moves faster than most 40 year olds and she has wonderful stories and quilts that she shared with MJ and I.

I had the best fortune of being able to buy Barbara's Singer Featherweight ....and boy aren't they purdy?  Both of them!!

I've been wanting a Featherweight for some time now so you know I was thrilled to get one is such beautiful condition....and a lovely case too!  If you have never sewn with a Featherweight and wonder what the hype is all about....I like them because they are #1 Beautiful #2 are lightweight and nice to take to workshops and  #3 because they sew one dog-gone good straight stitch...consistent and even. It does not sew anything other than a straight stitch....and typically I use that the most.

Barbara has some vintage quilts and she was full of fun stories about these quilts.  They were not labeled so she has taken a photo and typed in the person's name and all the info she had and put them on the back of each quilt.  I thought that was genius!!!

This is a very fragile crazy quilt....and the stitching is out of this world.

The quilt below is also a vintage quilt....and it sure was fun to look at.

Below is the backing....the vintage fabric really grabbed me.

 Barbara also showed us some of her daughter's amazing pouches and mouse pads.

Kim has an Etsy Shop and she makes Mouse Pads, Coasters, Trivets and what you see above are really cool re-usable Lunch Bags and Snack Bags.  Kim also makes Pouches for cosmetics etc.  They are all lined and re-usable....now that is really cool.

This next picture is absolutely precious.  One of Barbara's grandchildren made this as a gift....now tell me if a child made this for you that you would not melt.  I think it is an excellent idea and I'm thinking of re-using the idea!!!

Changing topics now..... I went to a VFW one night and I was very moved by the table in the front of the restaurant. 

They have reserved a dinner table for the POW and MIA's...what a powerful reminder.

I took a photo of the letter on the table...I hope you can read it.

Ok, now on to yet another topic all together.  While visiting another eating establishment (no I did not eat out the entire time...but it sure looks that way doesn't it?")  These cracked me up and I thought some of you might enjoy them too.

Giggles and Smiles,

Kelly