And she's written a quilt book. Yay!!!
The first section of the book looks at communal quilting projects like quilt bees, friendship quilts, etc. Lots of great ideas here!
In the spirit of this communal project, Kathreen asked a number of bloggy quilty folks to be involved in creating the quilts for this book. My contribution was to sew the quilt top for this quilt ...
The second part of the book gives some quilting basics followed by the main section of the book with quilt projects using pre-cut fabrics. Everything from charm squares to jelly roles to fat quarters.
When I buy a quilty type book, I usually just peruse the pictures for inspiration rather than reading the 'how-to' bits ... so I really LOVE a book with fabulous photographs. And this book doesn't disappoint in the photography department ..
Like what you see? Well you might be lucky enough to win a copy of this book ... courtesy of publisher Chronicle Books!
Just leave a comment on this post telling me what you look for in craft books! (No "pick me" comments please!)
Also, please make sure you include an email address and let me know where in the world you are.
I'll draw a winner this Friday 18th November.
This blog tour has been going for a week or so already but if you would like to visit any of the blogs on the rest of the tour, you can find the whole list with all the links over at this post.
Happy blog hopping!
Andi xx
84 comments:
I look for pictures of quilts that look like quilts that real live people can actually do. The elaborate quilts are good to ooo and ahhh over but are ultimately impractical.
I look for great photography and unique quilt designs. I really like improve quilts and reading about how the idea for a particular piece came about. I'm also a sucker for the actual textural feel of the book ... I'm loving the soft covered books with the matte covers. Beautiful!
I have just started to buy Jelly rolls and am looking for a books/patterns with a modern edge. I will keep an eye out for this one. thanks. Stacey
I look for colour, colour, colour - any 'brown' quilts turn me off I'm afraid -even though I know it's a colour! I like photos of quilts that show the whole quilt too, not just thrown over the bed all crumpled etc (I do like this kind of photography too, but not when I'm considering making it!)
I look for TONS of pictures. I am so visual that I get inspiration and a lot of how to from pictures - not words. I love Kathreen and WhipUp!!
what usually draws me in are the photo's. i love looking at quilts and imagining them in diffferent
fabrics.
I love great photography that gives you a close up look at the blocks as well as good full quilt shots. I also look for the tips, hints and how tos as I am a beginner and self taught using books and internet. I need all the help I can get!!! so thanks for the opportunity!
I look for something that's really fresh and new. A lot of pattern books out there just rehash classic quilts. I'm loving the look of Kathreen's book though, it seems like it has some very exciting new designs.
oh what loveliness!
I always loved her work.
I look for quilt books that are good for charity quilts. I make baby quilts for charity (project linus)~locally in AZ here. I've not seen this book til now. Great lookin' quilt book! thanks for the opportunity!
niki
nikimcn@hotmail.com
I usually actually look for good pictures. The pictures are what inspire me the most when I'm crafting. The right colors, styling, and projects with a punch usually draw me into the book. Beyond that, impeccable patterns are greatly appreciated.
I collect quilt books. But I rarely make anything from them. I just like to look for new colour combinations mostly. And I love books that take styling of the photos seriously - you know, quilts in rooms that show how crafted things can look great in modern decor.
dicksonfran@gmail - London, UK
Beautiful, inspiring photographs that capture the entire quilt are great. It needs to also be inspiring, have something different in it that I want to make. I see that round play-mat and I want to make it. Apart from that, if a book is full of great tips and tricks that make things easier, quicker, or more professional then I have to have it.
I love when books reveal an "easier than what I've been doing" technique. There are some smart cookies out there!
I different designs and projects - a variety! Good instructions are important to me and not just pictures. thanks!
butler83ataoldotcom
I'm with you. I LOVE the photos. The more, the better.
I look for eye-grabbing colors and patterns with 'zing'...maybe something I haven't tried or a color combination I wouldn't typically put together. Books with a bit of the unexpected are awesome...for instance, I just finished trying out curved piecing and am hooked!
bowenstephanie74@aol.com
Texas, USA
Looks like a great book! I look for patterns with clear finished pictures of the project! I think the photo really decides it for me, if I am going to take the time to make it or not....thank you... KERIHAG at YAHOO dot COM
Thanks for the chance at this book, I had just been reading about it in the list of new craft books at Chronicle.
I'm not yet a quilter but have sewn for years and would love to learn more about quilting from this book.
While I of course enjoy fabric and sewing eye candy, when shopping for craft books, I look for practical patterns that I will use. It's important that the value of the book match the price too.
I look for inspiration! Ideas that I wouldn't have thought of, a technique that is new and saves effort, an unusual color combination, or a way to use up the fabric I own. Versatile patterns that I can adapt to my needs or just spectacular designs.
I look for easy to follow instructions as I am a novice crafter!!! Thanks for the generous giveaway! Amy @ gasudimack(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I look at the photos for inspiration (like you), something that lends itself to many variations. And is it something simple and useful? Good design is key. Thank you! hurrayic(at)yahoo(dot)com
I simply look for ideas for projects that I am able to make. It helps alot if there are beautiful photographs. I'm in Pa. Thanks for the chance to win!
I am always impressed by instructions that have really good diagrams or photos to show the steps.
There don't have to be hundreds of them, but they have to be clear.
Unusual/sophisticated use of colour really catches my eye too.
I love the idea of this book. What I look for in craft books, generally, is clear instructions and usefulness. I would love to make every beautiful thing but these days I want to see it and use it too.
I like beautiful photos with easy to follow patterns- so you feel you can try it at home! Oh, and a lovely contactable author is a bonus!
It's all about the photography - and I like to see multiple shots of each quilt, close-ups of blocks, shots of the whole quilt etc. Vibrant colours and gorgeous styling also help! This looks like it might fit that bill!
I look for inspiration in books of the crafty kind - so lots of lush glossy photos is a must. Then I look for the motivation and the feeling that "yep I could make that too". I also love it when at the back of the crafty book there is a list of resources or suppliers - it is always good to find new places to buy supplies.
virtuallysally[at]gmail[dot]com in Australia :)
thanks for the giveaway Andi - I want a craft book to have projects that I can do and also to have lots of eye candy so I can dream as well :)
Lots of process photographs are a must for a good craft book. I love seeing the finished product but if I can't check to see what a project is going to look like during more complicated steps, I often get the plague of self-doubt wondering whether I'm doing it right.
Thanks from Canada!
I look for new ideas and inspiration. Then I check for good directions and photographs! Thanks for the give away!!
Good patterns and photos attract me. When I see what I like, I normally start thinking "oooh! I want to make this too!"
From NZ with thanks
jchiagan@yahoo.com
Fresh designs, great photography, suggestions for other ways to use the pattern/idea and clear instructions!
I look for projects that I think I could actually complete. Thanks for the chance to win!
I'm a pictures girl - and I'm loving that picture of the diamond quilt with the fat blue border!
I look for new ideas, pretty designs, clear writing, lots of pictures. I'm sending you this from the Yukon in Canada. rushant at northwestel dot net.
i love good pictures with clear and specific directions. The book looks lovely!
My weakness is craft books. I am drawn in by bright colors and quirky, funky creations that are not mainstream... not follow-the-crowd. Crafting excites me to the point where I can hardly sleep waiting for my feet to touch the floor in he a.m. so that I can begin a project.
THIS LOOKS LIKE A NEAT BOOK!
I LOOK FOR CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS+PHOTOS.
BOOKS THAT INTEREST ME LATELY ARE THESE ON PRE-CUTS. THANKS FOR SHARING! HAPPY STITCHING!
I look for well presented clear instructions and something a little different. This book is good because evening though its pre cuts, the patterns look a little different to the normal square , triangle type
I like vivid pictures and clear directions. I don't really follow many patterns but I use books for design inspiration and to learn a specific technique
I look for pictures with vibrant colors - something that makes me want to recreate it for myself.
Well for me it's the pictures, now if it was a porn book I'd have to say it's for the articles, lol. Colours of course are the big attraction, I love brights & I love pretties, no drabs for me. I also enjoy seeing how the quilt is being used, so I like to see it in action, not hanging on a wall.
As well as the incredible ideas and beautiful quilts, I am a sucker for soaking in all the fabulousness of the furnishings, the wallpapers, the nic nacs in the pics.... I love it all.
I love books with great tips and techniques, something a little bit above basic level, intriguing new techniques and ideas that I haven't seen before. I love spotting fabrics that I know and have bought or considered buying too.
I look for modern quilts that are realistic to make. They can be large or even complecated quilts, but if there is an explanation that could be followed with great photos, a layout diagram for blocks, I get inspired & I am a sucker! The other thing I love is fabric colour & pattern size suggestions (small, medium or large scale prints).
Simoneiemo28@gmail.com
what i look for in craft books for is applicability, reasonability, and uniqueness. Craft books should contain projects that are actually useful (decorative is useful) and can relate to the world in which they exist. I don't think I should have to buy a laundry list of new materials or tools either. Or if I do, I don't want it to cost me an arm and a leg. It's not reasonable. And then it should just be unique in some way, different.
Hi Andi,
I look for lovely pictures...first, then for good clear instructions and also to see that most of the pictured quilts are included in the patterns, nothing more frustrating if not.
It's definitely good pictures for me Andi. I like a bit of personality in what's written too - something I found in Camille Roskelly's book. Nothing too stuffy for me, I like my crafty books to be fun just like my crafty mates.
Happy sewing,
Ab
I didn't know about this book before the tour, but it looks great!
I look for inspiration in ideas, colors, new ways of thinking or doing things. I look for a book that sparks my energy. The circle quilt on the cover, and the one in the photo with the little boy speak to me, but a well balanced design with muted squares, rectangles and lines with a architectural feel will do it too. I want it to add something to my quilting crafting life that I can't just whip up in a zip myself - help me think!
I always look for lots of color or depth in the projects. I'll definitely buy the book if there's more than 2 patterns that I absolutely love! A sale price never hurts either ;)
I'm in the U.S.
I also look for good photography. I find good pics to be so very inspiring. What I've seen so far is definitely that...
Wow, I love that giant dresden plate on the floor with the little boy. I want to make that one!!!!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win! I love all of the pictures in the book! It really looks wonderful!
In books I look for real time useability with inspiration for being creative with the original design idea. I also enjoy reading something about the author to make it personal.
larmenti@bellsouth.net
Have a great Wednesday!
Roswell, Georgia
I look mostly for inspiration, specifically in terms of color selections, which I often have a hard time with. A book with lots and lots of color photos is my favorite.
I'm in the US
I look for projects that say "make me!" I like different, unique and modern. I also like the book to have a lot of projects that I'd love to make, not just one or two. Thanks for the giveaway! I live in the US.
I look for 2-3 projects that I really want to make.
I like plenty of pictures - showing the finished article and the making process!
Forgot to say I'm in the UK !!
So please don't count this comment!
I'm definitely a visual learner, so like you, I'd say a book would have to have lots of beautiful inspirational pictures! I'd get a lot of use from this particular book...send it on to Virginia! :)
debgiro at wildblue dot net
I look for areas of multiple interest... so often I see a lovely looking book that might have 1 or 2 projects I'm interested in and dozens that totally turn me off. So, if I'm actually going to buy a craft book, it has to have several things that I want to try and maybe some great all-purpose instructions that'd teach me a new skill and let me take off from there.
I love a good project- pictures and details but eye candy is really important for inspiration. This book looks like it would be a great addition to my library.
This is such a beautiful book!
I'm a bit like you - I like reading advice and seeing patterns, but mostly I like beautiful pictures and ideas to inspire me to make something up on my own!
The book looks great...projects look fun and the photography is really good. I look for craft books that have something to read as well as projects...and lots of inspiring projects, not just one thing I might do. I live in the Hunter Valley on a cool & rainy morning...just reading what you are up to!
For quilting books, I look for modern patterns and also the same pattern shown in different color ways. For general crafting books, I look for a variety of techniques and patterns to keep me busy and interested. I live in Boston, MA.
Definitely lots of nice photos, and often it's good to feel as inspired by the fabrics as much as the designs. What I don't like is when they use up half the book covering the basics of patchwork and quilting, as that can surely be found elsewhere :-)
I've heard it said that often 'Cook' books are the new kind of porn the public drools over, when it comes to the images ... to comment with more class: I can kind of relate to this idea applied to all 'great' Craft & Art books ... quality images & layout & font & language & user friendly-ness & staging & the tactile feel of an in-hand Craft book brimming with ideas has me every time!
I look for ideas that I think I will actually make. It's fun to look at what everyone does and to look in awe of what others do that I know that I won't or probably won't. But I don't always know if there might be something that catches my eye that looks interesting enough for me to try. Has anyone else thought that they wouldn't like something only to try it and change your mind?
tba247(at)hotmail(dot)com
Normally in any book I first look for pictures but, pay more attention to the instructions to see if they are written well enough to understand easily. A book with great pictures and bad instructions isn't much help if you are hoping to make any of the items in those great pictures.
vburr at charter dot net
oh no.... time difference. hope this is still in! the quilts are beautiful!
This sounds like a great book. When I'm looking at a book to buy I want to see lots of pictures of the projects. I want there to be at least 3-4 projects that I want to make. I love when the directions are clear, follow an order and have illistrations or pictures if needed.
Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I look for good photos and clear instructions to start. I also like little tips - maybe a new technique, or how to customize the project. And I obviously have to like the looks of the projects.
This book looks lovely. Thanks for the giveaway!
Of course the pictures draw me in, but I like a quilt book with very clear instructions and also pics of the quilt in different colorways.
Since I'm not an artistic person and can't visualize what something will look like, I need to have patterns to follow. I always appreciate alternate color options. I often pass up quilts if the color combination does nothing for me. And I like to collect quilt books and go back and dream over them months and years later.
Leslie S. in MN
esclante at comcast dot net
Good question! I look for well-written instructions, clear diagrams or photos showing important steps, and projects that real people can do.
I look for easy, doable projects as well as wonderful pictures and lots of color! This book definitely fits the bill! :)
I look for a book that has easy to follow instructions that have been actually tested by people who sew!! I love to see beautiful photos, inspiring colours and an easy to follow format. The book must scream at me "Take me home, you really want to make this quilt!!!'
maureen.dempsey@bigpond.com (in Australia)
I look for patterns that catch my eye & aren't going to be too hard for me (I'm a beginner quilter). I also look for books that have simple instructions and list the finished sizes. Also I have to like at least 2/3 to 3/4 of the patterns to purchase it. Thanks for a chance to win! :) I'm up in snowy western Canada!
bcgeates at netbistro dot com
I look for craft books that have clear, concise instructions and nice colourful photos of items that would look good in any setting.
I look for step by step, easy to follow directions, and lots of pictures! I like to feel like I have a teacher sitting beside me walking me through the process =)
Cat
thechattycat@gmail.com
I like bright pictures, and clear instructions - since I will read the instructions over and over and over before I even attempt a project! This looks like a great book! Thank you for the opportunity!
I look for projects that I would look to make. I like seeing beautiful photography of those projects so I can be inspired.
I am always drawn in by great photos...I look for ideas that are new to me. A book has to have at least two or three patterns that I think I will actually make to justify the purchase!
I love a book with beqautiful pictures, and will often take as much inspiration from the feel and setting of the projects, and the fabrics used, as from the instructions. I love the styling of Suzuko Koseki's books, with the sixties Danish furniture, and I can see a lovely 60s chair in Kathreen's book here! I find the choice of fabrics very inspiring too.
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