My goodness, how time flies. I swear I reviewed Kay’s book Easy Applique Blocks five seconds ago. It’s been a full two years (almost to the date!)
I’m very excited that Kay’s written Inspired by Tradition. I’m a traditional block kind of gal. That may surprise you just a bit. Most of the fabric I use and designs I create tend toward the modern side of the scale. Aha, it’s all rooted in tradition! Everything old is new again, just made with different fabric.
Things about Kay’s approach to applique that I LOVE:
- Kay does not draw a line in the sand about hand applique vs. machine, she embraces both.
- The book covers several techniques in detail with step-by-step instructions, photographs and illustrations. This is a book that contains designs but also covers technique in depth.
- Tips and frequently asked questions are included.
- Kay has a point of view and she shares it! When first teaching myself to applique I was frustrated by the apparent mystery surrounding why you choose one approach over another. Kay discusses her preferences and the relative differences. So refreshing to have straight forward answers on this topic.
Things about the book that I LOVE:
- OK, the printing in 5 sizes from a CD is over-the-top genius. I put the CD in my computer, selected my design, and clicked on a 12″ block size from a choice of 6″, 8″, 9″, 10″ and 12″. I printed a reverse template for tracing onto the fusible web and a second template for placing the shapes. Man, oh, man. No going to the photocopy place. No trying to figure out the actual size of my scanner images and how to print them to my desired block size. Just select and print. Yahoo!!
- Full color images of each block.
- Detailed instructions for multiple techniques including Hand Applique, Back-Basting, Hand Stitching, and Raw Edge Machine Applique.
- Simple designs. It was extremely satisfying to create my block in a couple of hours, start to finish!
I selected the Orange Basket design (image from the book):
Here’s my finished version:
I’m still debating about how to use the block. I’m leaning toward a wall hanging with two more of the same block made up in different fabric combinations:
(solids Moda Crossweave Wovens, prints Kaffe Fassett Spring 2011)
Thank you Kay for another brilliant book packed with projects and techniques. It definitely got my creative juices flowing!
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To win a copy of Inspired by Tradition (provided by the publisher That Patchwork Place) please leave a comment sharing why you enjoy applique. A winner will be selected Monday evening. Winner to be announced soon!
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Handy links:
Kay’s blog All About Applique
A list of all the blogs on the Book Tour (more chances to win, yipppeee!)
Amazon listing containing a gallery of all quilt blocks in the book
Listen to Kay’s interview on Pat Sloan’s Creative Talk Radio
Wow, these are some fabulous ideas! Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
I love applique because I’m not a very precise quilter. Getting blocks to meet at the corners is stressful to me, so I prefer to focus on what I consider to be more forgiving–applique. But more interestingly, I saw a coaster in one of the photos above that made me stop. See my link for the one I have on my desk. I went back through your blog, and found that your post from 2006 was my inspiration to make this one!
I have not ventured into the applique world of quilting, but I really think it is a beautiful and unique way of quilting and would love to try my hand at it. This book looks like a good start!
I LOVE applique because it adds a totally different dimension to the quilt. I especially like to applique flowers with stems onto a quilt.
I love applique because it’s a beautiful way to make a quilt really personal.
I really enjoy reading applique patterns/blogs and then sitting quietly in the evenings and stitching my way through tv. It’s theraputic in that way I think!
I love to do any hand work and have some some needle turning and would love to learn some other applique techniques! thanks!
I have done some fusible web applique but am new to it. Thanks for the lovely review!
I love to sit down with an applique project and stitch in front of a good movie (that I have already seen). Especially one in which you might catch glimpses of the the characters doing needlework!
What’s not to love about applique. Sew many ways and so much fun!
I don’t know if I am too late, but I’d love to be entered in this very generous giveaway. The book looks awesome!
[...] writes a beautiful, inspirational, and informative blog at Pink Chalk Studio. Click on over to see what Kathy has done with a block from the [...]