This week I am moving Book Review Tuesday up a day, and including it in the Giveaway Day over @ Sew Mama Sew.
Review
Today’s review is on the book Modern Bee.
Title: “Modern Bee” – 13 quilts to make with friends
Author: Lindsay Conner
Publisher: C&T Publishing/Stash Books
ISBN: 978-1-60705-730-7
This book is a great reference guide, if you plan to join or run a virtual bee. I loved the focus in this book on the do’s and don’ts of a bee, and the details on what type of bees are available.
I recently joined my first bee. I followed the rules laid out by the organizer and made sure I posted my blocks on time. I did not know that there are specific etiquette’s expected though. Since reading this section, I now include a note in each of my blocks I send.
The book has a great layout, it is split into 3 sections starting with beginners, Confident Beginner and Intermediate blocks. Each block is assigned a month in each of the sections.
- January, February, March, April = Beginner. The beginner blocks are indeed easy and a great start for all individuals.
- May, June, July, August = Confident Beginner. This section the blocks are getting more complex and accuracy is required. It has a lot of HST (Half Square Triangles) and alignment required for the pieces.
- September, October, November, December + Charity Quilt = Intermediate. Introduces some new skills like circles/curves, intricate/small piecing as well as nesting shapes.
For each month, the block selected has details and steps on how to make the block, as well as how to layout the full quilt. The measurements and fabric needs are included for the individual block and what that will also mean for the full quilt.
The last section has some basic tips for finishing a quilt, which is the last step when everyone gets all their blocks back.
The thought that went into the layout of the block is obvious. I think, it has been designed to help every one in a bee get involved and improve your skills along the way.
Initially, I was not overly thrilled about the book. However, the more I understand and participate in my bee, and the more I tried the projects out, the more I enjoyed this book. It is definitely worth the purchase and is fast becoming one of my favorite project books.
My rating out of 5 is:
Project
I decided to create some blocks for Spoonflower’s Project Linus Quilt. For inspiration, (and to kill two birds with one stone so to speak) I used this book. I chose 6 blocks, 2 from each section. I am half way through.
The first two blocks, in the beginner section, are definitely easy to complete. Instructions were clear, and the blocks are quick to complete (approx. 30 minutes).
January: Mosaic Tiles
March: Bluebell’s Cabin
The last block I have completed, is from the confident beginner section. This block definitely had many more pieces and required a high level of accuracy for both cutting and piecing. The alignment of each of the 2.5″ blocks, is definitely a skill required to finish off the block. This block took about 60 minutes.
July: Cordelia’s Garden
The other 3 blocks, I plan on completing are:
August: Neon Ninja Star
October: Ziggy Stardust
Charity Quilt: String Circles
I will post them with they are complete. On to the…..
Give-away
One brand new copy of this book will be given away based on the rules for Giveaway Day.
- Open until December 13 at 5 p.m. PST.
- Winners will be notified December 15.
- Your item will be shipped by December 20.
- Will ship Internationally.
All you need to do is leave a comment on what bees you have enjoyed or about what you liked in the bees you have participated in. If you haven’t participated in one that too is ok :-), just let us know. There is a second chance to win if you are a follower, just leave a second comment. A winner will be chosen at random.
Next Book Review: Pretty in Patchwork: holidays {24.12.2013}
A disclaimer, all reviews and opinions of the books reviewed will be mine, unless otherwise stated. Please note, I may not respond to all comments due to volume and bandwidth.
Factotum of Arts 
1. I have participated in a monthly bee on Flickr (Nubees — might be defunct now…) and I am a member of the Stash Bee! I love the Stash Bee.
2. I am participating in a bee right now… x and + blocks. Love making and receiving blocks, but dislike the fact that so many quilters are not living up to their end of the committment.
3. Follow by email
4. I’ve done bond but not bees yet
5. Done B O M but not bees
6. What a lovely giveaway prize. Great job on your quilts too! I have participated in 1 bee and that was with my guild. I would love to do more. They make you stretch as a quilter. You get to work with fabrics, colors, and patterns you do not always use.
7. I haven’t participated in any 🙂 But thanks for a chance to win! julia(dot)glotova(at)gmail(dot)com
8. I love taking part in bese because its like having friends from all over the world!
9. I’m in a do good stitches bee and it has been a good experience! It sometimes feels like a bit of a chore at the end of the month but there’s the added benefit of knowing the quilt is going to someone who could use some love and encouragement.
10. Bloglovin’
11. haven’t yet taken part in a bee, but have in an online swap
12. I have signed up to follow by email
13. I was in my first bee this year, the Make It Modern Bee, but I’m excited to be starting in two bees in January, Stash Bee and the Fierce Quilters Bee. 🙂 I love bees.
14. I haven’t done any bees yet. Thanks for hosting!
15. I am currently participating in my first ever bee. November was my month and I am loving opening up each envelope that arrives 🙂
16. I follow via BL
17. Thanks for the giveaway! I haven’t yet participated in a bee, but I’d like to!
18. I’ve yet to participate in a bee, but it’s on my sewing bucket list to do so one day.
19. I don´t know any bee in Spain, and the postal cost are so high I couldn’t afford an international Bee, but I would love to participate.
20. I have not participated in a bee yet. I’m a fairly new quilter. But I think it would be fun once I get a little better at piecing.
21. I’ve made one group quilt with friends and it was so much fun seeing what everyone pulled from their personal stash to compile the whole quilt. It was just lovely.
happierthanabird at gmail dot com
22. I haven’t been in a bee yet. From what I’ve read on blogs they are fun.
23. One of my goals for the new year is to participate in a bee with my guild.
24. I haven’t been in a bee yet but I would love to join one. Does the book tell you about how to get into a bee?
25. I have not participated in any bees yet – maybe some day! Thanks!
26. I follow on Bloglovin.
27. I have participated in We Bee With It and will be participating again in January. Love this bee!
Also have participated in a + and X bee but have not received blocks from well over half of the participants…sad when people don’t follow the rules and play nice.
I am currently hosting a quilting bee Calico Dots and Gingham. And will be hosting a new online bee starting in January.
What I love most about quilting bees…making new friends and improving quilting skills trying blocks I might not otherwise consider.
28. I participated in a spool block bee. It was my first, and I’m interested in doing more!
29. I now follow you via blogger. 🙂
30. I like getting to try my hand at a bunch of different block styles. I end up making more complex blocks than I would otherwise–I wouldn’t want to make enough of them for a whole quilt, but just one is just right. So I stretch my skills that way.
31. I love getting to know the wonderful people in my bees as I create for them 😉
32. I haven’t participated in a bee yet, though my 3 sisters & I have been doing block swaps & round robins for several years now. Thanks.
33. I’m a follower with Bloglovin’. Thanks again.
34. I’m just finishing up my first bee (Simply Solids) and I liked it for the most part. Some people asked a lot and had difficult blocks, but the majority were fun. I would do another bee for sure.
35. I’m a happy follower via bloglovin
36. I have never took part in a bee before. Thanks for the chance to win.
37. I am your follower
38. “For each month, the block selected has details and stepson how to make the block….” When I first read this, I was probably half asleep and thought you really meant stepson 😆 (I’m on my lunch hour and not feeling well anyway, hence the half-asleep).
I’ve never been in any bee except a spelling bee, but these look like lots of fun. Congrats (early) to whoever wins this!!
39. I have never been apart of a bee even tho I would love too! The reason I have never been apart of a bee is because I have only been sewing/quilting for about one year and I still have a lot to learn. I did not grow up in a home with quilters or anyone who even sewed up a ripped shirt for that matter. My youngest child started school, I was totally sad and lost without her so I bought an old sewing machine and have been totally in love from that day forward!!
*Jessica
juceyj03@gmail.com
40. I follow your blog via bloglovin:-)
*Jessica
juceyj03@gmail.com
41. I’m in soooo many bees! I’m in a couple of scrappy bees and then some local bees. I really like being in bees!!!!!!
42. I haven’t taken part in a bee yet, but I love the concept.
43. I am really enjoying your book reviews! I am the book buyer for my local Guild’s library and write a review article for the newsletter most months, so I’m especially interested. I hope that after you have written a few more reviews you will have a category for them, to make them easy to find and reference. I really like that you actually make some blocks as part of your review. Having background in art history (which I lack!) adds a lot to your review.
I have been part of several local bees (we call them satellite groups) that are part of the local quilt guild, and have made group quilts both for charity and as gifts for someone we all wanted to honor. I love being part of a group with a project! I haven’t done a virtual bee, but I am certainly tempted — how does one find a bee that makes a good fit with personal goals/resources?
I have created a submenu on SqueekCrafts, with a new page “Book Review Tuesdays” https://factotum-of-arts.com/sqk/book-review-tuesdays/. Enjoy, Thanks for the feedback/idea 🙂
44. I follow your blog (and love it!) through bloglovin’.
45. I’ve never participated in a bee
46. I follow on bloglovin
47. I’ve never done a Bee before but I am signed up for Stash Bee which should be starting soon!
48. I’ve never participated in a bee, but I love the work the ladies in the Cocorico bee have done!
49. I am also a follower!
50. I have done a couple of 6 x 3 bees and loved them. For 2014 I am going to participate in a more traditional bee. This book looks really good.