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 
203. I’ve started two bees and I love making new friends in the process
204. I have been in a couple of bees. They are pretty fun, but I think I am more of independent worker than I realized… I like the connections though.
205. I follow on bloglovin’
206. I was a member of a quilt group in Germany. They taught me how to quilt as we did our bees. It was great.
207. I have never participated in a bee but I so wish my in laws would do one. They have the perfect place to do it, and there are 3 women in the family (not including me) that would love doing that I think.
208. I’ve never participated in a bee. But I would love to one day.
209. I’ve never participated in a Bee. I’d like to understand better how they work, how to join one, etc. Thanks for the chance to win.
210. I have never been in a bee.
211. I follow on Word Press.
212. I liked OUR bee … I suppose you would call it a bee, even though we didn’t officially call it that. Beth’s Thank You Quilt was so much for me to put together!
213. I’ve never participated in a bee….someday!
214. I follow on Bloglovin’
215. Have not participated in any bees yet, only swaps and sew-a-longs, but I’ve only been blogging for a year now, so I’m sure that a bee will be somewhere on the horizon 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win the book!
216. I have never participated in a bee, maybe someday!
217. I’m really enjoying Do Good Stitches – it’s fun to make so many different charity quilts.
218. I have never been in a bee before. you make it sound so much fun.
218. I follow by bloglovin
219. I have never participated in a bee.
220. I’m new to quilting so I haven’t participated in any bees yet, but I hope to once my skills improve.
221. Looks like a fun book. I have never participated in a bee but some friends and I are making some blocks to swap. Very informal.
222. I haven’t participated in a quilting bee, but have participated on a doll round robin where we each added something to a cloth doll.
223. I have joined my first bee a few months ago and have learned a lot already by being forced to “think outside my little box”.
224. I’ve never participated in a bee….but I love quilt alongs a lot!
225. I have never participated in a bee but would love to.
226. bloglovin follower: Nicole Sender
227. have never done a quilting bee but have done a lot of swaps within our guild The worst was all greens. The best was aqua wonky log cabins.
228. I’ve never participated in an online bee, but the actual bees I’ve done have been a great way to get to know people better.
229. I really like bees that are chatty. If they aren’t chatty I often forget about them and then I am bad about remember to do the block. Then I rush to get it done in time.
230. I have not participated in any, and I’m a little fuzzy on how they work. I’ve heard a lot about do.good stitches from Stitched in Color, though. I’d learn a lot from this book! Also, my daughters name is Cordelia 🙂
231. I’m a follower!
232. I have never done a bee before but am signed up to do the online stash bee in 2014! I am super excited! mrscwatson81@hotmail.com
233. I’ve never participated in a bee, but I think there’s one starting and you need this book so maybe I’ll win!
234. I’m a new follower!
235. I’ve never participated in a bee.
236. I follow by FB and Bloglovin
237. Hi. Thank you for the giveaway. I’d love to win a copy of this book! I haven’t participated in any bees yet. Aside from the blogosphere, and my LQS, I don’t know any other quilters. A bee would be fun!
238. I’ve never done a bee but I love the idea.
239. I am happy to follow you on Bloglovin. Merry Christmas from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
240. I am doing blocks of the bible with a local shop per online patterns. Merry Christmas from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
241. I’ve hosted a number of mini round robins and I’m currently hosting a Primary Bee for the elementary age set. I love seeing all the creativity that results. Thanks for the chance to win this fun book.
242. I’ve belonged to a bee for the last 10 years. A few member s have come and gone but 5 of us have remained throughout. We try to meet weekly. This year due to hectic schedules we changed to bi-weekly. We retreat together at least twice a year. Before joining the bee I didn’t know any of the other girls. Now we are lifelong friends.
243. I haven’t participated in any bees but I do enjoy reading about them. Everyone is always so talented.
244. I haven’t participated in any bees but they always look so fun! Maybe someday.
245. Have not been brave enough to try a bee. Maybe in 2014?!
246. I’ve never been part of a bee but I think it would be a wonderful experience! Thanks for the giveaway!
247. I have just started in bees, both scrappy trip and modern blocks. I love the feedback! But I know I am a little tough as a bee participant, as I have a hard time describing my color palette in words rather than pictures…..learning though!
248. Never participated in a bee, but have thought about it.
249. I have never participated in a bee but think it would be fun.
250. I am a member of the do. Good Stitches Nurture circle and I love it! Every one is committed and we very rarely ave problems with blocks that never show up. In bees I’d been in before half the members disappeared before the end.
251. This book sounds fabulous. I have never done a bee, but hope to in 2014! Desi– desi@weeshare.net