I am so excited about this book review as I have taken a couple of Carolyn Friedlander’s classes and loved every minute of them. Not only is she such a wonderful person, but she truely inspires me with her projects and fabrics. I had high hopes for her book and after several months of waiting for the book to finally ship, I was not disappointed.
Review
Title: “Savor Each Stitch” – 13 quilts to make with friends
Author: Carolyn Friedlander
Publisher: Lucky Spool Media
ISBN: 978-1-94065-501-7
I found this book a fascinating read which I read cover to cover. While it contains projects, the book is a study on various topics which are covered in the 7 main sections – Line, Contrast, Scale, Color, Emphasis, Volume and Texture.
Each section talks about the idea and concept and really helps you to think about what you are doing and provides guidance that can be applied to your own projects. Each section has a little workshop/exercise that you can try out to help assist in grasping the concept that is being described. One of my favorite things is the study/analysis of the topic continues in the projects. At least 3 examples of how the project could be applied are provided.
The projects are all fabulous. I will make, at some stage, the majority of these projects as either gifts for myself or for others.
You can check out many of the projects in Carolyn’s blog post on the Spring Quilt Market.
I loved this book. It is one of the few sewing/quilting books that I have read vs. flicked through just for the projects. I would recommend it to anyone so it is a 5/5:
Project
Usually, I would attempt the project in the book, however, the project I will show is not from the book. My “Phased Circles” Quilt I had design and created thinking about the concepts in the book. This quilt allowed me to explore multiple aspects: Emphasis (Design), Contrasts, Colors, and use of circles and lines.
Project: Phased Circles (Technique – Machine Piecing and Needle Turn Applique)
Continues to the back with the use of graduating colors.
Give-away
One brand new copy of this book will be given away, all you need to do is leave a comment on “What is your favorite thing to do, to savor each stitch? Is there a project where you have stopped to think about the design or applied color theory or played with texture?”.
There is a second chance to win if you are a follower, just leave a second comment. A winner will be chosen at random this Sunday 31st August at 6pm EST.
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 
51. Lately what I’ve been doing to savor each stitch as been to put aside the more planned projects I have, and “use up a pile of scraps” that aren’t really my color or style. It has been completely freeing, because I have no worries about “wasting” fabric, and it’s helped me try new things and combinations I wouldn’t otherwise have used. The scraps were all thin triangular off-cuts, so I am combining them in various ways as is.
52. I pretty much savor each stitch by going slowly and really checking my fabric choices before I start. My favorite part is finally being able to sew on the binding and admire (or critique with a laugh) my quilt. Thanks for a chance!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
53. I follow your blog! Thanks
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
54. I love taking my time when sewing, I think about color in quilt top and thread, so it will be easier to now how I want to quilt the quilt and type of designs I want ti add to the quilting.
ncjeepster@aol.com
55. I follow you via bloglovin’
https://www.bloglovin.com/ncjeepster
ncjeepster@aol.com
56. I savor each stitch when I finish a UFO, on something I didn’t care for when I put it away and now love when seeing the final result.
57. I love the hand quilting, it is a great way to savour each stitch, but also to finish a quilt after you worked so hard on designing it and piecing it together – like a reward!
58. This book looks so good! For me, savoring the project involves not forcing it. Allowing myself to step back if I’m not feeling the project 🙂
59. I like to let a new project roll around in my head for a long time – ,maybe months! – to consider all the design possibilities. My favorite approach to piecing is to start loading up the design wall, rearrange blocks and then return to it often to see it with fresh eyes. It’s such a delight to enter my studio and suddenly realize how perfectly the design works! Once I start piecing in earnest I attack it seriously and work until it’s bound and labeled.
I’ve combined solids, batiks, calicoes, modern and traditional prints in projects, if it makes sense and adds to the tactile interest. Usually I stick to a limited palette, and no matter how improvisationally I start, I almost always end up adding elements of symmetry.
I have tons of Friedlander in my stash – I love her collections. I’d expect her book would be quite captivating.
60. I follow your blog on Bloglovin and look forward to all your posts.
61. I savor each stitch as I turn on my favorite Pandora station, open the curtains to my sewing room and just enjoy my time with my sewing machine. No pressure, no stress, no one bugging me, just pure joy!
62. For me, I reckon the most important way to savour each stitch is to make sure I’m not rushing for a deadline that’s too soon. I usually only work on one project at a time, and I often find myself rushing to meet a deadline, and this totally takes away the enjoyment but also the creative time. I love projects where I can slowly plan, collect fabrics according to what I reckon will best suit, then slowly start making…allowing original plans to change where desired.
63. I follow via Bloglovin!
64. Email follower!
65. I take my time and enjoy the process!
66. I truly savor plaing with color! I feel like a child picking colors from a crayon box or flavors from a box of chocolates!
67. What a gorgeous book – this is my first exposure to it! I really love hand-quilting and hand-sewing on bindings. There is something about sitting quietly, stitching, that I find soothing and calmly thrilling. I think it’s seeing those small, even stitches appear, almost like magic, from MY needle – “did I just do that, really??” – or the hidden stitches when I’m sewing on bindings that I so admire. Thanks for the chance to win!
68. I just signed up to follow your blog via email – happy to learn of you just today!
69. I sew slowly to savor each stitch. I’ll learn how to savor better with this book though!
70. I follow you on blog lovin…but to answer your 2nd question, I have fun playing with color the most using Kaffe Fassett’s bold bright colors!
Lately to savor each stitch I have been going through my fabrics I have long forgotten about and falling in love and planning with them again.
I follow your wonderful blog via bloglovin