Tag Archives: Book review

Book Review: Savor each stitch

72 Replies

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

SavorEachStitchTitle: “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:
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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)
Phased Circles Outside
Continues to the back with the use of graduating colors.
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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.

Zakka Inspiration + Book Review Giveaway Winner

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So, last week’s book review was Zakka Style. I decided to show you some of the Zakka-like projects that has inspired me. Here we go:

iPad Cover
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Source: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/current-top-five-favorite-kindle-cases-171635

Tote
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Source: http://www.noodle-head.com/2013/05/super-tote-super-hearts.html

Box Pouch60385bc8ea8574e6fa7b8a21cedf440b
Source: http://sotakhandmade.blogspot.com/2014/01/boxy-pouch.html

Pillow
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Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrstitched/7343264882/in/pool-590152@N25/

Pencil Case
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Source: http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2007/9/8/arriving-at-purl-any-minute-now-last-minute-patchwork-quilte.html

Calendar
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Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/blogs/crafts/2010/01/04/giveaway-35/

Bunting Banner9c6668d8a06191b876bacd1d3e5f5493
Source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/9c/66/68/9c6668d8a06191b876bacd1d3e5f5493.jpg

Now, the winner of Zakka Style is:

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#17 is Debra Kay Neiman. Congratulations, Debra I will send you an email to get your details.

Next week, Sarah @ Sarah Quilts will be hosting Book Review Tuesday, in which she will share a Sarah Fielke book.

Book Review (Tuesday): Quilting Line + Color

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Finally, after almost three weeks, I feel well enough to get behind my sewing machine. First project up was completing my project for book review Tuesday (yes, it’s now Saturday). Better late than never!!

Review

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Title: “Quilting Line + Color: Techniques and Designs for abstract quilts”
Author: Yoshiko Jinzenji
Publisher: Interweave Press, Incorporated
ISBN:  978-1-59668-333-4

There are quilting books/craft books that I really enjoy and love,  as the projects or blocks that they have in the book are so much fun to do and create.  Books like Patchwork please, Pillow Pop, or Vintage Quilt Revival are great examples of this.

This book, Quilting Line + Color, I found extraordinary. It is not so much a book to follow along, but a book that creates inspiration and opens the imagination on what could be. After flicking through the first pages, I had so many ideas on new projects and what I can try, giving me a new direction or extending where I want to go with quilting.

qlc page 3
(image from: A Sewing Journal)

The book has two parts; the gallery,  instructions and patterns.  The gallery is made up with quilt images of the most fantastic photography. Yes, I caressed the pages, oohed and ahhed. The images above are two of my favorite quilts in the book. I liked that:

  • The projects varied a lot
  • Most of them are appliqué based projects, an area I want to try out this year.
  • I loved the use of negative space in the projects
  • How fabric can be used, as we would similar do in framing an image for drawing/painting.

qlc page 2
(image from: A Sewing Journal)

The instruction section was detailed with photos, but not in a typical quilting/project way, I have got used too.  It does have a technique section for appliqué, however I think you could apply any technique you are used to using.

I have to say, I loved this book. It is definitely my favorite so far.
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Project

It was easy and difficult deciding on a project. I had so many ideas on where to start but I also knew instantly what I would love to try. I have been playing around with several ideas and this project pulled those all together:

  1. Borders and Line year-long project – what does that topic mean to me.
  2. The Pantone Quilt challenge using Radiant Orchid
  3. Obviously, the project for this book review.

I wanted to do something similar to left quilt in this image:
qlc page 3(image from: A Sewing Journal)

This is my finished quilt top – “Hothouse of Orchids” (I think). I used appliqué for the complete top. The fabrics for the squares is Alison Glass Clover Sunshine (purchased from Westwood Acres), and the sashing is Kona Violet.
Hothouse_OrchidsI think I am leaving it like this, as I like the white space.  Yes, I think it is finished.

The original idea, however, was also to add thicker sashing around the edges. In this image I like the increase of color the thicker sashing offers.

Hothouse_Orchids_ThickSashing

Let me know which one you prefer….I am being indecisive at this point. I still have time to add the thicker sashing before I quilt, or go on and leave it as in the first image :-).  Thanks for all the feedback on the post and on instagram…I am sticking with the thin lines and not using the thick sashing. Have a great weekend.

Give-away

One brand new copy of Quilting Line + Color will be given away, all you need to do is leave a comment on what recently has inspired you in your craft/quilting world and where would you want to take it. There is a second chance to win if you are a follower, just leave a second comment. A winner will be chosen at random and announced after 6pm next Friday.

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.

Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.