Monday, April 11, 2011

Quilting ~ From Little Things - Book Tour and Giveaway


I could not wait to get my hands on a copy of Sarah Fielke's recently released book:  Quilting ~ From Little Things ... I am a huge fan of Sarah's work and my own quilting library includes a well-thumbed copy of Material Obsession and Material Obsession Two (co-authored with Kathy Doughty).


The introduction of the book leads the quilter through ideas on fabric/color selection and preparation as well as tools of the trade.  From here the book continues with detailed instructions for 20 quilt projects, and is then followed by comprehensive quilt construction details including Adding Borders, Paper Piecing, Basting and Quilting.


The instruction are clear and concise, often accompanied by hand drawn pictures and as well as photos.


The 20 projects included in the book are categorized by quilt technique such as "Row by Row Construction", "Inset Piecing" and "Flying Geese and Foundation Piecing".  Within each category there are two separate projects featured; one a dolly quilt and the other a full size quilt.

Geese Around the World Dolly Quilt and North by North East Queen Size Quilt by Sarah Fielke

I really like the idea of trying out a technique and experimenting with color and fabrics on a dolly quilt before tackling a bigger project and was easily tempted to try my own.

The project of my choice ~ Geese Around the World - A Doll Quilt ~ involved paper piecing.  Now, it's been a while since last I paper pieced (2006) and found that the instructions in the book were very helpful.  For a moment there I thought I might have taken on more than I could chew and the seam ripper was never far away.  Once I got my head around the process it was a snap and started and completed this project in an evening of sewing and tearing paper.  Messy business that paper piecing, but it came together beautifully. 


Congratulations Sarah!  A wonderful book and a huge achievement.  My list of "must make" quilts is suddenly much longer.  Thank you so much for the inspiration.  From Little Things blog tour details can be found here.
...

Sarah has kindly offered to GIVE AWAY a signed copy of Quilting ~ From Little Things ... to one lucky reader. To be in the draw all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Please be sure your email address is available on your profile page or leave it in your comment.  NO EMAIL ADDRESS = NO VALID ENTRY.  International visitors are very welcome to enter. Only one comment per person/email address.



ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED.

The draw will take place at 12 noon (AEST) on Wednesday 13 April 2011, at which time comments to this post will be closed. The winner will be announced here on my blog, and will also be contacted by email.

And last, a favorite few words  taken directly from the book:
Buy fabrics because you love them and because they make your heart sing, not because they have a specific purpose.  ~ Sarah Fielke

I will.  Promise!
Rita 

The book is beautifully photographed (by Sue Stubbs) throughout.  The pictures I have included here are all snippets of the books (except where it is an image of my own work).