Skip the Borders Winner

Thanks for all of your great ideas for fabric choices for Julie's "Box of Chocolates" quilt.  I'm happy to announce the winner of Julie's book, Skip the Borders, is Veronica of Vivid Felicity who said:

Veronica A.M.October 16, 2012 11:02 AM

OOOOooo! I'd love to use the new Joel Dewberry Line for this quilt! Throw in some Robert Kaufman Quilters Linen, and I think it would be sooo pretty ;D!

Veronica, I'm happy to send you the book if you promise to send a picture of that sure-to-be-fabulous quilt!

I'm back tomorrow with a new Fat Quarter Gang project for Art Gallery Quilts.  See you then!

Skip the Borders Book Tour

I'm back today to bring you the final stop on the Skip the Borders Blog Book Tour.  Skip the Borders is the first book by blogger and quilter extraordinaire -- and one of my bestest quilting buddies -- the always fabulous Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts fame.

Skip the Borders is a collection of 15 quilt patterns, bound together by the fact that Julie has chosen to present them all without any borders at all.  The running theme throughout all of the projects is that the designs themselves are the stars, and Julie shows them off by letting the design run from side to side and from top to bottom, without the framing effect of borders.

The book, quite ingeniously, is broken out into three sections: one-block quilts, two-block quilts, and outside-the-block quilts.  It's pretty amazing to see how Julie creates such large-scale, original patterns using such simple elements.  And through it all, Julie brings all of the voice and personality that is such a signature of her blog.  Her writing is very conversational, and I felt like I was sitting at market with her again!

Instead of showing off several of the beautiful quilts in the book, I decided to just showcase my favorite.  Box of Chocolates is one of the book's two-block quilts, and it is representative of some of my favorite quilts: simple to put together, a basic patchwork approach, and a design that showcases its fabrics.  Plus, it may look like a square-in-square or log cabin block, but Julie introduces a strip-piece method to making these blocks that may surprise you.

I love this quilt, and it's only one of the 15 great projects in the book.  Check out some of the other photos on the other stops of the blog tour.

The fact is, Julie is one of the best pattern writers in the business.  Her patterns are easy to follow and accurate beyond belief.  Plus, Julie always gives options to help personalize the quilt to best meet the quilter's needs.  The book has a fantastic overview and basics section, which makes this a great book for beginning quilters.

Julie and the fab team at Martingale are giving away an ebook copy of Skip the Borders to a lucky Quilt Dad reader.  Want to get your hands on this awesome book?  I know you do!  Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me what fabrics you would use to make your own Box of Chocolates quilt.  The pattern has such versatility, and I'd love to hear about all of the different ideas you have for this single pattern!  I'll be picking a winner shortly.

Hexa-Go-Go Winner

Thanks for all of your entries in the Hexa-Go-Go book giveaway! I am pleased to announce that the winner is Amy of [Amy's] Crafty Shenanigans, who said:

"It is a lovely book. Am I brave enough to try hexagons? I think I am - I've seen so many amazing things made with them that this book would encourage me to be brave :) Thanks for the chance."

Congratulations, Amy!  Please email me with your contact information to redeem your prize.

Hexa-Go-Go Blog Tour

Welcome to the Hexa-Go-Go blog tour!  I know it's been quiet around here lately, but I just had to help one of my very best quilting friends, Tacha Bruecher, spread the word about her amazing new book.

As you may have guessed from the title, Hexa-Go-Go is all about projects featuring hexagons!  Never tackled hexagons (or, as many quilters like to call them, "hexies") before?  Have no fear.  For the uninitiated, Tacha begins the book with a robust, 15-page section that takes the reader step-by-step through the process of English Paper Piecing.  For more experienced paper piecers, the book contains a variety of projects that are sure to inspire sewists to put their hexagons to use in fresh, unique ways.

This is Tacha's first book but, based on the high quality of Hexa-Go-Go, I predict it won't be her last.  Tacha is an amazing quilter and crafter, and both her style and skill are presented beautifully in this book.  Tacha is one of those talented crafters whose fabric choices and original patterns reflect the eye of a modern quilter, but who simultaneously pays homage to the history and traditions of quilting.  The result is a beautiful book that is sure to become a classic!

I've made no secret of my (ahem) distaste for hand sewing.  Little did I know that my first attempt at the technique -- a quilting bee block for Tacha that I made years ago -- would actually make its way into a book!  See the quilt above?  Tacha included blocks made by several members of the Bee Inspired quilting bee into the original Over the Rainbow quilt pattern.

Who knew that hexagon blocks could be so versatile?  Tacha ingeniously organized the book's 16 quilt projects into 5 categories: rosettes, diamonds, stars, blocks, and free form.  But my favorite projects by far are the two flag quilts that Tacha designed: the Stars & Stripes quilt (above), and the Union Jack quilt (below).  I think the Stars & Stripes quilt would look amazing hanging in my living room.  Just sayin', Tach.   : )

The Argyle Quilt (below) is another favorite.

Tacha and my friends at C&T / Stash Books are offering one lucky Quilt Dad reader their very own copy of Hexa-Go-Go.  Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me your experiences with English Paper Piecing.  Have you ever done it before?  Do you enjoy it?  What's your favorite project you've made with hexagons?  I'll randomly select a winner next week.

The fine print: US-based winners will receive a hard copy of the book, while international winners will receive a digital e-book.

** NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST! **

The full list of stops on this fun tour can be found over on the Fat Quarterly site. Be sure to visit all of the stops to increase your chances of winning!

Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaways for both the Art Gallery Fabrics and the new book, Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew!  I'm excited to announce the winners ...

First up, the gorgeous fat quarter assortment from Art Gallery Fabrics goes to Katie R who blogs at Little Green Sewing Machine!  Here are her favorite shades of AGF's Pure Elements solids line:

Katie RAugust 6, 2012 6:44 PM

beautiful! I think I love Nocturnal and Smoke! Such pretty choices!

Next up is the lucky winner of Angela Yosten's new book, Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew!  Congratulations to Texas JennyWren, who said:

Texas JennyWrenAugust 12, 2012 9:27 PM

Cute ideas for the little guys!! I think Kona Solids would be awesome on some of these projects. Thanks for a chance to win this book.

Big congrats to you, Katie & Jenny!  Please contact me via email with your mailing information, and I'll be sure your prizes are sent out to you ASAP.

Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! Blog Tour + Giveaway

Welcome to today's STOP on the Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! blog tour.  I'm so happy for friend, blogger, and fellow Moda Bake Shop chef Angela Yosten upon the release of her very first book for Stash Books.  Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! is a fun book of sewing projects for the little (and not so little) boys in your life.  All of the projects revolve around the theme of traffic signs, which makes for a unique and cohesive collection of projects for all skill levels.

I'm so glad to see so many new and creative projects aimed for boys and men, traditionally the most notoriously difficult audience to find a variety of appropriate quilt and sewing patterns for.  Whereas Sewing for Boys covered apparel and Geared for Guys provided quilt patterns for teens and men, Angela's book has the youth market covered.  Adding to the cohesive nature of the book is Angela's choice to make all of her projects in true scrappy style.

Take a look at this adorable bedding ensemble, featuring several projects all included in the book:

One of my favorite projects is this One Way Growth Chart.  Even if you didn't have a growing boy in your household, I think this would make a really modern and graphic conversation piece for any wall.

Angela asked us to share a road sign that captures something about ourselves or our lives as part of the post.  I came across this image and thought it was perfect!  I don't know about you guys, but I've been having a great time watching the Summer Olympics these past 2 weeks ... even though it has been at the expense of making progress on my sewing projects.  I only wish I could be in London watching the games with all of my British friends!

Now's your chance to win a copy of Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew!  Simply leave a comment on this post, and tell me your favorite fabric lines that feature awesome prints in the basic colors of RED, YELLOW, GREEN, and BLACK (since those would come in super handy for making the projects in this book.)  The winner will be randomly selected and announced here on my blog on Monday, August 20th.  (Note: US winners will receive a hard copy of the book, while winners outside of the US will win an e-book.)  Good luck!

** NOTE: Giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for playing! **

For more chances to win, be sure to visit the other STOPS on the tour!

Departure...
Day 1 (Monday, August 6): Stash Books (California) http://www.stashbooksblog.com/

Pit Stops…

Day 2 (Tuesday, August 7): Sarah Fielke (Australia) http://thelastpiece.typepad.

com/

Day 3 (Wednesday, August 8): Blue Nickel Studios (Washington) http://bluenickelstudios.com/

Day 4 (Thursday, August 9): Natalia Bonner (Utah) http://www.pieceandquilt.com/

Day 5 (Friday, August 10): Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobsen (Arizona) http://www.

meandmysisterdesigns.com/

Day 6 (Saturday, August 11): John Adams (North Carolina) http://www.quiltdad.com/ <---- YOU ARE HERE!

Day 7 (Sunday, August 12): Vanessa Christenson (Iowa) http://www.vanessachristenson.

com/

Day 8 (Monday, August 13): Rachel Griffith (Ohio) http://psiquilt.com/

Day 9 (Tuesday, August 14): Pat Sloan (Virginia) http://www.patsloan.com

Day 10 (Wednesday, August 15): Lissa Alexander (Texas) http://modalissa.blogspot.com/

Destination...

Day 11 (Thursday, August 16): Angela Yosten (Texas) http://blog.angelayosten.com

Gradiance Bed Runner | A free pattern!

We all know what a table runner is, but have you ever heard of a bed runner?

I'm so excite to post my first project today as a member of Art Gallery Fabrics' Fat Quarter Gang.  I had a great time working with the fabrics above -- a selection of Pure Elements and Oval Elements -- that are not only gorgeous to look at, but were a dream to work with to boot.

Head on over to the AGF blog today to find my free pattern, and leave a comment on this post to win some of the fabrics I worked with to make your own Gradiance project!  Simply let me know your favorite shade of Pure Elements or Oval Elements.

And don't forget to be eligible you must ...

Follow Art Gallery Fabrics on your favorite social media platform (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter), and subscribe to their blog to stay up to date on all thing AGF & the Fat Quarter Gang!

Enter to win today! Giveaway open until Friday, Aug, 10th.

** NOTE: Giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for playing! **