IT’S BOOK REVIEW SATURDAY! November 22, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEXAGON HAPPENINGS

Complete Step-by-Step Photo Guide to Hexagon Techniques with 15 Quilts & Projects 

 

 

 

Not only do I think that the Hexagon Honeycomb Quilt on the cover of this book is a beauty (along with its staggered and organic binding), I found myself very attracted and wanting to make several of the quilts that are presented by Carolyn Forster in her new book from Landauer Publishing.

The instructions for drafting hexagons as the precursor to designing your hexie quilt is really enlightening and illuminating (most of us would use over-the-counter templates, but we should know how to construct a pattern this way if we’re worth our patchwork salt). The step-by-step photographs for cutting hexagon shapes with a rotary cutter and acrylic templates are terrific, as are the instructional photos for cutting fabric shapes, like 60° diamonds, without using templates. Basically, this is a very, very well done book if you aspire to be a hexagon aficionado.

As for the projects, I was a little disappointed that there were not more intricately designed pieces. That said, the quilts are all pretty engaging but have a decidedly modern bent, meaning the hexagons are LARGE <sigh> – it makes them easy to work with,  and I guess that was the master plan here. One of my favorite quilts in the book is the fussy-cut Rose Star One Patch Quilt, that is interesting to look at and would absolutely catch your eye at any quilt show. Another one is the scrappy Stars and Cubes quilt, for its color and movement, and is something you can piece from your stash of precut 2 1/2 inch strips (you know that you may not use them otherwise). I also love that most of the projects are stash-busting scrappy! Terrific!

Designer Carolyn Forster in her studio

 

Here’s some the things you might learn if you pick up Hexagon Happenings:

• Drafting Hexagon Shapes – every quilter should learn this!
• Rotary Cutting Shapes with Acrylic Templates – a no brainer but if you’re rusty, this tutorial is very well explained.
• Making the Templates – again, nobody thinks of instructing quilters on how to make a template with plastic. It’s a helpful reminder.
• Cutting Shapes without Templates – invaluable. You don’t need every darn tool on the market.
• How to Select Fabrics –  many quilters have a problem with this even when making random scrappy quilts.
• Machine Sewing Hexagons – It’s very basic piecing instruction but you would be surprised how many longtime quilters can’t sew a set-in seam. I was one of them.
•  Hand Sewing Hexagons – well done!
•  Finishing and Binding Hexagon Quilt Edges – really good information, in my humble opinion.
• Straightening Hexagon Quilt Edges with Inserts – you gotta learn this.
• Straightening Hexagon Quilt Edges with Appliqué – I would rather eat something healthy than appliqué my quilt edges, but it’s a good tutorial for how to learn a new, and rarely thought of technique!

All in all, I like this book. It’s a very well thought out and executed publication. Personally, I’m a little weary of hexie everything anything at this point, but there is much good and solid information in here and a lot to learn for new quilters, and even things to learn for many of us seasoned patchworkers. Oh, and I LOVED the little section and photos of a few vintage hexie quilts that were included in the front of the book. I found them very inspirational and a great way to start our imaginations running.

I reviewed a softcover copy of this book. 

PHOTOS: Near perfection. The photos were important, clear, and very helpful.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS: Nicely done and given the thorough tutorial ramp up there is no excuse not to be able to master any of the patterns.

PROJECTS: A nice assortment of traditional and not so traditional and traditional made modern choices.

I Really Like this Book!

 

• Author: Carolyn Forster
• Publisher: Landauer Publishing
• ISBN: 978-1935726661
• Form: Softcover
• Pages: 128
• $27.95
• Ask your local shop owner or independent bookstore to order your copy, FIRST. 
• Amazon link:  http://bit.ly/1ta3AUp

 

 

 

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS with That Patchwork Place

 25 Festive Projects to Quilt and Sew

 

If you are into the winter holidays then you may be in for a treat with the new book from That Patchwork Place, Celebrate Christmas with That Patchwork Place: 22 Festive Projects to Quilt and Sew. It’s a cute book with a lot of simple wintery, Christmas-esque, and Hanukkah themed projects, that include a couple of table runners, a few pillows, a quilt or two (although, neither of them really scream “Christmas” to me, but I like them both), several ornaments, tree skirts…you get the drift.

As is the case with the vast majority of mainstream patchwork books available to us, the patterns are minimally illustrated, and are just simply done, illustrated patterns and not tutorials.

Now, I truly, truly appreciate that Hanukkah decorations and patchwork are included in this book, which would work for a blended family, but if I were Jewish I’m not sure I would buy a $27 “Christmas” book for two Judaic-themed patterns (which I happen to think are very well done, by the way) and conversely, if I’m going to buy a Christmas book for over $26-bucks, having two patterns I would most likely never consider making, seems a little screwy to me (but you can’t please everybody).

What I found interesting about this book, not alarming and not “Send in the Calvary” politically correct interesting – but just interesting, is while the Hanukkah designs include menorah candles and Star of Davids, there is barely, if any, hints of any Christian religious symbolism reflected in any of the patterns included in the book. Now, I am not a religious person, not in the least (and probably even less than that), but if you’re going to create and title a Christmas book, “Christmas” that includes religious iconography of a religion other than what Christmas is entirely based on, I’m a little confused as where the baby Jesus might fit into this holiday grouping? The Grinch got more book ink. I guess there is a kind of star embroidered into the Diamond Mantle Cover and a small embroidery of a star in the Oh Tannenbaum Pillow (which I love), oh, and another tiny star another place. Yes, there is an advent calendar, but the only significance of that having anything having to do with Christmas is the word  “advent” in the name of the project. Unless Christmas means only snowflakes, snowmen, and colorful non-denominational tree skirts, then we’re good. If celebrating is the goal of the book, then you might want to throw in at least one little  measly piece of  manger straw, a drummer boy, 3 kings, or an angel? Otherwise, it’s just Christmas at the mall – bland, boring, and absolutely void of any real Christmas significance. (Now, you kids get off my lawn, dagnabit!)

 

I really do like most of the patterns in the book especially, Ode to the Grinch Quilt (which I think makes a much better Valentine’s Day quilt than a Christmas quilt), the Christmas Cracker and Holiday Delight Table Runners, the mantle covers and the Snowman Stockings (totally cuter than cute). I have no idea why a party ‘purse’ was included in this grouping but they’re OK if you change the fabrics to suit the event you’ll be  attending. And other than projects like the Advent Calendar, or tree skirts, many of these patterns can be adapted and color changed to use all year long. Oh, and the book feels scrumptious – heavy paper, that cool newer cover treatment, etc.

I reviewed a softcover copy of this book.

PHOTOS: Clear and stylized photos of the projects, but no instructional photos. Patterns are illustrated.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS: Clear illustrations and copy. None of the patterns are hair-pulling difficult.

PROJECTS: There is a nice mix of patchwork and holiday home dec . . . but if you’re going to title a book “Christmas” it should look like Christmas threw up on the pages. Otherwise, it’s a Winter book  or a Winter Holiday book.

I Like this Book.

• Author: Ensemble
• Publisher: That Patchwork Place
• ISBN: 978-1-60468-388-2
• Form: Softcover
• Pages: 112
• $26.99
• Ask your local shop owner or independent bookstore to order your copy, FIRST. 
• Amazon link: http://bit.ly/1uR23FB

 

 

 

 

CULTURAL FUSION QUILTS

A Melting Pot of Piecing Traditions

 

 

Let me say that I might end up disliking Cultural Fusion Quilts book author/designer, Sujata Shah, only because I’m a lot a little jealous that she wrote this book (not that i’m qualified to have written it  in the least, by the way). Truth be told, I love everything about Indian design and color and this book rocked me from the opening and short show-n-tell of hand embroidered wallhangings, and printed fabrics (damn that Sujata for living in Seattle and not next door to me on Pickle Road!). While this review may be tainted by my personal taste and aesthetic I will do my best to be objective. I am also reviewing this book as an eBook whose images and scale differ wildly from computer monitor to monitor. With all of that out of the way, I love the techniques that the designer shows us in her book although they are not totally unfamiliar to me, as American free-form quilters have been using, teaching, and writing about these techniques for years. Yet, for some reason, the work and process spelled out in this book is speaking to me now. Wow. Maybe it’s because the focus and simplicity of both the quiltmaking  and the process of patchwork, has been unabashedly simplified and not used as a mere precursor for some kind of unattainable museum-worthy free form fabric masterpiece, like the mind boggling work of the iconic Nancy Crow, for instance, or Linda Stokes. All of her piecework is so liberating and freeing and, it had occurred to me, this freedom in cutting and free-form sewing might be just the thing a bored quilter might need to get out of her/his creative rut.

 Sujata Shah shows off her book, Cultural Fusion Quilts

 

I also want to give Shah props for including the additional layer of fiber-interest for including photographs that inspired her individual projects, like pottery, textiles, carved wood, African textiles, etc. It’s actually the way I design many of my own projects (maybe I should have written this book). I really enjoyed reading and learning the effortless techniques Shah teaches us in  the book that are used to achieve the different patchwork patterns. While I can’t say I love the color-combos of some of the quilts, or even some of the projects in general, I am still inspired to take a whack making some of these myself, and adding my own personality using my own palette. I cannot wait to get my big embroidery floss stitching sunk into a quilt like this (thank you, Kaffe Fassett and Liza Lucy for teaching me the big stitching technique in our Suzanni class 350-years ago – a quilt I’ve never finished, for the record. LOL)!

Sujata Shah, this might be the start of our making beautiful music together!

 

I reviewed a digital copy of this book.

PHOTOS: I love the mix of project  photos and photos that explain the inspirational context of the book and patterns throughout the book.

PATTERN INSTRUCTION: The patterns are nicely illustrated, clear, and sufficient. I could actually make one of these quilts without reading a thing and only following a few simple diagrams.

PROJECTS:  The projects are fine and terrific for starting us off, although I see this more of a technique book than an actually pattern book. Teach a man to quilt and he makes a quilt.  Teach him a technique and look out world!

I Really Like this Book!

• Author: Sujata Shah
• Publisher: C&T Publishing
• ISBN: 978-1607058090
• Form: Softcover
• Pages: 96
• $27.95
• Ask your local shop owner or independent bookstore to order your copy, FIRST. 
• Amazon link: http://bit.ly/1HuBi0x

 

ADVENTURES IN FABRIC

La Todera Style

 

I am not an artsy-fartsy kind of project sewer who has ever really sewn a home dec piece. Not a pincushion, a shirt, a placemat, any kind of fiber ‘sculpture’, or whatever. When I sit down at my Baby Lock, it’s for patchwork or simple mending and that’s it. The creative, home-project-loving sewists, whom designer/author Julie Crues is trying to reach ain’t me. Yet, as I scrolled through her eBook, Adventures in Fabric, I could feel a smile and a twinge of excitement touch my creative nerve. Her stuff is fun. It’s colorful (most decidedly in a Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably, New Spirit, Winchester kind of way). It’s different than a lot of the same old crap we sewists seem to be keep being fed.

Susan Brubaker Knapp and Julie Creus on the set of “Quilting Arts TV.”

For instance, I’ve made a hassock or two in my day, but Crues’ Harlequin Star Pillow Chair is nothing short of inspired. I swooned. Her Biscornu Pillow, made my heart skip a beat. The Lily Pad Centerpiece is dreamy, modern, and a little different from the usual stuff. The Plumeria Placemat is divoooon, as are the Folded Wall Flowers (which I would never put on a wall, but might appliqué onto a patchwork block or border)! Plus, who doesn’t love an designer who confesses her general love for craft books!?

The book is filled with three-dimensional projects that surprise you, make you think, and allow your imagination to soar. “How can I change that? How was that made? I wonder if it’s difficult? Is that fabric folded?!” All of those questions just flooded my mind as I checked out her projects.

 

 

The patterns are well written and pretty easy to understand, although because I’m a dunce, and could have used more step-by-step examples. If I were a beginner, I might find myself overwhelmed by concepts I wasn’t really sure about. I like a book where I can figure out the pattern by the photos or illustrations alone, but that’s just my preference. I would have preferred if maybe, just maybe, the patterns weren’t so crowded and had a little room to breathe, even at the expense of one or even two of the projects (save it for her next book, because there probably will be a ‘next’ book). The Butterfly Bunting or the Llama Mama and Baby, while both cheery and colorful, could have easily been cut for additional tutorial room. More projects doesn’t make a book better just because there is a larger number of projects printed on the cover. By the way, does anyone really sew fabric bunting at $11-$12+/yard for fabric?

If you, like me, find yourself stuck behind your sewing machine and want a break from your traditional patchwork piecing and quilting without giving up color, design, and learning new techniques, then maybe a book like Adventures in Fabric is a book you might enjoy. And while I’m not head-over-heels with all of the projects, there are enough intriguing pieces in here to make me want to head to my local fabric shop to buy a copy and get to work. I wonder how many Harlequin Star Pillow Chairs is appropriate for one house?

I reviewed a digital copy of this book.

PHOTOS: Very nicely done, colorful and I love the fabric yardage designs used as background thought the book.

PATTERN INSTRUCTION: I would have liked a little more, but you’ll get the gist of what you need to know.

PROJECTS:  There is a gambit of projects from truly spectacular to the ‘I’ve seen it before’ variety – but the color choices and various skill levels make this book very appealing.

I Really Like this Book!

 

• Author: Julie M. Creus
• Publisher: Stash Books
• ISBN: 978-1607059622
• Form: Softcover
• Pages: 144
• $25.95
• Ask your local shop owner or independent bookstore to order your copy, FIRST. 
• Amazon link: http://bit.ly/1zJoZbo

 

 

 

KNOCKOUT KNITS

New Tricks for Scarves, Hats, Jewelry, and Other Accessories

 

The best part of this book for most knitters is that is most likely that intermediate knitters as well as some long time knitters might actually learn something new. Those of us who work with yarn sometimes get stuck in our own little knit/purl ruts. Designer Laura Nelkin tries to remedy that through the cool way she structures each of the projects in her book.

Knockout Knits is divided into three sections – wrapped stitches, lace (this one frightens me no end), and beading (finally) your knitting – and each section starts with a little primer cuff  pattern to knit that exemplifies what you’re about to learn in that particular section. This is a terrific way to have laid out the book because, as knitters who may not be proficient at certain stitches and techniques, each new section gives us a little tutorial to hone our skills before we jump in to work on  a more significant project. With that said, I don’t really think this is a book for an absolute beginner. You might want to  have a fair amount of knitting and pattern reading skills under your belt before you rush out to buy your yarn. Once you get into having to pick up stitches and/or  drop stitches as a part of the project, I think it goes beyond the experience of someone who’s only handled knitting needles for a very short time.

I have found two different kinds of knitting books – the book that I open whose author assumes I know exactly what I’m doing but might as well have been written in Greek , or the sometimes overly-conscious-of-the-new-knitter writer whose book is full of handholding and uninspired projects. Knockout Knits finds a happy balance between the two. Not only is this a pattern book, but is also a book whose editors have made a very conscious decision to educate us and take our knitting to the next level. All we have to do as knitters is to stay focused and move from one pattern/project to the next, then the next, in a learn-more-techniques-as-you-knit-through-the-book sequence.

As for the projects, they are very attractive, nicely thought-out, beautifully photographed, and patterned in an easy to understand way. However, there are really no projects in this book that I haven’t seen many times in other knitting books, magazines, or online. It’s pretty much standard fare – shawls,  shrugs, tams, and scarves, etc. With the exception of one patterned hat for a man, there are two designs that I have been so overexposed to that I am often rendered cross-eyed and bored by finding patterns (free or otherwise) everytime I log onto my computer or leaf through a magazine or book. I’m talking about the gazillionmillionbillion variations of the cowl and the boot cuff. Dear God, make it stop!

Some of my favorite designs in the book are the Folly Cloche hat that uses a twisted double wrap stitch, the  Quadro Convertible Shrug, the Gyrus Tam, the beautiful Loco Shawl (that starts with two-increasing triangles framing a center panel. Multiple charts and double-sided lace keep the knitting interesting) and, of course, the beaded section (and you can knit these patterns until the cows come home – or the cowls come home – without ever having to include a bead if you don’t feel like it). I love the beaded Trapeze Scarf that is knit from the center down one side, then stitches are picked up in the second half is worked the same as the first. Oh, and I’m a sucker for a sock pattern. also featured in the book.

Designer Laura Nelkin

 

I have always enjoyed Laura Nelkin as a designer and Potter Craft did her proud. I think you just might enjoy this book as much as I have.

I reviewed a softcover copy of this book

PHOTOS: Beautifully done with some detail shots.

PATTERN INSTRUCTION: I’m a fan of how well written and easy to ‘get’ the patterns are.

PATTERNS: I don’t think there is a pattern here that one might consider unique or out-of-the-box, but but the yarn choices are and end results are beautiful to stunning, and I do enjoy and appreciate the techniques presented and encouraged in Knockout Knits that one can cross off their bucket list by knitting through each project (and you should).

I Really Like this Book! 

• Author:  Laura Nelkin
• Publisher: Potter Craft
• ISBN: 978-0-385-34578-1
• Form: Softcover
• Pages: 144
• $22.99
• Ask your local shop owner or independent bookstore to order your copy, FIRST. 
• Amazon link: http://bit.ly/11OfxbE

 

 

** IN THE INTEREST OF FULL TRANSPARENCY:  Publications (bound and eBooks) are sent to me for ‘review’ by the publisher –  it doesn’t mean I’m going to like them – it means I’m just going to be honest (but what else is new?).

 

 The Books I Love and Won’t Part With 

 

 

VINTAGE NOTQUITEVINTAGE OLD ANTIQUE OUTOFPRINT USED

Frankly, this book isn’t so old, printed in 2012, but it became a fast favorite of mine. I love patchwork, beadwork, and I love handwork, and Tom Atkins marries all 3 of these techniques together in his book (See what happens when gays get marriage equality? Three techniques get to marry. Next, people will be marrying a sweet potato. LOL). Thom shows various beading techniques and example after example of how simple beading can elevate a printed piece of cloth into art. The instructions are easy to follow and it’s nothing short of divine inspiration for me between each cover.

Thom Atkins working on his beaded artistry

There is literally nothing that I don’t love about this book. Atkins’ work is breathtaking and, by its very nature, inspires me to elevate my art and dare to try new things. This book is staying in my library forever and ever.

 

• Author:  Thom Atkins
• Publisher: C&T Publishing
• ISBN: 978-1-60705-584-6
• Form: Softcover
• Pages: 111
• $29.95
• Ask your local shop owner or independent bookstore to order your copy, FIRST. 
• Amazon link: http://bit.ly/1uOOhVL

 

 

WANT YOUR BOOK REVIEWED?

 

All you have to do is send a hardcopy or a digital version of your book to:

Mark Lipinski

Pickle Road Studios, LLC

13 Pickle Road

Califon, NJ 07830

LUCKY YOU!

When I began The Slow Stitching Movement I asked stitchers to reduce their impact on the planet and their creative psyches by letting go of the stash of books, papers, patterns, and tools that they have been collecting over many years and haven’t used.  I have been preaching to myself.  So, in an effort to put my money where my mouth is, to open my creativity by being less boxed in by ‘stuff’, I have begun posting boxes of book and fabric bundles on eBay for various charities.

Here’s how I price the packages . . . I research the amount an individual could buy each of these books, pre-owned, at their lowest online price.  I total the price, split it in half and add Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping.  Then I add a medley of fabrics from my stash as a bonus.   Just click on the links (the title of each grouping) to see a list of the books in each bundle.   These are the bundles from my personal book stash now up for auction on eBay:

50 Traditional Fat Quarters! Priority Shipping Included!

12 Quilting Books PLUS 10 Fat Quarters. Lowest Price. Shipping Included!

11 VINTAGE Quilting Books & 10 Fat Quarters! Lowest Price! Shipping Included!

17 Awesome Quilting Books & 10 Fat Quarters! Lowest Price! Shipping Included!

14 MORE Quilting Books & 24 Fat Quarters ! Lowest Price! Free Shipping!

14 More Quilt & Fiber Art Books From My Stash! Lowest Price! Includes Shipping!

14 Quilting Books from My Stash! Lowest Price! Shipping Included!

Here are tomorrow’s listings: 

50 Traditional/Modern Fat Quarters. Priority Shipping Included!

 

 

14 Great Quilting Books & 24 Fat Quarters ! Lowest Price! Free Shipping!

 

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THE SLOW STITCHING MOVEMENT!

KNITTING!  CROCHET!  CROSS STITCH!  NEEDLEPOINT! WEAVING! QUILTING!

 

Guest Blogger, Maggie Bonanomi, says

“Slow Stitching is just what I want to do.”

https://theslowstitchingmovement.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/guest-blogger-maggie-bonanomi-says-slow-stitching-is-just-what-i-want-to-do/

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IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET:

For well over 2 years, I have been posting up to 20 links per day or every other day, on the Mark Lipinski’s Fan Pageon Facebook. Of course, in Facebook’s never ending quest to make lots of money, Facebook seems to have abandoned their mission of a real social networking site and it has become more about Facebook revenue.

Several months ago, Facebook, without warning, had implemented a new business model. As a result, the vast majority of “LIKErs” who have been faithful readers of this Fan Page have been blocked from receiving my posts, time and time again, from getting all or a few of the postings onto their timeline feed.

The reason is, Facebook would like pages like, Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page, to pay money every day, and on every post, in order to advertise and lure readers like you, onto the Fan Page.

With out “BOOSTING” a post, only about 5% of people who clicked LIKE on the Fan Page are actually seeing anything I post — and it could be random – sometimes you get a post, and sometimes not. Basically, it sucks for all of us. I am finding that we are all better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to my blog. You can subscribe to my blog (only if you wan to) and get an email each time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc.

I AM NOT shutting down Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook and you are welcome to follow me there, too. What I am doing is putting everything that used to be on the Fan Page individually onto my blog, AND there will be a daily link to the idea blog on the Fan Page, just as there were multiple links to the various blogs that I’ve always linked to in the past. It’s not that different, really. It will save me a lot of time, and guarantee those who want to see the creative posts will actually get to see them. And Facebookers, will STILL have to click on “GET NOTIFICATIONS” in your Facebook Settings if they want to see what I post on Facebook (sometimes that works, but not all of the time).

Actually, my new model gives you at least TWO ways to get all of the ideas, etc. PLUS you can PIN them and they will be TAGGED so you can find them again in the search bar even years later. – through the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and YOUR CHOICE (not mandatory) to subscribe to the blog and get email postings that way.

 

 

 

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