Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Introducing "Quilting: The New Classics"! Woo Hoo! Let's hop!

All quilters draw inspiration from the past. But how do today's artisans put their personal stamp on classic patterns? Twenty influential quilters from across the stylistic spectrum present their unique creative vision of timeless designs. Each pattern, Double Wedding Ring, Crazy Quilt, Dresden Plate, Bear Paw, Log Cabin, Nine Patch, Hexagon, Yo-Yo, Flying Geese, and Rail Fence, comes with step-by-step instructions for two adaptations, one traditional, the other modern.
The book also includes a history of each pattern, images of heirloom or museum-quality quilts for inspiration, easy-to-use templates and essential quilting techniques.

Forwards by Meg Cox and Janneken Smucker.

I was thrilled and honored when my dear friend, Michele Muska, invited me to contribute to her book, "Quilting:  The New Classics".  I began my journey as a quilt maker in the early 80's, inspired by the work of a nurse-colleague.  My paternal grandmother, Maude Tucker, was the town seamstress and a quilt maker of considerable talent.  Participating in this book as a contributing artist makes me feel like my grandmother would be proud of me.

I love many things about the style of this book.  First, the paper feels so great!  I think we are weirdly tactile creatures, us artists.  The paper quality is exceptional.  I love that the book has folds on the front and back cover which makes it easy to place-hold a page.



The matte finish is wonderful and so is the photography and layout.  Each quilt "style" is represented by a traditional interpretation as well as a modern translation, and they are featured side-by-side in the book.  I have never seen this done before and I love it.



Since I adore hexagon quilts of any size and shape it was great to be asked to create a 'modern' version of this classic shape.   As much as I love paper piecing hexagons I wanted to see if I could construct them in a different way.
First, I constructed a long section of strip-pieced fabrics.

After drawing and cutting several graduated sizes of hexagons from paper, I used these to cut my hexagons using a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the paper shapes.  I cut two in each size, front and back.


Placing the right sides together, I stitched the front and back of each hexagon together leaving one side of each open (in order to turn the shape right-side-out).

Before turning, the corners need to be trimmed close to the seam to allow a crisp point.

After turning the hexagon right-side-out, I turned the raw edge opening in so it could be pressed into place, then stitched it closed.

After the hexagon is stitched it was placed onto the quilt top surface and stitched into place all around the perimeter.  


Just for fun, and because I am slightly nuts, I added four octagons for a little visual confusion.
I like the result!  Hexi and Octi go out for a date!

I continue to have an intense love affair with all shades of gray.  Fifty?  Why limit oneself to so few?!

(Side-note:  I was just in a class with a woman who told me she loved this shade of Kona gray so much that, if this color of fabric were a man, she would marry him.)  I sort of understand.
Apparently the book also functions as a hat.
Here is Michele, posing with our fellow Quilt Alliance board member, Mark Lipinski.



There is so much great stuff in this book, and you could WIN one by leaving a comment!  I will be doing a drawing to give away a copy of this gorgeous book from those who have written me a note here.   You must comment by November 1st to be eligible for the drawing.
Please use the following link to order your own copy of this gorgeous book:

Stop by all these amazing artists for more inspiration:
Oct. 20th Michele Muska http://www.lolarae.com/blog.html
Oct. 21st Leslie Jenison  http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com
Oct. 22nd Janneken Smucker   http://www.janneken.org/category/blog/
Oct. 23rd Valerie Bothell http://pinkbunnykansas.blogspot.com
Oct. 24th Kaari Meng www.frenchgeneral.blogspot.com
Oct. 25th Elisa Sims Albury : www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com
Oct. 26th Heather Jones www.oliveandollie.com
Oct. 27th Victoria Findlay Wolfe http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com
Oct. 28th Amy Smart http://www.diaryofaquilter.com
Oct. 29th Jackie Kunkel http://cvquiltworks.com/blogs/blog\
Oct. 30th Pat Sloan http://blog.patsloan.com/
Oct. 31st Shelly Pagliai  http://prairiemoonquilts.com/?page_id=62
Nov. 1st Allie Aller www.alliesinstitches.blogspot.com
Nov. 2nd Kristin Omdahl www.styledbykristin.com
Nov. 3rd Pat Sloan 4:00pm eastern time http://toginet.com/shows/americanpatchworkandquiltingradio
“The Voice of Quilting” American Patchwork and Quilting radio show 

Also, stay tuned for some great inspiration and ideas from some of our contributors’ newsletters and social media platforms!
Meg Cox with Quilt Journalist Tells All
New York times Best Selling Author Marie BostwickMegan Frock of Downtown Housewife
And more from Marci Elmer Warren, Linda Pumphrey, Bonnie Bus and Darlene Zimmerman!

89 comments:

  1. Looks like a really wonderful book, I'd love to win one.

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  2. looks like a great book and I know what you mean about the feel of the pages in a book :-)

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  3. This book looks like it's right up my ally! Thanks for a chance to win.

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  4. This book looks just fantastic! Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  5. I love it when a book is just as beautiful as the items made from it. Love the hexagon quilt and the contemporary take. Thanks for introducing it to us!

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  6. Would love to add this great looking book to my shelf! Cool idea on the hexagons...

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  7. I know exactly what you mean about the tactile quality of a book!! I'd love to win a copy!

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  8. Exciting new way to work with hexagons!

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  9. The book looks great and love the cover.Your our quilt is just fantastic.Great job!!

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  10. I love your method for making modern hexis. Thanks for the chance to win the book.

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  11. I can't wait to add the book to my library. I have enjoyed the tour of your blog.

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  12. I'm intrigued by modern quilts inspired by traditional quilts. I'm excited to see this new book.

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  13. I love the photo of Michele and Mark -- thanks for sharing that one!

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  14. What a great, fantastic idea for a book! Can't wait to get my hands on it! LOVE you quilt....grey with orange! :)

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  15. This looks like a fantastic book and would be a great addition to my library.

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  16. Your quilt is gorgeous and very effective! I know this book is amazing, I love traditional AND modern. I am also very excited to have discovered you, I will be taking your class in Houston next week, fifty shades of groovy! Can't wait!!!

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  17. Looks like a great book. I'm with you when it comes to gray, it's such a versatile color depending on the shade.

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  18. Your quilt is gorgeous and very effective! I know this book is amazing, I love traditional AND modern. I am also very excited to have discovered you, I will be taking your class in Houston next week, fifty shades of groovy! Can't wait!!!

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    1. klstitches I am very excited that you are going to be in my workshop at Quilt Festival! We are going to have a blast! See you soon!

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  19. This book looks like the inspiration I'm looking for to take my traditional quilt style in a more modern direction. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

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  20. Love the hexagons. I look forward to reading the new book.

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  21. This will go to the top of my wish list if I am not the lucky winner. Right now I'm working on a series of log cabins that have me thinking a lot about trad quilts, modern quilts, and the roots of my quilting life. This book will be a good companion on that journey.

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    1. This is exactly what appeals to me about this book! I come from a traditional quilt making background and have returned to creating useful quilts. I love it all!

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  22. I have not done any hexies - but after your post I want to give it a go! Looks like a great book! thanks!

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  23. What an inspirational book! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

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  24. Love your hexies! I just finished a traditional grandmother's flower garden quilt - queen sized - for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Your take on the hexi really speaks to me. Crossing my fingers!

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  25. It is wonderful to watch time-tested patterns transfer to present day creations! I think I am going to love this new book!

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  26. just from reading this blog it looks amazing cant wait thanks for the chance to win

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  27. Great hexies. I would love to add this book to my library. Thanks for the chance to win. mfhagopian@aol.com

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  28. Looks like this book has lots of beautiful quilts to inspire readers! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  29. I love your quilt!

    nehanson@shaw.ca

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  30. Thanks for sharing how you did your Hexagons. I haven't done the classic paper piecing method so it's fun to see another way...not quite as intimidating. The book looks great. Hope I win!

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  31. Love the book and the inclusion of block histories.

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  32. I love the modern transformation of these blocks, they just seem so 'new'...thanks for a chance at this book. sbecker at oaklandcorp dot com

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  33. HI, THIS BOOK LOOKS GREAT!
    LOVE YOUR QUILT!
    THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  34. Thanks for a great description of the book and your thought process for your hexie (and octi) quilt. Traditional quilting will not go away, modern quilting is here to stay, and more and more quilters are embracing both the past and the present. This book will provide a nice juxtaposition of the two styles and highlight not only their differences, but also their similarities.

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  35. I'm looking forward to seeing the quilts in this book - I like traditional and modern quilts, good idea to pair them!

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  36. This book looks as if it has to be on my must-have list.

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  37. Several members of my quilt group are making hexie quilts with half inch hexies.i much prefer your take on the hexagon!

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  38. This book looks so great! I love how you wrote on the texture and features of the book itself apart from just the content :) I hope hope hope to win!

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  39. OMgoodness, I am excited to hold this book and spend some time with it! The photos are gorgeous and the modern designs are captivating! I'd love to win and get to work on a new quilt!

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  40. Hexi and Octi on a date - love it!

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  41. What an interesting book. I would love to own a copy.

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  42. Leslie, thanks for your pattern inspiration, I've not tried hexagons yet. Your humor is appreciated too:) By the way, how did the date evolve between Hexi and Octi?

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  43. Looks like a great book. Thanks so much for the nice giveaway.

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  44. Love your quilt. Thanks for the chance.

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  45. The quilt is wonderful! I love hexies so this is great.

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  46. I love that grey also- it's perfect! The book looks like so much fun!
    allisonpogany@gmail.com

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  47. Oh, I love hexies and your application looks like fun! Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the book.

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  48. i would love to try some of these quilts, thanks for the giveaway.

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  49. Wow congratulations on being part of the book!! Love the ideas (love hexies too)! Keep Quilting!!! mumbird3atgmail.com

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  50. Love your quilt! So gorgeous and modern. I would love to win a copy of this book!

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  51. This book looks awesome! I would love to have it!

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  52. Thid book looks right down my alley. Would love to win it!,

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  53. I can't wait to get my hands on this book. All the modern quilts look terrific.

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  54. I really fell in love with this inspirational book. You made a good job, thank you very much!

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  55. Love what you did to the hexie!

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  56. Thanks for showing us the book! Looks like one that should be on the list of "keepers" so we can hand it down! Love the hexies!

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  58. I love what you did with the hexagons and octagons. Beautiful visual confusion! :) sarah@forrussia.org

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  59. Thank you for the chance to win this book. julie.mckay@xtra.co.nz

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  60. I absolutely love your modern Hexi Octi quilt! Such fun - gorgeous colours too. This is an amazing book and I canèt wait to get a copy - I will wait to see if I win one first. Thanks for the chance.
    Pauline

    perry94022 at hotmail dot com

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  61. Love the modern take on these quilts!

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  62. Love how you made the Hexie's!! And your quoilt is sooo cool! Very Modern for sure!
    Thanks for showing how to make the Hexie's too..definitely want to try! :)

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  63. This book looks fantastic. I love your quilt, it's amazing! :)

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  64. I love the book and your quilt is fantastic! I am so afraid of hexagons, but the way you did them makes it look manageable!

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  65. I love hexies but I haven't been brave enough in my beginnings to try them out yet.

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  66. This book looks amazing!! I have never thought to make hexies like that... cool!!

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  67. That is a very sweet tute you just provided - and anything with orange is fabulous in my book! Thanks!

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  68. That hexie octie quilt is wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win the book.

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  69. Love the traditional and modern put together!! They look great!

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  70. Hello, I love the hexie quilt on the dark (black or blue) fabric.
    Thanks for the chance,
    katelijn
    lecluysekatelijn@hotmail.com

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  71. HELLO, this book looks so neat!
    Thanks for sharing!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  72. Looks like I found the right place!

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  73. Kona gray is one of my favourites too. I love your quilt. Congratulations for having your quilt in the new book!
    wlinda_ca@yahoo.com

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  74. :-) Well, let me say that your post about this book made me smile! :-) The more I see of grey in quilts, the more I'm liking it! Congrats on having your quilt published-- so cool! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! :-)

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  75. I love your quilt! The idea is fabulous. Thanks you for the chance to win.

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  76. Hope I'm not too late. Would love to win!

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  77. I love putting a modern spin on the classics.. excited for this book!

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  78. The more I see, the more I know I've gotta have this book!

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  79. This looks like an exciting addition to any library!

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  80. Hugely wonderful tutorial Leslie and the grey is a perfect blend for your yellow/gold and striped piece work. Terrific way to transition the modern and traditional quilt world. We all seem to need to do that these days. Love the quilting in the negative space. This will be a wonderful new book to explore and work with! Thanks Michele!

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  81. A little update from me: I am extending the time for the drawing because I have been taken out of town unexpectedly. I decided to extend the deadline for comments to 11/15!

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