Category Archives: Book Reviews

Book Review: Quilts from the House of Tula Pink

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Rumor has it that Erica is working on a quilt from one of my favorite recent quilt books. (Yes, I know, they’re all my favorite. That is irrelevant for now.)

Quilts from the House of Tula Pink

Quilts from the House of Tula Pink (A18230) is a fun book full of interesting color combinations and some surprising design elements. I can’t wait to see Erica’s interpretation of a Tula Pink design!

In the book we get a “peek behind the curtain” into both the fabric design and quilt design process. I always think it’s so interesting to read about how designers approach these processes in their own ways. Sometimes I even think about how I might approach this process. That’s the point, right? I do think that Tula wants us to be inspired to dream up our own creations.

With ten large quilt designs and ten accessory projects to choose from, there are plenty of opportunities to let your creativity flow. Personally, I’m thinking that one of the smaller projects would be a great place to start so that I can get an idea of how the designs are going to work for me.

Prince Charming FabricAs a designer for Free Spirit Fabrics, Tula Pink has created many fabric lines with her own cutting edge flair. The Prince Charming Fabrics (above) obviously lend themselves well to the designs in this book. One of the quilt designs echoes the raindrops on the right.

Reading this book really gave me a sense of how Tula Pink goes about designing her fabrics and quilt patterns. Her own drawings are included in the book along with explanations of the thought process behind some of the design elements. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Tula’s books in the future to watch her designs grow and evolve even more!

As always, please let us know if you’ve made any of the designs from this book or if you do in the future. We love to see your creations! And by the way, yes I know that you’re waiting to read about the secrets from last week but it’s just not quite time yet. Patience is a virtue, you know.

You can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

(To find an item or event on our web site after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

Book Review – Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison

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Here’s the thing: I’m kind of a quilt book junkie. (I won’t tell you how many I have at home, because I’m actually embarrassed to count them.)

Since this is true, I tend to keep my eyes open for new books as they come into the store. I even keep a list of quilt books my husband might want to buy for me, when he is so inclined to buy me a gift.

Sunday Morning Quilts book cover

As soon as I saw Sunday Morning Quilts (A16505) it was obvious it would be added to the list. I’ll say it again: I’m a sucker for beautiful books.

The work of Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison, this book is gorgeous and informative. I’ve been following both of these ladies on their blogs for a while, so of course I felt like I already knew them as I began reading. They must have known that I would skip directly to the “projects” portion of the book, leaving the beginning of the book to read when I decided to write a review.

I’ll probably start with a small Ticker Tape quilt to get my scrappy quilt juices flowing. Honestly though, I can see myself making each of the quilts in this book. I absolutely adore the quilting on Grass, and the cover quilt, Sunday Morning, is so, so snugly looking. (Check the authors’ blogs to see this quilt made in other colors).

There’s even an opportunity to practice my applique on Leaves and Vine. I’ll have to come back and edit this post when I get all of these quilts finished.

A discussion of modern quilting and its definitions opens the book, leading to advice on sorting and storing your scraps. I love that even scrap storage can be both beautiful and practical.

If you’re in need of a review on basic quilting skills, you can find it here as well. There are instructions on tools and cutting, along with turning the pieced top into a quilt. The authors are clear that “modern” and “wonky” are not excuses for poor quilting skills. It’s just as important in modern quilting to do a careful job of cutting and piecing your quilt as it has always been.

Basically, I wish I lived next door to both of these ladies so I could raid their scrap bins and get started on my scrappy quilt collection today. Not only will this book be a treasured  addition to your collection, but it is also a great source of expert quilting advice and fun, improvisational patterns.

May all your stitches be straight!

Jennifer

You can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

(To find an item or event on our web site after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

Book Review – Girl’s World by Jennifer Paganelli

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Girl's World by Jennifer Paganelli

Today I read Girl’s World (A14194) by Jennifer Paganelli, the creator of Sis Boom Fabrics, and the first thing I noticed when I picked it up was its beauty. Let’s face it, friends, I’m a sucker for a beautiful book.

The book begins with some basic sewing and crafting notes which are helpful for beginning sewers such as myself. I also really appreciate the included size chart, since I know my five year old princess is sometimes a size 5 and sometimes a size 6.

All of the necessary patterns are also included in the lovely pink pocket at the front of the book.

I’m pretty sure my first project from the book will be No. 8, the Hadley Headband. It’s a quick and easy project I can accomplish in an afternoon and make in lots of pretty colors for coordinating outfits.

After the accessory section I plan to practice my sewing skills on the Home Section, beginning with No. 21, the Birthday Banner. Think I can get it done in a single night? I’ll let you know. Then I’ll move on to No. 17 the Genevieve Patchwork Square Quilt. Because really, nobody ever has enough quilts.

Maybe then I’ll be ready to move on to the dresses. More advanced sew-ers than myself could just start in the Dress-Up section. I’m thinking I’ll start with No. 2, the Tallulah Halter Dress.

Really? I want to make all the dresses. And I want to up-size them for myself. Maybe a mommy/daughter matching outfit? Or maybe the same dress in different fabrics? Yes, that would suit our style better at our house.

I love the names of the projects, too. “Georgia, Annabel, Olivia.” I want to make the Molly Patchwork Memory Board for the sweet Molly who lives down the street from us. And it has my brain churning for the perfect project to create and name after my own princess, Sarah. What project would suit her personality and her style perfectly? Again, I’ll let you know when I come up with it.

That might be the best thing about craft books in general, the way they get your creativity working. Girl’s World includes “21 sewing projects to make for little girls” and is really a fantastic jumping off point for anyone who loves to create for a young girl in her life. Older girls will be able to help with the projects. The projects in this book would be perfect for using to teach your little sweetie some beginning crafting and sewing skills.

You can get more information on the book and the author at Sis Boom Fabrics. Please let us know if you’ve completed any of the projects from the book! We love show and tell!

Jennifer

(To find an item or event on our web site after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

You can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.