Tag Archives: books

Book Review – The Gentle Art of Stitching

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Gentle Art of Stitching Book CoverOnce again, I come to you offering a glimpse into a simply beautiful book. In The Gentle Art of Stitching (A20786) by Jane Brocket, the subtitle offers “40 projects inspired by everyday beauty.” However, the book is so much more than a project book. You’ll find instructions and contemporary twists on age old traditional techniques. Buttons, cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, and sashiko are all represented here. All this and more are just waiting for you to enjoy in this lovely book.

The chapter entitled “Haberdashery” offers ideas for recycling and upcycling items you already have at home. This is one of my favorite things to do, using old items in new ways. My only problem is knowing how to store all of these sometimes oddly shaped, often singular items. Brocket offers suggestions on this as well as directing the reader to other potentially helpful resources.

Sashiko stitching

I’ve heard or read “Sashiko” mentioned quite a bit but have never investigated what it really means until now. Sashiko is “an ancient form of stitching from Japan, a form of darning … used to reinforce and patch worn and damaged clothing. … The distinctive look of sashiko comes from the consistency, and the visibility of the stitching combined with the vast number of patterns – ancient and modern – to which it can be applied.” (p. 18) Personally, I think the geometric patterns are what draw me to this art style. I will definitely be ordering myself a kit to try this style of stitching very soon.

Needlepoint Pin CushionsAnyone who can take a craft such as needlepoint, and make it look interesting and dare I say, modern, is impressive in my book. It’s nice to be able to learn from other’s experiences and the author’s work with needlepoint is just such an opportunity. She’s broken down the process into only it’s most integral steps and created several stunning, yet simple, projects for you to try.

Kantha QuiltOne thing I’ve been challenged by since working at a quilt shop is how to use Kaffe Fassett’s fabrics in projects for my own home. I’ve not yet allowed myself to buy any because I really just haven’t known what in the world to do with it. I may have found my answer in the Seasonal Kantha Quilt projects. The simple stitching is just the foil for the bold, colorful fabric.

We all can use opportunities to slow down from the hectic pace of life that we live now. Overall, I think it’s the “gentleness” of this book which appeals to me the most by offering just such an opportunity.  The author manages to make all of the different, very disparate craft types easily accessible to all. From cross stitch to kantha, there truly is something for everyone.

By the way, if you’re still wondering which design I chose to use with my log cabin squares, here it is! Log Cabin - Final

The Straight Furrows design won out over the others this time. It was simply soothing to the eyes which, I thought, is what the fabric combinations were suggesting.

(To find an item on our web page 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.)

Remember, 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.

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.)

Say What?

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Today’s post is from Jennifer Crutchfield. She’s our relatively new web gal at the shop, and she’s been quickly learning some new vocabulary over the last several weeks.

When you hang around a quilt shop long enough, you’ll hear some awfully funny words. Some of them you’ve heard before but they’re being used in a whole new way. Others, you may never hear anywhere else.

For example, how do you handle your kids “tatting” on each other?

No. Wait. That’s not what we’re talking about.

Not tattling. Tatting. You know, the age old art of lace making. Of course.

Tatting

And don’t even get me started on when my kids are “smocking” each other.

No, no, no. Not smacking, smocking. Smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather fabric so that it can stretch. Yes, I did have to look that one up so that I could be sure I defined it properly. I can’t be expected to know all of the crazy crafting words inside and out, can I?

How about a “fussy cut?” Is that something a distressed mother does when she’s waiting in line with a crying child? Or even “over 2?” Is that an age limitation on who should undertake the crafting project?

Seriously? A glossary should be standard issue when a person walks in the front door of this building.

“Are you a Continental (European) knitter, or English knitter?”

“Where will I find the punch needle books?” (If I punched a needle, wouldn’t that hurt?)

One thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to end up “in the ditch.”

You Did What In the Ditch? Book Cover

The good news is that no matter what crazy words you hear around Erica’s, somebody knows what you’re talking about. Everybody does some sort of crafting and everybody is always eager to help and to share her knowledge.

Do you have any funny stories of using crafting language around your friends or family that got them confused? We’d love to hear them. Please share in the comments!

(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.