Here at FSHQ (that's Feeling Stitchy Headquarters : ) we were fortunate enough to receive a copy of one of Susan's Beal's newest books for Potter Craft, Modern Log Cabin Quilting.
Susan, who blogs at West Coast Crafty, has put together a quilting book that I would classify as an "instant classic" -- timeless designs, widespread appeal, approachable patterns, and inspirational photographs are all in high supply here. It marries traditional and contemporary quilt aesthetics in a highly impactful and engaging way.
By the way, Susan and I are both UNC-Chapel Hill alums, and graduated only a year apart from one another. Go Tar Heels!
The book compiles 24 original project ideas, ranging from quilts to bags, aprons, pillows, and other home decor items. In addition to the patterns, Susan includes both a history of the time-honored log cabin quilt block as well as a section devoted to quilt-making basics that can get even a first-time quilt-maker started on her way to a new quilt.
My favorite quilt is the book's cover girl, called the Modern Crosses Quilt. The beauty of this quilt in its entirety belies the simplicity of its construction. If you are a beginning quilter, or even a newbie that's been wanting to try it out, I would highly recommend this quilt pattern and this book for its down-to-earth, easy-to-understand instructions.
I've already got about 6 Modern Crosses quilts designed in my head, with different color and print combinations.
"But wait", you're thinking (yes, I can hear you.) "Why are the fine folks at Feeling Stitchy reviewing a quilting book?"
Allow me to introduce a quilt that Susan has named the "Anniversary Quilt":
Using log cabin block-making techniques, Susan has created a memory quilt that frames images depicting memories or milestones that have special meaning to the quilt's recipient, her husband Andrew. The various blocks feature novelty print fabrics, gocco prints, photo transfers, vintage buttons and other embellishments, and ... wait for it ... embroidery!
See? I've been blogging here on Feeling Stitchy about the places where quilting and embroidery intersect, and with this quilt Susan has provided my latest example. Susan blogged about an earlier version of this pattern, called the Modern Heirloom Quilt and featured in Craft magazine, here.
I'm also considering putting some quilt block techniques to use when it's my turn to host the Feeling Stitchy stitch-along later this year. What do you think?
Want to win a copy of Modern Log Cabin Quilting? Potter Crafts has generously donated a book for a lucky Feeling Stitchy reader. Simply leave a comment on this post telling us if you're an experienced quilter or just wanting to try it out. We'll select a random winner next Tuesday, 17 May.
For more about Modern Log Cabin quilting, visit the following sites:
I've never done any quilting bt I'd love to try it, it just seems quite scary at times. It's like the only craft I don't do so I defo want to try it. :D
ReplyDeletewickedsister69@gmail.com
I am dying to get started quilting but I've been so intimidated I don't know quite where to begin. This sounds like a lovely introduction!
ReplyDeleteoh, what a stunning book! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm somewhere between beginner and expert in the quilting realm. This book looks so good!
ReplyDeleteI'm a newbie quilter but so obsessed already! I'm on my second quilt and I can't believe I waited 30 years to learn how to quilt!! I'm also new to embroidery and having a whale of a time playing with embroidery thread and free patterns!
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely have a play with the log cabins for the stitch along :)
Fingers crossed I win!
Tids xx
I have never quilted but have wanted to try it for years now!
ReplyDeleteI'm a complete amateur at quilting - but I'd love to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get my hands on that book. I've been quilting since the '70s but always looking for new ideas and ways to use patchwork.
ReplyDeleteI am a very beginner quilt. The closest I have come is a "quilt" I started as part of a math class in elementary school (none of the triangles are straight) and watching my MIL put together a quilt for me. Although that blue and yellow quilt is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI've been quilting since I was a teenager, mostly patchwork, but am recently starting to branch out into the world of art quilts. That said, this book looks awesome!
ReplyDeletei have never quilted anything, but i've been dying to try!
ReplyDeleteI've been too scared to before, but maybe this book will help me take that leap! i especially love the anniversary quilt idea
I would love a copy! Quilting is on my list. It's so hard for me to carve out time to use my machine right now, since I'm caring for my daughter all day, and the noise of it bothers my 6yo in the evenings when he's supposed to be sleeping, so it's pretty much weekends with no other plans that I get to sew. But I really want to try my hand at quilting.
ReplyDeleteI am a very beginner quilter - and a very experienced cross stitch & hand embroiderer (learned at my grandmother's knee 30 years ago) - and am trying to learn by using online tutorials. this book would be a fabulous tool in helping me increase my quilting knowledge AND combine it with my original loves of embroidery and cross stitch
ReplyDeleteQuilting was something my mother did when I was younger and I still treasure the threadbare cushions that were made from the quilt she had made and we 4 kids heavily used...for EVERYTHING! i'm saving treasured t-shirts, clothes and fabrics for that one fantastic memory quilt. this might be the book to kick me into action! the projects look inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI taught myself to quilt last year from an online quilt a-long then made 6 more quilts in the year, now I'm addicted. This year I took a hand quilting class so I can do even more things.
ReplyDeleteOooooh - I am just starting out with quilting, and this book would be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all an experienced quilter! That would require you to finish more than a doll quilt, right?? I am absolutely head over heels for that yellow and aqua quilt and would be thrilled to have a copy of the book. :D
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try quilting, but didn't know where to start. This book seems great because it gives you other smaller projects to start with.
ReplyDeleteI've made about 8 quilts or so! I love making quilts, except for the hand binding!
ReplyDeleteAh! A chance for my two craft loves to crash in to awesomenss. I've made quite a few quilts and have eyed the log cabin, but have yet to make one. The memory quilt really gives me motivation to try it out.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What an inspiring book. I love seeing fresh takes on classic patterns. I've been sewing/hand & machine for 24 years and always enjoy seeing and learning new techniques.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many talented artists out there.
Thank you for keeping me inspired and sharing them with your blog.
McDaniels
I'm a semi-experienced quilter and this book has boon on my wish list for some time now, I'd love to win a copy, especially if she talks a little about combining embroidery with quilting, that's an area that I'm really interested in
ReplyDeleteI love quilting and embroidery. All of my first quilts were squares I had embroidered for my babies!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am a quilter who has made blocks with stitching! They tend to be the same type of quilt as you have featured - a commemorative or anniversary quilt. There is a quilt called a 'Friendship Quilt' where names are embroidered in the sashing around the block - I have one from 1940 and it is incredible!
ReplyDeletethat heirloom quilt is so beautiful! thanks for highlighting it. i've never tried embroidery but it would be so cool to incorporate it into my quilts.
ReplyDeleteI have been "playing" at quilting for about 20 years but I definitely wouldn't call myself an expert. I really love the log cabin blocks but had never thought to use one as a memory quilt. Thank you for the giveaway. Hope (hopemitch@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely a beginner, but these quilt patterns are beautiful! I would absolutely love to have a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteI have just in the last year begun attempting quilting in seriousness. Played with patchwork in the past with no guidance whatsoever, but now I'm really catching the fever. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried quilting before but I really want too. The fact that I've got a lil niece or nephew on the way is the perfect motivation.
ReplyDeleteQuilting is one of those things I've always wanted to try and this book looks perfect - really clean and beautiful. The memory quilt is awesome. Do you think it matters if I'm still practicing cutting straight lines? ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely not an experience quilter, but have almost finished piecing one together...now for the finishing!
ReplyDeleteGo Tar Heels! My husband and daughter are graduates and I worked in the hospital.
I agree that the quilt on the cover is amazing! I love it! It's been a few months that I've been wanting to try quilting, so receiving this book would be a great reason to start.
ReplyDelete- Ann Marie
I just graduated from UNC-CH this weekend! Small world.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've definitely got this book on my Amazon wishlist...like you I've got about a dozen of the Modern Cross quilts dancing in my head waiting to be made!
This book would be so wonderful!
I've never quilted before, but the Anniversary quilt got my mind grapes working over-time! I think my husband would love something like that.
ReplyDeleteI've made a few smallish quilts for babies of friends and have more than enough fabric for a bazillion more. Some of them feature embroidery. I would Love a copy of this book.
ReplyDeletenooo.... I think my comment just went kaput before I got to type the secret code!
ReplyDeleteI'm an embroiderer... but not much of a quilter. (Though there's a tooth fairy- log cabin style pillow that I'm quite intimidated by in my closet, waiting to be completed). This book looks like just the thing to help me through! Thanks for the chance :D
A friend of mine has given me two bags full of material for quilting with and, well, I have no idea where to start. This would be a good kick up the backside!
ReplyDeleteI love quilting. I've been doing so for many years. Sometimes I can't decide which I love more, quilting or embroidery. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful book! I just started quilting a couple of years ago and always excited to try new techniques. Thanks for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm not a very good quilter, but I have been getting into it a bit more lately. I would love to win a copy of this fabulous book!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are gorgeous! I'd love to win - my first project (at age 8) was a doll quilt, but I haven't made one since! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI am currently working on my first quilt which is a strange, improvised, psuedo log cabin style. I have been so inspired by Susan and the other quilting bloggers that I follow. But I really should have followed a pattern.
ReplyDeleteI am a medium quilter but have never done a log cabin quilt. I would be a gracious winner!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried quilting before, but these pictures make me curious! Beautiful quilt designs, I would love to try it out :)
ReplyDeleteI am not a new quilter but I sure am learning as I go and always, always discovering new tips via quilting blogs! Thanks for the chance to win the awesome book!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a beginning quilter. I've had my eye on this book. Looks great!
ReplyDeleterachel (at) sineware.com
I may be considered a beginner, as I have only made samples and two potholders, but I'd love to improve my skills and make a real quilt.
ReplyDeleteI started quilting last year and love it. That memory quilt is wonderful! I have seen some awesome quilts that incorporate red work into the blocks. Love them! Yes, absolutely incorporate block techniques into the blog!
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy. I am desperate to make a quilt - I can't quite believe that I've never made one, but I love them so much, oh where to start?....
ReplyDeleteI am just a beginner, and haven't even made a quilt yet... but my MIL is really talented at quilting, and may be rubbing off on me!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made a quilt before, but I'm very interested in quilting! I really want to make one for my bed, though that might be a little ambitious the first time around. :)
ReplyDelete~Kristin
anticonformity_chick (at) yahoo (dot) com
I'm a beginner quilter. In fact am only half way through my first one! But i'd love a good quilting book to inspire me to keep going :o)
ReplyDeleteBoth my mom and I would love to try our hands at quilting, but we've been timid. I also love the quilt on the cover, and as I have an old quilt that my great-great grandmother and several of her daughters created and embroidered all over, I would love to make some kind of family history or memory quilt for the future generations in my family, too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love log cabin pattern. It was the pattern I used for my first pieced quilt and this book seems to take the pattern to a whole new, fabulous level.
ReplyDelete(btw, I new to reading the feeling stitchy blog--love it! Thank you for the pictures, community, and inspiration)
~RachelGita
I am working on my first quilt...it's got a chicken theme to it. Of course, beinging my first try, i had to decide to go and make something big...like a twin sized quilt. :) Why do we overly ambitious types do things like that to ourselves? Anywoo,...
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone who enters!
I'm a beginner, but I love quilting. This book looks just amazing.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book! I've really wanted to get into quilting. It has such an amazing history and I love a lot of the modern twists so many talented quilters have incorporated. I'm a huge fan of people who mix quilting and embroidery elements and would love to try my hand at it. :)
ReplyDeleteThe log cabin is my favourite pattern and I would love to win Susan's book and get some new ideas to try out. Dianne.
ReplyDeleteI've never quilted before but some of the smaller projects in here look like a good place to start before a full-size bedspread!
ReplyDeleteThese projects look fantastic.... thanks for the chance for this book to live at my house.... I would have to admit to being semi experienced.... done quite a lot but still lots to learn....
ReplyDeleteHugz
How Fun! I've done a variation of the Log cabin--Log cabin hidden star--and LOVED it. The preocess is so fun and I would love to have a book filled with different twists on this timeless pattern.
ReplyDeleteI've done some quilting, but only small-scale projects so far. My great-aunt was an amazing quilter and tried to teach me as a child, but I didn't have the patience to line up my corners and edges properly! Now I wish she was still around so I could soak up a little more of her wisdom.
ReplyDeleteAh, I really want to win the book because I really want to bu the book but can't justify it right now. I'm a fairly beginning quilter (on #3) but want my next want to be a bit less plain and a bit more complex, and the plus quilt on the front looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteI've never made a quilt before but both my Grandmas are awesome quilters and I'd love to learn how to do it too!
ReplyDeleteI love the modern look and alternative applications! I haven't actually quilted before (unless you count paper origami quilts) but definitely interested.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever quilted; embroidery and crewelwork are pretty much as far as my stitching has gone. In fact, I haven't touched a sewing machine since making a wrap skirt in my high school home ec class, oh, about a million years ago.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, until recently I didn't really have an interest in quilting. The patterns rarely appealed to me (though they were often amazingly intricate and I could appreciate and admire the amount of work and love that went into them). At one point growing up, we did have a small, simple quilt with large squares made by grandmother which was well-loved and used for napping by everyone in the family until it finally became too tattered. Without a fancy pattern, though, I guess I never really thought of it as a "real" quilt.
Lately, however, after seeing some beautiful (and simple) quilts in the blogosphere, I've begun to think that I'd like to try my hand at it. This review makes me think that Susan Beal's book would be a great primer, even for someone with limited sewing skills. And, yes, the cover quilt is fabulous! --Nikki E.
UNC-CH Class of '92 here! I was there at the age of 30! Small world indeed.
ReplyDeleteI am a mediocre quilter. I have made quilts and really want to take it up several levels! Thanks for the chance to win.
there are a lot of nice projects in the book. I always enjoy a book that has more than bed quilts in it. I am an experienced quilter but always learning something new. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
ReplyDeleteI've been hemming and hawing about learning to quilt for years, and it looks like this book will be just the thing to get me started -- whether it I win it here or buy it myself. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI am *STILL* working on my first quilt, it has almost been a year since I started it. Of course I've started a couple more additional quilts...too many ideas!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking to start quilting and I love modern designs! I'm currently a cross stitcher looking to branch out.
ReplyDeleteI'm semi-experienced. I can do log cabins, rail fences, and nine patches. I want to get better :)
ReplyDeleteI've never quilted but I would love to! The modern crosses quilt looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have dabbled a bit, just making simple turned quilts for friends babies, then a lap quilt for my grandma who quilts, but with each project, I love to add a bit of handwork, be it hand-quilting or an embroidered detail, as it makes it feel more special to me :)
ReplyDeleteI started quilting not so long ago, so I still consider myself as a beginner, but I already feel addicted to this. My second addiction is embroidery, so it's nice to see those two things can be combined together. Cheers :)
ReplyDeleteI just started a quilt-like project that will incorporate some self-drawn embroidery and (time permitting) some creweling (sp?) patterns. The trick is only putting in small elements, and making sure the embroidered pieces don't take away from the overall design. Would enjoy this book for additional inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am an experienced quilter but I haven't combined quilting and embroidery yet.
ReplyDeleteI've started a quilt, but then boom, boom, boom and boom! along came 4 children! I've put off the bigger projects and stick to smaller bits-- like embroidery. This will be a nice book to have once the kids learn to leave mama alone when she's crafting/sewing!
ReplyDeleteI love the log cabin quilt block. So versatile. I have three quilts to make this summer so please toss my name in the hat.
ReplyDeleteJody
I've been itching to get this book! I've been quilting for a few years and just made my first log cabin blocks this week. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletesaltyoat at gmail dot com
i have tinkered a bit with quilting, but it's been a while so i probably have forgotten how to make one!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a newbie, but I already have a fabric stash ready and waiting!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to try my hands at a quilt for the longest time. I've saved favorite clothing from my two children and would love to use this book to create memory quilts for both of them. The log cabin style would be perfect as I could put a whole outfit together in one square!! Pick me!!
ReplyDeleteI've never quilted but now that I'm no longer scared of my sewing machine I would love to try!
ReplyDeleteI have fabric and I know my way around the sewing machine yet I have never quilted. This book looks like fun. Oh, and I love to embroider!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried quilting before, and actually I'm only a beginner sewer! But Quilting is why I'm in it, I think they are wonderful gifts as they are so easily personalised. I would LOVE to win a copy...
ReplyDeleteMy mother is an avid quilter. I would love to combine her quilting with my embroidery on a collaborative project.
ReplyDeleteI've just quilted once, a blanket for my nephew, but this book will be for sure an extra source of inspiration!
ReplyDelete