I'm happy to be part of
the Blog Tour for this lovely book. Read till the end to know how to
win an electronic copy of “Stunning stitches for crazy
quilts”! :)
It's funny how the world
works. Lately, I've been having an idea to make some fabric collages
embellished with decorative stitches – you know, just to use the
fabric scraps I have and practice some stitches as well as skills of
combining colors and techniques. And right then Kathy wrote to me and
shared about her new book. Which is FULL of ready decorative seams!
What a wonderful coincidence!
So today I would like to
introduce you a new book: “Stunning stitches for crazy
quilts” by Kathy Seaman Shaw.
Although, as follows from
the name, its main purpose is to help crazy quilters, I believe many
stitchers will find it just as useful. There are many ways to
implement the ideas from the book in surface embroidery – you can
create repetitive patterns from these seams, make decorative borders
in your works, or, like I plan to do someday, use them in fabric
collages.
Besides, the book is not
really focused on crazy quilting per se. Whether it be a pro or a con
(beginner crazy quilters will discover that there is only a
“background” section on this craft), but the main focus is
exactly on the stitches.
What I liked the most in
this book is that it is highly organized, practical and informative.
You can definitely feel Kathy's teaching experience oozing from the
structure and the content of the book. Just when I have a question –
it is being answered. Just when I think that here I would prefer a
photograph along with the diagram, I get exactly that. Just when I
think “ah, it's cool, but what about materials” comes the
needed section. Amazing.
Honestly speaking, I would
like to achieve the same level of teaching mastery but I guess it
only comes with long hours spent in classes with students, haha. My
respect! :)
Inside the book
Anyway, what to expect
from “Stunning stitches”?
The book will give you 480
combinations of stitches that you can use as decorative seams. This
number is hard to fathom, but it is real. They are complete, ready
for you to use in your works. The diagrams are colorful and easy to
read. For all of the stitches that are used in these seams you can
find lessons, including how-to's on working composed elements like
flowers, butterflies and even... pumpkins!
One of the other delights
of “Stunning stitches” is the Gallery of worked and photographed
colorful seams! I truly enjoyed going through these pages and found
the seams that I like the most (page 59).
By the way, the seams are
not limited to thread as material, they also use ribbons, beads,
sequins, buttons and other fun stuff. These kinds of elements are
also interchangeable in the seams. Like, if you see a french knot in
a diagram, you can change it to a bead and vice versa. Basically,
what I'm saying, is that even the number 480 is not the end. You can
continue creating your own seams and stitch combinations, and Kathy
even gives you necessary tips on how to build them yourself.
So, the book is definitely
worth to have in your library even if you're not a crazy quilter.
Here are the links where you can buy the book: Amazon, Book Depositary, C&T Publishing.
Giveaway
But the best thing is: you
can get an electronic copy of this book and enjoy it for free!
This review post is part
of the Blog Tour that started on Monday! Each day we write our
thoughts on the book and choose winners for a free e-copy.
- July 8: C&T Publishing, https://www.ctpub.com/blog
- July 9: Pam Kellogg, https://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com
- July 10: Hazel Bomkamp, http://therebelliousneedlewoman.blogspot.com
- July 11: Christen Brown, https://1creativeone.wordpress.com
- July 12: Amina K., https://stitchfloral.blogspot.com
- July 13: Susan Santoro, https://organized31.com
- July 14: Bonnie Hunter, https://quiltille.blogspot.com
- July 15: Floresita, https://feelingstitchy.com
- July 16: Kathy Shaw, https://shawkl.com
Leave
a comment under this post to participate in the giveaway and have a
chance to get the electronic PDF version of “Stunning
Stitches for crazy quilts”!
Since
I need your e-mail address, check the comments tomorrow to see if you
won. I will reply and ask you to contact me. The winner will
be chosen randomly. Even if you lose, you can try to win on the other
days, there are still plenty of chances, just follow the schedule :) !
I have not done much crazy quilting stitching but I love embroidery and have done a lot of it. This book looks like a wonderful resource to have for anyone that loves to use a needle and embroider..thanks for a chance to win..
ReplyDeleteI love Kathy's work and am so glad to hear about this contest. Thanks for the opp. to enter.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous looking book - makes me want to run home and make a crazy quilt!! mumbird3atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteYour review was great, Amina! Kathy's book looks like a fabulous resource to have.
ReplyDeleteI already bought the book and love it. My favourite is the first stitch on page 60. I'm planning to upgrade a Dirndl with a selection of the stitches. Around the neckline, probably on the blouse and the apron.
ReplyDeleteAnd what I really love is the idea with using templates.
Kathy is an excellent teacher! I've learned so much from her. I want this book!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks fabulous! I have to add it to my library!
ReplyDeleteWow! Stunning designs. I'm looking for designs to stitch on a number of linen pieces of clothing I'm making.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks amazing. Kathy does beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteOh, this would be a wonderful addition to my library! And I'd use it, too! I love free form surface embroidery as well as CQing, so it would get lots of use. Thanks for the chance to win this e-book!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win! I have some of Kathy's templates for stitching nice even stitches, and have admired her work! I have been doing lots of surface embellishments on special pages of memory books and journals that incorporate CQ and hexies, antique laces and buttons,....
ReplyDeleteThis book looks very useful. I am trying to do more with embroidery right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous resource! I love how organized it looks, the variety, and how to develop your own combinations. I don't do crazy quilts but can think of a dozen ways to adapt these stitches to my own surface embroidery. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDelete- Barbara
I have Kathy's other books and enjoy using them on my CQ seams. With the preview you've shown, I can see that these are more of the same creativity! Thanks for a chance to win the book. I would love a closer look, and will probably buy the paper copy either way.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review. I am sure this will be a must have resource book on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteThis book ticks all my interests, boxes or otherwise!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Kath, you are the winner! Please write me through the Contact page on the top of the page :)
DeleteDepuis bien longtemps je suis tentée d'essayer le "crazy patch", ce serait une merveilleuse occasion !!
ReplyDeletemerci pour tous vos articles toujours très techniques et interessants
What an exquisite book! I have just gotten back into hand embroidery this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to receiving this book. It looks to be very inspiring with a new approach for beautiful crazy quilt stitches.
ReplyDeleteHi, Desi! Since I couldn't contact the original winner I had to choose another one and you're the lucky one! Please, contact me on aminakdesigns@hotmail.com and I will tell your the details :)
Delete