Modern Quilting
Inspirational projects and educational tutorials.
This post is part of the Totally Groovy Quilt Along. Click here to see all of the posts and learn more about the Quilt Along.
This is week ten of the Totally Groovy QAL! Last week we got to check out Emily Cier's new book Pixel Play, and today I would like to share with you another awesome book by the Groovy Quilting Diva, Angela Walters.
Angela was the mastermind behind the quilting on the original Groove quilt from the pattern. In fact I asked Angela if she would be willing to give us some groovy quilting advice so after you hear all about her new book I will send you her way.
If you are actively participating in the online Modern Quilting movement, I am almost sure you have heard of Angela. She is literally a quilting superstar. Angela has been featured on her local news station, she is a Craftsy Instructor, she has not just one but two books, she is teaching classes all over the country, and will be teaching at QuiltCon in February. One of the coolest thing's Angela gets to do is quilt "famous" quilters quilts.
Out of all the steps of making a quilt the one I find most challenging is quilting. Now if you are not a quilter that sentence probably makes no sense, the hardest part of quilting is quilting, haha. For the longest time I have always blamed my lack of quilting skills on my machine. I just didn't have the right machine to do it. Which is partially true as my previous machine couldn't FMQ properly, but that was also a great excuse to cover up my lack of confidence in my quilting skills. So when I knew I would be getting a new machine (My Juki, ahh love!), I decided it was time to start putting some dedicated time into learning about quilting.
A few months ago I purchased Angela's first book Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters. Now I won't get into that book to much because I could go off all day, but I will say that it is an amazing, very helpful book. Now, when paired with her new book In The Studio, I can honestly say these two books are some of my favorite sewing books of all time. The first book teaches you 28 different quilting designs, and shares a little bit on how to use the designs. This is a really good place to start to get the ideas flowing. And then there is In The Studio…
Once you have learned more about different quilting patterns from Angela's first book her second, In The Studio is a perfect complement to help you put those patterns to work.
The book is broken up into 10 different chapters which touch on different quilting methods and how quilting can be used to accentuate a quilt top. Angela goal for the book is this…
My hope is that this book will make you think of quilting as more than just a way to keep the layers of a quilt together. I want you to feel empowered to experiment with different uses of quilting and different methods. I want you to love quilting as much as I do— it’s the part that’s the most fun! So here’s to happy quilting in your future. - Angela Walters
She gives a few different examples of each method so that you really have a good grasp of it before moving on. In each chapter is also a Quilt Pattern in which you can use the method she is referring to in that chapter. This book is not a learning guide for free motion quilting. So if you do not have any experience with FMQ I would not suggest this book yet, but if you have some experience playing with FMQ and would really like help deciding how to best quilt your quilts this is the book for you!
I would like to go over each chapter to give you a little idea.
In this chapter Angela talks about how we can use the story behind a quilt as inspiration for planning our quilting. And you can also continue to tell that story through the quilting you choose.
This is my favorite chapter in the book. Angela talks about how you can create a sense of movement in a quilt, adding a extra element of artistry. This technique is so beautiful to me. The above pictured quilt is the included pattern for this chapter and is called Moonrise.
In this chapter Angela gives wonderful ideas on how to had some dimension to your quilt to make it more realistic and dynamic. The above pictured quilt is the pattern for this chapter and she calls it Lava Lamp.
In this chapter Angela explains how you can add details to a quilt design. She uses an example of a quilt with thread spools. Without the quilting the spools are just shapes, but once you add detailed quilting they now look like real spools with thread on them! Adding details is a great way to make things more realistic.
In this chapter Angela puts a stop to the Quilting is distraction myth. And talks about how quilting can actually emphasize the piecing in the quilt and not distract from it. She also talks about the often avoided method Stitching in the ditch.
In this chapter Angela talks about how quilting can be made the star of the show. And how you can actually design a quilt completely for the purpose of the quilting. The above picture quilt is the pattern for this chapter and she calls it Mod Wholecloth Quilt
In this chapter Angela talks about how quilting can be used to define contrast on your quilt top. The above pictured quilt is the pattern in this chapter and she calls it Fire and Ice.
In this chapter Angela discusses methods to add a look of texture to your quilts that will make anyone wan't to touch it. As long as you are mindful of the design you can add another layer of art to a quilt with this method.
In this chapter Angela talks about something that is very new to me. The idea of using contrasting thread colors to add color to a quilt. This approach sounds like a serious amount of fun! The above pictured quilt is the pattern for this chapter and she calls it Spin Doctor.
In this chapter Angela talks about how you can take an allover design and give it a little flair by changing up the scale. This seams like a really simple method that I really want to try.
When I walked away from reading this book, the ideas were flowing like a raging river. In fact I feel like a bit of a dork because all day everywhere I went I was picturing quilting designs. For example I am a web designer so I stare at web designs daily. I would see the shape of someone's website like the header, sidebar, footer and start picturing how I would quilt those different areas and emphasize the style and design of the website. So maybe I'm less a dork and more just flat out weird, but in any case this book is extremely helpful and I am excited to try and put the methods I have learned from it to use on my Groove quilt and other quilts to come!
In The Studio is set to release on 11/12/12 and can be pre-ordered at ctpub.com.
It is also important for me to note. That for this review I received a free reviewers PDF copy of the book. But, these opinions are completely. Here at Pile O' Fabric I strive to always provide you with my honest opinion, even if that means I have to give something a bad review. I havent had to do that yet, but if the time comes I will, because my honest opinion matters more to me thatn any free book, fabric, or anything money can buy.
"C&T Publishing – leading the way to self-expression through the timeless art of hand-crafting. Inspired crafters use our products to create beauty every day."
Since its founding in 1983, C&T Publishing has become the industry leader for providing exceptional books and products to the quilting, paper craft, and fiber art markets throughout the United States and internationally. Consumers purchase our products through quilt, fabric, and craft stores; book, gift and museum shops; scrapbook and paper craft stores; and book clubs.
C&T authors are known as the best of the best in the quilting industry, and include such stellar names as Alex Anderson, Barbara Brackman, Harriet Hargrave, Lynette Jensen, Nancy Johnson-Srebro, Jean Ray Laury, Ruth B. McDowell, Judith Baker Montano, Yvonne Porcella, Elly Sienkiewicz, and Jean Wells. Many have been recipients of top quilting honors, such as the International Quilt Festival's Silver Star Award, appointment to the Quilters Hall of Fame, or inclusion in 1999's list of "The 20th Century's 100 Best American Quilts."
C&T Publishing is giving away one copy of In The Studio to one lucky winner! They do not ship giveaway books internationally so if the winner is from the USA they will win a Paperback Copy, and if the winner is International they will win a e-book.
Here's how, using the Rafflecopter widget below, follow the step by step instructions. First step is to add a comment to this post and tell me which step of making a quilt you feel you need to improve upon the most.
This giveaway will end Thursday, October 11th, at 12 a.m. EST. Mr. Random will choose a winner and I will announce their name on the Giveaway Winners page, later that Thursday. * Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE near and far! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that if you win I can contact you!
Next week I will share with you my ideas and thoughts on how I plan to quilt my Groove quilt. But, until then head on over to Quilting is my Therapy which is Angela's blog and get some tips for Groovy Quilting, she is also giving away a copy of the Groove pattern for those of you just joining the fun!
My name is Alyssa Williams, I live in sunny Prescott Valley, AZ. I am a front end developer and avid sewist. I write modern quilting tutorials and share techniques and inspiration here at Pile O’ Fabric. Learn more…
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