When Kathy Brown wrote and asked if I wanted to see her new book, the ruler she used, and be on her book tour I was thrilled! Why? Because I adore Kathy.. she is THE BOMB.COM! (is that saying out of date? Because I really like it... don't tell me if it is)... ok .. back to the book.
Kathy was on my radio show April 23, 2012, so if you missed that one CLICK HERE and listen to her talk about her quilts.
To start off Kathy wrote her book to using a speciality ruler. She also gives directions for using regular rulers. To be honest, I'm not one that has a lot of speciality rulers. And some look darn confusing.. and I truly wonder if they are useful.
BUT.. this is great timing as I set a goal for myself in 2014 to try specialty rulers. I want to see what they are all about. And to also be honest.. I trust Kathy. If she likes it, I know there is a reason.
I have the Book, My fabric, A beautiful neutral shade of Aurifil thread..
Let's begin shall we?
The first two stops on the book tour are with Carrie Nelson and Barb & Mary.. both show you a ton of photos of the quilts and both made blocks. (links at the end)
As I looked through Kathy's book this quilt stopped me... what is it about this quilt? I think it's the colors and how it's put together.. than I read the story and I was SOLD! This is the block I'll try!
Kathy tells us that this quilt is called 'The Mall' because her sweet husband will go shopping with her and her daughter and end up sitting in the middle of the mall waiting for them. I LOVE that.. good man she has!
I also love this quilt because it can use a jelly roll. I am in LOVE with Jelly rolls...
Now it is time for the scary part.. trying the ruler... let's go sew!
I took sets of 2.5" wide strips from my Bobbin's and Bit's fabric line and sewed them together and ironed them open.
Got out the ruler, read all of Kathy's directions in her book and took a deep breath
The first tip is to be sure you line up on the SOLID line.. not the dashed one. There are a lot of lines at the bottom so be sure you know which one to use.
The first cut was easy..
Then came the second cut into the odd ball circle. Was my rotary cutter going to do the job? Would it fit? The suspense was heavy here in my studio... let's see...
It did!! I was so excited I jiggled the camera!!!
Ta DA! Using the ruler you have three units at once.
Then I had to do the setting triangles for this design. I love Kathy's quilt with the tone on tone navy dot, I decided I'd see how this Moda basic black and white polka dot will look with my Bobbins and Bits.
I am OFFICIALLY a HUGE FAN of this ruler.. HUGE... I want to make a zillion quilts now...
Creative Grids 90 Degree Double Strip Quilting Ruler
Strip-Smart Quilts II: Make 16 Triangle Quilts with One Easy Technique
What do you think?
You know it's going to be a GREAT quilt when your heart skips a beat then starts to race..
And you CAN NOT get to the sewing machine fast enough!
The shipping Department arrived in my studio just as I got ready to sew this. I asked him if he would take a photo of me under the machine.
He said 'Ohhhhh.... kayyyyyyyy' in the oddest way.
Didn't he KNOW I meant I was going to put my fabric under the machine foot and SEW????
INSERT EYE ROLL (I was NOT going to lay under my machine... this is what happens when you talk to engineers... they are so logical.. and can NOT read your mind)
I want to show you I cleaned ALL THE DUST off this foot for the photo shoot.
Serious...
Because I love you THAT MUCH
And my block!! I can't tell you how excited I am about this.
Dare I start making a full quilt.. like NOW?? Kathy's directions are awesome, her stories for each quilt are wonderful and it's so much fun to make these blocks!
Starting a new project is my favorite thing in the world!
Kathy has AMAZING prize!
You could win
The Book...
The ruler..
AND a Quilt Kit for a book quilt!!!
PLUS you have a chance to win at all 5 blogs.. ack!!
BEST givaway tour EVER.. it's going to be a hard act to follow
For a chance, tell me
"What is the Name of the LAST Jelly Roll you bought"
(and if you have never bought one buy one of mine HERE)
The WINNER is Jodi who said What an awesome giveaway! I'm drawing a blank and can't remember the name, ahh hate when that happens. I took a class at my LQS and bought it there. I'm not at home or I'd run and look for the name, hehe. Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.
You are going to NEED to visit the Monday and Tues girls NOW.. because Miss Smartie Pants Carrie assigned us ALL stripper names ... I am "Raquelle DazzleKiss"... seriously... I kind of like the name..
- Monday - Carrie Nelson
- Tuesday - the Sugar sisters -Me & My Sister
- Wednesday - me!
- Thursday - Miss PamKittyMorning
- Friday - Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Quilts
- Kathy's blog http://theteacherspet.typepad.com/
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