Book Review - Stitched for Fun

Hi everyone:

March is here and I'm not sure if it arrived like a lamb or a lion here in Calgary. How do you go from +6 celsius one day to below zero temperatures and a foot of snow two days later? That's life in Calgary, always switching from one extreme to another, and the reason why the weather is always a topic of conversation. 

Much like the weather, I've been switching back and forth between embroidery and quilting this month. Some of the work is for upcoming patterns and some is just for pure enjoyment. I'm finding lots of sources of fun embroidery designs in my extensive collection of needlecraft books.

I am currently stitching up a design from Darcy Ashton's Papercut Valentines book (this is for pure enjoyment!). It is actually an appliqué design, but I traced it on pink linen (perfect for heartsy designs) and am embroidering it using a backstitch. 

Design from Papercut Valentines by Darcy Ashton

Another book in my collection is Stitched for Fun: 35 Easy and Adorable Embroidery Projects by Fiona Goble from Martingale & Company . 

Stitched for Fun by Fiona Goble
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

I think they had me at "easy and adorable". I'm always looking for quick and easy patterns that I can whip up before I become distracted by another idea or project. I also enjoy whimsical designs and this book had me hooked from the first page which features a little "beastie" - definitely my type of design.

If you haven't tried hand embroidery before, don't worry, Fiona has information on everything from the supplies you'll need to how to transfer the designs to your fabric. She also includes great instructions on how to achieve the simple stitches used in the projects. Each project includes a detailed material list and complete instructions as well as clear photos of the project. The patterns are for a variety of fabrics, such as fleece, cotton and felt, as well as paper (cards and tags).

Cool Robot from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

There are a variety of projects in the book and it is broken into sections, such as Eat, Sleep, Play, Celebrate, etc. Each section includes several different types of patterns, such as a pencil case, a baby's bib or an embroidered lampshade, to name just a few.

Sweetest Little Baby Face from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

I love the whimsical nature of these patterns and appreciate the practicality of the projects. If you're looking for a quick gift for a baby shower, you'll find several ideas in Stitched for Fun. Need a card for a birthday or a gift tag? You'll find patterns for these in the book too.

The Long and Short of it from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

One of the things that I look for in a collection of designs is to see how transferable they are: that is, could I use these designs in other ways, in other projects. I would definitely be able to use Fiona's designs on other projects, such as stitched onto a jacket or on the collar of a blouse or even on placemats or a table runner (always looking for a quilting angle). 

Wise Old Owl from Stitched for Fun
Photo courtesy of Martingale & Company

These sweet and charming patterns would be perfect for gifts for children and babies. Even teens would enjoy adding these designs to a card or pencil case - or they could make the cell phone case design included in the book. 

Quick to make, appealing and practical, Stitched for Fun has it all.

Book Review - Civil War Legacies and Follow the Lines Quilting Designs - Volume 5

Hi everyone:
Now that the Calgary Stampede has ended, I'm getting back into the quilting mode. Since the Stampede was celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, there were lots of vintage photos on display at the grounds. This reminded me of two books that I wanted to share with you. Well, one is actually quilting designs, but since I can't think up of a name to call it, let's just call it a book. Both are from Martingale.

Civil War Legacies by Carol Hopkins
Photo courtesy of Martingale

Civil War Legacies by Carol Hopkins includes 15 pieced patterns using reproduction fabrics. These patterns are great for using up your fabric scraps as they are make small quilts, mostly table toppers to wall hangings. The patterns use such familiar components as half square triangles and flying geese units to make traditional blocks. I like small size patterns, such as the ones in this book, as they work up quickly and are a great way to try out a new block or technique. They can easily be finished on a week-end and would make wonderful gifts.

Lincoln's Logs from Civil War Legacies
Photo courtesy of Martingale

Since the quilts in this book are small, the individual blocks are also small, so accuracy in piecing is important. With some of the blocks finishing at 3", you'll want to ensure that your 1/4" seam is dead on. I view this as a good way to practise your piecing. By the time you've finished several of these projects, you'll be a 1/4" seam ace!

Mary Smith's Dishrag from Civil War Legacies
Photo courtesy of Martingale

I'll admit that reproduction or civil war fabrics aren't my usual choices for making my quilts, but these patterns could easily be adapted for batiks or even daiwabo fabrics, which seem to work especially well with traditional block patterns. 

Michael's Victory from Civil War Legacies
Photo courtesy of Martingale

Once you've finished your civil war projects, you'll need to quilt them, of course. To help you choose the perfect quilting design, Mary M. Covey has released Follow-the-Line Quilting Designs Volume Five - Authentic Civil War Designs and More. Doesn't it seem like these two items should be bundled and sold together? 

Follow-the-Line Quilting Designs Volume Five by Mary M. Covey
Photo courtesy of Martingale

 As with her previous four volumes, Mary includes many quilting designs to choose from in her latest publication. This particular volume features authentic motifs from the civil war era. These designs are simple enough for beginners to use and perfectly complement traditional civil war quilt projects, such as those in Carol Hopkins' book. There are 18 designs to choose from and within these motifs are both continuous-line designs, as well as designs for borders, blocks and setting triangles. 

Old Oak Leaf pattern from Follow-the Line Quilting Designs
Volume Five by Mary M. Covey
Photo courtesy of Martingale

I like how Mary indicates the size of the quilting design, so you'll know if it will fit your quilt block or border. And if it doesn't fit, don't worry, Mary has included information on how to resize the patterns, both in width and length. She also provides helpful tips on marking the patterns, choosing batting and preparing the backing. Information on using a regular sewing machine, as well as a long-arm machine is also included.


I was pleased to see another volume of quilting designs by Mary to add to my collection. These are great motifs to use on a variety of quilts, so don't think that they will only work on civil war era patterns. I know that I'll be using these on my quilts, civil war or not!


If you're a fan of reproduction quilts, you'll definitely want to add both of these books to your collection.

Book Review - Modern Basics and Make it Sew Modern

Hi everyone:


Have you heard about these Modern Quilt Guilds that are springing up all across the country? While I initially didn't like some of the "modern" quilts that I was seeing being created, I've slowly come around to realize that there is something to these modern quilts. I'm enjoying seeing the larger prints and simpler styles that are being used to create these contemporary projects. I can see how these would appeal to those quilters who have a young outlook, as well as quilters who have little time to pursue their hobby and want to get a quilt done fast. So I'm changing my viewpoint on contemporary quilts and other items that are similar in style, such as bags and pillows. Luckily for me there are more and more books that have "modern" designs in them and I have two to review today.


The first one, Modern Basics: Easy Quilts to Fit Your Budget, Space, and Style, by Amy Ellis, has 14 different quilt designs, mostly pieced. 

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

These are excellent projects for beginner quilters, who will appreciate the easy, yet effective designs. 

1, 2, 3 from Modern Basics - photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

More advanced quilters will also enjoy the geometric patterns, several of which create optical illusions with their fabric choices and careful placement. 

Knotted Squares from Modern Basics - photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

These patterns lend themselves to the large "home decor" prints that are so popular today. There are also several projects in the book that use solid cottons, which are also seeing a resurgence in the marketplace. 

Modern Maze from Modern Basics - photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

Amy gives advice on basic quiltmaking with explanations of the various tools involved and the process from cutting to quilting which would be essential for beginning quilters. I especially like her safety advice about rotary cutters - one of my bugbears (close that cutter!).

Make it Sew Modern: Gather, Twist, Pleat, Texture, by Vanessa Christenson of V and Co. is more of an accessory book, both for you and for your home.

Photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

The book is divided into four sections: Ruffles, Twisting, Gathering and Pleats and includes several charming projects in each section using these techniques. There are patterns for everything from bracelets to wreaths, purses to pillows, all with a simple, modern aesthetic.

Twisted Fabric Bracelet from Make it Sew Modern 
photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

Many of these projects, dare I say all, would be wonderful as gifts. The projects are elegant and feminine and give the impression that they are more intricate and difficult to make than they actually are. I'm always looking for patterns like this! The instructions include diagrams and photos to aid in construction.  

Cascading Spring Scarf from Make it Sew Modern 
photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

I enjoyed the fresh feel of these designs and was thrilled to discover the Appliqué Doily Quilt pattern since I have a collection of doilies at home and now have the perfect pattern in which to use them. I can even do the quilting that they show on this project - it's one of my specialties!

Appliqué Doily Quilt from Make it Sew Modern
photo courtesy of Martingale and Company

Vanessa includes a section on Tips, Terms and Techniques specific to the projects in the book to help you complete them successfully. 

Both of these books would be great additions to your library if you're looking for modern quilt patterns and contemporary decor and accessories.

!Quilt Fiesta! winner

Hi everyone:

Well, folks, we have a winner! The winning number was #30 and the winner was kc. Congratulations, kc, I'll be sending your copy of !Quilt Fiesta! out to you as soon as I receive your address information. Again, thank you to Martingale and Company for providing this book as a giveaway to my readers.

Thanks to everyone who entered and welcome to my new readers. I enjoyed reading your comments and have some new design ideas from them (how did I miss doing a manga puppy?!).


I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Easter week-end with their friends and family. If you see the Easter bunny, don't forget to send him my way :)

Book Giveaway

Hi everyone:


In yesterday's post I advised that I would be having a giveaway for !Quilt Fiesta! Surprising designs from Mexican tiles by Cheryl Lynch. 

Don't worry, I'm still doing this giveaway and you have until April 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. MST to enter to win your own copy. 
I did, however, forget to mention that this book is published by Martingale and Company. Also, mea culpa (my fault) in neglecting to mention that Martingale and Company have provided me with a copy of this book to give away to one of my blog readers. 
So... my apologies to Martingale and Company as well as my thanks to them for providing a copy of !Quilt Fiesta! for this giveaway.


Good luck, everyone!

Book Review - !Quilt Fiesta! and a Giveaway

Hi everyone:

Sun, sand and warm temps in Mexico

After our recent trip to Mexico (warm breezes, sandy beaches - NO SNOW!), it seems only appropriate that I should be reviewing !Quilt Fiesta!: Surprising designs from Mexican tiles by Cheryl Lynch. Inspired by a trip to Pueblo, Mexico, the city of tiles, Cheryl created 10 projects in a variety of sizes including placemats, wall hangings and throws to include in this 95-page book. 

Cheryl includes a section explaining how to take your inspiration and transform it into a quilt design. I found this information to be very helpful since I often find inspiration in ordinary, everyday objects, as I believe do other quilters as well. Now I have the information on how to turn these inspirations into my own personal quilts. 


Cheryl includes the original tile inspiration for each project and then explains the design elements she used from that particular tile and the parts that she changed for the quilt design. I appreciated the design options shown for each project, including different colour ways and borders. Centre and corner design options are also included to help get you started with your own project.


Instructions for fusible web appliqué and foundation piecing, as well as general quilt construction, are provided at the beginning of the book.

Frida's Flowers

My favourite designs are both floral projects: Frida's Flowers, a bright throw with flowers, trailing vines and buds and Floral Fiesta, place mats with flowers and a prairie point edge. I think that a set of these place mats along with the design option shown of a wall hanging would be perfect in a dining room. 

Floral Fiesta

I enjoyed reading about Cheryl's tile "inspiration to design" process and found the photos stunning. While this book has wonderful, vibrant patterns, which truly reminded me of Mexico, I also viewed it as a workbook showing you the process from design inspiration to project reality. Including the photos of the tiles which inspired the designs, allowed me to further understand the transformation from hard tile to soft quilt.

From tile to quilt

To help you create your own design using Cheryl's book, I will be giving away a copy of !Quilt Fiesta! to one of my readers (U.S. and Canadian addresses only, please). The giveaway is open until 7:00 p.m. MST on April 22, 2011. 

Here are the ways that you can enter this giveaway:

1. Enter a comment below telling me why you would like to win this book.

2. Become a follower of my blog by entering your email address on the top right side of my blog page and leave a separate comment below indicating this. If you're already a follower, please leave me a separate comment below indicating this.

3. Become a follower of Chatterbox Quilts on Facebook (see blog page sidebar) and leave me a separate comment below indicating this. If you're already a Facebook fan, please leave me a separate comment below indicating this.

4. Visit my Etsy store (see tab at top of blog page) and let me know which item currently for sale in the shop is your favourite and leave me a separate comment below indicating this.

You have 4 opportunities to win so be sure that you leave a separate comment for each entry so all of your entries will be eligible.

Good luck and hasta la vista!

Book-A-Round Tour 2 - Inspired by Tradition Part 2

Hi everyone:

I'm back from vacation and trying to adjust to April in Calgary - a record breaking dump of snow the day before we arrived back in town. The days are getting a bit warmer now and we're seeing sun, but there is still lots of snow, which just has to go! We had a wonderful hot week in Mexico, so I'm not hating the snow quite as much as before we left, but still...

Early morning on the beach

One of the walkways from the hotel to the beach 

Thanks for all your wonderful comments about Kay's book. I'm still reading through all your comments about your favourite form of appliqué. 

Congratulations to Dolores, the winner of Inspired by Tradition at my stop on the Book-A-Round Tour 2. Kay has shipped out your copy and I know that you'll really enjoy this book and find Kay's appliqué instructions very helpful. 

If you weren't one of the lucky winners of Kay's book, remember that you can order your own copy from Kay's website - and save $2.00 off the price through April 15, 2011 by entering "BLOG2" in the coupon code area during checkout. 

Book-a-Round Tour 2 - Inspired by Tradition

Hi everyone:

If you've been following along with the Book-A-Round tour for Kay Mackenzie's new book, Inspired By Tradition, you'll know that today is my turn. Yay! I've been eagerly awaiting the release of Kay's newest book and the chance to share it with you. Make sure that you visit Kay's website to see the complete list of participating bloggers and whose turn it is next on the tour. In addition to reviewing this fantastic appliqué book, I'll also be giving away a copy of Inspired by Tradition, thanks to the generosity of the publisher, That Patchwork Place. I'll tell you more about the giveaway a little later in this post.

If you're visiting my blog for the first time, let me introduce myself. I'm Kim Jamieson-Hirst, the principal designer and social director of Chatterbox Quilts in Calgary, AB, Canada. You may wonder about the choice of my company's name: well, I'm from Chatham, ON and love to chat, so Chatterbox Quilts it was! 

I've been quilting for about 9 years now and have been designing patterns for the past two and a half years. I consider Kay my mentor in all things quilt, especially appliqué, and have always admired the practical and comprehensive information that she provides in all her patterns and books (as well as her cute designs, of course) and Inspired By Tradition is no exception. 

In this book Kay has included 50 appliqué blocks in 5 different sizes, allowing you to create your own personal quilts and wall hangings. Kay describes these blocks as having "that old-time vintage flavor and feel, but are simplified for the modern quilter." In addition, Kay provides appliqué information on everything from back-basting to fusible web appliqué. 

As with her first book, Easy Appliqué Blocks, Kay has included a CD to make it very easy to print out the blocks in any of the 5 sizes available. Yes, I said 5 sizes: 6", 8", 9", 10", or 12"! Think of the time and frustration you'll save by being able to print out the block you want in the size you want without having to go to a copy shop or fuss with your own photocopier. I think this is brilliant and actually increases the number of blocks available in the book as  each one is printable in 5 different sizes. 

You may wonder how the larger blocks will print out and this is how Kay explains it in her book: "Larger sizes will automatically print out as multiple pages; just trim and tape them together and you'll be ready to go. Reversed versions are also included". Seems like Kay has thought of everything (I'm not surprised). I really appreciate the inclusion of the reversed versions of the blocks on the CD since I usually do fusible web appliqué and this saves me quite a bit of extra work. I also like the fact that you can tape the parts of the larger blocks together to make the actual block size as I can print these out on my home printer on 8 1/2" x 11' paper, without using any special paper.

As with all her instructions, Kay takes you by the hand and walks you through the process of using the CD and accessing the blocks on it. She includes several helpful hints to ensure that the blocks will print out at the correct size and the proper orientation. 

Since the blocks all have a similar old-fashioned feel, combining them is easy, but if you're having trouble deciding on which block to do first or how to combine blocks, Kay has included a gallery of ideas to get you started. Appliquér at Heart is just one of the examples that Kay provides. 

It includes one of my favourite blocks from the book, "Distelfink". It reminds me of a summer vacation from my childhood where the restaurant that we ate at was called "The Distelfink". 

The only problem with this book is that there are too many choices for me to easily decide which block I'd like to do first! I'm drawn to the Distelfink, but the Puppy Dog is so cute and I can definitely see how I could combine him with the Pansies (it would look like he's sniffing them). Being able to print the blocks in various sizes really helps with these types of combinations as I could print Puppy Dog at 10" or 12" and print the Pansies at a smaller size so that the proportions would be appropriate. I really like the opportunities the 5 different block sizes creates. To pick your favourite block, visit Amazon where you can see all 50 of them.

Now that I've got you wishing you had your own copy of Inspired By Tradition, here's the information that you need to enter to win your own copy. It's easy! Just leave a comment below with your email address before March 29 at 9:00 p.m. MST letting me know which type of appliqué you like the best. As I will be on vacation at that time, Kay will be drawing the winner's name herself and will contact the winner by email to get their address details so she can send out their copy. I will be announcing the winner's name in a future blog post when I'm back from vacation. This giveaway is open to Canadian and U.S. addresses only. 

Good luck in the giveaway and thanks, Kay and That Patchwork Place for providing a copy of Inspired By Tradition to be won by one of my readers.

Book Review - The Civil War Sewing Circle

Hi everyone:

I'm sitting here "enjoying" the spring weather in Calgary, which is snow, snow, snow and just below freezing. While it's too slushy and cold to do much outside (do we really need to shovel the driveway again?!), it's a perfect opportunity to review a quilting book.

Today, I'm looking at The Civil War Sewing Circle: Quilts and Sewing Accessories Inspired by the Era by Kathleen Tracy. This is Kathleen's fourth book published by That Patchwork Place and, as in her previous books, she combines historical content with projects reminiscent of that time period. Kathleen's inclusion of historical information, such as diaries and letters from the civil war helps to evoke the emotions and feeling of that turbulent time. The 16 projects in the book include doll quilts, wall hangings and throws as well as small sewing accessories and are, with a few exceptions, pieced projects.

We sometimes forget that quilting wasn't always a hobby, as it if for most of us, but a way to provide warmth and comfort in difficult times. During the civil war, it was the women volunteers of the U.S. Sanitary Commission who provided quilts for bedding for the wounded soldiers. The Soldier's Cot Quilt was based on one of the few remaining examples of the quilts made for this purpose during the civil war. Its simplicity would be effective in solid colours and reminds me of the quilts that are currently being made by modern quilt guilds.

Since I've recently begun making hexagons, The Hexagon Flowers Doll Quilt appealed to me. A simple design with hexagons in the centre and borders with cornerstones, it would stitch up quickly. I could see this pattern in both traditional and contemporary fabrics. 

Another quilt that I liked in the book was the Union Stars Quilt. It's a throw size project with half square triangles (I love half square triangles). I think it would be equally effective in scraps or in a more controlled colour scheme as in the book. 

There are also patterns in the book for a sewing box, needle case and pincushion, again reminiscent of items from the time period, but which would also be practical items in our quilt or sewing studios today. 

The size of several of the projects lend themselves to handwork if you wish to have a portable project. Certainly any of the doll quilts could be hand pieced and quilted quickly. Although I don't usually do handwork, the projects in this book have my fingers itching to do some hand stitching!

I liked that most of the projects in the book were small enough to try a new technique. You could make one of the doll quilts or pincushion easily in a day and then spend a little more time hand quilting them. If you didn't enjoy the technique, then you haven't wasted a lot of time and energy on it. I also enjoyed the combination of information about the civil war and projects from that time period. A little bit of quilting, a little bit of reading, a perfect way to spend a snowy day!

Upcoming Events

Hi everyone:


Well, it looks like spring - or at least pre-spring - has arrived in Calgary. Yup, it's actually warmer than 0 celsius out and is supposed to remain that way all week. Yippee! Of course with the warmer weather comes lots of slush as we've still got tons of snow to melt, but I'm not complaining - I'll take that sunshine and warm temperatures any day. I've been busily working on a few projects which I've finally finished up this week-end so I'll be able to get outside and enjoy those sunny days this upcoming week. 


You're probably wondering what I've been working on. Well, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I've been working on a pattern which will be published in the summer edition of Quilter's Connection Magazine. I'm so excited, but also nervous, since this is my first magazine submission! I've previously had a pattern in their newsletter, but this is the big time - in the magazine! I'm especially proud to have my first pattern published in a Canadian magazine. I've just got to mail the sample off to the magazine for photography and will be doing this in the new few days. Then it'll be a few months' wait until I get to see it in print. I can only give you a small idea of what it is - you'll have to wait until the magazine is published to see the entire project. 

I've also been eagerly awaiting the release of my friend, Kay Mackenzie's latest book from Martingale & Company and it's finally here! Inspired by Tradition: 50 Appliqué Blocks in 5 Sizes is currently being shipped to quilt shops and is also available on Amazon, on Martingale & Company's website and on Kay's website, if you'd like an autographed copy. I'm so happy for Kay and excited that I will be one of the bloggers participating in her Book-A-Round blog tour which is starting on March 22 and will run until March 31. I'll be providing information about Kay's book on March 28, so mark your calendars. In addition to a review of the book and accompanying CD, there will also be a giveaway for a copy of Inspired by Tradition at each stop of the Book-A-Round tour (U.S. and Canadian addresses only). 

So that's what I've been up to. How's your week been?

Book Review - Simple Graces

Hi everyone:


It's a snowy day in Calgary - just the type of day to spend indoors browsing through your quilt books and picking out your next project. If you need any suggestions, here's a book to try!


Simple Graces: Charming Quilts and Companion Projects by Kim Diehl is another book filled with wonderful projects. This is Kim's fifth book with Martingale and Company and as expected this is another book chock-ful of exciting pieced and appliqué designs. This particular book includes not only bed quilts, but also other patterns for companion projects, such as a pincushion, lampshade and table runner, just to name a few. A great way to coordinate your entire house!

Not only are there a variety of projects in the book, but you'll also find quiltmaking instructions as well as information about appliqué techniques, including using wool in your appliqués. Kim includes various "Pin Points" throughout the book (as she has in her previous four books) to provide you with additional tips to help you create the projects in the book - or any other project, for that matter. 


There is lots of interesting and informational reading in this book while you're drooling over the beautiful designs. 

One of the projects that I really like is "Bittersweet Briar". I love the motion in it and think that the circles in the flying geese border add a unique touch. Kim provides instructions for making this quilt in both cotton and wool: the light version in all cotton and the dark version in a mixture of both fabrics, using the cotton for the background and the wool for the appliqués. 

One of the larger projects in the book is Petal Pusher", with its cascades of Dresden flowers. I like how Kim has added vines and berries to give it a softer and more updated look, while still retaining its old-fashioned charm. 

She also updates the churn dash block in "Front Porch Posies". The addition of flowers, vines, berries and 
leaves gives a charming look to this 
traditional pattern.

The variety of projects in this book will appeal to quilters who would like to make a small project for a gift or to try a new technique. You can try your hand at wool appliqué by making one of the pincushions or perfect your piecing skills while constructing "Pie in the Sky". Whether you're looking for a table runner project or want to make a bed-size quilt, you'll find lots of choices in Simple Graces.