Each Tuesday I host a review and often a giveaway:
Oh my, do I ever have a treat for you. The great people over at Lark Crafts sent a book for me to review, “Hand Appliqued Quilts: Beautiful Designs and Simple Techniques by Tonye Belinda Phillips.
I have to be honest…the book came a couple weeks ago and I just set is aside. If you know me at all, you know I am not an applique gal. I almost dreaded writing a review of it as it would once again remind me of how much I want to love to appliques but just don’t.
Then yesterday, I got the book out and decided it was time to write a review….WOW!! I love the book. In the beginning the author talks about the design process and how she began appliqueing. I love to read all that information. I think reading and learning about the design process brings quilts alive for me.
Another thing I love about the book is the actual quilts. I love the folk art style of the quilts. For some reason, this folk art style makes me a little more brave thinking that maybe, just maybe I could try applique again. With folk art, everything isn’t so perfect and so precise. Thus, if a flower ends up 1/4″ to the right or left, who is going to know.
I think the other reason I love the style is because it reminds me of my crumb quilts.
The colors and fabric used are amazing…bright and cheerful! Here’s my favorite.
In the opening of the book, the author says, “..you’ll find that this book is not about achieving applique perfection; it is about getting started with simple shapes and simple design.” She sounds like my kind of gal. I am all about imperfection!!
The patterns are all full sized. I love that too. I am giving this book two great big thumbs up!!
Here’s how cool the people over at Lark Crafts are. I told them that I loved the book and wanted to keep it but that I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to give one to one of you….that’s when they said, no worries…we’ll provide a copy for one of your readers too!! COOL, right??
With the help of this book and the applique book my friend Ila sent me, I am hoping that one day…in the distant future…I will applique. If not, I am going to at least love looking through the pictures and wishing. (Remember looking at the Christmas catalog as a kid…that kind of wishing)
If you’d like to win, just leave a comment here telling if you have appliqued before. I’ll pick a winner next week.
Oh and last week’s winner of Martingale and Company‘s, “Civil War Legacies” by Carol Hopkins is…..Sally from Sally’s Quilts.
I love doing applique, I just don’t do enough of it. Looks like this book has plenty of inspiration
I do some very simple machine applique but nothing too complicated
I have done some applique way back when… I got frustrated and it became and remains my first UFO. Since all my quilting has been self taught, I’m sure I was doing the applique the hardest way and all wrong. I don’t have a single book on the subject and would love to learn the right way and get that UFO off my conscience!
I just tried a new patchwork “pattern” the disappearing 9 patch. Using 9 x 6 1/2 ” squares a very easy pattern
I think I’ve done my first applique this year with my midgets and am moving on with the Lori Smith applique patterns with your quilt along. A book with new ideas/techniques would be great. I just tried the freezer paper applique on the top for the first time last week and really liked it. Less prep work!
This last week I have actually tried something new!
This week I vowed to write on the blog I created in 2011. January of 2011. I made one post and not another until now.
http://itsnursejessiandtherustynail.blogspot.com/2012/09/scrappy-selvage-box.html
Woo hoo!
I dont applique either- so, dont feel bad.
I think you should try freezer paper applique – it worked for me and I couldn’t needleturn to save my soul. Good review –
Oh, what a lovely book. Yes, I have appliqued…some by hand, but mostly finished by machine, both with invisible thread and with blanket stitch. I do love it and the way it looks. I really need to do more of it. I’ve recently found a baked potato soup recipe on Skinnytaste that is wonderful. You should try it! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the look of applique but don’t have the patience to do it. I want to so bad though! Maybe this book would be the incentive I need. Love your web site and stories about your life. Thanks for sharing.
I’m kind of appliqueing for the first time right now, I am making a Dresden plate quilt. I really panicked when I realized that was part of the process, but so far it has been pretty easy!
I have done lots of machine appliqué and 3 or 4 hand appliqué quilts but I am no means a master at it! Love the look of hand so will stick with it!! Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book!!
Take care!
Paulette
I love applique. I do mainly machine applique but want to learn the technique of hand applique. Thanks for the great giveaway. This book looks awesome.
I’ve done both hand and machine applique and enjoy both. I still have a little trouble with small inner curves and sharp outer points when doing hand applique. Thanks for a great review and giveaway!
I’ve done lots of needleturn appliqué and really enjoy it. I’d love to win Tonye’s book. I met her several years ago at one of Gwen Marston’s retreats and really liked her quilts.
I have done some applique and do go to applique club when I can. I do enjoy applique even if I don’t do it very often (too many hobbies and not enough time). I would like to make the Frizzle pattern that’s in the book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I, too, have not done appliqué and would love to learn how; this book just might be the ticket. Thanks, Jane.
OMG Belinda’s Basket would make a beautiful wall hanging. Perfect for my living room. I love to applique when I watch tv. Got to keep my hands busy.
I’ve taken a class from Tonye and loved her work. I’d love to win this book. Is it a new publication. Jo?
I have done a fair amount of applique – mostly by hand. It is very relaxing.
This book looks very inspiring
I love applique!! My favorite type of quilting and folk art is my all time favorite. I have had an on-going love affair with pieced quilts with applique on them. I would really LOVE a copy of this book. :) Thanks bunches for sharing with us.
I have done some of the iron-on applique and hand stitched around it. Actually, that tablerunner was my first quilting project.
I have only done machine applique and would really like to “dip” my fingers into the hand applique. It sounds like this book would be a great introduction to trying the art.
Thanks for a chance.
I have done Hawaiian quilt appliqué. I loved the pictures you chose to show. I’d like to give it a try. Thanks for the opportunity.
That looks like a fun book; I’d love to read it.
Yes, I tried something new this week. I’m putting binding on a quilt completely by machine.
My first love! Applique rules! Such great and cheap therapy for me. All aspects are such a joy, and I enjoy the slower pace of applique. A new book is always a great start.
I have done a little applique over the years but have never done an appliqued quilt. This looks like a good book to get me started.
I did my first appliqued quilt last winter. It was a Rachel Griffith pattern and I loved it. I loved doing the hand applique and the end results. It was not a real difficult pattern so my next project I want to step up a notch or so in the skill level. This looks like a great book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I have started my first applique and I think I started in at the wrong end. It is a Kim McLean design and I am hesitant to continue. This book will certainly start me in a softer direction and hopefully produce a finished project.
Thank you for the giveaway. Marge
I have done only small amount of applique but would love to do more. This would be a great book to have. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have an appliqued quilt that was one of the first I made. Still haven’t quilted it but…someday:) Thanks for the chance to enter.
I’m like you. I like to look at applique but haven’t tried it yet. I’m a fradey cat! Looks like a lovely book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve applique’d a tiny bit by hand, and occasionally done some raw-edge applique by machine … not a whole lot. Thanks for the great book review and fun giveaway!
My only attempt at applique was a failure. So, would like to win a book that actually can help me learn to applique as I love to handsew. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Jo, I’ve done a lot of hand applique and some machine applique too. I find it very relaxing to do, and love how portable hand applique is, especially when travelling.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
i did one quilt with applique guitar shapes on it for my son. that was the extent of my experience with it. that was hand applique and it was too slow for me!
I have done applique – I like the back basting method for most projects. Those little baskets look really fun. Scrappy!
I have done applique and like needle-turn applique best. I had to use it on my Barbara Brackman Civil War quilt blocks several times.
This looks like a wonderful book and I’d be pleased to own it. How nice they gave you a copy to keep and one to give away.
I have tried applique before and it’s been a long time. I liked doing it and I don’t know why I stopped. Maybe i just need a jump kick to get going on it again!
I have done the blanket stitch applique by hand and machine. I so want to learn needle turn. This book looks wonderful and would love to have it. Thank you for the great giveaway.
i have tryed free motion quilting and now i am trying to quilt strips of a quilt and then i am going to try to put them together. wish me luck
I love to applique and have done bed size quilts and wall hanging.
Love the Frizzles that you have pictured and would have to do that one.
Thanks for a chance to win.
I tried appplique at a beginner quilting class and admit it is not my favourite but would like to expand my horizons one day! awolk at rogers dot com
I have done some applique before and am going to take a beginner applique class so I can learn to do it better.
I did a lot of machine appliqué when I was too young to be afraid of it. I have not done any in the last few years. I sometimes think about adding an appliqued border to a quilt, but I always talk myself out of it.
Imperfect quilter that is me; I have taken an applique workshop, and think maybe when I have time to sit more and do more handwork, I will really take a shine to applique. It is so much extra prep work, I think. . .maybe it isn’t; maybe that is the excuse I give myself.
I do love the quilts you showed us.
My ‘new’ thing was to take the Train [instead of driving] to a quilt show. It worked great.
OMGosh, I love to applique and used to do a lot of it b4 hand injuries slowed me down. Now I just do it for pleasure. It’s relaxing and fun to see the applique motifs come to life right under your hands!
Sounds like a great new book. Thanks for a nice review and the op to enter your drawing.
When I had been quilting about 3 months I designed an applique wall hanging with 3-dimentional elements for my parents. When I got my longarm a few months later it was the first thing on the frame, literally, in the lessons I took to learn how to use my longarm. Guess you could say I dove into quilting head first! Thanks for the opportunity to win this totally cool book!
I love to hand-quilt and hand-applique. I am not that great at it, but getting better the more I do it. Thanks for the chance to win.
yes, I applique. It is my preferred form of quilt making. Thanks for the chance to win a lovely book.
I love hand applique! I really love doing wool applique. Thanks Jo and Larks Crafts!
I have done some applique over the years, both by hand and machine. …but, I have to admit, my heart still belongs to my machine and piecing. This books looks very interesting — I like the fact that things just go where they land.
I enjoy appliqué for carry along projects. I’ve used the freezer paper method … I really like Tanya’s style! I’ve seen her work in magazines and am very inspired by her. I’d love to win the book. Thanks for the chance.
While I love patchwork, I do love me my applique. Like to mix the both together and have the best of two worlds. What’s great about applique is that it is portable and will go just about anywhere – especially with the family watching TV. This book looks very enticing – so here’s hoping.
Terry
I love hand applique – much better than hexie’s……… I also am a big fan of folk art and the art of imperfection.. Would LOVE to try the book. Here’s hoping
I’ve done both hand and machine applique. I love the results but I get distracted easily (Quilter’s ADD) and end up putting it aside for faster, new projects. Still love it enough to start new appique projects, though! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve done the machine and hand applique (fusible or non-woven fusile interfacing technique from Eleanor Burns. these days I’m using machine to applique double-pointed Dresden Plates and hand applique EPP hexagon ‘flowers’ and other shapes to backgrounds.
I have done some machine applique and some fusible web, but no needle turn hand applique. This book looks like it has some very inspiring projects, thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve been making hexagons and can see how addictive it can become!
I have done some machine applique and also hand applique. I would love to expand my skills with the hand applique!
I have never tried doing any applique on a quilt! It has always looked too difficult. I have always said that if I could learn to cut accurately, stitch straight and press right, I might make it as a quilter! I really am doing some quilting and know that applique is often the final touch that makes a quilt lovely. I think I will try it!
I have appliqued before….I’ve tried machine applique, hand applique and raw edge applique. Hand applique is my favorite in term of appearance, but I could use some tips to make the process even better. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have only done applique’ by machine for several quilts; this looks like an interesting book; thanks for the chance to win!
Now that my right hand is fixed (through surgery) I’m ready to tackle applique once more. I’ve done both needle turn and machine applique, and I too love the simplicity of folk art design.
I’ve only done a bit of hand applique. I tend to do machine applique more, but I do love the look of both of them. The basket quilt is awesome!
Yes, I have appliqued and I find it rather additive;-) I like both machine and hand applique. They each have their own special qualities and textures. Thanks for the giveaway…the book has quite a variety of applique styles.
I love the Belinda’s Basket quilt. I mainly do button-hole applique. I have tried some needle turn applique. I’m going to make a civil war quilt and plan to needle turn that one. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.