Diane who blogs at Butterfly Threads Quilting makes the most wonderful scrappy quilts! I'm always inspired by her combination of bright colors and fabric patterns to design such a variety of patterns. When she published her first book: Scrap Book Secrets, I devoured it, reading it cover to cover and taking note, especially as I read her chapter of Quilt Making Basics. And now she's done it again!!
BOOK TWO!
I quickly volunteered to be part of her book release blog hop as I've had this tote of 30's repro fabric strips that I had cut into two inch strips about five years ago to to stitch English Paper Pieced Hexagons. When my book arrived, I literally dumped the whole tote out, mixed up the large variety of colors and patterns....
...and started just grabbing and sewing the strips together.
After a few email exchanges with Diane and then referring to the index of the quilts by strip size ranging from 1 1/2"-3 1/2" found at the back of her book, I decided to make her Vortex pattern as most of my strips were already two inches wide...exactly what the Vortex pattern called for.
So I got busy sewing strips...which as you can imagine provided some easy chain piecing.
I chose black as my block centers and cornerstones. I found the block assembly quick with Diana's easy to follow, step by step directions and am learning to perfect my partial seam. BTW, Diane also offers four alternative quilt sizes (crib, twin full/queen and king) and a coloring sheet for each of the fifteen patterns included in the book. I love that! So much bang for your buck!
So even though I still have a bunch of strips to sew together:
Here's a peek at what they are looking like as they come together as a finished 9 1/2" block:
A GIVE-AWAY!
This give-away is closed. The winner was announced here.
For the chance to win a copy of Strip Quilt Secrets by Diane D. Knot, comment on this blog sharing with us your favorite "sewing" time entertainment. For example, I often find myself just enjoying the quiet, but will every now and then find a good NCIS marathon or something on Netflix. (Anything that does not require a lot of my attention.) I will draw a winner on Friday, January 11, 2019 and announce the winner here on the blog as I also share my progress being made. NOTE: If you are a no-reply (Right now I have had 26 no-reply comments) so please leave your email so I can contact your for your mailing address. Due to shipping costs, this give-away if only available to US residents. Good luck!
Also if you missed Diane's blog series highlighting the five main strip techniques highlighted in her book, click HERE to get a closer look at those and learn how much her book has to offer.
BLOG HOP!
I hope you have fun visiting everyone else on the hop and you'll also increase your chance of winning your own copy of Strip Quilt Secrets! Our blog hop runs all week.
Here are links to all the quilters who are participating:
Friday January 4 - C&T
Saturday January 5 - Tanya
Sunday January 6 - Val (You are here!)
Monday January 7 - Lori
Tuesday January 8 - Heather
Wednesday January 9 - Audrey
Thursday January 10 - Susan
That's going to be a fun scrappy quilt, Val! I always have the ID channel on when I'm in my sewing room--it's my "guilty pleasure"--lol!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see you participate in a HOP and your fabric scraps are just wonderful for this pattern. Look forward to seeing the whole quilt. Not fussy about what is in the back ground for white noise while stitching, but must have an opera on when quilting.
ReplyDeleteI love the 30s prints with the black--so striking! My quilt time entertainment go-to is audiobooks. Several of the quilts I have made are eternally linked in my mind with the book I was listening to as I worked on them.
ReplyDeleteThose look like neat blocks! You must sew strip sets, and then cut them into the triangle shapes? Right now I'm enjoying an audiobook while I sew, The Snow Child, but I often watch something on Netflix. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThose blocks look great, Val. Diane has good tips always. Me, I listen to music, classics, and 40s but always include a Rod Stewart in the line up. That's why I named my Tiara "Hot Legs". lol.
ReplyDeletewow - loving this block. I live along so my TV is on usually for noise. I have one soap that I have followed for years, and this along with any other series is a good thing to have on - something I can listen to but not have to "watch" is the secret.
ReplyDeleteHi Val! I love your interpretation of Vortex. The book is absolutely amazing and inspiring. You know my favorite is the NFL (sorry about your Seahawks!), but Netflix documentaries will work in a pinch too. Of course don't include me in the giveaway as I already have my book. Tanya
ReplyDeleteI often listen to Audible books while sewing — currently, I’m deep into the “Outlander” series. And strips, boy, do I have strips!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to use your 30's prints for your quilt! My favorite background while quilting is a baseball game, but off-season I usually go with PBS shows/series.
ReplyDeletemy hubby always has the t.v. loud enough for me to hear every word
ReplyDeleteDiane has some great scrappy quilt patterns. You are putting your scraps to good use. I listen to podcasts or to books on Hoopla while I'm sewing.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is coming along beautifully! I like to listen to podcasts when I am sewing, or if I'm lucky, my DH is home and we chit chat. ( we share an office/ sewing studio).
ReplyDeleteMy sewing time entertainment is usually trying to find something I need for that project. Other times it is watching the Guernsey calves outside my farm house window as they eat and play.
ReplyDeleteI love all things scrappy and can't wait to see Diane's new book. I have her first one and Love it! My sewing time usually consists of listening to podcasts or music on my TV. Your block looks great! Should make a great quilt!
ReplyDeleteLately I've been listening to I Heart Radio--during December it was holiday music, now I am sewing to "real oldies." Love your fabrics, too.
ReplyDeletejoyecox@yahoo.com
My favorite entertainment while sewing is St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and since that is only a few hours a day for seven months, my second choice is country music radio. I also listen to Pat Sloan's radio shows. I would like to start listening to books, but haven't pursued that yet.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen string blocks done this way before. I am really loving it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance. I always listen to country music while I sew.
Such pretty blocks!
ReplyDeleteI play records that I have rescued from thrift shops. When the record ends, it forces me to take tiny breaks from my all-consuming quilt hobby.
tvonzalez at gmail dot com
I usually listen to music. If I get engrossed in a movie, I soon find myself watching rather then sewing. That is going to be a pretty quilt. lindamae1022@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLove strip quilts. Great way to use up scraps. I don't usually have any kind of distraction while I am sewing or quilting. But I do watch video movies in between to relax.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors in these blocks. I usually have something from the DVR on my TV while I am sewing, but it does have to be something that I can basically just listen to and not be too involved in watching, because I still have to pay close attention to what I am sewing in order to not have to use that seam ripper!
ReplyDeleteI would love win this book-I am glad to see quilters are still making strip quilts-My Mom enjoyed those for something scrappy and just sewing not thinking too much-I am someone that likes quiet-I don't want music or anything noisy to distract me when I am creating
ReplyDeleteI record programs from Public Television and from Hallmark stations which I play while I am sewing. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm sewing on the machine, I usually don't have anything on. We live in a townhouse and I hate to turn the TV up loud enough to hear over my machine in case the neighbors don't share my tastes. I love that pop of black in your blocks!
ReplyDelete(bolderbaker.at.gmail.dot.com)
I like to fit in an hour or so of piecing after work and before dinner. I pour a glass of wine and set to work. It's my way to unwind at the end of the day!
ReplyDeleteCute blocks! I usually just listen to music when I am sewing. I get so involved in my quilt making, I stop listening/watching anything else.
ReplyDeleteGreat book. Thanks for sharing your giveaway with Oh Scrap!
HGTV is my go to. I listen then look up every now and then.
ReplyDeleteTV or music. Best is quilting with my quilting ladies and having a good time. cwcavy @ hotmail.com Thanks for a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteCindy
I sometimes have music in the background when I'm sewing - though I usually prefer silence. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI generally have the classical radio station on while sewing!
ReplyDeleteI used to have CDs that I quilted to, but then I got a TV in my quilting room, so HGTV is usually on. Now that I am at my dad's house caring for him, I'm trying to figure out how to get podcasts on my phone to listen to while I am sewing!
ReplyDeleteI either listen to music or I watch/listen to NCIS while I sew.
ReplyDeleteI like to watch BBC series while working on any project that calls for a needle and thread.
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to Classic FM on my iPad. It's a classical radio station in London. At station breaks I get to hear about London rush hour traffic. Haha! I find classical music relaxing and great to sew with.
ReplyDeleteI’m kind of “old school”and still have a VCR that works, so I record shows and then watch them while sewing. If I have nothing recorded to watch I will listen to CD’s.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy sitting outside while I stitch and listening to the birds. If it's too cold or rainy, I'll turn on an old movie!
ReplyDeleteI used to always listen to music, now it is alternated with Netflix.
ReplyDeleteI usually just enjoy the sound of my sewing machine humming away, but sometimes listen to CDs or an Amazon playlist.
ReplyDeletePat
I like listening to the Food Network while I'm sewing.
ReplyDeletelistening to music
ReplyDeleteI usually have some old reruns on like Law and Order or Hill Street Blues.
ReplyDeletelisten to books on tape.
ReplyDeleteWhile quilting I usually listen to a book on my Kindle that I've downloaded from my local library. I would love to have this book.
ReplyDeleteUsually have the radio or CD on.
ReplyDeleteAudio books are my go to when sewing, with the occasional football or baseball game just to change things up. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for having this giveaway. My favorite sewing time entertainment is having peace and quiet. Does that sound odd? It helps me to concentrate more.
ReplyDeleteOooh I'd love a copy of Diane's new book. She ha such great ideas!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite entertainment is TV shows like Greys Anatomy, the Good Dr., How to get away with murder...etc...
Usual listen to YouTube. Thanks for a chance to win Diana's new book.
ReplyDeleteI usually just listen to the kids in the other room while I'm sewing. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI listen to music, we have our entire music collection saved on the computer my husband copied it onto an old cellphone of ours and connected a Bluetooth speaker. 1200+ songs from eighties pop to contemporary country it's a bit of everything đź‘Śđź’—
ReplyDeleteI listen to music or audio books.
ReplyDeleteI usually listen to a book while I sew.
ReplyDeleteI too had Diane's first book so am interested in checking out this new one. I usually like podcasts in the background but now that I have Audible on my laptop, my new fave is audiobooks. Have fun playing with those 30's scraps!
ReplyDeleteI usually watch HGTV, a Hallmark movie or something on Netflix depending on how much concentration my project takes. Thank you for the chance to win Diane's new book!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite entertainment is my cat, and peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteI have two or three movies that I watch while I sew. I know them by heart so I don't have to see them to know what's going on! Thanks for the chance to win this book, I love these quilts and am anxious to try one. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteI listen to my local NPR station. Always a learning experience.
ReplyDeleteI listen to NPR or podcasts.
ReplyDeleteHello Val! I love your blocks for Vortex. They are inspiring me to take the leap. Thanks for the book opportunity. I tend to like quiet time when I sew. I face 2 corner windows on a second floor with a great view, birds, trees, etc. Many times I have birds sitting on a branch close to the windows. Peaceful setting, so relaxing.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a hallmark movie on while sewing.
ReplyDeleteThe Vortex quilt design is very appealing to me and one I'd love to make with my scrappy strips too! My favorite activity while sewing (besides sewing) is listening to podcasts. I have several that I keep updated with and really enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to audiobooks or I catch up on Flosstube which is on YouTube because I cross stitch too.
ReplyDeleteMy "sewing entertainment" would be music. If I'm doing mindless sewing (like strings), I listen to Pat Sloan's podcast. Beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to TED talks while I quilt.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this book as I have LOTS of scraps and strips.
ReplyDeleteEvery blog post I visit on this hop inspires me to make a string quilt! Diane's patterns look fun and oh so doable! And I listen to books on tape while sewing. The current read is "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. It's excellent and read by Jim Dale, who did the audio tapes for Harry Potter.
ReplyDeleteLove the Vortex pattern! I'm always on the lookout for new ways to use strings and scraps.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks like it has wonderful techniques. I have so many scraps, I want to find ways to use them! I have found an audio book is best for me, I don't have to look up and can say I finished a book!
ReplyDeleteHi Val! I enjoy the sound of silence when I'm working on my sewing. It is so soothing to have only own thoughts to "talk to". I can hear all the world's beautiful sounds in the silence. Birds, bugs, squirrels chattering and even turkeys once in while!
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to Netflix movies. All documentaries and sewing quilting shows. Nothing riveting! Kind of slow so I can sew.
ReplyDeleteI listen to music while I sew. Or my husband some sports show on the tv and I can hear that as I sew.
ReplyDeleteHahahaaa... believe it or not... anything true crime on Investigation & Discovery television! And lots of movies! Cannot quilt without background noise.
ReplyDeleteJulie.mirdoch@shaw.ca
You have a lot of wonderful scraps. I listen to music or documentaries. Anything that doesn't require a lot of looking at the screen.
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to audiobooks when I’m sewing! Thank you for the chance to win. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteHaving been a teacher all my life, I tend to enjoy the solitude of sewing without any distractions. However, if there is a good tennis game (or other sports) on tv, I might have that on the tv. And I do listen to podcasts if I am doing a repetitive type of piecing. I do enjoy my alone and quiet time so normally, it is me and hum of my machine. Last summer, I did watch the royal wedding but did more watching and listening than sewing!
ReplyDeleteOh, scrappy strings! I'm a confirmed audiobook listener -- I review them for Library Journal and I am a judge for the annual Audie Awards. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI’m happy with no noise but occasionally turn on the classic rock radio station
ReplyDeleteI listen to my own thinky thoughts while I sew. Does that make me weird? Oh well, I'm kinda used to being weird :)
ReplyDeleteIf I'm working on a complicated project I prefer silence; otherwise I listen to audiobooks or music.
ReplyDeleteI sew to action movies, love-stories, music or just silence. raydeer@memlane.com
ReplyDeleteLove your blocks so far! I don't have a whole lot of entertainment when I sew as I find it slows me down. But when I'm doing a lot of pressing, like folding binding in half, I'll watch something on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win. I love that the book is broken down into strip sizes. Love your previous COW post.
ReplyDeleteShahann@yahoo.com
Your blocks are looking great. I either listen to a book on CD, music or watch tv while I am sewing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win.
Sherry @ crazyquiltpatcher At Yahoo Dot com.
I have followed Diane for years and love her designs...I love string quilts and plan to make one soon (although I just gave away all my strings to make quilts for Blessings for the Panhandle)...I just don't think you can go wrong with strings and I have been eyeing this new book! I generally have the TV on with something that I don't care about so I don't have to think when I sew (unless I'm hand sewing). Thanks for the chance to see the quilts in the book...love the one you're making!
ReplyDeleteWhile sewing I watch Netflix or listen to audio
ReplyDeletebooks.Save all my strings by size. So ready to make a quilt from Diana's
book! janeludwig@hotmail.com
I like your Vortex so far. I will either have the radio on or a audio book playing while sewing.
ReplyDeleteSilence is music to my ears...I love the thought of winning this book
ReplyDeleteI quilt to audiobooks, all genres. I love your cheerful Vortex quilt. I cannot wait to get Diane's latest book!
ReplyDeleteYour Vortex blocks are great—I like the idea of doing that and getting good practice with partial seams. I’m a quiet time sewer for the most part, though listening to a book is also good. Hand sewing is in the evenings while watching TV with DH.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love scrappy, and tend to collect all sizes until I am inspired to use some--this book could help me get more sewing done! For entertainment in the quiet sewing corner I depend on the occasional visit from a cat. susanprincess at att dot net
ReplyDeleteI listen to audio books on my phone. I check them out from the library. Great variety and free!
ReplyDeleteLove your Vortex! I'm loving my string project!!
ReplyDeleteI usually like to sew when it is quiet. Sometimes I will put on music.survivor972002@midco.net
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to books or podcasts while I sew.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sewing time entertainment is conversation with other quilters! When that's not available, I listen to music. I love your string blocks and this looks like it would be a fantastic resource to help me use up all those leftover strips from my pineapple log cabin quilt.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is radio playing on the oldies channel while sewing
ReplyDeleteI like to have netflix on too! Right now I am watching Gilmore Girls
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to an audio book when I am machine sewing. Once in a while I have to "rewind" because I have lost my thoughts in my sewing.
ReplyDeletenikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
I enjoy the peace and quiet of just hearing my vintage Singers hum along while I'm piecing. I hand quilt in the evenings and will often watch an NCIS LA marathon or similar, though I'll tell you it does slow down the stitching process!
ReplyDeleteI love scraps, right down to crumbs, then dog blankets. I even join my batting scraps! Most of my scraps are fall like colors, so that gets tricky showing them off. I listen to audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteAudiobooks are my favorite. I'll watch tv, too, but I get more done with books. Love your blocks!
ReplyDeleteI either listen to audiobooks or watch Masterpiece Channel on TV. Love your black centers!
ReplyDeleteListening to music or watching Game of Thrones marathons
ReplyDeleteI like listening to different music mixes that my daughter downloads to surprise me! Tks!
ReplyDeleteSince I work with many happy and noisy children I enjoy quiet while sitting at my machine. Hand quilting is perfect while bing watching garden shows.
ReplyDeleteI download audiobooks onto my phone, plug into my ear and listen while I sew!
ReplyDeleteI have to have music while I sew, mostly country but sometimes a little rock and roll.
ReplyDeleteI like some old rock playing in the background. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book. It looks awesome
ReplyDeleteFun to see thirties fabric used. I love thirties, and brights, and civil war, etc.
ReplyDeleteI love to rock out while sewing most days although I also really enjoy my country music station, just as long as music is on, I love it. email address is luv2golf101@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love music! I have about 20 stations set up on Pandora so I can tune in to whatever my heart desires. I recently discovered the Hallmark Channel, though. Very easy to have it play in the background while cutting and piecing. For actual quilting, though, it's music all the way!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite "go with" while sewing is audio books. These days it is so easy to download audiobooks to my phone and with a good bluetooth speaker, I have sound all over my sewing room, easily heard while cutting, pressing, or sewing.. I LOVE all the quilts in this book--sounds like I will have to have this book! LOL
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sewing time entertainment is some good peppy music playing in the background. Shows are too distracting because I invariably don't look at the right time and have to rewind it to see what happened. And even audiobooks are distracting sometimes if you don't catch what they say or if you pay too close attention and miss something you were supposed to think about what you were making.
ReplyDeleteI like background music and TV when I sew. And of course, there's always one of my kitties by my side.
ReplyDeleteAny good sewing day for me is listening to an audio book downloaded on my kindle from the library. Right now I am listening to Stuart Woods series of Stone Barrington novels. I love to scrap and string sew and would love the chance to win Diane's new book.
ReplyDeleteI usually have the TV on to anything interesting - movies, reruns of TV series I never watched, vet shows, etc. Just anything that doesn't require my full attention.
ReplyDeleteI love to watch movies while quilting.
ReplyDeleteI quilt once a week with 3 childhood friends. We love our time together and have plenty of laughs! If alone I always have the radio on. Thanks for the chance to enter for the book!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sewing accompaniment is any of the great bake off shows on TV. Especially the ones on PBS.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch anything when I'm sewing. I either like the peace and quiet of the room or else I will turn the radio on to my favorite Christian station.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sewing thing is listening to my mp3 player with my favorite songs on! I sing along with the music. But when I'm planning a quilt or doing improv, I can only listen to instrumental, as the words distract me from what I'm trying to concentrate on.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I have begun listening to podcasts and audio books while I sew. As long as I’m not doing anything too technical, that works just fine. If I need to concentrate, I have to turn off the story for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI like listening to music the most but I have put a movie in the dvd player and had it playing while I am sewing. It is usually a movie I have seen before so I don't have to watch every scene. I watched Hello Dolly 2 times through one day while I was sewing but I really didn't watch much just sang along to the songs! :-) This book looks like fun! K- lkw2x6-apq@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of this book. So many tips. Such a shame I'm not in the US to go into the draw.
ReplyDeleteI just moved my sewing room to a quiet area of the house so I was inspired by the ideas you'll shared. The new quilt blocks you have started here look great. I would love to see the navy spread throughout. I love Diane's first book. It is fabulous. I know she was planning on adding lots of Techniques in addition to her inspirational quilts and patterns. I would love to win her quilt. pfamevery@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteRadio for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to use up those strips!
ReplyDelete