Monday, November 11, 2013

Modern Baby Book Review and Give-Away

=Today, I want to introduce you all to a fun new quilting book full of adorable designs just for babies!
Modern Baby is a compilation of  original quilt patterns by 14 talented bloggers. There is a design for every skill level within the pages of this book. From my stash, I chose 3 solid fabrics from Connecting Threads, plus some Kona snow and a Moda Verna charm pack that I have had for several years.
 This cute, modern quilt design, by Jen Eskridge, caught my eye as a fast and easy pattern that looks more complicated than it is.  That's right up my alley!
After sewing fabric strips together, I folded and cut them at random, as instructed. Moving the pieces slightly, I re-sewed them to created the background for the quilt.
 After trimming and straightening the sides, my quilt top is ready for the fun part: hexies!
 Using a template, and 25 or so charms from the pack, I cut out hexagons and a facing for each from muslin. Sewing around each of the six sides of the hexies assembly line style went quickly.
 A quick press with a hot iron and my friend, Best Press, and the hexagons are ready to turn into appliques...
 The secret trick was to cut a little slit in the back of the hexie linings!
After turning them right-sides out, a porcupine quill (that's right, folks!) was the perfect tool to poke out the corners nice and square!
 As you can see, no one will ever know that there is a slit in the back once the applique is sewn down.
After another press, the beautiful hexagons are ready to attach to the quilt top!
 I chose to straight stitch around the edges with my machine, but other options could be used, such as a button hole stitch or hand applique.
 I must have rearranged the hexagons ten times before I finally told myself, "Stop! Sew!".
 The possibilities are many for this style of quilt. Next time, maybe I'll try an ombre gradation of color for the background and hexagons.
 Fractured Hexagons is a fun and easy pattern; definitely doable in a weekend or even a day with simple quilting added. 
There are 13 other creative designs in the book, many that I can see myself using over time for baby gifts. This one, by my friend Shea Henderson (Empty Bobbin Designs), is one of my favorites and would be equally as cute using prints.
 Or, how about this simple fusible applique Birdhouse Quilt design by Carrie Bloomston...
 I can see this sampler, by Sarah Flynn, being used as an I Spy game as well as a good way to teach the names of various shapes.
 With the last name of Timberlake, I am always drawn to tree shapes, so this fun design, by Carolyn Friedlander, may have to be added to my "To Do" list as a wall hanging!
 The straight forward directions, modern designs and quality photographs all add up to a book any quilter would enjoy! Shea has generously donated another copy to be given away to one of my readers! So, if you'd like to own your own copy of Modern Baby: listen up! 
For a chance to enter, just leave me a comment telling me your favorite shape.(USA readers only this time, please.) Be sure that you are not a "no-reply blogger" for a valid entry. A winner will be chosen randomly on Friday morning, November 15.

For a second chance to win a book, another quilt sample and more pretty pictures, visit Flourishing Palms!
The winner has been chosen and this contest is now closed.


58 comments:

  1. rectangle, no y -seams. yet not just square

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  2. I am still learning...but I think that I'm going to be a circle kind of girl. :)

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  3. Triangles - they're so versatile. Love the quilts in this book.

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  4. I love quilts made with star shapes. Beautiful book. mfarner1423@embarqmail.com

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  5. There are many useful shapes for piecing and I'm not sure I have a favorite. For printed fabric I am drawn to things with leaf shapes and dandelions and swirls.

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  6. Oh Carla, what a darling quilt. I just love hexagons but have never made them that way. Thank you for showing us how. I can see that quilt done in many color ways, and with grand baby number three on the way, what a cute quilt this would be. Thanks for sharing your review and the chance to win a copy.

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  7. Oh my I totally love this quilt you made!!! It is so so cute! My favorite shape is Hexi's and the smaller the Hexi the better. I really enjoy EPP Hexi's in my down time.
    Thank you for the chance at your giveaway, Jessica
    FINGERS CROSSED :-)

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  8. I do love Hexies since my long term project is an EPP hexie quilt. Queen size. My only experience with porcupine quills is pulling them out of my dog!

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  9. I love hexagons, but I'm equally enthralled with squares. LOVE your quilt; it's just lovely. And now, I want a porcupine quill of my own... :)

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  10. Such a cute quilt!! I love triangles - flying geese, stars, - there's just so much you can do with them!

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  11. I used to hope I could get by without using triangles, but now I love using ALL shapes. I'm working on a hexie project that may forever be a work in progress, but I love it! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  12. Everyone seems to prefer hexies, but triangles make me happy!

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  13. I think my favorite shape is a circle

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  14. I love triangles, though I tend to work more in rectangles and squares. Thanks for the chance!

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  15. I love circles. They aren't easy to work with, but are amazing when they turn out well.

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  16. Chocolate shape? Or triangles :) Wish I had a spare porcupine quill.

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  17. I have that book. My friend Dana has a quilt in there. I surprised her at her book signing in North Carolina thus summer!

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  18. My fav is triangles. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  19. Love your quilt. I don't know what I'd do without my porcupine quill. I use it almost everyday.

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  20. Love the fabrics you chose for this one! I am liking the hexie more and more.

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  21. Cute quilt ideas! I have been enjoying the apple core shape lately! And do tell....where do you get a porcupine quill? I know the obvious answer...a porcupine, but when he doesn't need it....where would you find one?

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  22. My fave shape is a heart, even though it can be kind of a pain to applique. The book looks like fun, and your quilt is so pretty! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  23. Don't have a porcupine quill, can't win the book, but still have to tell you what a pretty quilt you have made!! I don't think Drunkard's Path shapes are a favourite after completing after making nearly 180 for my Museum Medallion, but I'm pretty good at them! ;-))

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  24. I'm a square - in every way! Love four and nine patch - traditional but still charming.

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  25. What a perfect book - am finding myself making more and more baby quilts! And while you cannot beat a square, I'm drawn to triangles - so many ways to interpret things!

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  26. This is a book I have been checking out and hope to buy. It is so hard to choose, I like them all! For today I will say circles!

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  27. I've never seen a porcupine quill so that was interesting. Where did you get it? The points look very crisp. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

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  28. I forgot to tell you my favorite shape is the hexagon.

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  29. Love the idea of an I Spy quilt using the sampler pattern. One of my early quilts was an I Spy for my son who was a toddler at the time for Christmas. After staying up late to finish it the night before Christmas his comment upon opening it was "awwww I didn't want a quilt for Christmas!" Out of the mouths of babes! I've been drawn to I Spy quilts ever since! Favorite shape - I'm pretty much a square to rectangle!!

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  30. Hello~
    How are you? The books looks like a lot of fun:)
    I would have to say hexagon is my favorite shape! Have a great day in the Lord!
    Look To Him~
    Annamarie

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  31. My favorite shape is the triangle.

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  32. I was just commenting to my hubby last night that it's so weird that my friends / peers are becoming grandmothers. Maybe it seems strange because my kids are still youngish (13& 11). Anyway...I love circles! Thanks for the chance!

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  33. What a cute quilt! I have that book from the library and I haven't decided on which one to make yet. My favorite shape is a half-hexie.

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  34. Oh, this book looks great! I need more ideas for all the baby quilts I've been and will be making. Thanks for the chance!

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  35. I love squares! Thank You for the chance to win!

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  36. Kids quilts are just so F.U.N! This book would be put to good use in my house!

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  37. I'm sewing diamonds right now, so I'll say my favorite shape is diamonds!!

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  38. love your quilt , thanks for the chance

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  39. HI, LOVE YOUR QUILT!
    I'M IN LOVE WITH HEXIES RIGHT NOW>SO NEAT!
    THANKS FOR SHARING A GREAT GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  40. Love squares...lots and lots of them. Plain old patchwork is one of my favorites, especially if it's scrappy.

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  41. I really don't think I will ever love another shape as much as the triangle!!! Half Square Triangle, that is :) This book looks really useable! Thank you for a fun review and giveaway!

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  42. i think a rectangle might be my favorite...love how they can get realllll long and skinny!

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  43. Lovely quilt--you, as usual, outdid yourself. I'm hopelessly square, for sure, as I realized that is my favorite shape. So many things you can do with a square--cut in half for a triangle, stretch it out for a rectangle, lop off the corner for an octagon (think: snowball block). I'm glad to see a review of this (no need to include me in the drawing, but I did want to put my .02 in!). Great quilt!!

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  44. The quilt turned out so good, Carla! It was so much fun sewing with you on Saturday, too :D

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    1. Oops, forgot my favorite shape! Love hexies, but stretched into lozenges is even better!

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  45. I have to say hexies are my favorite too! Love the quilt and thanks for the giveaway.

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  46. Love your colors for this one - and check out Tiny Textured Trees - LOVE that! Thanks for the giveaway chance :)

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  47. Beautiful hexies. Very pretty fabrics. Fun way to sew them. I do love hexagons. Actually, I have not met a shape in a quilt I have not liked. Thanks for the chance to win ... :) Pat

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  48. I love triangles (half square triangle blocks) but those circles are really appealing on the book cover. I was looking at the book yesterday, at my local quilt shop, and it is on my Christmas wish list!
    tstanulis@mac.com

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  49. I'm a square in a square girl. The book looks wonderful.

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  50. The hexie quilt you chose is adorable. Although I'm fresh out of porcupine quills, I do have another tool for pushing out fabric corners;-) svonfumetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  51. Hi, Carla. I would love to win the book! Although I have loads of quilt books and usually favor art quilts, I love the Modern movement for its wonderful designs and colors. It keeps me interested in making "traditional" quilts. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  52. I have been really loving the triangle lately, but who knows I am about to embark on THE CIRCLE! So perhaps that shape shall be my favorite next. Thanks for the chance for this book, it's actually on my wishlist!

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