Have I shared with you what a weakness that I have for quilting books? Good ones? Well, I do and here are two of my favorites: Material Obsession 1 and 2.
Kathy and Sarah's first book, Material Obsession, published in 2009, was probably my first whiff of what modern quilting would become. I borrowed this copy from the library, but wish I owned it myself. The book is laid out with the 23 projects in order from easy to advanced. There's something for everyone within the pages.
Here's an intermediate project delightfully called The Burbs. My friend, Vicki, and I are talking about making this one next after we finish our Spider Web quilts.
The photography and hand drawn diagrams are so lovely that its fun to thumb through the book just for the eye candy that it is!
In the back of the book is a good size section describing everything you might need to know to make the quilts within the book. The photographs showing how to use a rotary cutter and ruler is particularly well done, I think.
These pages with tips on layering the backing, batting and top into a sandwich for quilting is helpful and not something you see in most books.
For years, I've been thinking about making a Dresden quilt. Sarah's version is so adorable and I keep going back to it over and over. I think this might be the year that I actually dive in and start it!
I've even got a picture in my head of what overall look I'm wanting to try. This Kaffe fabric is a hint as to what fabrics I'll be pulling.
The wintry weather affords more time to dream up new projects and I'm really good at that! Yesterday, it snowed all day. I managed to get the feeders full before it got too bad out welcoming many feathered friends to the party in my yard. I love watching them! These guys just ate what the other birds pushed out onto the snowy ground.
Today's agenda involves getting the snow off of the driveway so that we can get our cars out. We used to shovel by hand, but this winter my hubby has a new toy on the front of his garden tractor. (It's only taken us 7 winters of living here to figure out that this might be a good idea!)
My part is to go out and help him when the tractor gets stuck in a drift. I'm grateful that the sun is out today...that helps when the temperatures are single digit!
I never did hear. Did that groundhog see his shadow or not?
I have made a number of quilts from the Material Obsessions books- there are some fantastic choices to be made! I think I have a Dresden quilt in my future too! I love the Kaffe fabric you have earmarked for it!
ReplyDeleteThose books are gorgeous and so are your bird photos. Your hubby certainly looks very cold, but I'm sure that he is enjoying his new toy.
ReplyDeleteI with you there! I love the Material Obsession books. But I also love their solo books!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Kaffe Fabrics and one of my favorite books!! I'd love to be part of a group that makes several quilts from one book. Wanna start one up? We'd be busy for YEARS!
ReplyDeleteThese are well read and a cherished part of my quilt book library, too! Stay warm, with all that snow I hope you'll enjoy some sewing time inside...
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I love a good book too, and I find it so relaxing to peruse a beautiful quilting book instead of looking at "the screen" :) We have a blade for our tractor too...makes all the difference in the world when that snow starts to melt! Enjoy those sweet birds!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I wish I'd know you like that MO1 book... I gave mine away. Thought it was too basic. I haven't seen MO2 to know if I'd like it or not. But then, I guess I'm not much of a book person anymore - storing them is a big issue. So, I'll happily peruse online resources for patterns. Sure like seeing the snow, but I know it's really cold there. Good quilting weather, for sure. Nothing beats having soup going in the crock pot, and being in a sewing room, listening to the wind whistle outside. Now if you could just do all that at about 78 degrees, it would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI think I have both of those. Aren't they great? I have a stack of books by my chair and I love to thumb through them. I see something different each time. Have fun with your dresdens. Soooo pretty
ReplyDeleteI just recently borrowed two of Sarah's books from the library. Like you, I was drawn to that Dresden plate. I haven't yet flicked through MO2, but I think I need to finish some stuff before I cram my little head with more ideas.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to make a dresden quilt. I would suggest we do this together. But you know how flaky I am. But still....let's talk...
ReplyDeleteI adore those two Material Obsession books too, I don't know how many times I have had them out from my library. Summer here in New Zealand, finally had a little rain last night,s till very warm and humid. Hope your snow starts to melt soon.
ReplyDeleteThose are inspiration books for sure. Glad you're slowly digging out, stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI love good quilting books too and have more than I need. Have borrowed the books you mention from the library awhile back and enjoyed them both.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about MO1 & MO2 for awhile now. I appreciate your review - I'll go to Amazon and order them. Books are very special to me, I've always been surrounded by them. I think next to fabric - I would hoard books -LOL. I have 2 other books by Kathy and they are very inspirational and colorful. I am very jealous of you and your sewing buddy. I'm all alone here with my craft and I sorely miss the in-person feedback quilting with a friend provides.
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