Review: Countryside Softies

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As I’m sure you know if you read this blog, softies are not something that you see me make. But it doesn’t meant I don’t want to! I have long admired the crafters that can create cute little creatures for their kids (and themselves). When I first heard about Countryside Softies (back around Christmas I think) I just had a feeling I would need to own it. With a cover like this, how could I not! I remember reading so long ago on Amy’s blog about the softies that went missing on their way to the US from the UK and their eventual safe arrival. I am so happy that they all arrived safely, because this is such an adorable book.

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The book starts out with an introduction to the craft of making softies and the supplies you need. Amy talks about using old wool clothing that has been felted to create the fuzzy creatures. I’ve never felted wool, so the instructions and information were great! It all sounds so easy, now to just find some wool sweaters next time I’m thrifting. I really love the little mushrooms that are used indicate the pattern’s difficulty level. I think most of you will find that even the 3 mushroom “slightly tricky” rating will be rather easy to do after taking the time to read through the instructions.

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I think perhaps what I most appreciate about this book is the large section on creating a softie. All of the basics are all in one spot, easy to find and refer to. From cutting out your pieces, to assembling them, adding weight and a base, it’s all explained in easy to understand terms. There’s a section for adding beaks and snouts, eyes, mouths, ears wings, feet, tails – everything you need! There are also lots of great tips through out the entire book. The directions are really very easy to understand and I know just what is being described when I read them. I feel like I can make these without getting frustrated along the way.

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While there are so many amazing animals and “accessories” in this book, the one that captured my heart was the otter. I had really hoped to make him before this post, but time got away from me. I did find some wool in my sewing room that is destined for this little guy, so hopefully in the coming weeks I can sew him up and share. The blog tour so far has been wonderful. Be sure to check out all the posts and enter for a chance to win a copy of this book at each blog. Blue Nickel Studios had a great interview with Amy; Syko made the dragonfly pattern from the book; I Heart Linen made some mushrooms. If you do make this cute little otter, there is a free companion pattern over at Whip Up!

On to the best part, thanks to Stash Books I will choose one lucky commenter to win this {slightly thumbed through} copy of the book. Be sure to leave your comment by Sunday. I will close comments once a winner has been chosen and send the book shortly there after. Please be sure to leave your email or check back to see if I need you to contact me for an address. Good luck!

Comments are now closed! Congratulations to lucky #7, Marie! Thanks to everyone else for stopping in and leaving a comment. I wish you the best of luck in the drawings on the other blogs in this tour!
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Guest Posting at Fat Quarterly

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This is a few days late, but I had a guest post go up over at Fat Quarterly this weekend. I talk a little about cross-stitching and show you an easy way to incorporate it into your sewing by removing the Aida cloth (that’s the white cross stitch cloth you see there in the photo). Since the post went up a few commenters mentioned there is waste canvas for just this purpose, it makes the job a little faster because of it’s loose weave and lack of starch from what I understand. In the post you’ll see a cute little project I made with cross-stitch and a free pattern to get you started. Once the stitching bug has bitten you, be sure to check out Amanda and Ashley’s shop The Frosted Pumpkin, stocked full of great cross-stitch (pdf) patterns!

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Review: Modern Log Cabin Quilting

Modern Log Cabin Quilting

When I first saw the cover for Modern Log Cabin Quilting (Potter Craft) a few months ago on Susan’s blog, I was so excited.  I am definitely someone that (at least partially) judges a book by it’s cover.  I knew if the cover was any indication of the books content, I was going to love it.  Let me tell you, this is definitely a book you can judge by it’s cover.  I wish that more books could be as thorough and well written as this. 

The photography is beautiful, the content is amazing in both it’s coverage of the history of log cabin quilts and in it’s instructions, and the projects are all something I’d love to make. 

 

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In the first chapter of the book you are given a brief (and very interesting) history on log cabin quilts.  Susan teaches you about log cabin quilting’s roots and about the different kind of blocks.  I found this particularly interesting, because while I knew there were different variations on the block, I had never had it laid out in such a way, seeing each of the blocks next to each other and just how similar and different they are. 

 

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Next the book moves onto a “Basics” chapter geared towards working on log cabin blocks.  I especially love that she pieces her log cabin blocks in the same manor as myself.  It’s not a method I have seen often at all, and it really makes an already easy block so much easier!  She has you cut long strips of fabric and trim as it is sewn on, taking the left over bit to sew to your next block. 

 

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Each of the projects has a helpful table for knowing what size pieces to cut and how many of each.  There are also helpful tips and tidbits throughout the projects.  I especially love her method of rating each of the projects (spools of thread) and her identification of the type of block used in the project.

 

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My favorite project is by far the cover quilt.  I knew as soon as I saw it that I have a pattern for my Flea Market Fancy prints.  A close runner up would be this simple bag.  I love the big, single log cabin block and the simplicity of the fabrics chosen. 

 

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If you haven’t quilted before, but would like to learn, I don’t think you could find a better block to start with than a log cabin.  With this easy to piece block you will find so many different quilt and project variations that you will never find yourself bored.  The book includes 10 quilt patterns and 15 small project pattern.  I can’t recommend this book enough and hope you will check it out for yourself. 

To see more reviews and photos of this book, click on over to Susan’s post on her blog book tour and see what everyone else has to say!

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Coutryside Softies Blog Tour

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I just wanted to pop in quickly today to let you know that the Coutryside Softies book tour starts today!  Amy Adams of Lucykate Crafts is the author behind this adorable book, published by Stash Books.  The tour starts at Whip-Up with a great project to accompany one of the projects in the book and continues for the next two weeks.  Each day is a new look at the book and a new opportunity to win a copy for yourself, so be sure to visit each of these amazing blogs everyday.  I’ll be back next week for my turn.

Tour Schedule

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Linen + Pink Quilt

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I finally got this quilt finished.  It only took me 9 months to get it bound.  Actually, it took me about 7 months to get it quilted and only 2 months to get it bound.  Still way too long! 

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I was hung up on the quilt design for a long time.  I wasn’t sure how I wanted to quilt it up.  For a long time I really wanted to hand quilt this in a simple straight stitch pattern, but just couldn’t devote the time to it.  Finally I just threw it on the longarm and gave it some feathers.  I think it works quilt well for the pink theme.

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I used Rashida’s pattern in her book I Love Patchwork.  The instructions were great and the quilt went together without a hitch.  I loved mixing all of the pink and red with linen.  I used a handkerchief weight linen to keep it nice and soft.  This quilt is for a Kate who was born in July.  At least I am getting it to her before her first birthday!

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Pile of Fabric

_MG_2607_MG_2626_MG_2639_MG_2653_MG_2675I had to laugh at myself this last week.  I had a pile of fabric for two future projects arrive in the mail and they just seemed to move around my desk for a few days.  Every day they were in a new spot, taunting me.  They were glaring at me telling me to do something with them.  I think I figured if I left them on my desk I would be motivated to cut into them.  Honestly, they are just lovely to look at so it was not a hardship at all.  Alas, they did finally make it into the sewing room, into bags for their planned projects (quilts eventually). 

The top of the stack is Habitat and the bottom Aviary 2, both bought at Sew, Mama, Sew!.

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