Little Bits Quilting Bee Blog Tour

When Kathreen of Whip Up contacted me last year and asked me to provide a review for the back of her book I was so incredibly flattered! Kathreen's books are just wonderful and Little Bits Quilting Bee (published by Chronicle books) is no exception. 

The best thing about doing something like that for an author is that you get to have a sneak peek of the book before anyone else has seen it! So I have been perusing this lovely book for a while now, I'm a lucky girl :)

In case you haven't stumbled over Kathreen before, she is not only the author of the wildy popular Whip Up blog, she is the author of the gorgeous Whip Up Mini Quilts, and she also has a fabulous kids magazine called Action Pack, full of projects and crafts and stuff for kids to do. 

Little Bits Quilting Bee is essentially a book about how to use those oh so tempting pre-cut fabric packs - the jelly rolls, charm squares, fat quarters and layer cakes in  full ranges that look so tempting and then sit on your shelf while you ponder what to do with them. It begins with a chapter about online quilting bees, guilds and groups, and talks about the community aspect of quilting. It encourages you to get involved with the quilting community - heavens knows its out there, so dive in! There's a great basics section for beginners too. 

The quilts in the book range from bed size to smaller projects and use a range of techniques. What I usually don't like about pre-cut books is that they all use the same size squares, rectangles and triangles - but Kathreen manages to avoid that and has produced a book full of original, interesting and diverse designs that don't look like pre-cuts at all. 

Others before me have written in depth reviews of the book so I thought I would have a little fun and ask Kathreen to answer five quickies. 

What is the one colour you buy the least fabric in?

I had to actually look through my stash to see what colour was missing - I think its yellow - I am not a yellow person.

What is your favourite sewing gadget or notion?

I love my rulers and rotary cutter - but perhaps spray applique glue might be my most favourite!

What is your favourite treat or chocolate bar? Do you keep a stash of them in your sewing area?

I am cutting down on treats - but I do love Green and Blacks dark chocolate. I don't keep a stash as my kids would be sure to sniff it out.

What is your favourite band of all time? Do you listen to music or watch TV when you sew?

I actually don't listen to music while sewing - as the sewing machine noise competes and it gets too loud - however while designing and writing I do like listen to music - mostly its just the radio (Triple J) going in the background - but I do like the Indie band Little Red - and my fave band of all time might be the Eurythmics.

If you could only work with one designer's fabric for the rest of your quilting career, which would it be?

Oh goodness - that is way too limiting - I can't answer it - I dont' think I could do it! - I guess it would be Kona solids...  there are some luscious colours available in solids now ... or maybe Lecian fabrics because they always have a good range of dots and stripes and small florals with a retro feel. But my fave fabric designers right now are Anna Maria Horner because of her vibrant and rich colours, Ink and Spindle because of their natural tones and eco fabrics, and Echino because they are gorgeous and whimsical.

You can follow along with what's left of the tour and check out what everyone else has had to say below. US readers will also find that several of the blogs are giving away a copy of the book!

Monday, November 7 – The Long Thread 

Tuesday, November 8 – Craft Nectar & Comfort Stitching 

Wednesday, November 9 – luvinthemommyhood & Elsie Marley 

Thursday, November 10 – True Up 

Friday, November 11 – House on Hill Road & Craftypod 

Monday, November 14 – Handmade by Alissa & Hello My Name Is Heather

Tuesday, November 15 – West Coast Crafty & Foxy Art Studio

Wednesday, November 16 – PatchAndi & The Last Piece

Thursday, November 17 – In Color Order & Pink Chalk Studio

Friday, November 18 – Kristin La Flamme & Camp Follower Bags & Quilts

Monday, November 21 – Quilt Dad & JCasa *handmade

Tuesday, November 22 – Pat Sloan & Pleasant Home

 

Comments

[Donna~]

Looks like a great book to own--lots of pretty quilts with lovely color/fabric combinations!

[Jill]

I love Kathreen's use of AMH in the string quilt. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this great looking book!

[daisy]

thanks for the review and for the questions - nice to learn a bit more about Kathreen - and I listen to triple j whenever I'm in my sewing room :)

[Adrienne in Minnesota]

The interview question regarding Kathreen's current favorite fabrics was helpful. Eeking out sources for quirky, funky fabrics is daunting. I find it to be the most difficult facet of a project. I especially LOVE the quilt that you chose to feature in your post... the one with huge appliqued flowers bordered with u-shaped flaps hanging down. So very fun!

[Del]

What a great book! It looks wonderful!

[mo]

Looks lovely. Thanks for the sneak peek. :)

[VickiT]

Great questions and answers. The pictures in this book are amazing and so beautiful. I am sure this is a book I could use very much since I have a lot of charm packs but am not sure exactly what to use them all for yet.

[Deb]

I love the cover on this book and have plenty of scraps that I could start at the front of the book and make my way to the end! I'd love to try that! Thanks for the chance.

[Pam]

Cute post. I enjoyed the interview part.

[Liz]

Say, Sarah. Have you been over to the Portland Modern Quilt Guild blog. There is a nice picture of a quilt by Monica using your fabric range. If you're having trouble finding it, I got there through Wonkyworld blog.

[Jenniffier]

What a lovely looking book! This is definitively on my wishlist now.