Saturday, December 13, 2014

Cultural Fusion Quilts blog tour

Welcome to the second to last stop on the blog tour for Sujata Shah's first ever book, Cultural Fusion Quilts A Melting Pot of Piecing Traditions.

I'm really excited about this book and what a pleasure and an honour to be part of this blog tour after following Sujata's blog, The Root Connection for many years. I've always admired the quilts she has made with her unique sense of style and colouring. This book gives a view into her world, her inspiration and her root connection.

There are fifteen quilt patterns in the book and when I got it, I wanted to rush to the fabric stash and sewing machine and make them all. It's been a long time since I've been inspired to sew a quilt by machine but this book had me pulling fabrics right away and warming up the machine.
The instructions are very clear and there are step by step diagrams to help out as well as suggestions for fabric selection and different setting variations for each of the quilts.

This method of stacking fabrics, cutting then switching them and sewing is a whole lot of fun. In fact it was a joy to be doing just that. There was no need for rulers, templates or pins to piece the blocks which makes the process of making them very speedy.

It was hard to pick a favourite out of the book but in the end I decided to work with the shapes similar to the ones in this quilt. The same shape with slight variations are also used in some of the other quilts so I knew I would have lots of options for setting them.
I made a few practice blocks to decide how I wanted to proceed. Hence the block on the left has a skinnier shape than the one on the right. No matter, they can all be used.  I really love the slight curves which were so very easy to sew.
As Sujata states:
Be curious
Be bold
Be spontaneous
Be creative
Be intuitive.
I made the blocks using mainly Kaffe Fassett and Phillip Jacob fabrics in the red family because I have a lot of those and then I chose some very old greys along with black and whites out of my cupboard for contrast. It felt good to make use of my fabric stash.
When cutting the fabric stacks, you get negative and positive blocks. I decided to put aside the ones that have the black and greys in the center shape for another quilt that will look totally different.
I played around with settings and added the lime strips because I kept thinking how much like leaves the shapes were and I do love hot pinks and lime together.
This is the finished quilt top which looks like funky trees, it's lap sized and approximately 60" square. I did buy the border fabric as it had the look and colour I was after. I love it a lot and I thank Sujata for gently guiding me to experiment and for inspiring me to make this quilt. I plan to use some perle cotton thread to hand quilt it when the weather cools down here in Australia.

If you would like to go into the draw for a chance to win a copy of the book, leave me a comment and I'll draw a  winner in five days time.
If the winner is a US resident, they will get a hard copy but if the winner is international, they will receive the E-book version.
 
Here is a complete list of the blogs participating in the tour, some of them are still open for comments and the chance to win.
 
Tuesday December 2 Sujata Shah @ C&T Publishing

Friday December 5 Rachaeldaisy @ Blue Mountain Daisy 

Saturday December 6 Lori Dejarnett @ Humble Quilts
 
Sunday December 7 Casey York @ The Studiolo  

Monday December 8 Malka Dubrawsky @ A Stitch in Dye   

Tuesday December 9 Sherri Lynn Wood @ daintytime

Wednesday December10 Bonnie Hunter @ Quiltville's Quips and Snips

Thursday December 11 Jake Finch @ Generation Q

Friday December 12 Jan Burgwinkle @ Be*mused

Saturday December 13 Janet Treen @ Quiltsalott

Sunday December 14 Lindsay Conner @ Lindsay Sews

124 comments:

Rachaeldaisy said...

Janet, you're as amazing as always! I really enjoyed you review and your quilt is brilliant!!

Sharon T said...

Love your work! Thank you for the chance to win this amazing book!

Lori said...

Your quilt turned out so cute jaNET!

Ann said...

This was one of my favorites in her book. And now I love your setting, too. It's such fun to see what people are making from her starting points.

Béa said...

I would be happy to win this book and your version is really beautiful. Love your fabric choice XXX

Chris said...

Thanks so much janet for the chance to win this inspiring book.

Shirley said...

Wow Janet! Those colours are definitely for me. I LOVE IT. You have done Sujata very proud. I shall be coming back to ogle that quilt top many times. If it ever needs a new home....... Just saying!

Susan said...

I have seen other contributions to this blog tour, but your quilt is the most inspiring of all! I love those shapes and how you have used the colour variation! Your review has put this one on my Christmas list! Thanks for the chance to win one too!

Alis said...

The more I see of this book, the more I want it.... some great quilts!

jatajomi said...

Wow, great quilts,
thanks for the chnace to win !
Greetings from Germany !70274

Debra said...

Wow Janet your quilt is really fabulous, love your fabric choices. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Sujatas book.

Gill said...

I love your quilt - I'd love to win a copy of this fabulous book!

Cassandra said...

Your quilt looks fabulous! I haven't tried curved piecing yet, but this book sounds very user friendly!

Kathleen C said...

Your quilt is wonderful... I love your "happy" leaves! Sujata's book sounds like just what I need to give my quilts a change in style.
I always enjoy you blog...Thanks.

Karen H said...

What a happy, vibrant quilt you've made. I've really enjoyed this blog tour and seeing what Sujata has inspired! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book!

Dolores said...

I love your take on the pattern. The lime green really makes the quilt 'pop.'

JoyceT said...

I'm always ready for new and fresh ideas for quilt designs like these.

Jill said...

Love your choice of colors and layout for the quilt.

Nancy A. Bekofske said...

I love what you did with the blocks. So cool. Looks like a great book, very liberating from precision and templates.

Mary said...

What a great layout! I saw Sujata from afar at Quilt Market....next time I am going to introduce myself. She is so inspiring!

Rebecca said...

I think I might have to put the quilt names in a bag and pull one out to start...to many to decide where to start.

kay said...

Sujata's quilts are spectacular! It sounds like she also makes the process very enjoyable.

Julierose said...

thanks for the chance Lindsay (that's my DIL's name, too ;--)))
I love your interpretation of that quilt...looks like a fun project. and we all gotta have some fun...hugs, Julierose

Amy said...

Wow, what a fabulous book! I love what you did with your leaves. Hope to win a copy! Thanks so much.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

Lovely - thanks for the chance

Kathryn said...

I like your choice of patterns to experiment with.

Debra G said...

Love your quilt, especially with the lime green! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.

Denniele said...

Lovely book. Thank you for the chance to own a copy.

Lauren said...

This book looks so inspiring and fun!!! Thanks for a great review!

Havplenty said...

You seemingly just whipped your quilt out. Amazing and I like lime green also. Sujata's book seems very inspirational and a must have.

tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

sforme said...

i love everything you do! you have a great sense of color. this book is inspiring.

Michele said...

Love your quilt.
The book sure looks like a winner.

Cherie in St Louis said...

I love your use of Sujata's block and I too have the itch to run to my fabric stash and sew up some of these blocks to play with. FUN!!!!

carolph said...

I have loved following the root connection. The book looks wonderful!
Socoquilter@gmail.com

Marilyn said...

Your quilt looks great.......and her book has some
great quilts in it from what I've see. Thanks for the
chance to own one. calash1@hotmail.com

normajean53 said...

Would love to have this book!

Elaine said...

Your quilt is lovely in the reds and grays. Such a great book too!

Jenny said...

really excited for this book. your quilt is just spot on terrific

Claudia said...

So many inspiring projects! I'd love to own a copy of this book.

csjshearer@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Obviously this book is a great inspiration, your final project is beautiful and very different from the original728. I love that a pattern is a source of creativity. Have a nice day.

lindaroo said...

So happy to find your blog via Sujata's tour! I love her use of color and movement. I made her Painted zigzag, and enjoyed the freedom of putting vibrant colors together in a freeform arrangement. I'd love to win her book, and to experiment with her gentle curves!

Lyn said...

Love your quillt! It's a good winter project for a gardener already dreaming of spring....

Linda M said...

Love the quilt, and thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.

Ruth said...

A very unique book! I would love to win a copy!

one line lane said...

What a happy quilt you have made! Sujata's book seems full of colorful quilts that would be fun to make.

DianeY said...

This looks like the kind of quilting I love!

Cissa K said...

I love your quilt. Your review of the book made me want to check the book out. I would love to have a chance to win it. Happy Holidays and a very creative 2015.

sjzak said...

Your quilts are really nice and colorful!

magistra said...

I love the quilt you made after being inspired by Sujata's book! I hope I win it because I know I would be likewise inspired. :). Magistra13 at yahoo dot com
Beth

Kathy S. said...

Thanks for the chance to win. I like the funky trees a lot!

Anita said...

A fantastic, bold book! Love how you was inspired and made your own version.

audrey said...

Fabulous quilt top! Would love to win this wonderful book.:)

barbara woods said...

love her book, thanks

Michele Bilyeu said...

Love that you actually made a quilt top from Sujata's wonderful book. We are all desperate to win, own, and use it now! And if you could do it so beautifully and so quickly, there's hope for us! Just lovely job!!!!

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Great book to add to my quilting library. I'm still new to quilting and always learning. kthurn@bektel.com

CecileD said...

Wow !!I really love your stunning quilt ! A beautiful one for a wonderful book !!
Bravo Janet !

Alison said...

Such a warm and friendly looking quilt. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.

Unknown said...

I like the shapes and color choices for your tree. Would be great to receive the book for more inspiration.

June D said...

Great decisions with this project! Beautiful quilt. Thank you for putting my name in the hat for the drawing of this wonderful book!

Andrea said...

Loved your blog entry today. My first visit. I am deeply impressed with your exploratory creative process with this pattern. I love your quilt!!! So sunny and bright.

Unknown said...

inspirational and beautiful. love it

Salley said...

Such a dynamic result Janet. Always good to think outside our comfort zones.

Diane said...

I love what you did with that block! And would love to win this book. Such color and inspiration!

Janet said...

I love your quilt top! The lime green is perfect with the leaves! It will be fun to quilt with pearle cotton I think. :0)

Unknown said...

Such pretty quilts!

Linda in NC said...

Your interpretation is fabulous! And I love that you mixed in your older stash; don't you just love giving new life to old(er) fabrics?!

Nann said...

It has been such fun to discover new-to-me quilting bloggers during this tour. I especially like seeing the quilt that you made following Sujata's guidelines. I've held off ordering the book because, hopefully, I'll win a copy from one of the bloggers!

greeneggs said...

Wow I love your quilt. So different from the one in the book, which I also love. This blog tour has been fantastic, and introduced me to some wonderful new blogs, including yours. Thanks for the chance to win!

greeneggs said...

Wow I love your quilt. So different from the one in the book, which I also love. This blog tour has been fantastic, and introduced me to some wonderful new blogs, including yours. Thanks for the chance to win!

Deb said...

Great job! Love your quilt and would like to win the book. I've enjoyed the blog hop and getting to meet the author through the posts.

mjb said...

I love this! (But already have the book)

Debbie said...

I love your quilt. Such a great interpretation.

Lisa England said...

I love your interpretation of the quilt from the book! I would really enjoy this book, thanks for the chance to win!

Lisa68 said...

I love your version of this quilt. I especially like the lime green. I am not usually a lime green person but I really like it in your quilt. The border is perfect for it. I can't wait to either win a copy of this book or buy it. But either way it is going to be a part of my sewing room and I plan to make several of the quilts.

Dorothy Matheson said...

Your quilt is very nice and I just love the fabrics. Great going. I would love the book so thanks for a chance for it.

Katkat said...

This book looks great. Hope I win!

Sarah said...

What a beautiful quilt! Thanks for the review. sarah@forrussia.org

Karen said...

This looks like a wonderful book. Your tree/leaf quilt looks fabulous! Love the limey greens.

Paige said...

Love your leaf blocks. The bright leaves again the gradating background is great! Thanks for the giveaway!

Jodi - usairdoll said...

WoW! Your quilt looks amazing! The border fabric looks perfect! Looks like an awesome book I could use.

Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Wonderful version of Sujata's quilt!
The book looks great, may need to buy myself a copy ASAP! Linda

Sharon said...

Cute quilt top! And it looks like you found the perfect border fabric!

Thanks for the chance to win Sujata's book!

SharynB said...

Oh, I simply adore that Cultural Fusion book, thanks for the opportunity to win one

susan718 said...

Your quilt is beautiful! Thanks for the great giveaway.

Jan Hutchison said...

Your quilts are a great advertisement for the book!

leanne said...

love your colourful quilt - thanks for the chance to win this fab book !

Cathy L Wilson said...

First time to visit your blog but I' m sure I will be back! I would love to win this book!

tropicslady said...

That is a great quilt you made with the Kaffe and Phillip fabrics! Love the colors....

Quiltdivajulie said...

I love the way you interpreted Sujata's pattern!

I would be happy to win a copy of the book so I can gift it to one of my quilting friends - she wants to be less dependent on patterns and I know Sujata's approach would work!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Fun quilt--looks like a great book!

DebraKay Neiman said...

Janet, I love your version of the quilt. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

I love your pink and lime green also. Thanks for sharing and I would love a copy of Sujata's book.

quiltmom anna said...

Lovely book review of a very interesting looking book. It is fun to see all the different ways one can explore and create with fabric. Thanks for the chance to win such a nice book.
Regards from Alberta,
Anna

Dinah said...

This looks like a fabulous book! I would love to win it!

Unknown said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I would love to win this book!!

Pat Hanna said...

Thanks for sharing your improvisational process in creating this quilt - adapting the pattern to produce your own original composition. I think I need this book!

Cheryl said...

Thanks for giving us a chance to win! I'll put it to good use. And, I'm real happy to find your blog too.

Teresa Duryea Wong said...

These are so colorful. Would love to win the book. I have followed you on Bloglovin for quite some time.

Rosebud said...

Fabulously colorful!

O'Quilts said...

I cannot wait to get this book..and work with the ideas....Well I will have to wait. Thx for visiting my blog

Kim said...

Oh my goodness you did a great job on the Sujata inspired quilt, love you colors and it reminds me of the symbol on my fitbit that grows when I exercise more!

Thanks so much for the chance to win :0). Happy Sewing and Merry Christmas!

Debbie said...

Such a wonderful book and love your interpretation of the quilt block! Thanks for the chance to win!

meli B said...

Not sure if I am entering this twice! Sorry but my phone just lost my other message. Soooo please pick me! I would love to win this book!

Karen@littlebirdiequilting said...

Your quilt looks great- a lovely interpretation!

patty a. said...

This book has a lot of interesting ideas.

Anonymous said...

I like Sujata's approach to color. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

mumbird3 said...

Love your blog!
mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

johnnyp said...

beautiful quilts and a wonderful blog
cooladam1 at live dot com

MamaLovesFabric said...

Beautiful book. Would love to win!

Jodi said...

Definitely appreciate a chance to win this wonderful book!

Wtrstone said...

Every person interprets the quilts in this book just a bit differently.... what joy in all of the variety!

Kylie MJ said...

looks like a great book--I really like the pattern you used to make your version

Kylie (at) icloud (dot) com

Rosebud said...

Some very special work here! Love the colors, the simplicity and would truly use this book.

Hilacha (loose strand) said...

The design you tried looks easy... I wonder which one I would start with.

Diane Beavers said...

Janet, your work is stunning!
I love Kaffe Fassett prints too , so bold, so creative!
Thank you for sharing.
Curved piecing is on my list to learn...so the book would be so appreciated.

Gottlieb's Garden said...

Love her quilting style. Have been hesitant to try it but this seems like a good book to start the process.

Pam said...

Thanks for reviewing this book. I am so interested in the quilts and the process described here. would love to win a copy!

GranChris said...

This looks like a great book. I like the petals.

Debby said...

Your funky trees are great. I want to break free too. Please pick me.

lynn said...

the book looks amazing!
the colors, design….
i make scrap quilts then donate them
to kidzquilts through our local guild….
i'd love to win!

juliehallfeldhaus said...

Love your work abd a chance to be a winner:)

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