Exciting news! I’m working on a follow-up to 1, 2, 3 Sew. The new book will be called 1, 2, 3 Quilt and — you guessed it — it will be all about quilts, including quilted and patchwork projects! I’m excited to be working with Chronicle Books again. This book will be geared towards beginning quilters and those with more experience who are looking to try new designs and techniques.
I just finally finished up a couple of quilts I’ve been working on for a while (not for the book). One is the Crossed Quilt Block that I wrote about last spring and another is a baby quilt. On the crossed quilt, I made the quilting in a wonky pattern just like the crosses. I’ve got a new free motion machine that I’ve enjoyed working with and am loving the handmade look it creates and am enjoying the quilting process, but still not a fan of binding quilts. But I love the puckered look of a freshly washed quilt.
The book will include some very finished, manicured looking quilts as well as those with a more handmade aesthetic. So I’m curious — what kind of quilts do you like? What would you like to make? Modern, traditional — a mix? What techniques do you most want to learn? What are you afraid to try? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as I’m working on the book. The book will be available in Fall 2013!
wow ! how exciting ! you’re going to be busy 🙂
I’d fall into the beginner quilters category… I would like to make a doll quilt, I like quilts made out of vintage sheets, I would be afraid to try anything that’s not a square or rectangle… all the best to you !
COngratulations! I am a beginner quilter and am interested in smaller quilts as they aren’t as intimidating. I am also keen to see quilts with a modern edge. Can’t wait!
Yippee, that is awesome! Can’t wait to get that book. 😉
I really like modern quilts, but I also really dig the super handmade ones too. Generally I like the ones that are made up of bigger pieces of fabric, for whatever the smaller pieces just don’t draw me in the same.
Sending lots of positive thoughts your way as you write this next book!
This sounds fantastic! Last fall saw me complete my first patchwork pillow cover and a patchwork table runner, self designed and via a pattern, respectively. I’d definitely like to get more into patchwork projects, but confess the traditional designs are off-putting. I find a casual, slightly messy/informal style to be more do-able as a beginner/intermediate sewer. I’m less stressed about making a mistake and more preoccupied with having fun, thereby insuring I’ll actually grow to like the process so much that I’ll want to refine my skills over time.
My biggest difficulty is making a final decision on how to group colors/patterns in fabrics and then deciding where to place them in the project. Some strategies on how to best do this would be great.
I’m most nervous about attaching binding and keeping seams from being bumpy.
I think I’d like to learn about how classic/traditional quilting skills can be applied to modern designs.
I’d also like to learn some easy techniques to spice up a basic beginner quilt, like hand tying, embroidery, etc.
If you need a pattern tester or book reviewer, let me know!
Yay! I’ve enjoyed using 1,2,3 Sew so much, I will definitely be buying the quilting version. 😀
Congratulations! I think you are on to a brilliant series concept. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Hope you use some organics! 🙂
Congrats on the new book! How exciting!! I can’t wait to see it.
I love the quilt pictured above, and the wonky quilting is fabulous. You have inspired me!
oh wowy ellen! the quilts are totally amazing. I love the quilting you did on them and that white is oh so pretty and bright. congrats on a new book, it’ll be amazing just like the first!
can’t wait! i just love to see new designs. the cross block you did some time ago is awesome. i saved it then and have been hoping to try it. you can show us snippets any time!
A new book?! What happy news! I like the mixture of traditional with modern, the idea of using new lines of fabric but also of quilting “pioneer style” with what’s on hand, of quilts having places for the eye to rest and I’d love to learn some of the curved blocks, hexagons and maybe cathedral windows.
That opening picture is one of my favorite of yours. I just love that your rolled out the scrappy quilt carpet on the hardwood.
Hooray, Ellen! That’s wonderful news! Very much looking forward to the new book.
I am trying so hard to stick to sewing and not get pulled into quilting, but I think I’m going to lose that fight. The geometry is very attractive to me. I have a Cathedral Window quilt that my grandmother made that is so beautiful. I also have a much older quilt from another great–the batting still has some cotton stems in it where it was not carded well!
Anyway, I also own a patchwork skirt, and I would love to learn to make something like that. It is a very simple A-line pattern but the big patches make the skirt very different and graphic. I can send you a photo if you like.
Loving 1,2,3, Sew!
Congratulations. I look forward to your book and am enjoying 123 Sew. I am just starting (learning) with quilts. I would love for you to include a quilt with appliques and a section on free motion quilting in your book. Thanks
I just bought your book this week! I’m really excited about getting started. Just can’t decide which project I want to do first. It’s a beautiful book, congratulations and thank you! As for quilts, I am a quilting novice. I really admire the quilts I see in blog land… Especially the more modern ones, I suppose. And by modern, I mean, I think, the fabric choices by and large, but also there is usually a lot of solid or white space and sometimes the piecing is wonky. As a beginner, I’d want projects that feel manageable to me and a LOT of advice about how to be accurate. That’s the thing holding me back, I fear I am much too inconsistent and inaccurate and I’ll wind up with a big mess and a lot of wasted time. My two cents! Good luck!
Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Me? My favorites are the modern quilts… Can’t wait to see more!
awesome! i’m so happy for you, ellen.
Love 123 Sew ~ I’m sure to love 123 quilt! looking forward to the book! YAY for you!
I’m going to be excited to get this book! I am just beginning to experiment with some quilting projects. I took a class a long time ago on hand quilting, and I loved it and the idea of it, but that is just tooooo labor intensive for me. I am interested in learning anything that I can complete myself, at home, on my own sewing machine. I don’t want to have to look for someone to quilt the finished project for me. I am intrigued by your free motion machine that you mentioned, though, and would love more info on that. As for styles, I love them all, but the modern colorful quilts that I am seeing are so beautiful!
Can’t wait! I love your first book and sell it in my shop. I’m sure this one will be just as big a hit. Brava!
Your first book is sitting in my cart at amazon, waiting for better finances, but I can’t wait to read your second one either. I absolutely love your quilt above! My heart sank a bit upon realizing it is due next year and not this one but I’m sure it will be fantastic. I’ll still be fairly new at quilting then and one can never learn too many new techniques. I think exactly the style above is most like me; a bit rough around the edges yet still fresh and feminine with lots of white. Your blog is great too, by the way!
I Love love love the handmade asthetic, wonky blocks, and quilts that look they came together just like magic.
Those kind of quilts remind me of love and family-sometimes they are messy, never perfect, but absolutely wonderful and gorgeous in their messiness.
This is very exciting. Looking forward to the quilting book. 1-2-3 Sew is great.
I’d love to see some modern quilts, using solids because I find it really hard to not use a print.
How exciting! Congrats. LOVE The cross quilt.