Today, The Long Thread is the first stop on the Little Bits Quilting Bee blog tour! Hurray! Fellow Chronicle author, blogger, digital kids’ craft magazine producer and mother Kathreen Ricketson has produced what I think is her best book yet. Little Bits Quilting Bee: 20 Quilts Using Charm Squares, Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and Fat Quarters features 20 handmade modern quilts using pre-cut fabric bundles for the busy quilter. I love this idea. Sure, I know some of you die-hard quilters find using pre-cuts akin to cheating, but why waste all that time cutting with so many fabulous pre-cuts available? You can’t argue with simplicity. With this book, Kathreen gives you many creative ideas to make these pre-cuts into your own unique creations.
The projects are grouped by pre-cut size and ranked by level of difficulty. I think there’s something in this book for both new and experienced quilters. She includes the basics with cutting tips, basting instructions and binding methods. The colorful photographs, vibrant fabrics, and charming vintage-modern styling give this book a warm and inviting feel.
I didn’t have time to make a full quilt from the book yet, but I did make this pillow using the pattern for the Garnets and Gold quilt in the book. It took four blocks and came together quickly. I used solids for my pillow below, but Kathreen’s quilt in the book uses all kinds of beautiful jewel-toned patterns for a rich look.
And a giveaway! I’ll send a copy of the book to someone in the U.S. or Canada. Please leave a comment below by midnight eastern Thursday for a chance to win. I’ll choose the winner at random and make the announcement on Friday. Thanks!
And be sure to check out Kathreen’s blog Whip Up, where she has reviewed a copy of my book, 1, 2, 3 Sew!
Here’s the full blog tour schedule if you’d like to follow along:
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 – Patch Andi & The Last Piece
Thursday, November 17 – In Color Order & Duo Fiberworks
Friday, November 18 – Kristin La Flamme & Camp Follower Bags & Quilts
Monday, November 21 – Quilt Dad
Tuesday, November 22 – Pat Sloan & Pleasant Home
Just when I need some quilting inspiration! This book looks great.
What a beautiful book! I would really love to win this book and try some precuts. I’ve only used charm squares so far.
What a lovely book! Thanks for the chance to win it!
would love to win one. thanks!
This book looks fabulous!! I am putting it on my wish list!!
I am a beginner quilter and would love to win this book… looks so charming and inspiring!
This book looks like it has a lot of energy….can’t wait to get my hands on it! I have never used a jellyroll but am anxious to try!
This book looks fabulous!! Crossing my fingers that I’ll be the lucky winner!! Thanks so much for this fun giveaway!
Thanks for your blog, I like to check in at least once a week!
Love the pillow. And would love to win the book!
You had me at precut fabrics… This book looks perfect for the too busy crafter!
What a lovely book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Love your site! And I would really love the quilting inspiration!
looks like a good book. Linda Gerig
Looks like a fabulous book. I am trying to curb looking down my nose at pre-cuts and this could well do the trick.
Thank you so much for the chance to win this book. I am taking a quilting class online right now and it is how to use precuts for beginner and quilting quickly. Kathreen’s book would be a wonderful addition to my learning.
this looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to win!
i definitely need to check out this book. i hoard charm packs and would love to try out some new projects to try and inspire.
Personally, I’m a sucker for pre-cuts. I love having a little piece of every fabric in a collection to play with. This book looks great!
Love your blog and would love to be able to win this book. Your pillow looks great too. Jane
Sold! That pillow is fantastic. Lots of inspiration…
I would love this! Thanks for the chance.
Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance!
As a begining quilter, I could really use this book! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Wow, what a lovely pillow! If I won the book, I would definitely turn it over to my amazing mother-in-law, who is recently retired and itching to quilt more … and then I might reap the benefits too!
Thanks for a great giveaway.
Yikes….Christmas is coming….quickly! I’d love to use this book to create some great gifts this season! I have lots of fat quarters to use up. Thanks for the chance!
Beautiful ideas! I would love to start off quilting with some of these patterns for pre-cuts. Awesome!
This looks great! I avoid precuts because I’m not sure what to do with them. This would be a huge help!
This would be a perfect book for me, since I have developed severe tendonitis in my right arm and elbow, and my doctor said the rotary cutter is NOT my friend! I have been following Kathreen’s blog for a while, now, and really enjoy it. Thanks for the give away!
Lovely pillow! Very fresh color palette. Thanks for the chance to win! I’ll definitely be checking this book out.
I love using jelly rolls!
What a great book! Those patterns look fabulous! And I’m always looking for projects to use precuts with! Thanks for a chance to win!
Love those fresh colors. The pillows look great.
I love your pillow! The books looks great too. I love that the quilts in the book look like they’re being used. Very cool.
love your pillow and would love to win the book
love the prints and fresh look!
I love your use of solids in this graphic pillow. love your sense of colour too.
Your book looks great. I’m always looking for new inspirations.
I love the pillow you made – great use of a really fun block. So glad you enjoyed the book.
xx
Kathreen
I love the bold colors on that quilt covering the bed. This seems like it would be a good book for someone like me, who has pretty much no experience but would love to give it a try.
This is sooo cute thanks for the chance to win!
love the book, love the tips for busy quilters!!
I have been wanting to sew a quilt and this looks like the perfect inspiration!
Would love to have this book! I need some fast christmas presents!
The projects in this book look fabulous! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to try out the modern quilts in this book!
This is a great book. I recently had it from the library and would like to keep it longer.
Looks like a great book! I’m new to quilting and haven’t tried working with jellyrolls or layer cakes. I need to rectify that soon…
Looks like a great book with new and inspiring ideas. Would love to own it.
I love this book – I got it from the library and made a to-do list right away!