Here’s the thing about making block-based quilts: At its core, patchwork blocks are all about the math. Design options for a quilt made from the starting point of blocks can incorporate art techniques, improvisational approaches and no-rules quiltmaking. But the cornerstone of all patchwork quilts lies in mathematics and logic.
For all of us Math-Phobes out there, this small fact needn’t deter us from designing and making some awesome quilts. With the appreciation of modern quilt design, we can tap into the foundational principles of patchwork blocks and twist the rules to serve our own evil design ideas. We just need a little understanding of the basics to get us going.
That’s where our friends from Fat Quarterly Magazine step in and lend a hand to all of us Dear Q-Bies. In their new book, Shape Workshop for Quilters: 60 Blocks + Dozen Quilts and Projects, the formerly four-person team of Tacha, Katy, John and Brioni (a fifth FQ Lovely, Lynne, was brought on after this book was developed) brings in 60 different quilt blocks and 12 projects to teach us how to bend the rules of using math and logic in quiltmaking.
The book itself is the picture of logic. By dividing the featured blocks into six common shapes, the reader can scan through the blocks choices found within each shape’s chapter. Squares/rectangles, triangles, circles, polygons, diamonds and stars are separately highlighted through 10 different block designs for each shape. Then seven quilts and five sewn projects, each using the techniques taught here, are offered for our stitching pleasure.
So, we love this book. But that was a foregone conclusion for us. Because we know the skill-set and the personalities of the FQ team, we expected the book’s success from the first look at Shape Workshop. Our expectation was fulfilled. The projects are just different enough to peak our interest, especially the Flickering Stars Pillow, Fast Forward/Rewind Quilt and His Hope Chest Quilt, but are approachable by many different levels of stitchers.
And guess what? Our buds at FQ have given us one of their wonderful blocks from the book for you all to try out. Convergence, designed by John Q. Adams, will be posted as a PDF extra on our website a little later on today. (Have to wait for Megan to perform her magic as Jake is seriously lacking in the Magic Department!) We hope you’ll like it because we sure do. Curves and four-patch make us shiver with delight! (Update! Megan is here to save the day! Just click here to get your download.)
So here’s the best part: We’ve been given an extra copy of Shape Workshop for one of you lucky Q-bies! Hmmm, let’s see. What form of performance should we require before handing over one of these pretties? How about you all comment on what quilt you plan to work on for your summer vacay? We’ll pick one of you at random and send you a copy of this book, and the debut print issue of GenQ. Make sure to include your email address in your comment so we can reach out to you, if you win. You’d be surprised how many times we can’t do this easily.
FOR THE REMAINING BLOGS/SITES ON THE TOUR:
June 7: Sew Mama Sew
June 12: Pat Sloan
June 14: WhipUp
June 18: Sarah Fielke’s The Last Piece
June 22: Fat Quarter Shop
June 26: Diary of a Quilter
June 28: Amy’s Creative Side
July 3: A La Mode Fabric
July 6: It’s Sew Kiki!
July 10: Craft Buds!
July 12: Craft Foxes
July 16: {sew} Allegorical
July 18: Wrap-up Party at FatQuarterly.com!
{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m doing a little class on Handstitching this summer, so that means at least a nice wall hanging – maybe even a lap quilt. Thx for the good review and the free block.
I can’t wait to try the Convergence block – it looks great! My summer sewing consists of the Craftsy BOM, and about 4 quilts I’ve had waiting for backs and quilting for almost a year (yikes!). I sure hope I can make myself take care of those before I start too many other new projects! Thanks for the giveaway – this book looks SO great!
I want to make a Converging Corners quilt from Film in the Fridge. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ll be finishing up an Irish Chain, Dresden Plate and a no-name guy quilt. Thanks for the giveaway!
I plan a swoon quilt this summer. Cliche I know but I’m so excited to see how my fabric choices work up.
I am planning to do Owl Eyes from Elizabeth Hartman’s new book! This book has my eye too, thanks for the chance!
Working on my leaves wall hanging quilt.
Oh gosh, my list keeps getting longer because of all the great projects I’ve seen recently. I really should finish tbe T-shirt quilt my husband is hounding me about though…
Only one?
It would be nice to finally make my selvedge quilt.
I’m finishing up a scrappy Pineapple quilt that I started in a class over a year ago. Ya think it’s time to do it?
I sure hope so.
I can’t wait to try the Convergence block – I will make it with summer yummi colours!
Thanks!
I’ve got a Watermelon Bali Pops kit quilt to make. After that, I will be making one from Edyta Sitar’s Friendship Triangles book.
trilliumcreates AT gmail DOT com
I am trying to get a quilt done for my mom for Christmas.
I’ll be working on several quilts this summer. Some for a new pattern I hope to publish soon and others for fun fun fun. I’ve got some ideas about quilts with odd angles that I’m anxious to try.
I plan on working on a Cow Quilt this summer!
I checked this book out from the library…and, it’s awesome I loved how each chapter was based on the same shape and utilized the same fabric. It just showcased the talent and creativity of the designers even more!
Right now I’m making a quilt with tessalting leaves for a wedding present due at the end of July. I would love to win this book. Thanks, Debbie gussek at hotmail dot com
Ooh, this sounds like a good reference book to have! Also would be a great jumping off resource for ideas. Can’t wait to play with the curved block…
I’m working on a modern English paper pieced baby quilt. Michellebarry08@gmail.com
Sewing up the quilt for my first baby (he/she can make an appearance ANY day now, lol)!
I’m working on several quilts, all of them scrap quilts. A Kaleidoscope, a liberated Spider’s Web, Goose Tracks, and a baby quilt for a grandchild expected in November.
I’m working on a Wounded Warriors quilt with lots of scrappy red and blue stars.
I’m making a Salt Air Layer Cake improv quilt all for me- it’s quite simple stuff but quite a lot of work- one half will be like a noughts and crosses grid and the others are just simply outlined in white.
I have a huge GFG ongoing – that is usually my vacay project since I prefer to take handwork when I travel. But I’m always on the lookout for great new projects: I have a few family members patiently awaiting their turn to receive a quilt and sometimes it takes awhile to find the right project for each person!
Unfortunatly I have a huge UFO list, need to get some of that cleared off before I can try new blocks! But this book is a good motivator! Thanks for the chance.
I’m finishing up two wall hangings, one pieced and the other appliqued. Shall I mention the Christmas table topper I started last December?? No… I probably won’t be finishing that up until the holiday spirit moves me again! Thanks for the giveaway and block pattern!
I’m hoping to finish my “party of four” quilt top. It’s a flimsy now but really needs to be finished!
My summer project is to focus on my EPP quilt – it’s great for sitting outside in the summer! Other than that, I have 3 baby quilts to get done. Right now, one is a top, one is fabric and a plan, and one I’m nowhere on.
I peeked at this book at Market. I’d LOVE to have my own copy! I’ll be working on several quilts this summer. I have one in mind for a future issue of Gen!
I am determined to finish my Retro Flowers wall hanging. I missed the deadline for the quilt-along, but I still love the pattern and my fabric choices and so I’m plowing ahead.
wow, that is a pretty cool block, i have never tried to make anything with curves…as to your question, no summer vaca but always working on a quilt or two, another flannel “rag” quilt is in the works right now
I’ve browsed through this book, and I love it! I think my summer quilt project might be the big diamond one in the book, though I can’t remember the name, since I haven’t bought it yet.
I’m going to make a quilt using some of my fat quarters probably for a niece. Looks like a great book! Thanks for sharing!
Let’s see…I think that if I get to work on a quilt this summer, it will have to be when the kids are at church camp in late July. Between softball, swim team and the likes, I don’t have a lot of time to quilt. :’( But when, not if, I have several UFO’s that I would like to finish. :O)
No particular quilt planned as of yet. I’m thinking of the perfect blocks and designs for my fabric choices right now. It’s hard!
I’m hoping to finish piecing all the hexies I started making during Lynne’s hexalong last summer and maybe even start joining them together! Oh, and a nine patch/snowball quilt I’ve been promising to make my parents for months…and a Christmas Cherry Star. And maybe start a Katy-inspired Spring Carnival quilt! Thank you for the chance to own such a wonderful book (and the free block)!
Super excited about this giveaway! I have several quilts to work on this summer, but my first is a Carnival quilt using Central Park fabric. Thanks for the chance to win a great book! eridau@gmail.com
I am working on two projects this summer…hand quilting a quilt for my niece and appliquing orange peel blocks. I am terrified of curves, so maybe this book would be a good one for me
I want to try the Convergence block. I think a beautiful quilt will result!
There’s so many great books out now, with great projects…..maybe I’ll finally get my swoon cut out, or my AMH prism, or, if I’m super ambitious, get some things quilted and sew down some bindings!
Oh, my – so many quilts – so little time. I have plans for a blue and white stripe type quilt and hopefully this will be the summer! Thanks for the convergence block and the info on the book.
Dreaming of a modern unique Dresden quilt….that’s my summertime project!
I’m in the planning stage for a quilt for my eldest son; I have the fabric and it’ll have a modern feel.
I’m working on a kit that was given to me by a good friend. Not a kit person, but with 28 fat quarters of different colors… this is going to be fun!
Super easy, very modern look to a vintage curved block!
My summer quilt project is developing new patterns and quilts using our new “Grammie & Mimi’s Geniuses Go Wild!” collection by Benartex for the Fall Market in Houston! Can’t wait to get the fabric!!
cool block. I think I want to work on a granny quilt using my scraps this summer. I really like the pattern and have been wanting to make one for a while.
am loving this book! i’ve seen bits and pieces of circles and would love to see all the circle quilts. my really good deal circle cutter was shipped today! so i have plans for the book … thanx for the opportunity to win a copy.
This summer I plan to make a bunch more 12″ New York Beauty blocks (9 done, 27 more to do) for my “summer” quilt, in hopes it will be on the bed by next summer. Love that Convergence block, BTW, for the next time I feel like sewing a lot of curved seams.
This summer I am working on an art quilt based on the phrase “Home and Hearth” and a beautiful traditional pineapple block quilt.
The Convergence block sort of freaks me out so I dont know if Ill be doing that one any time soon! For vacation this year I wont be able to have my machine along so I may bring along an applique project or something that needs finished like binding or hand quilting. Thanks so much!
Over the summer I want to work upon a baby quilt for my grandniece Emmie. For some reason, making a quilt with a snowball block is the idea I have…. if can figure out the math. Certainly, would love to win this book and a copy of your mag for inspiration and willing to use one of those shapes for my quilt. Thanks for the chance. alternate email mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’ll be quilting a picnic quilt in reds and aquas during my summer vacay.
almost forgot… my email is cburesh [at] sbcglobal [dot] net.
Thanks for the convergence block!
I’ve just started a strip-pieced granny square quilt. I’m a new quilter so this will be my project for summer, fall, winter, spring…! Thanks for the chance to win this great book!
I need to finish a quilt I’m fixing for our bedroom (it needed new backing AND padding; the quilt top was still ok)
I’ve got a Salt Air jelly roll that is itching to be made into a summer quilt! So that will probably be my personal project for the summer – in between quilts for our quilt ministry!
What a great book. I am working on two scrappy quilts. Each made with one inch strips.
The pattern is a two giraffes (my own design). The first quilt is a day time scene and the other is giraffes at night.
Cconrader. At gmail. Dot com
Thank you so much for the download!!! I really hope I win this book. I am new to quilting. I would really like to do something with some orange & blue rooster fabric I have and coordinating fabrics I’ve been saving for a special quilt.
Thank you so much for the download!!!! I really hope I win this book. I am new to quilting. I hope to make a quilt of the orange and blue rooster quilt I’ve been saving along with some coordinating fabrics to make a very special quilt!
I’m hoping to work on my On A Whim quilt
I want to make Checkers from Quilty Magazine Summer 2012 issue.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
thanks for the giveaway – not sure if I’m more excited about the possibility of winning the book or a copy of your debut magazine ! I’ll be working on a single girl quilt – I’ve had it planned for a little while and finally got around to getting the kona pomegranate solid for the background – can’t wait to see it finished
I will be working on more blocks for my Lollipop Trees quilt, a Kim McLean quilt using Kaffe fabrics. Thanks for the give away.
I’m going to be working on The Farmer’s Wife Sampler, a BOM project, and (hopefully) getting my Double Wedding Ring top done.
If I chain myself to the sewing machine, I should get it all done, right?
I hope to get back to quilting soon! We’re in the middle of moving from Iowa to Florida, and I am desperately missing my sewing machine. But when I get it out, it will be working on a strip scrap quilt called “Picket Fence,” by Elsie Campbell. Thanks very much for the chance to win the book. I already have a copy of your great magazine that I got at quilt market.
I’m working on a quilt for my daughter with a co-ordinating wall hanging. The wall hanging is a surprise for her birthday in July.
Well, I have about 4 different quilts on my to-do list. I always have to wait to see what mood I’m in! Now I see this new block & I may change my mind again!
I am going to work on my crazy quilt dream this summer just as soon as I get three commitments out of the way within the next month. I am anxious to get started. Especially since I scored a full “roll” not bolt of very nice weight black wool for $3.00 and a friend of mine gave me a ton of home design fabric swatches (like 3 of those huge tote/tubs full). Now to hit the auctions this summer to score on embroidery flosses. So there is my summer, what is yours going to be like?
My son’s “going off to college” quit is in my plans.
I’m working on a Halloween-themed quilt
I am working on a quilt for my new nephew. Next I am starting a quilt for a new granddaughter, who will be here sometime this month!! Yikes, I need to hurry.
I have a list a mile long! But up first is an Irish Chain quilt, a quilt for a baby boy, a wall hanging for a friend and two teenage boy quilts.
I’d love to design my own quilt and I think this book is just what I need. I’ve been quilting for years and tweeked patterns here and there but never designed a quilt from start to finish. I know I could learn alot and what a great book to have.
Thank you and Fat Quarterly for an awesome giveaway and a chance to win a super book.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I will be working on finishing up my son’s quilt and a quilt for a friends daughter.
I plan on finishing my hopscotch quilt in ruby
Lots of beginner classes for me no vacation I am teaching them would love to be able to show them the wonderful new book on the market, hope I win I will have them go to your site and download the free block, it will make a nice pillow.
My friend & I plan to do a quilt from Elizabeth Hartman’s book . . . we haven’t decided which one yet.
So many good books out right now!
That convergence block is great! Thanks!
Since I am a teacher and just started my summer vacation, I will be heading to the NQA Show Thursday for some modern inspiration. I am sure to come up with something new to work on in between my WIP’s!
This summer I am doing Katy´s (FQ) Spring carnival English paper pieced quilt.
English paper piecing is a for all the summer outing´s
Jette
Copenhagen/Denmark
This is very cool! For our vacation this year, DH and I are taking a two-week boating vacation. Since space and power will be minimal, I plan to work on some needle turn applique blocks. It will be a first for me!
I am finishing a veggie quilt that is paper pieced. I have to add embroidered ants, inch worms, butterflies, bees, and maybe a spider if I can have the courage to embroider 8 legs (eek!) before it gets quilted.
I’m working on paper piecing blocks this Summer and combining crochet and fabric together for baby blankets and I want to make some blocks like I saw in pictures of the Portland Modern Quilt guild from the Market.
I am planning on quilting my jelly roll quilt – from Hullabaloo by Urban Chiks – starting at a one-day retreat on Saturday … This looks like a great book! Thank you for the giveaway!
paulamb at shaw dot ca
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