Our pal Rose Hughes has a new book with more inspiring ideas, tips and tricks for creating ah-mazing quilts, and it’s a keeper! Fast-Piece Applique: Easy Artful Quilts by Machine, published by That Patchwork Place incorporates the nostalgia of 1970s platform shoes; the bold, graphic Amish and Amish-style quilts; modern patchwork and a seriously cool applique technique, and that’s all in the first 19 pages of the book! Q-bies, you’re in for a fun ride.
“Today’s quilts bring back those wonderfully large, graphic designs and the quilted line has made an incredible transformation,” Rose writes in her book. We think she’s touching on something beautiful here: quilting, while taking on a fresh, contemporary and modern look, is never far away from its roots, roots that are deep and wide and truly drink from a foundation of knowledge that quilters are unreservedly willing to share.
Bulls Eye’s Rose quilted by Mandy Leins. Photo by Brent Kane.
In Lesson 1, Rose sets the stage with this coolness: “Simplifying is an important skill.” And then she turns us loose to “create a design that takes on your personality.” Yoohooooooo, Q-Bies! Did you catch that? Go forth and play and use color, texture and fabrics that make your heart sing! This leads to an all-important “Aha! moment.”
Aspen, quilted by Corry Alexander. Photo by Brent Kane.
It’s on page 19. That “Aha! moment” of utmost importance, at least in our opinion. One photo in a series of technique-related photos and Aha! On page 19, Rose stitches two pieces of cloth together and the rest is magic. I got so excited that in about an hour or so after reading page 19, I stitched this together:
Yeah, it’s that easy, and that inspiring!
bonus!
Follow the blog tour for Rose’s book, and you’ll find a free original Fast-Piece Applique pillow pattern at each stop, using her signature technique. Yeah, a gift just for following her promotional trail. (Note to self: Collect all 10.)
Plus, here’s the link to Rose’s YouTube video where she demonstrates the process.
Here’s the full line-up:
January 5 Victoria Findlay Wolfe – Bumble Beans
January 6 Natalie Barnes – Beyond The Reef
January 7 Maddie Kertay – Bad Ass Quilters Society
January 8 Generation Q Magazine
January 9 Mandy Leins – Mandalei
January 12 Megan Dougherty – The Bitchy Stitcher
January 13 Jenny Wilding Cardon – Martingale
January 14 Sam Hunter – Hunter’s Design Studio
January 15 Rachael Biel – TAFA
January 16 Rose Hughes – Rose Hughes Designs
And here’s your opportunity to win a chance to win a digital copy of Fast-Piece Applique. Leave a comment here on this post, telling us your most fun applique experience. We’ll pick a winner on Thursday, January 15.
Congratulations Greta! You’re the winner our blog tour and will receive a digital copy of Rose’s book. Please watch your email.
Quilt. Sew. Live. Breathe.
COMMENT #1
That’s a really hard question: maybe the Angels I appliquéd on a quilt for our daughter almost 20 years ago, penguins on a baby quilt for a grandchild that recently turned 5, the trees on a Christmas circular table runner that I did two years ago. I often do machine appliqué and enjoy it ever time.
COMMENT #2
I’m not sure I’ve ever HAD a most-fun applique experience – which is why I’m so intrigued by Rose’s method! These pieces are beautiful, and I can’t wait to try it.
COMMENT #3
I would love to win a copy of this Fast Piece Applique! My most fun applique experience was making a quilt with each owl wearing a pair of shoes, but a few owls had RED shoes…and the quilt is entitled “Did you see my red shoes?!” My next quilt will be little monsters….going to need some good tips for appliqueing this one!
COMMENT #4
Cute kissy lips in your swak! I’d say the most fun applique experience I’ve had was using a friend’s top line Bernina, playing with all the fancy schmancy stitches and feet!
COMMENT #5
My most fun applique project was making a challenge quilt based on an “Alice in Quilterland” theme. I took a close-up photo of my friend’s eye & used it as Alice’s eye looking in through a window when she was “big”.
COMMENT #6
Very nice!!!!!
COMMENT #7
I love all applique. You can make it flat or stand out. Just love the aspens quilt. Would love to have Rose’s book.
artandsoul57@gmail.com
COMMENT #8
I have only tried applique a few times as I am a new quilter but I thoroughly enjoyed making my halloween wall hanging with applique
COMMENT #9
My favorite, and first, applique story is all about butterflies ~ ~ beautiful fluttery butterflies. And slowly I am learning to use more diversified applique techniques ~ ~ always something new to learn. That’s why I value the Roses of the world!!
COMMENT #10
The book title had me at “Fast”! I’ve only done applique once- on a skirt for my daughter and it was fun and cute! I would love to use it more often and learn some “proper” techniques!
COMMENT #11
WOuld adore to learn this
COMMENT #12
I appliqued a car with the license plate ‘Retired’ for a coworker who was retiring. He was totally surprised.
COMMENT #13
My favourite appliqué project was a wedding quilt for my daughter and son-in- law. They both like lively colours and that’s what they got with their “poppy quilt”. Their names and the wedding and date details were in large Celtic-style letters. They had a wonderful family-involved outdoor wedding, bright, creative and so much fun, with the quilt hanging in the midst of the celebration.
COMMENT #14
Had a blast recreating a beloved summertime bach scene, complete with bright, colorful umbrellas, sand buckets and shovels, shells and sea gulls. 😀 Thanks a bunch for the chance to win! 🙂
COMMENT #15
The most fun and least fun I had was a huge appliqued quilt for my grandson’s kindergarten classroom fundraiser. So beautiful and so stressful. I loved it!
COMMENT #16
I haven’t had a fun experience with applique. But I would love to. I am interested in Rose’s book. I’d like a fun experience with applique!
COMMENT #17
Years ago I made a bunch of birdhouses on poles. I didn’t know what I was doing, had never done it ~ it turned out so nice and I never finished it. Time to find it and do something about that!
This book looks lovely ~ thanks for the chance!
COMMENT #18
I love machine applique, but when tiny tiny pieces are involved, even that method can be super stressful!
COMMENT #19
I made a dresses quilt with 100 A-line appliquéd dresses for my niece
I loved making each different dress . and it turned out great.
COMMENT #20
The most fun applique was a picnic blanket exchange I did with my sewing friends.
COMMENT #21
When I learned what raw edge applique is! Wow I am free. Now on to Fast Piece Applique.
COMMENT #22
One of my favorites was a gingerbread village quilt. My name is Ginger, so it was special. Thanks for sharing Rose’s new book and techniques.
COMMENT #23
there’s no such thing as a “fun appliqué experience” for me to draw from. If anyone can change my mind, though, it’s going to be Rose! I’m looking forward to her book release party at the end of the month in Padukey.
COMMENT #24
I designed a quilt for my granddaughter using a lot of applique, and it was really fun! Our last name is Bird, so it had plenty of birds/birdsnests, etc in it.
COMMENT #25
Designed wall art for a friend with a cross, butterfly & saying “Live each day with wings of faith & roots of hope.” Turned out wonderful and had requests for many more.
COMMENT #26
Inspiring!