Now Touring–Sew Home: 30+ Modern Projects to Turn a House into YOUR Home Erin Schlosser

teri • September 27, 2016 • 27 Comments

sew-home-coverSew Home:  30+ Modern Projects to Turn a House into YOUR Home…Learn Basic Techniques, Fabrics & Supplies
By Erin Schlosser
C & T Publications
144 pages; $25.95, softcover print copy; $17.99, e-book.

Well, Q-bies, to quote a Monty Python sketch, “and now for something completely different!”A home dec book that covers decorating your home as though it’s a conversation. Now that’s different.

 

sew-home-table-runner

 

The projects in the book are practical. I mean who doesn’t want to hang curtains in their sewing room/studio/kitchen. Fabric is so pretty, and can be used in oh so many ways.

sew-home-mug-rugSuch as this pineapple hot pad (pictured above) made with the sweetest prairie points, aka folded triangles, ever. While this is done with a yellow texture print, there are so many ways to have fun with this technique, such as throwing in a green or brown one to give it a bit more flavor. (Get it, flavor? *rim shot) And you can use this technique on any shaped base, such as a circle, square, dodecahedron (12 sides), that suits your fanciness and decorative purposes best.

sew-home-duvet-coverOne of the unexpectedly cool things Erin mentions in the book is that all of her projects were made using a 24” x 36” inch cutting mat. Yeah, sure, most quilters have this size of mat, but consider this: her projects include sheets, shower curtains, duvet covers, curtains…all things that require cutting loooong lengths of fabric. On that smallish mat. She shares her careful prep strategies prior to cutting and for quilters, this could means tips for improving our slicing skills for borders and long strips.

sew-home-wall-organizer

We also admire Erin’s inventiveness. Hanging office storage? But of course! For us quilters, flat surfaces often gather stuff we need, which then gets buried beneath the latest patterns, notions and fabric we bring some from that Stash Enhancing eXperience or Fabric Aquisition Trip. Making use of our wall space is great. Often we see this done with cork board, however Erin takes this one huge leap forward with MDF from the home improvement store, and picture-hanging hardware to create something sturdy and longer lasting. The possibilities for using this are endless – patterns, our favorite tools, receipts, fabric coupons (like we’d lose those), etc.

sew-home-thingy

Taking the home storage solution a little further are these Tasseled Storage Bins, which are totes adorbs. (Get it? Groan. We promise this is the last one.) With gift-giving season practically next week, these sweet and potentially portable storage bins will help anyone on your list–or you, let’s be honest–keep projects nearby, neat and tidy.

Sew Home also has some useful technique info, such as how to put in an invisible zipper–and Erin makes it look easy! Her tips on analyzing how the direction of prints can affect a project’s look is also super-helpful. The pictures showing the difference between “railroaded” and “up the bolt” fabric give one of the best demonstrations we’ve seen. Erin uses one shape and turns it 90 degrees on both types of prints to show the difference. Quilters, take note: This is something of a big deal, giving us the opportunity to see the print on the bolt and how we can use it to our best advantage.

win one, why don’t you?

Another of our book-tour guide duties is never a chore–We get to give away a copy of Sew Home!  Answer our giveaway question in a comment below, and we’ll randomly draw a winning name on Wednesday, Oct. 5th. The winner will win either a softcover print copy (U.S.) or an e-book (International). Hmm, thinking! thinking! What question should we ask you to answer? Let’s do a bit of a Nosy Poll: what is your favorite beverage to sip while you’re quilting?

Congratulations comment #22 Sue Laughton! You are a winner of a copy of Sew Home! We will contact you by email shortly to make arrangements for you to receive a copy of the book.

 Oh, and there are other places to visit:

Tuesday, September 20 – C&T Publishing & Joanna at Kustom Kwilts and Designs

Wednesday, September 21 – Sew 4 Home & Jen Carlton Bailly

Thursday, September 22 – Brenda at Just A Bit Frayed/Pink Castle Fabrics & Nicole at Modern Handcraft

Friday, September 23 – Janome Sewing Machines & Cristy at Purple Daisies Quilting

Monday, September 26 – Windham Fabrics & Rebecca at Bryan House Quilts

Tuesday, September 27 – Generation Q MagazineKaren Lewis Textiles & Latifah Saafir Studios

Wednesday, September 28 – Dear Stella Fabrics & Mandy at Mandalei Quilts

Thursday, September 29 – Erin at Schlosser Designs

Quilt. Sew. Live. Breathe.

 

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27 Comments

  • Kathy E. • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #1

    Lately, I’ve been enjoying adding some Crystal Light to my water. I keep a full icy glass of it on my side table and sip away while I sew and listen to podcasts! This book looks like one full of inspiration!

  • Carla Hundley • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #2

    This book sounds wonderful
    and love the storage bins! I
    like drinking Diet Coke when
    I’m crafting.
    Carla from Utah

  • Diane M • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #3

    Nothing exciting here — either water or tea. 🙂

  • Allison in Alabama • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #4

    This looks like a fabulous book! Love the hanging office!! I usually drink hot tea while I am quilting but in the Fall I love hot apple cider!!!
    (and well, if the quilting is not going smoothly, then I reach for a home brew to drown my sorrows!!! LOL)

  • Tamie • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #5

    Let’s see- if I’m cutting it is sweet tea. If I’m sewing without too much thought a nice white wine is good.

  • Monica • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #6

    I try not to drink anything accept water while I’m quilting. My mother taught me that when I spilled her coffee on something that she was working on.

  • Anita Emde • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #7

    Tea or water! If it’s tea, I try to keep it away from the fabric- don’t want tea stains!

  • Lenore Guajardo • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #8

    I drink water…that way when I hit the Tervis mug and tip it over the disaster is minimal!

  • Barb S • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #9

    Sewing and iced tea, with lots of lemon, seem to go together, in the winter it is usually Constant Comment or herbal tea along side my sewing machine!

  • Laura • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #10

    My favorite beverage to sip is a glass of pinot noir. Emphasis on “sip.”

  • suzanne guthrie • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #11

    I run better on coffee………….great ideas in the book!

  • Sandy S • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #12

    Wine…but not while I am rotary cutting. I call it a safety issue!

  • Beth T. • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #13

    An ice cold Coke. From a coffee mug. Which I have to guard, or the puppy will try to gulp from, also, which is bad for her and also just plain bad form. Sigh…

  • Rita Wesney • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #14

    Great tips.

  • Jo Larson • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #15

    Diet Dr Pepper.

  • Janie • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #16

    I drink infused lemon water.

  • Chris • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #17

    Usually just water in case I spill it. I have done that in the past.

  • Hope G • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #18

    I turn to diet mountain dew pretty much any and every time. No sugar and it doesn’t seem to stain. Plus all that caffeine!

  • VeronicaMade • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #19

    I like iced tea.

  • Peggy • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #20

    Tea please!

  • bettywes • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #21

    Coffee in the morning and water the rest of day. I’m not too inventive. The book sounds wonderful!

  • Sue Laughton • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #22

    Ice water is my normal beverage of choice at home.

  • Donna G Geherty • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #23

    My go to drink is hot tea with french vanilla creamer. It satisfies my sweet tooth while sewing satisfies my psyche. More expensive than therapy, but much more satisfying!

  • usairdoll • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #24

    Looks like a great book! Coffee is my morning drink, white chocolate mocha, yum!

    Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Cindy • 8 years ago
    COMMENT #25

    While I’m quilting I like a glass of sweet tea close by, but now that it’s turned cooler, I’m thinking spiced hot tea or warm spiced apple cider. Yum! This book is the yummiest!

  • Jen Beatty • 7 years ago
    COMMENT #26

    Peach ice tea in a cup w/a lid and straw in my cup holder/trash can holder, so I won’t knock it over. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  • Judi D • 7 years ago
    COMMENT #27

    I try not to drink in my sewing room…I’m such a clutz!

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