The Applique Book Blog Tour + Giveaway!

I am so excited to share a book with you today that is sure to become a staple in every modern quilter's library. The Applique Book, by Casey York is the new modern applique bible. It teaches all the basic applique techniques, modern variations, has 16 unique applique projects (including mine!), lessons from 21 all-star quilt designers, as well as spotlighting several award-winning artists. It's a must read. I was completely delighted when Casey asked me to contribute a project to this book. Today I am going to share with you the project I designed, and some thoughts behind it. The full pattern is in the book!

Migrations Quilt Sampler

This was a fun project to create. Since the book explores the breadth of applique, I wanted to create a sampler. I had been thinking of this concept for a while, and when approached by Casey, thought it the perfect opportunity for it! The Flying Geese block is a classic and favorite among modern and traditional quilters, alike. I wanted to show that iconic design using several different quiltmaking techniques. On the left we have a tidy, classic block, then as we move to the right, the goose transforms from the abstractly shaped geese into a more literally shaped "scrappy" goose! The goose on the left is pieced, the next over uses needle-turn applique, the next is raw-edge with a hand chain stitched finish (inspired by Casey York's fabulous hand embroidery in her applique), and the goose on the right uses my Scrappy Applique technique and has a machine satin stitch finish.

I quilted it with a free-form leaf/feather-like motif and added a pop of color in a corner of the binding.

I loved contributing to this fabulous book, and I know you all will love it! If you want to add this lovely book to your library, you can purchase a signed copy here.

The Tour

Here is the schedule for the Blog Tour, be sure to check out the other stops, and get inspired by the incredible projects being shared. (Also enter to win a copy of the book at each stop!)

• Mon. March 14: Casey York | http://studioloblog.wordpress.com C&T Publishing |http://www.ctpub.com/blog/
• Tues. March 15: Jenna Brand | http://jennabrand.com/ (coming soon!) Adrianne Ove/Pink Chalk | http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/
• Wed. March 16: Jenifer Dick | http://42quilts.com/ Pati Fried | https://seehowwesew.wordpress.com/
• Thurs. March 17: Shannon Brinkley | http://www.thebottletree.net/blog/ Bari J. | http://barijdesigns.com/blogs/blog
• Fri. March 18: Debbie Grifka | http://eschhousequilts.com/blog Beth Vassalo | http://plumandjune.blogspot.com
• Mon. March 21: Latifah Saafir | http://www.latifahsaafirstudios.com/blog
• Tues. March 22: Lynn Harris | http://thelittleredhen.typepad.com Kevin Kosbab | http://feeddog.blogspot.com Modern Quilts Unlimited | https://modernquilts.mqumag.com/category/blog
• Web. March 23: Allison Rosen | http://withinaquarterinch.com/ Cindy Lammon | http://hyacinthquiltdesigns.blogspot.com/
• Thurs. March 24: Rossie Hutchinson | http://www.rossiecrafts.com/blog Generation Q | http://generationqmagazine.com/
• Fri. March 25: Betz White | http://betzwhite.com/blog Casey York | http://studioloblog.wordpress.com

The Giveaway!

Casey and C&T Publishing are giving away a hard copy of The Applique Book at each stop on the tour! (For US winners only, if you are outside the US, they'll send you the ebook!) To enter, tell me your thoughts on applique in a comment below. Do you love it? Hate it? Scared to try it? Have a favorite type? I wanna know. The giveaway will close on March 25th. **Giveaway Closed**

Inspired to start on some applique right now? Grab my free Simple Raw-Edge Applique guide + patterns!

Cheers and happy sewing!