Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Quilting Inspiration and a Giveaway

Even though I have been longarm quilting for over 10 years now, every once in a while, I feel like I am in a rut and in need of some inspiration.  I can go online and hit the usual sites but I find that is far too distracting for me - hours later I am asking myself why I got online!

So I like to have some good books filled with visual inspiration!

My good friend Sheila Sinclair Snyder (of License to Quilt fame) came by my house recently and shared with me some books she recently contributed some quilting motifs to.
Wow!  Both are filled with some beautiful ideas.






The first book is 180 Doodle Quilting Designs.  Nine different quilters contributed to the designs in this book.  For each design or motif, the designer has shown how to use a design theme in blocks, setting triangles and borders.  Perfect for the beginner or seasoned quilter!















The second book is The Quilting Manual.  There are 16 designers that contributed ideas to this book.  Half of the book addresses tips, techniques and troubleshooting your quilting.  The last half of the book is broken up by each section of a quilt, so you can easily choose inspiration for just the blocks, borders or select an allover design.






Sheila was so sweet to leave with me a copy of The Quilting Manual to give away right here on my blog!  A big thanks Sheila!

If you are in the US and would like a chance to win your own copy of this great book, just leave me a comment letting me know what inspires your quilting designs. (I wish I could afford to offer this to my international friends but postage is far more than the value of the book.)

For more chances, those of you who follow my blog and/or my Instagram account can leave an additional comment.  And if you go visit my friend Sheila and either follow her blog or come back and tell me one of the great items she sells in her shop, you can have a third entry.

Important: If you are a no-reply commenter then please include your e-mail address in the comment. If I cannot reach you, you cannot win.

This giveaway starts today and will run until Sunday February 12th at 5 p.m. PST.  Good Luck!



****Sorry - This giveaway is closed!*****
The winner has been contacted by email.




Craftsy


Another option to kickstart your quilting mojo is to take a class on Craftsy.  Once you purchase, you can go back and rewatch classes over and over.  I use this venue quite often myself!



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This post contains affiliate links.  If you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may make a commission.  I appreciate the support!

104 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I think what inspires me about the whole thing about "quilting" is the design of the quilt top itself - you have to let it "speak to you" LOL really I just usually sit back and look at it while in the process of making the top and by time I get done making the top I usually know how I want to quilt it - whether my hand or machine.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I follow your blog through my feedly reader

Jen said...

What inspires my quilting designs mostly at this point is my skill level. There is so much I want to try and do, but I limit myself quite a bit.
Thanks for the giveaway.

Jen said...

I follow your blog and Instagram.

Vicki H said...

I struggle with how to quilt my quilts but get them done eventually. The book would be very helpful.

Vicki H said...

I have been following your blog with bloglovin.

Podunk Pretties said...

My mood inspires my quilting quite a bit. Sometimes I just dont feel like quilting it to death. Most of the time I look for inspiration on pinterest if I'm having a hard time coming up with a design.

Podunk Pretties said...

I follow you via gfc.

Podunk Pretties said...

I'd love to make one of those TUffets in her shop.

scarlett said...

My inspiration comes from blogs like yours 😊

scarlett said...

Sheila's Colorwheel Pincushion is adorable.

cathy said...

I have read that the quilting should be decided when you start the quilt. Usually that doesn't happen for me. I try to let the quilt tell me how it should be quilted, but I really struggle with this.

cathy said...

I follow your blog on blogger.

cathy said...

I love the book on perfect fit pieced borders. Sheila is talented and wonderfully precise.

Linda Williamson said...

I'm still straight line quilting or I'll add wavy lines but no FMQ yet. Maybe this book would help me to branch out. Grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

Linda Williamson said...

I follow your blog on Bloglovin. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

Sherry VF said...

My inspiration is from the quilt itself, my current mood and the purpose of the quilt. After the quilt 'speaks to me,' I like to think how I could make the design unique or a little out of the box. I also look at lots of motifs and similar quilts online. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com

Sherry VF said...

I follow you BlogLovin. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com

Arf2-D2 said...

I try to find something that fits either the theme or the feel of the quilt.

Arf2-D2 said...

The Perfect Fit Pieced Borders book looks really interesting

Arf2-D2 said...

I follow on pinterest

OhioLori said...

I haven't done alot of quilting...other than very easy motifs. Just learning to do FMQ...and mostly on simple things & practice pieces. Know I have long way to go...but am working at it! :)

Thank you for chance to win your give-a-way!

OhioLori said...

I already follow you thru Email & Bloglovin :)

Tammy said...

I am fairly new to quilting my own quilts. I find inspiration for quilting designs from looking through my books and on the computer. davetammy89@gmail.com

Heather said...

I follow via Feedly!

Heather said...

I usually just pick a complimentary pantograph and call it good, but I'd love to learn to do more custom work!

GranChris said...

I just look at the quilt and take inspiration from it but honestly I'm not that good yet. Still working on it.

GranChris said...

I follow Sheila too on BL

Kate said...

I don't quilt my own projects, but am determined to learn this summer.

Kate said...

I follow your blog via Feedly.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Well, I am currently hand quilting my first quilt so right now easy is my inspiration!! But I do have a lot of ideas of what I want to stitch next.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I follow you on my blogger dashboard reading list.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I visited Sheila. She has some interesting books in the shop and patterns too.

Charlene S said...

Since I "quilt-by-check", I usually let the long armer pick the design. But on my latest top-a red and white uneven log cabin in a ribbon pattern, I asked for a simple design in the red and heart design in white.

rosemaryschild said...

As a beginner quilter, I haven't designed any quilts-however, joining in QAL's has certainly given me the incentive to go further into my own qulting story! Thank you, Susan

rosemaryschild said...

I follow you by email! Thank you, Susan

rosemaryschild said...

I follow Sheila on bloglovin! Thank you, Susan

Carolyn said...

I get my inspiration from old hand quilting books...get ideas then try to convert them into continuous designs. Also love Lee Cleland's Quilting Makes the Quilt. Although I quit quilting for customers ages ago...

Carolyn said...

I follow you on instagram...@lakesidequilting

Carolyn said...

I checked out Sheila's shop...she has several books on Perfect Pieced Borders. I never piece borders...I should check those out!!! :)

Dawn F said...

I am inspired by seeing seemingly random pieces and colors come together into a beautiful design!

Amy said...

I'm at a point where I need to quilt my own quilts. Selecting designs is the hardest part of the process. I have a couple of books that are helpful, but another perspective is welcome!

Cathy L Wilson said...

I begin thinking about how to quilt while I am piecing the top but my initial thoughts are often thrown out when I'm done! The finished top does 'speak' to you but sometimes, it doesn't speak as quickly or as loudly as I'd like! That's when I turn to my books and the Internet for inspiration so I would love to have this book!

Cathy L Wilson said...

I follow you on Bloglovin

lalaluu said...

I follow your blog on Bloglovin.

lalaluu said...

I'm inspired by the block design and the fabrics that I use when I quilt.

Cathy L Wilson said...

I visited Sheila's shop and her books look very interesting!

Jasmine said...

My quilting designs are inspired by books and other quilters. Sometimes a new FMQ design is so inspiring that I make a quilt top just to try it out. Maybe I'm a little backwards. ;)

Jasmine said...

I follow you with Bloglovin. Thanks for all of your inspiration!

Rina Mason said...

What inspires me is the quilt pattern itself.

Rina Mason said...

I follow you via blogger.

Rina Mason said...

Thanks for the link to Sheila's, I'm now following her blog via Bloglovin.

Kathy L said...

Unfortunately my quilting needs inspiration. I usually just stick to the basics.

teachpany said...

I'm inspired by the designs in fabric, often, or by the quilt top. If not, I'll sometimes use a stencil or a motif I've seen others use. Thanks for the chance to win.

teachpany said...

I follow via bloglovin and Instagram.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

I have found myself "pinning" many of those coloring books pages that are out....thinking, wouldn't these be fun to use as quilting!!!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Long time follower...keep ya right on my sidebar!! ::) :) Thanks for the chance to win some new inspiration!

Gloria C said...

I get most of my quilting inspiration from the blogs I follow. Thanks! Cotten.gloria@gmail.com

Gloria C said...

I am your follower via Bloglovin. Thanks for the giveaway. Cotten.gloria@gmail.com

Gloria C said...

I followed Sheila via Bloglovin. Thanks for the intro! Cotten.gloria@gmail.com

Janet M said...

Because my piecing skills are way better than my quilting ability, I limit myself to the least intrusive quilt designs.

Janet M said...

I follow you via email.

Marich52 said...

I'm with you on spending too much time on the internet! It does give me ideas though

Susan Stanton said...

I like organic designs, so often I choose leaves or vines and swirls, just to name a few.

Marich52 said...

Loved Sheila's Walled Garden quilt.....hmmmm, might have to get that book!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Thanks for a chance to win!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Thanks for a second chance just for following your blog!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Totally NOT fair for you to send me shopping on Sheila's blog for a third chance to win. Now I want a Footstool Kit AND her Border book!!!

MissPat said...

I've owned or borrowed from the library, several books on FMQ. My first inspiration came from claases at the LQS with Carol Taylor (she's exhibited at the Houston Quilt Festival). I've also gotten lots of hints, tips, and ideas from Lori Kennedy, Leah Day and Amy's Quilting Adventures (sorry, her last name escapes me right now).
Pat

MissPat said...

I follow by email.
Pat

gmwahl said...

each quilt tells me what it needs for quilting.
I am blessed that I have a large living room, so that I can
lay the flimsy out and look at it for a few days, while it decides to tell me what quilting it would like..
Love your blog

Ann D said...

Since FMQ poses a problem for me, I tend to choose quilt designs which look complicated but are actually easy to execute. Does that make sense? I have the 180 Quilt Designs and enjoy the range of patterns. Thanks for the chance to win The Quilting Manual.


anndunn24(at)gmail.com

Louise said...

I often get my quilting inspiration from the fabric itself. I sew a lot of kid-themed panels, so it fun to outline the simple shapes with quilting. I've also found some good motifs in Angela Walter's books. And sometimes I just see something online that I want to try!

Thanks for offering to give away a book. How fun!

Paula DiMattei said...

I have found inspiration by taking several Craftsy classes and from bloggers like you. Wow..even pros like you get stumped and seek out inspiration. So nice to hear that that is part of the whole machine quilting process. Thanks for introducing us to Sheila. I think I need to take a closer look at her get addicted to free motion quilting book. That too sounds like a winner!

Cathy said...

I follow your great blog through Bloglovin'.

Cathy said...

What inspires my quilting? Well, that's an issue for me! I am still a beginner and am in a rut: stipple, loops, lines (rinse and repeat). I would love to win this book because I realize I do need some help!

suzanprincess said...

I get inspiration from the quilt itself, and keep looking for new ideas via the blogs I follow. The book could be a great help because I'd have a handy reference to consult as needed.

diane said...

I follow your blog by email notification and also Bloglovin'. Whatever mood hits me. Kind of like my quilting. This would be a great book to own. I'm always looking for new ideas.

Lyndalee said...

I look at the quilt and let it speak to me. I also buy lots of books with pics of quilts. I study them.

Lyndalee said...

I follow your blog. Love it.

Unknown said...

I am grateful for Pinterest for quilting designs.

Pedal Sew Lightly said...

I google quilts made with the same fabric or design and look at images. I'm not that into Pinterest but I will check there sometimes. I also look true my books. Thanks

Unknown said...

Lately it's been our travel and my loved ones who have inspired my quilting.

phxquilt said...

I love the the traditional patterns and how they can be changed with only a simple twist.

Judy said...

I am not imaginative, so I rely on Lori Holt's designs or lately, Angela Walters. It's really difficult for me to picture whether I should do an all-over design or block designs. I need this book!

Judy said...

I follow you on Bloglovin and love your quilts.

Lynne Stucke said...

I am inspired by many things -- the quilting of others, blogs, books, magazines, etc, etc, etc. And I rarely, if ever, go with an all-over design. (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)

Lynne Stucke said...

I follow on Bloglovin' -- though lately, it has been such a pain that I am considering avoiding Bloglovin' altogether and just subscribing to those blogs that offer email releases. (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)

maryann40422 said...

For inspiration I look in my quilting books and Pinterest. I currently am most inspired by Angela Walters and Judi Masden. Who knows if that will change next week.

Little Black Cat Quilting said...

I feel like I'm still an amateur when it comes to quilting, so most of my design choices are pretty simple. I always joke that I let the quilt top tell me what it wants, then build from there! 😊 Thanks for the lovely giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I am just beginning to quilt my own quilts. Lots to learn, and it is always interesting. landl2@comcast.net

Wendy F said...

I'm inspired by blogs like yours and internet images. Of course, that can lead to hours of looking and not much quilting. I also took some great classes at MQX and my notes often give me inspiration, along with books and the designs of the quilt itself. Thanks for your inspiration and the giveaway!

Donna W said...

Viewing other quilts and quilting books inspire my quilting.

Donna W said...

I follow your blog via email.

Cool Lizzie said...

Hi, there, Cynthia - I am a handquilter, and my designs are inspired by the seam lines of the quilt - ha! I do very well with handquilting, but of course, it's slow. I recently got a BabyLock Jane with a wonderful walking foot so am looking to do some machine-quilting to speed up productivity. Thanks for the chance to win this book!

Best,
Liz
boltonia55@yahoo.com

Cool Lizzie said...

Aaaand, I have followed via email for quite some time, and I really enjoy your blog! Plus, Eugene is where I was born (tho I grew up in Coos Bay), and where I went to college, so I have a great fondness for the area!

Liz
boltonia55@yahoo.com

Jackie said...

I love looking a books or magazines for inspiration.

claudia said...

Yep! I get online to see what kind of inspiration I can gleen from all the wonderful sites offered up and hours later I walk away rubbing my eyes! BUT...I do get lots of inspiration from the internets and all the talented quilters out there!

Georgia said...

For me, it's the top and my level of skill.

Leslie Schmidt said...

What is the biggest influence on my quilting decisions is my extreme dislike for the quilting process! I think my skills have deteriorated as I've gotten older. I started out only doing stippling, but I have branched out to include some more interesting motifs. What I end up doing, though, is whatever will get the job done the quickest.

Leslie Schmidt said...

I follow your blog and enjoy it a lot.

Dar said...

I try to check blogs for ideas and inspirations for quilting designs on my quilts when I have a block deciding. This looks like a wonderful resource and would really help my brain freeze when it comes to quilting. Thanks for a chance to win.

Dar said...

Almost forgot. I follow you via Blogger and you reside on my sidebar of my blog. THanks.

Pamela said...

Sometimes the fabrics can inspire me, and sometimes it's what the pieced design says to me. Sometimes, it's just do it the quick way so I can get on to the next project on my list!

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