Monday, August 3, 2015

Buy my book or I'll kick this puppy


I am delighted to announce that my book, long in the making, is finally published and ready for purchase!  I've written about it in the past but to recap, the premise is that you don't need to use other people's patterns to make beautiful quilts.  Instead, I start with a traditional quilt block -- the Rail Fence -- and use it as the foundation for a bazillion variations.

So who needs to buy this book?

It's been my experience that millions of quilters are willing to invest lots of time and effort into improving their technical skills.  They attend workshops, buy tools and equipment, read blogs, magazines and books to learn better technique.  But they don't invest commensurately in design skills.

As I write in the book:  "Why are so many quilters willing to learn and stretch when it comes to execution, but not when it comes to planning?  I've known women who have been quilting for 30 years and turn out exquisite quilts by the dozen, but still use other people's patterns.  No matter how many state fair ribbons they've won, they're still not confident enough to make up their own designs.

"To me that's sad.  My great joy in making a quilt is not that I've sewed straight seams and gotten it to lie flat -- heck, any Third World sweatshop worker can do that -- but that I've made a pleasing design, and that my quilt is unlike anybody else's.  This part has the creativity and the joy, and I want to do that myself, not buy it from somebody else."

If you know somebody who needs a bit of a kickstart for the confidence to develop design skills, get her a copy of this book!

Or if you enjoy making the occasional non-art quilt, whether it's for a new bedroom, a new baby, or a charity, maybe you'd like a copy too, for a new take on how to whip out attractive and unique quilts.

Click here to go to the bookselling site.  If you're in Europe, hold on for a couple of days; we're still arranging for publication there so you won't have to pay for shipping from the U.S.

I'll be giving you some little sneak peeks from the book in the next couple of days, and giving away a free copy of the book to people who leave a comment before midnight, August 10.

57 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the book! Good to see another author making confidence in design available to quilters. Can't wait to see your take on the process...we all need to learn as much as we can from as many people as we can in order to find what works best for each of us. Your book is sure to help us along that path!

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  2. Long awaited and sure to be the one book we all need for inspiration and support. Complying to the call of the muse, and making the steps to all new work, including writing and editing a book, is a task YOU do very well! Congrats Kathy. Thank you.

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  3. Sounds like a great book! I look forward to seeing how you can inspire confidence in designing to quilters. I know I struggle with that!

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  4. I so agree! I do not understand all the money people spend on patterns to make essentially, someone elses quilt!

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  5. Congratulations! I know there will be a lot of great information in the book.

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  6. Pleeeaasse! Don't kick the puppy!

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    1. Oh my, I thought she was going to LICK the puppy, and wasn't all that worried! Not that licking that furry little face would be all that much fun...

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  7. Congratulations! I am looking forward to seeing the book, and I have it in mind as a gift to a couple of friends.

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  8. Well done, after all this time. But good things take a while...

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  9. I feel the same way, I cant make a traditional block or read a pattern, I just like to sew.. so I cut and sew. the one pattern the free pattern of the giant star is one I tried and its all messed up so its going free style soon

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  10. I can't wait to see inside this book! I might use a pattern when I want to do some mindless sewing, but creating my own designs is where the real fun happens! (Of course, you had me at the puppy...)

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  11. This book is sure to be inspirational to many. Congratulations! x

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  12. YES, now I can read the book. But before reading, I'll have to find our how to buy it in the Netherlands.

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    1. Mieke -- it will be available for purchase in Europe but we haven't yet worked out the details. I'll let you know as soon as we do!

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  13. Have bee fascinated by your fine lines technique. Would like to learn more about your approach.

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  14. Some of us try doing our own thing and just aren't so good at it�� I had great fun with your tutorials on fine line piecing though. Maybe your book will get me up over the edge of confidence!,

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  15. Looking forward to reading it! Congrats Kathy!

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  16. What a super idea for a book.
    Lmarcario@yahoo.com

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  17. Congratulations, Kathy! Can't wait to read it!

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  18. Well, why didn't you say something? Maybe this is a book I ought to buy.

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  19. Congrats on the new book, please don't kick the sweet doggie! LOL

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  20. I to face the challenge of design, my friend always helps with color, I just need the extra push for design! Watch for PETA complaints on the "kicking the puppy" thing! ;) jklol
    Nancy B.

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  21. Congratulations, Kathy, on finishing your book! Am looking forward to reading it. I think you may have come up with an interesting marketing strategy with that cute puppy!

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  22. If I buy three copies, can I have the puppy too? I have learned and laughed so often reading your thought-provoking blog that I'm going to buy your book right now; how could I wait another week!

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  23. I'm with HH, don't you dare kick that puppy! But seriously, thank you for being one of the only people I've come across in quilting blogworld who states what seems so obvious to me. Heck, I even checked my own neglected blog and discovered I'd said much the same thing. I will check out your book because (1) I like the way you express yourself, (2) your blog is interesting and different, and (3) it sounds like your book is more about the process, and isn't it all about the process? Congrats on writing a whole book.

    August 3, 2015 at 10:50 PM

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  24. I think that Sue Kelly said it all. I just love the way you write, and a book is words at its core. Now, the fact that your work is outstanding means the combo is winning. I'll check out the book.

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  25. I have been enjoying your blog and seeing inside your quilting process. I am definitely going to get this book!

    Kris

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  26. Thanks for giving us this new resource Kathy. I think you are so right about improving technically but being afraid of original design. This will be on my bookshelf soon!

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  27. Congrats Kathy! A digital version would be SO great, any plans to introduce one through Amazon? LOVE your work and blog! Lisa

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    1. no plans right this minute for a digital version but we can surely think about it. I'll let you know if that turns out to be an option.

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  28. People buy patterns for same reason they employ decorators. Lack of confidence.
    I look forward to getting my own copy.

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  29. Congratulations, Kathy! Your book is filling an important niche in the realm of quilt making. I'm off to order my copy!

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  30. Congratulations on all your successes. This is just the next in a long ling....

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  31. Congratulations! I love your quilts and humor, so am looking forward to seeing the book. Good for you, self-publishing. It's something I've considered too. Maybe you will lead the charge.

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  32. Brava!!! Well done, Kathy! Looking forward to enjoying your book.
    lwvieth@comcast.net

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  33. Wow! Congrats on the publishing. This looks like a fun way to add variety to guilt designs. I am looking forward to seeing it.

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  34. Congratulations, Kathleen! I can tell you that it sounds like there is a lot I would get out of your book.

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  35. Good for you, Kathy! Kudos for self publishing!

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  36. Congratulations Kathy! I have several friends that definitely need a kick start!

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  37. I'd LOVE to have a hardcopy of the book for my library. I enjoy your writing and views on quilting. Congratulations on the publication of (what I am sure is) a fabulous book!

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  38. Oh no, Kathleen, please don't kick the dog.

    I do want to send you accolades for your new book and all the great things you've accomplished since I first met you at Jeanne's workshop in Lafayette. Or was it first at Nancy's? I'm excited for you and may your success continue.

    Yes, I'd love a copy of your new book. Please consider this my entry. I'd introduce it to my students and textile friends.

    Keep up the great work, Kathleen. Btw, cute pup. Yours?

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  39. Looking forward to this book! I love your work.

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  40. Improvisational quilts are the bomb!

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  41. Congratulations on finishing and publishing your book.

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  42. Congratulation on your book. Your work is inspiring and I'm looking forward to learning more about your process.

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  43. Congratulations on the publication of your book!. It sounds wonderful and just what I need to further my beginner design work in quilt making. I enjoy your blog very much and continue to learn from your photos and posts, whether about processes, techniques or design. Thank you.

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  44. I look forward to seeing your book! I almost always design my own art quilts, but I'm also always looking for new techniques. There's always something new to learn!

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  45. YES, Congratulations on the publication of your book! This will be so good for many folks who insist they aren't ,,fill in the words. I'd introduce it to my students and textile friends if i win so please don't kick that pup!!!.

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  46. Hi Kathy,
    Congratulations! I need to buy this book as the cover is gorgeous...

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  47. this would be a great book for a "just getting started" art quilt group that I belong to!

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  48. This sounds like such a great book. Congratulations. Can't wait to read it

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  49. It sounds like a great book for those of us who want to become courageous enough to design our own blocks/quilts. Can't wait to see it!

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  50. What a great idea! I haven't used a pattern in eons, but I have a number of friends who "can't" work without one. This might be just the thing to jumpstart their creativity. I'll definitely be tracking it down. Thank you!

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  51. I really like your approach to quilting. It's great to work with out a pattern. I am sure your book is very encouraging and full of ideas not patterns.

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  52. Never wanting to make someone else's quilt, I've scared myself for years making only originals. Fear's appeal is fading, so your genius concept for pieced originals is a welcome option -- maybe a lifesaver. Love your book!

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