Michele Made Me

One birdie's attempt to figure things out. Oh, and crafts.

“Quilting Happiness” Book Review and Giveaway

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Disclosure: I received a copy of the book “Quilting Happiness” for review. All opinions below are strictly my own. All photos used with permission.

Fair warning. Before I commence this book review, I’m alerting you to the fact that this review might well be unintentionally slanted. That’s because I am personally acquainted with one of its authors. I have tried my best to be impartial. But it was tricky under the circumstances. So you be the judge, ok?

Under the microscope today is a brand-new book called “Quilting Happiness”. Written by Christina Lane and Diane Gilleland and published by Potter Craft, it is a book of “projects, inspiration and ideas to make quilting more joyful”.

Sounds promising, eh?

This book has two distinct facets to it: the Quilting part and the Happiness part.

First, the Quilting part. Like most quilting books, “Quilting Happiness” has an array of projects that quilters can make, including several quilts and smaller projects. Each project comes complete with cutting, piecing, and quilting instructions, and includes two handy lists. The first list, “Christina’s Tips”, serves to simplify the project; the second list, “Quilting Ideas”, suggests a few quilting alternatives. Cool!

I love quilts, as you know. If I were to pick a favourite from this book, it would have to be the very cozy-looking, hand-quilted and scrappy, Plus You Quilt pictured above.

The Quilter’s Tote Bag, below, is one of the small projects I could see myself trying from the book’s pages. Pretty and useful, I could imagine doing it in random scraps or a completely different set of solids. I noticed in “Christina’s Tips” a suggestion to use a tool I haven’t tried before too. I like this sort of information. It opens the mind to what’s out there.

And then comes the second facet of the book: the Happiness part. This part is what makes the book different from most. Sprinkled amongst the projects, hither and thither, are various “happiness-related goodies”. These range from “creative exercises… inspiring stories… and practices to increase your enjoyment of quilting”.

For example, one of the first exercises is creating a collage to help you define your quilting style. As part of this task, the authors pose a number of questions to help you “tease out” your style from within the collage’s composition. In this age of too-much-information, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the quilty possibilities only to be left perplexed as to what you like or what your style might be. If an exercise like this results in a little clarity, it’s probably worth a shot, eh?

Other thoughtful happiness bits include the block of quotes below the title of each project. These are not famous quotations, but friendly words from Christina and Diane themselves about the project in question. Another is the personal story such as that shared by avid quilters Kay Bailey and Rachel Hauser. And one very interesting aspect of this book (which I’ve linked to many many times in this review), is the website Quilting Happiness.” As well as a ton more info about the book, you’ll find other goodies there including, but not limited to: bits that were edited from the book, freebie patterns, the ability to purchase the digital version of the book, etc… Do check it!

So that, in my view, is what “Quilting Happiness” is all about.

Okay… To the GIVEAWAY!

It just so happens that I have an extra copy of the book. And it just so happens that I’m willing to give it away. For a price of course: ONE COMMENT! Leave your comment below and make darn sure I can reach you via email, okeedokey? Beauty.

I’ll announce the randomly-chosen winner on Friday, September 27th. Best of luck to you!

♥M

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Barton says

    Thanks so much for your review of this book! There are so many great quilting books out there, and it's easy to be overwhelmed by the choices. Your review really clarified what makes this one unique. It inspires me to pull out some unfinished projects and I love the idea of a "what's my style" collage.

  4. Nancy says

    I love the happiness aspect to it! Also, the collage exercise would be interesting to do to see what I like. Thanks for the opportunity

  8. Elizabeth says

    I love the quilt that is pictured on the cover. I've been hoarding my Flea Market Fancy and now I think I have found a pattern that is worthy. Love your blog and thanks for the opportunity to win a free copy of "Quilting Happiness." eliz.i@sympatico.ca

  15. Karen says

    Sounds like a great book to check out! I just started working on my hexagon quilt again (that you inspired me to make!). It has been sitting idle for about 9 months since I went back to school. I am definitely questioning my sanity! 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to own this book.

  16. Nat Palaskas says

    Hey Michele, what a combo! Quilting and happiness! I like it a lot. Your post took me to her blog and now added her to my blog list. I would love to win this book if not to get my own copy. Thanks for your review – Hugs Nat

  21. Kathy E. says

    I enjoyed reading your "impartial" review! I have a yearning to quilt more and am always inspired with photos and works others have done. I'd love to win this book to help me push myself into this passion. Thanks for the giveaway!

  23. Renee G says

    I love that Plus You quilt. I'm a novice quilter, so I am always looking for projects that look like they would be easy.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  24. Patti says

    From your review, it sounds like the perfect book to provide equals measures of inspiration, challenge and happiness mixed in. I'd love to win a copy!

  26. MadameRenard says

    This book is lovely! Everytime I read a review (in blogs, etc) I discover new Amazing things about it!
    So… fingers crossed for me. I'd love to have it on my bedside table (good read for fall nights, eh eh)
    Silvia
    silviatriv @ gmail dot come

  29. liniecat says

    It does look to be a 'keeper' book and I adore the way the quilting mirrors the patterned fabrics on the Plus You quilt. I wouldnt have thought to do that yet its so very effective.
    I think that collage idea is really useful too. Good luck to the books authors : )

  31. thingsforboys says

    The 'happiness' part of the book is such a great concept! I'm really at a stage in my crafting/home making/clothes buying where I'm trying to define my style and what makes me happy.

  32. meganarline says

    I used to quilt a lot. Large bed quilts all hand quilted. I would like to get back into it and this looks like just the thing to help get my groove back.

  42. sewsaucysuzy says

    Sorry I didn't write my email correctly. (suedemasellis@yahoo.com) I really am interested in seeing more of the projects in this book. That will be possible when I win this free copy! LOL

  43. karen608 says

    Thanks for a chance to win this book. That quilt and tote, and the way to find your quilting style looks so interesting… I went to the link too, and found a quilt pattern I like! Yea!
    karen608 at yahoo dot com

  44. Sue A says

    This book looks very interesting. I don't have much experience with quilting, but it is on my bucket list. I am intrigued by the collage project too.

  45. Sue A says

    This book looks very interesting. I don't have much experience with quilting, but it is on my bucket list. I am intrigued by the collage project too.

  47. Suki Fourcade says

    As someone whose quilting hasn't got further than sewing squares or hexagons (ok and some pentagons!) together I'd be really interested to find something to take me to the next level. This book looks like a great way of doing just that! Thanks for the chance to win one.