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Friday, March 27, 2009

Win this book: “Easy Appliqué Blocks” by Kay Mackenzie



Appliquér Kay Mackenzie has a great new book just out! It features 50 darling applique designs to mix and match, each in 5 different sizes. All the blocks are on a CD that comes with the book (PC and Mac compatible), so it is easy to find the size you need and print it out from your computer.

When I saw the cat-and-fish block on the cover of Kay’s book, I knew it was the first one I’d do. My black cat, Trouble, LOVES our goldfish (a little too much, methinks), and spends time every evening watching the fish, drinking from the fishbowl, and occassionally dipping her paw in to terrorize the goldfish.

Here’s Trouble spending time with her favorite finned friend last night:



Yum! That fishy water is delicious!


And here is my block. I added the bowl (which is actually a large glass canister), but kept Kay’s graceful cat tail, which, alas, Trouble does not have. We adopted her at six months from a shelter, and were told that she had been attacked by dogs as a kitten, and they broke her tail. It has several kinks in it. I’m going to add details (the rim of the bowl, the waterline, and the glass pebbles at the bottom) when I quilt this block.



Here are some of the things I like best about Kay’s book:

1. The blocks are very simple, so they are perfect for beginners. In fact, I told my beginning applique class about this book when I taught Friday at my local quilt shop. The pieces are big, and the shapes are easy, so it’s the perfect way to learn (and learn to love) appliqué.

2. Kay shares her techniques in a reassuring, friendly writing style.

3. There are both hand- and machine-appliqué methods described in detail. Want to do maching appliqué? Choose from a raw-edge machine appliqué or a method using paper-backed fusible web. Want to do hand applique? Try either the freezer-paper-on-top technique or back basting. (I’ve never done either of these hand methods … yet!)

4. Lots of cute, cute, CUTE blocks – baskets, birds, flowers, hearts, cats, dogs, teapots, chickens – that can be used on lots of things, like wall quilts, aprons, dresser runners, sweatshirts, and totes.

5. These are versatile designs to have on hand if you belong to a guild that does block raffles or swaps with a theme. You’re sure to find a design you can use and whip up in a jiffy.

6. Kay offers tons of tips on the importance of addressing vision issues (“Gentle quilter, it’s time to go the drugstore and get some of those groovy granny glasses”), lighting, fabric selection and preparation, tools and notions, and ways to add fine details with embroidery, beading or buttons.

7. Her hand applique instructions are concise and have detailed diagrams on stitching pointy points and smooth curves.

8. The CD makes it easy to print out the blocks you need, and to scale them to the size you want. And the book also includes line drawings you can enlarge on a photocopier, if you don’t have a computer.

But I think my favorite part is the “Little Gallery of Ideas” at the end. Here, Kay showcases darling little quilts made by mixing and matching blocks from the book.

You can win a copy of this book!
Leave me a post today (Saturday, March 28) before 7 p.m. EST, telling me what method you use to appliqué (or if you haven’t tried it yet), and your name will go into the drawing. Check back later Saturday evening, and I’ll post the winner at the bottom of this post.

If you really want to win a book and don’t win my copy, you can go to each blogger’s post on their day and put your name in the hat for their book. Kay’s blog, All About Appliqué, has a list of the bloggers participating.

To purchase the book, ask for it at your favorite quilt shop. It is also available from Martingale & Company and from Amazon. If you want an autographed copy, go directly to the source and order your copy signed by Kay at Quilt Puppy Publications & Designs.

We have a winner!
Kathie H. won the book! Kay Mackenzie will be contacting you to get your address.

Thanks so much to everyone who posted; it was great to hear about your applique techniques!

59 comments:

  1. Oh I hope I win this.. It would be wonderful.

    I use machine applique with the blanket stitch. I am trying needle turn soon.

    chris
    www.welovequilting.com/blog
    www.welovequilting.com
    sadiemaesattic@aol.com

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  2. What a wonderful game:)

    I machine appligue too. I use some special stitches to fix the shape. But I'd like to learn many more technics.

    Have a really nice day!

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  3. I would love to win this book, I want to make a scottie dog quilt for my daughter and love her pattern there on the cover....
    Thanks
    my favorite method of applique is needle turn.

    thanks so much
    kathie

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  4. I have been asked yesterday to teach patchwork to children from 7 to 9 years old. It seems that your book wouls be very helpful. For the kids it would be handqppliqe
    Good luck and congatulations
    marie claire saint maux
    www.afriquartquilt.be

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  5. It looks like a great book. Pick me.

    I love hand applique, needle turn with freezerpaper on top.

    Your cat-fish (ha ha) quilt is fab.
    Sandra
    http://utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com

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  6. Your blog is wonderful. This book looks like it would be a lot of fun. I like to needleturn applique and also hand buttonhole stitch applique.

    Mary Ann

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  7. Hi, would love to win, too.
    I'm using machine applique with zig-zag-stitch.
    Heidi

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  8. This book looks very sweet. I prefer to use needleturn applique but am trying to learn a nice machine technique too so I can make more applique projects! Applique is just my favorite.

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  9. Oh yes - I would love a copy of this book! I machine applique now, but one of my goals for this year is to learn to hand applique.

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  10. I have yet to try applique. I am thinking I would/will start with machine applique and then progress to hand applique. This book of simple large shapes would be a great intro for me.

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  11. Hey Susan, Great review!

    I've done needle turn applique, but prefer machine work. I tend to use a fusible to attach and then depending on the pattern, I use satin stitch, buttonhole, and sometimes my decorative stitches to hold it all down.

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  12. I would love to have this book to help overcome my terror of applique. I've been known to run from the room when the subject comes up!

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  13. Hi Susan, I mostly machine applique using freezer paper. I have recently learned the method where you sew interfacing to the back of the piece and then stitch it down, I am always game to try something new.

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  14. I do hand needleturn applique with the outline drawn on with a Sewline pencil.
    Karen

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  15. I don't applique yet, but I am planning on taking a hand applique class as my local quilt arts soon. I would love to win this book!

    You have a wonderful blog. I will be coming back again for a visit.

    Lisa

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  16. Hey Susan!

    Great book! I love needleturn applique. I machine applique when it is needed but prefer hand.

    Michele

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  17. As of now, the method of applique that I have had the most success with is starch method with machine invisible thread. I am very anxious to try needle turn and think some of these patterns would be perfect for my first attempt.

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  18. I am very much a beginner and i some respects too scared to start. Its great to find a book that has simple designs that even a beginner would be able to do without feeling overwhelmed. I hope we'll be ablr to purchase the book in Australia

    twistedtania@gmail.com

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  19. Love the idea of Kay's book. I teach beginning needleturn applique and it would be a great book for those beginners. I have done needleturn applique for years and have tried machine applique. I prefer needleturn but would like to get better at machine applique. Someday! Mindy in Kansas

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  20. I would love to win. I like needleturn applique. Denise

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  21. I needle turn, some back basting and am doing a little machine applique. I would love this book!
    Tami
    mtnjhutch@gmail.com

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  22. I use needle turn appllique that I taught myself. I would love this book! Thanks for a great review.

    Have a great day.

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  23. Your book looks great!
    Mostly I do hand applique using the back basting method. It's great to have the hand work to relax after work.
    I also do machine applique on bigger shapes and during those times when I feel like life is too short to get everything done! lol

    Diane

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  24. I would love to win this book.

    I do hand applique (actually I make all of my quilts totally by hand since I do not have a machine).

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  25. I use the slow method -- heat resistant templates and hand applique. Needle turn is a challenge, but I'm getting the hang of it.

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  26. I'd love to post a picture of my appliqued quilt next to my comment. I guess I need to learn how to do this.

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  27. I have tried every form of applique, I think. I like fusible with blanket stitch for quick projects, but for heirlooms I do freezer paper and starch turned edges stitched by hand.

    Ruth C

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  28. I do not currently do much applique but I have tried both needle turn and fusible applique and would like to try more in the future. This book looks awesome and should be helpful in my attempts.

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  29. I am hoping to win this book to use as a prize in our Yellowstone Quilt Fest coming up in September. Thanks for the opportunity to win. LindaMac in WY

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  30. Hello!
    I have done a lot of raw edge applique with machine stitching--either invisable thread or blanket stitch with coordinating thread. My next big applique project is a Dresden Plate bed quilt using real 50s fabric left to me by my mum.
    Wish me luck!

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  31. I love Trouble! I showed my husband the post, and when he saw the first picture he said "Uh ooooh..." and then he scrolled down and started laughing. He said to our cat Maikai who was sitting on his desk, "You wouldn't do anything like that, now would you." Yes she would, except we don't have a fish! They drink the Christmas tree water though.

    Thank you everyone for chiming in about appliqué. Just goes to show, it's a whole big world, and I'm glad we're in it.

    Cheers,
    Kay Mackenzie

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  32. I hand applique uisng freezer paper for templates. I would like to learn other methods. I am a beginner. Would love to win this great book.

    Thanks

    cathy.starkes@ns.sympatico.ca

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  33. I like to free motion the applique and outline it a few times.

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  34. I currently prefer fuSing my applique then machine stitch around it. I have just started using the blanket stitch and enjoying the slow pace as well. This book looks great!

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  35. Sounds like lots of new ideas, I use Ami's Ladder stitch.

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  36. It is the scottie dog that caught me! Love to win the book..
    PICK ME! PICK ME!
    Jumping up and down in Canada

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  37. Posted for Vanda (who posted on Kay's blog instead):

    I loved what you did with the cat and fish bowl! My favorite method of applique is spray starch, freezer paper, and a mini iron.

    This is pretty time consuming, and I'm hoping to take another "run" @ needleturn with Kay's new applique book.

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  38. I do both machine and needle-turn applique, but this looks good for the wool applique blocks I'm working on...simple better.

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  39. Hi Susan
    I'd like to win that book. I prefer the freezer paper technique for applique.
    Rhondi

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  40. I love to hand applique. I am always trying new ways to applique. My favorite is needleturn.

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  41. I do most types of applique, my favourite is needle turn, but I seem to do a lot more fusible/blanket stitch applique. I love country quilts and blanket stitch seems to be the best choice for these.

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  42. i use the raw edge with hand blanket or machine zigzag. Since I can't draw I buy books just for the patterns so this book would be perfect for me!

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  43. I love your Trouble! I have a black cat too, Chocolate. He sits by my pond and dreams about the fish. I do hand applique using freezer paper on the reverse side with starch. If it is a quilt for a child I use machine applique with Steam-A-Seam and the buttonhole stitch. I know my first block will be of the wonderful cat. BarbR

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  44. It looks as though everyone would like to win this book. What appealing designs!!! Please put me in the drawing, too.

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  45. I wil try for the first time machine applique.
    Ik hope i am not to late.

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  48. I really love the idea of having blocks to pick and choose from instead of a pattern. A very nice concept for a useful reference book.

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  49. I love this book and would love to have it!!! My favorite method of applique is machine applique using various stitches on my machine.
    Jan Holzbauer. www.jan.holzbauer.com

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  50. I love this book!!! My favorite method of applique is machine applique using the various stitches on my machine. Jan

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  51. My favorite method of applique is machine applique using various stitches on my machine. Jan

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  52. It looks like a great book.. but, I love your cat..

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  53. I love hand applique, but I am still learning to do it well. Also buttonhole applique with my machine

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  54. I use machine applique techniques and needle turn. I'm really wanting to try the backbasting method. I love that the book has several methods within its covers. It would be a resource for sure! Amy R

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  55. Hey Susan!!

    I just went to your most recent quilt show and had a blast!! Everything was SPECTACULAR!! Even my husband had a great time and was blown away by everyone's talent!! I was so inspired I came home and made a baby quilt in only 2 hours!!

    Thanks for sharing this new book with us too... I will be sure to check it out! I love applique!!!
    And if you recommend it I know it will be amazing!!

    Hope you are having a great quilting day... because it's raining... again!!! ;)

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  56. A huge thank-you to everyone who came along on the Book-A-Round today. Susan, you have some awesome quilters over here!

    Cheers,
    Kay Mackenzie

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  57. Thank you !!!!!
    I really appreciate winning this book!
    I will let you know when I make the scottie dog quilt I have been dreaming about!
    Kathie

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