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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Susan’s So Thankful Give-Away #2: Quilt Blocks Across America


Today, I’m pleased to offer you a wonderful book called Quilt Blocks Around America by Debra Gabel of Zebra Designs. This book features applique patterns (which can be done by hand or with fusible adhesive) for 50 states and Washington, D.C. It comes with a CD so that you can print the patterns in any size you choose, and each design is shown in color on a separate page in the book. 


The first part of the book explains exactly how to use the CD to enlarge the designs and print out one you want. It also shows how you can mix and match Debra’s design elements to create a custom block. (You can take a barn from Wisconsin and put it on Illinois. A bird from Ohio and put it on Virginia.)


Debra also explains her technique of raw-edge sewing the pieces in place to minimize fraying. She recommends using Lite Steam-a-Seam 2, which is also the fusible adhesive that I find works best for my process. (It offers a very firm hold, but with less glue than regular Steam-a-Seam or other fusible adhesives, so you don’t gunk up your sewing machine needle when you are stitching through multiple layers of fabric and adhesive.) 


Finally, the Gallery section shows how you can use Debra’s state designs in other projects, including banners, purses, tote bags, and other small quilts.


Debra at Quilt Market several years ago

I met Debra several years ago at Quilt Market; at that point, she had just started designing quilt designs honoring different states and cities that were framed to look like stamps. Debra’s training as a graphic designer really comes through on her designs. (I have also worked as a graphic designer, so maybe that is part of what attracted me.) I also ran into Debra while shooting episodes of Quilting Arts TV this summer. Look for Debra in the 900 Series of Quilting Arts TV, which starts airing on many U.S. public television stations this fall.

In the years since then, Debra’s been mighty busy! She’s designed and released tons of new designs, written two books, and created some of her designs in fabric panels.  

Debra’s follow-up to her first book is coming soon. It is Quilt Blocks Around the World (C&T Publishing, $21.95). This sequel – available in January 2012 – features new patterns for 50 locales such as Tokyo, Puerto Vallarta, Venice and Sydney.

Here’s your chance to win. First, take a look at Debra’s blog here: bloghttp://zebrapatterns.wordpress.com/. Then leave a comment after this post and tell me which of her recent designs you like best. A bird? A flower? Or maybe that hilarious Quilt Police Doll panel? I’ll pull one name at random at 9 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 20, and send you the book! WE HAVE A WINNER: Mom2four has won the book.

26 comments:

  1. Oh, I absolutely LOVE the Quilt Police doll! What a great idea for a gift for a quilt friend.

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  2. I have to say that my favorite is the lady slippers. I designed a lady slipper block for a project last year, but if I had seen this, I could have saved myself a lot of work!

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  3. Birds are my favorites, especially our state bird, the Mockingbird. As I want to learn applique, this book could ve very helpful. If I win this would be my first book on applique! Thanks for the chance. I still like your Peacock (saw again as re-read Market posts).

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  4. I love Debra's bird patterns! especially the swallow and the mockingbird

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  5. I have to say that the Lady Slipper flower is beautiful. What amazing work!

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  6. I love all three! I guess if I HAD to choose, my favorite would be the birds. No, the flowers. No, the doll. Okay okay...the birds!

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  7. The Quilt Police doll sure made me chuckle but the birds and flowers caught my attention. I would love to try one. =!=

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  8. I am a flower lover..and although purple isn't my favorite color, I love the lilacs!

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  9. I like the blue bird in the pine tree the best. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. I love them all...but my favorite is the Lady Slipper. It is so wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book. Hugs

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  11. All of the blocks are pretty cool looking. I especially like the lilac one - since my lilac bush never seems to watn to bloom! Maybe it would get jealous ; Thanks for the chance to win the book!

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  12. HI Susan,
    Thank you for your generosity in giving away all this stuff. I lilke the LadySlipper pattern; it reminds me of Nfld and home. We have a plant similar, if not the same as it, that grows on the bogs there.

    Ruth Quinn

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  13. I would have to say the 'at the beach' panel - I just saw Debra for the first time at the Bayside Quilters meeting here in Easton - I have photo's of her with her panels behind her on my blog site ... go to ... www.westiejulep.blogspot.com ... you may have to scroll down to find the post.

    All the best - Katie from
    www.westiejulep.blogspot.com

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  14. Love bird blocks AND flower blocks. Thanks for chance to win!

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  15. I am such a sucker for wildflowers and love the recent flower blocks.

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  16. I love the flowers. Especially the lilac. What I really would like to see are the Holiday Houses that she has coming out. Can't wait.

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  17. I love the quilt police doll, does it came in full size? Would be qreat to have standing at a quilt show.

    Marti M

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  18. You know, I really like her designs! Thanks for intorducing us to her. That doll is so funny! I especially like the measure twice cut once across her derriere! I LOVE birds so I think that those are probably my favorites. Sorry though, I can't narrow it down to ONE!

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  19. I think the birds are great, but her stamp patterns are wonderful

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  20. I really love THE birds, specially THE swallow!

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  21. I would have to say I really like the lilac flowers she has designed. She has a great way with color, something I always struggle with.

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  22. Hi Everyone! Thanks for the kind comments about my work! I love Susan and all she has accomplished plus she is a really nice person! I hope the winner of my book enjoys it! Watch my website and blog as in December Block Around the World Comes out! It is really fun to make these blocks and hope to visit all the locations in person!

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  23. i do so like her red-breasted nuthatch! they're in my trees and feeders all the time.

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