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Friday, July 20, 2012

Book Review: Patchwork Sassaman Style

After introducing you to the amazing Jane Sassaman and her art, I'd like to tell you about her new book, 

Now - You know my work is usually made from fabric I've dyed myself and hangs on the wall, not the bed. But I've got to admit - I've been having that undeniable compulsion recently to make a bed quilt. The problem is my attention span for bed-quilt-making usually lasts about a day and a half and then I'm done. I have at least four mostly finished bed quilt tops to show for my short attention span. After reading Jane's book - I think I might just be able to pull something off!

With Jane's signature style of bright and bold fabrics she shows you how to selectively cut and piece your way to simple yet impressive quilts. She'll take two or three fabrics and give you a number of cutting and piecing options. Each one makes a unique and, dare I say, impressively gorgeous quilt. In this case, the fabric does all the work! She gives lots of hints for wise cutting and design placement to make your designs look well integrated.


Now I've got to admit that my very favorite part of the book is the section at the very front called "History and Designing Fabric." I'm always fascinated by the design process and reading about how Jane works to come up with her fabric is very interesting. 

Jane talks about being inspired by the 19th century Arts and Crafts Movement and William Morris who said, "have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." I can certainly see those influences in her work. It's a movement I'm very attracted to myself.



Guess what - I think I need to go shopping.

If you can't find Jane's fabrics at your local shop try her online store.

Interested? Have I whet your appetite?

Leave a comment for your chance to win this beautiful book!
Tell me how you use big, bold, beautiful fabrics.
Make sure I can contact you - and check back in three days
(unfortunately this contest is only open to US entries)
or if you just can't wait the book is
 (and... I'll be combining the comments here with those at my wordpress blog. They are identical as I'm still trying to get things running smoothly over here. A random number generator will pick the winner.)

Here are some other stops on the tour that still have giveaways open.
Stop by and leave a comment at each blog to increase your chances to win.
July 18 Jan Krentz
July 19 Make It Simpler
July 20 Lyric Kinard
July 22 Jane LaFazio
July 24 Nancy Zieman

95 comments:

  1. I have often had trouble doing anything creative with large prints. I buy them because they're gorgeous and then I'm stumped on how to use them effectively. I think this book would help!

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  2. I generally avoid large prints because I don't know what to do with them except put them in the backing. Some of them are so lovely (like Jane's) that I want them on the front of my quilts. So yes Please put my name in the hat and I will cross my fingers.

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  3. I usually leave large pattern intact and use fabric for bags, etc. Look forward to seeing how Jane uses it!

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  4. I love bold fabrics to give some punch & pizzazz!

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  5. I love bold, colorful prints, but don't quite know what to do with them. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

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  6. I love Jane's fabrics, but am intimidated by the thought of using them in a quilt! This book would help me get over that so I can use some of the abundant large scale prints on the market today! Thank you for this opportunity.

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  7. hi, I have not used many big bold fabrics because, I have always been just a little afraid of them, but I sure could use this book to learn how to use them....thanks for the chance,

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  8. I would love to learn how to use big bold fabrics!

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  9. I love big print fabrics and especially Jane Sassaman's. But I don't know what to do with it (beside looking at it...so beautiful!). If I don't win this book, I am definetly buying it. Thanks for the opportunity! Connie in California

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  10. Jane's fabric is as beautiful as her quilts.

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  11. I need help with big, bold prints! This book would help. Thanks for the chance.

    tba247(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. I have used beautiful large prints in making bags but I could use some guidance incorporating them into quilts. This book is a must!
    Thank you.

    Deb
    dr392809@gmail.com

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  13. Thanks for the chance to win this book! I love her bold stylized look and colors and would love to own my very own copy!

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  14. I use bold fabrics for tote bags. In quilts I have used them along side of plain colors.

    I think that her prints/prints quilts work marvelously, but you can see in the picture (of her at her drawing table) the large scale at which she designs her pattern. I don't think that many bold prints of other quilters' collections would work together as well as Jane's do.

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  15. Large prints make for dramatic but quick quilts. I have often used them in baby quilts. And I have used many of J ane's prints, in bags, wallhangings...

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  16. I would love to win this book as I have several of Jane's fabrics but have no idea how to use them!

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  17. I usually end up cutting them into small bits of the design I can use. I definitely need to read Jane's book and learn to see the large prints in a new way! Her quilts are beautiful!

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  18. I like using big bold prints for Convergence quilts. They work well in the outer corners and the thin fabric strips that disect the big prints - yet maintain the design - creates a lot of interest in a quilt top. It's like part of the big bold print is hidden behind the slim strips. Diane

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  19. Sometimes I cut out the large motifs and use them as appliques elsewhere. I have a U.S. address. Thanks, Lyric!

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  20. I like to show case them in big block by themselves.

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  21. I love Jane's fabrics and her quilts. I have very little experience sewing with large prints other than making baby quilts. I would love to win her book and learn how to use her gorgeous fabrics.
    Kathy Ryan
    backntexas@gmail.com

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  22. I use big bold fabric to make stash diving interesting. They tend to show up in bags, pillows, and occasionally cannibalized to make parts of costumes for art dolls.

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  23. Watched an episode yesterday on Quilt Show about thread painting. She used big bold prints and it look really cool. Would like to try it someday!

    Love the comment about attention span. So true!

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  24. I love to make medallion style quilts, and these would make great centers.

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  25. I love large prints.... I have done some kaleidoscope type quilts (From the book Serendipity by Sara Nephew). Jane's large scale & high contrast fabrics are perfect for that type of project. I was lucky enough to take a class from her once, I love her style and creative process, and would love to have a copy of her new book.
    Thanks!

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  26. I love to cut up large prints and use different sections in the same piece -- related but not the same.

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  27. I need serious help utilizing large scale prints. I just don't know how to use them to their full potential - I bet this book might help me in that department :-) Thanks for the great review and the chance to win!

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  28. I usually use large-scale prints for quick square-in-a-square quilts. This book looks like a fun way to construct other quilt designs!

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  29. I would love a chance to win this book because I really don't know how to use large prints very effectively and I love Jane's prints.

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  30. I love Jane's first book! When I use big, bold fabrics, it is usually one or two in a mix with smaller, more muted ones.

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  31. At the moment I am using large prints for a quilt. It took me awhile just looking at it and I found a quilt-along and using it for that project. It is coming along quite nicely. I did not think it would, but will see at the end how it all comes along. Judith, Texas

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  32. I usually take the easy way out using bold prints and put them on the back of a quilt, but now that Jane's book has opened my eyes that will no longer be the case!

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  33. Love visiting all the new blogs. Thanks for the opportunity to win Jane's new book.

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  34. I have been following the Sassaman blog since the start. Thanks for the chance to win a book!

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  35. I would love to know about Jane's design process and her use of large prints. Thanks, Lyric.

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  36. Bold prints are always lovely to buy - but harder to use. The books looks like a winner.

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  37. I am like you. My attention span for quilts on the bed is somewhat challenged. I have finished one quilt for my son which my mother cut out before she passed away. It was a jean quilt, only squares. I am now trying to make a fast, modern quilt with my husband's old dress shirts. I LOVE Jane Sassaman's work and used her work as a model for my dandelion quilt. A design assignment in my design class at a local college:

    http://ringadal.blogspot.com/2010/09/summer-of-rest-or-how-i-spent-my-summer.html


    Her book sounds wonderful!


    Susan

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  38. I have her previous book and really admire her and her work. Bed quilts are not on my radar screen at least nothing bigger than a crib size.

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  39. I like to use large prints for big borders or for putting together a really quick modular quilt/blanket.

    I so love Sassaman fabrics and hope to win the book!

    deb
    tropicslady at gmail dot com

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  40. I love Jane and have a huge collection of her fabrics just waiting to be used. This book is just what I need. Jane actually helped me change the way I think about quilting. She is an amazing designer and wonderful person.

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  41. I use them in borders. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  42. I have admired her, also your, work from afar and have not been successful in using big prints. This book would certainly give me a good start. Enjoy your blog always.

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  43. I haven't really used the large prints. Maybe this book could give me the impetus to try.

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  44. Well...I DON'T use big beautiful prints, that's the problem! I'd like to, so I think this book would be really helpful. Her fabrics are so lovely.

    Plus, her name is Jane so she's got to be cool, right? ;)

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  45. Thanks for a chance to win a book. I would also like to make a bed quilt with big, bold patterns.
    angela.bill25atgmaildotcom
    Angela Brady

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  46. Oh, I would love to get my hands on this book. Plase pick me.

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  47. I use her fabric in my designs and the backing. That allows me to enjoy both sides of the quilt. I like being able to view the design of the fabric as it was whole and then also highlighting some parts with fussy cutting. Thanks!

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  48. I would love to have this book and learn more about using large prints.

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  49. Big, bold floral prints usually go on my quilts as outer borders. I generally use the color palette from the floral or border prints to help pull together fabrics for the blocks of the quilt.

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  50. Big prints are tough for me to cut so take them out of the drawer, look, scratch my head, and put back. Or, I use them uncut for a backing. Learning how to deal with use of my big print designs is why I would like to win a copy of this book.

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  51. I have used big prints as a border or backing. I have some big prints that I want to make into a quilt and thought about framing them. I would love a copy of Jane's book to learn how to use the fabrics better. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  52. Love the big prints. Bold and Sassaman! Thanks for the chance to win her book. I will be back ... to visit your great blog.

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  53. I have big bold prints, but I'm at a loss as to how to use them effectively. They usually wind up as backs. Would love to have the benefit of Jane's experience with this.
    swalker287 at aol dot com

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  54. I think this book would be great for me. The only way I know how to use the big prints is in borders. Thanks for sharing and for a chance to win the book.

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  55. I love the pictures I have seen from this book. I have bee following all of the blogs. Looks like quite an informative book. I have always avoided using large prints/bold fabrics. Looks like I might have to change that. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  56. I love to use large scale prints for snowball blocks between nine patch blocks.

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  57. I have done one Stack 'N Whack project with a big bold beautiful print but I don't use many. I look forward to seeing how Jane uses them in a quilt.

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  58. I use my big bold prints to make a stash. Only thing I can think of doing with them at this point. I need this book!

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  59. The only thing I do with my big bold prints is make a stash of them. I need this book!

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  60. I love Jane's work. Wish I had her book!

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  61. I have been forced to design my own patterns to use large scale prints. I sure would love to win a copy of Jane's latest book to give me some more ideas.

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  62. It is so neat to see these bright big prints in such beatiful quilts

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  63. I want to learn to disect large patterns into creative quilts but love some of these fabrics so much that I can't cut theminto small pieces, but now maybe I should try it. I hope I have the lucky number.

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  64. I have a hard time with big prints, so I usually use them for backings. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  65. I am a fan of bright, but now sure how to use big scale prints except to not cut them up too much. This is something I'm sure that I need to learn.

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  66. Perhaps an Amish style quilt with moderns prints?

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  67. I use them in bog coats so I don't have to cut up the big print.

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  68. I'm thrilled for this chance to win Jane's wonderful new book! Thanks!

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  69. I love large prints especially Jane's. Looks like I'll have to add her new book to my "want" list unless of course I win a copy : )
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  70. I think the bright large patterns are great for use in aprons, shower curtain and matching trim on towels... just to name few

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  71. I use big bold prints paired with solids. The solids help the prints shine and give them a bit of breathing room.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

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  72. A lot of the big prints that I had to buy because I loved them are still in my stash. I know this book will help me use a lot of them.

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  73. I love Jane's bold, beautiful prints, but I'm not quite sure what to do with them. Her new book would be the answer!

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  74. I am finishing up my first quilt. I have not used a sewing machine since high school...many, many years ago! I was so excited reading this post this morning to see how exciting quilting could be using these fabulous fabrics.
    Thanks for the chance to win this exciting book!

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  75. I have used big prints in large blocks and surround with sashing. It is hard to do in my humble opinion.

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  76. I love Jane's work, Her fabrics are beautiful and I think the book would be a great way to get over the fear of cutting into it!

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  77. I've mostly used large prints in borders or backings. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  78. Large prints... I buy them and then wonder how to use them. So far, I tend to use them for quilt borders, and to cut elements from them for use in smaller fabric collages.

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  79. I love to chop up the big prints and have little surprises in the pieces of the quilt.

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  80. I would love to try out a contemporary quilt with the beautiful fabric.

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  81. So far, I mostly just admire big bold prints. I would love to win Jane's book!

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  82. When I use big/bold prints, I like to make sure I cut large blocks out of them so I can see and appreciate their large print. But if I get my hands on this book I may need to experiment with a new way to use big and bold prints!

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  83. If I'm particularly taken witha large print, I'll cut a square or rectangle and border it ala antique quilts of the 19th Century.

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  84. I like big prints for borders.
    Thank you for the opportunity.

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  85. I tend to use big, bold prints as a focal point thati quilt around or as a backing. Honestly, Im rather lost when ot comes to large scale patterns.

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  86. Love Jane Sassaman and would love her book!

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  87. I have used the "BQ" patterns several times successfully with large prints. I usually mix it upp a bit and use my eq program to get it just the way I like. Janes book looks like it full of great ideas for large scale prints too.

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  88. I have a few big print fabrics that are calling out to be used, Jane's book would be a big help with that.

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  89. Well, right now I have several big, bold fabrics all folded neatly on the bottom shelf of my fabric cabinet. I NEED this book!!

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  90. The big, bold fabrics are something I've not used. This book has inspired me and I do want to try, though.

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  91. I admit that I don't know how to use those large prints that I adore (I just buy them and admire them - I haven't used them yet), so this book will inspire me. I would love to win it, but if not, Amazon will be happy to fill my order. Thanks for the chance.

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  92. I do very much enjoy the colors and fantastic designs in Jane's fabrics!!

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  93. I like large prints for my dolls dresses, thanks for the chance to win!

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  94. Would love this book to understand the creative process of this respected quilter and fabric designer. She makes it look easy.

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