Update on the Cut Work Portrait Book!

I have been frantically working on the rest of the quilts, and the text for the book!

I am slowly resolving the software issues (I think).  And will soon turn it over to my two editors for help with grammar, etc.

I think I will have 13 patterns included in the book.  You can see most of those on the Cut Work Portrait Book page.

I am playing with the idea of offering 1 or 2 free patterns as a thank you for all who pre-order (once I get the book done, and know what the cost will be and have it set up so people CAN order).  What do you think about that?  What subjects, holidays, topics would be a good thank you pattern?

And can you think of something to name the pattern section of the book?  It is an editing issue, in that one chapter is named Pattern - as in creating it - and so I don't want the chapter with the free 13 patterns to be called the same thing!  Silly, huh?  I had thought of Gallery, but that usually means just pictures.  My husband suggested Samples, which is sort of right, but still doesn't seem to say it all.  Hmmmmmmmm........................

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Quilt Pattern Magazine

Have you ever opened your email, and just been thrilled and excited to see a subject line, that tells you “I REALLY gotta find time to read this!”?

Every time I receive the Quilt Pattern Magazine newsletter email – it is hard to keep working!

Their newsletter and magazine are always so full of great info that inspires and informs. This is evident not only in the pages of their magazine, but in the Gallery of projects made from their patterns (Jane, I really, really like your earth tones Big Block Star, by the way – that is definitely on my TO DO list).

Their web site also has some great tutorials of basic info. Just last night I was talking to my granddaughter, Isabel, and promised to teach her English Paper Piecing. She loves to hand sew, and does really well, so I thought maybe some Grandmothers Flower Garden blocks would be a good start. I remembered that they had a tutorial for that, so printed it out – we are now ready to begin our lessons next week.

Besides all that, QPM has something that not all magazines can say – they truly are committed to not only sharing info, but to doing it the green way. I appreciate that their magazine is online – it makes it easily available to most everyone, while not stuffing our landfills!

Each month the magazine can be downloaded and then reviewed and printed anytime you want! I know my quilting space is very limited, and if I can get my inspiration on a computer, instead of on the bookshelf – it is helpful – that leaves more space for more fabric! Shopping, anyone? LOL

They also have a quilting chat area they call their quilting family – Pattern Pastiche! You gotta love this little quilting family. Don’t we all love to learn new things, and then share what we make? Or maybe have somewhere to ask questions when we don’t understand a technique.

And finally, one area that they excel at – is their respect of quilt designers!

Have you ever had an idea (or read one), and thought it was just the next best thing since sliced bread? Or should I say, since Rotary Cutters?

If you read submission forms for other magazines, you really get the idea that what you submit, will look next to nothing like what they print.

QPM is dedicated to not only promoting their own ideas, but ensuring that designers’ techniques and patterns reach the subscribers and still have that original inspiration and plan behind it.

They are currently proving this dedication to designers with a promotion for advertising. And I would like to personally thank them for that opportunity. It is splendid to work with a company who not only has high ideals, but actively implements it.

update on book & free quilt pattern

Cut Work Portraits & Other Art Quilts book

I want to give you a little hint of what the book will be like. Here are the chapter titles and subtitles, click to enlarge the pics.

I have almost all the text for each of the chapters done, and am working now mainly on Patterns and Gallery chapters. I do have one chapter (or is it two?) that are not in the Table of Contents yet.

During Christmas break I realized that quilters may want to make a quilt, but they do not have a photo to use to create their pattern, and there is not a LITERAL way to get one!

For example: you want just a fun winter quilt, that will showcase some pretty snowflake material, and you want a pattern of 2 friends sledding down the hill. Now, you might say, “just stick some friends on a sled, and get out the camera!”

Well, that would be fine if you want people, but what if you are in a whimsical mood, and you want the friends to be polar bears!? Well, I would not suggest you try plopping some bears on a sled, and shoving hats and scarves on them! So, you need a way to create a photo, of subjects in situations that don’t really exist!

Or, what if you have a photo, but the subjects are not close together? How can you manipulate the photo to make it work? Well, that is why I am adding another chapter!

Also, I have finalized the permission slips for use of photos, sketches, patterns and quilts. I plan to send those out this coming week. I also will have the chapters to the testers so they can begin to create the patterns and quilts for the book.

I am still having some technical difficulties with the software, but am not too concerned about it yet since I am still writing. I have some ideas of who to call on for help if I cannot figure it out.

Hmm, I wonder how long it takes others to write their first book?

The best way to see when the book is published, and be notified, is to become a FOLLOWER by clicking “JOIN THIS SITE”. You will get an email anytime there is an update to the site.

This will also let you know when there are any free patterns added! Did you catch the first step of the Heart Strings? Check out the Free and Fun page.

Heart Strings – a free quilt pattern

The Heart Strings quilt is in the quilting stage. Having been set aside to make birthday and Christmas gifts (see the What's Is Happening page).

I wanted everyone to have a chance to make the quilt top in time for Valentine’s Day, so have posted the first step on the Free and Fun page.

I will writ e up all the instructions and post them once the quilt is all done.

I am really anxious to see the quilt done! It has been so much fun to do. I hope the Bride & Groom feel that it is worth the wait! If not, I will be happy to keep it. It will be hard to let go once I am done, I have put so much into it.