News - Melanie Falick Books

Monday

08Feb2010

Alabama Studio Style Blog Tour

February 8, 2010 |

Natalie Chanin's Alabama Studio Style blog tour begins today. Here is the schedule:

Feb. 9: http://www.burdastyle.com/blog Inspiration Contest Launch

Feb 12: http://eco-chick.com Fan Love

Feb 15: http://www.ecostiletto.com Eco-Luxe Story

Feb 17: http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com Projects and Palettes

Feb 18: http://rainakattelson.blogspot.com

Feb 24: http://www.trueup.net Sourcing Sustainability

Feb 25: http://oliverands.com/blog Review/ Q&A

Feb 26: http://whipup.net Launching Your Own Line

March 1: http://www.purlbee.com Quilts That Tell a Story

March 3: http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com Design Process

March 5: http://heatherross.squarespace.com Sweet Home Alabama

March 8: http://www.ecosalon.com Review

March 9: http://www.etsy.com/storque How-To Tuesday

March 10: http://www.ecofabulous.com Running an Eco-Business

March 11: http://sewmamasew.com Review/ Q&A

March 11: http://www.etsy.com/storque Craft Night Preview

March 15: http://www.sewn.net.au Review/ Q&A

March 17: http://www.stylelist.com Modern Women's Wear

March 18: http://www.makegrowgather.com Show and Tell

March 19: http://www.cathyofcalifornia.typepad.com Review/ Q&A

March 22: http://www.melaniefalickbooks.com Special Post

Leave a comment on this post by noon on March 22, 2010--about the book, the tour, or something you're making--and earn a chance to win the STC Craft book of your choice. Three winners will be chosen at random and contacted after the noon deadline on March 22. (We will add you to our e-mailing list if you leave a comment unless you tell us that you do not want to be added. Thanks.)

P.S. I reopened yesterday's box and here is a photo of the contents. Isn't it amazing to think that this pile of fabric, thread, and beads will become the Spiral Applique & Beaded Camisole Dress (except my base fabric is black instead of green)!

233 Comments | |

Monday

08Feb2010

Alabama Stitch Book Swing Skirt Finished, Alabama Studio Style Camisole Dress to Begin

February 8, 2010 |

At the beginning of the new year I posted about my resolution to craft for at least 10 minutes a day and about one of my first projects of the year-- the Beaded-Applique Swing Skirt from Alabama Stitch Book. Well, I managed to work on it for at least 10 minutes a day for most of January and then to finish it, I think I worked on it for about 10 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone around to take a photo of me wearing it and my attempts at photographing the whole skirt as a still life were disappointing (to put it midly), so to show you that I finished and as a placeholder, here is a detail. I'll post a pretty photo of the whole skirt as soon as I have one.

I put some pressure on myself to finish the skirt because last week the kit for the Spiral Applique & Beaded Camisole Dress from Alabama Studio Style arrived and I really wanted to start it but felt compelled to finish the skirt first. In fact, when the box arrived I opened it and carefully pulled out the fabric, thread, and beads, then put everything back inside. I placed the beautifully stenciled box where I could see it, so it would continue to inspire me to focus on the skirt. Now I just need to get all of my work done today so I can reopen the box and start working on the dress tonight. Photo of the contents of the box to come soon (I hope).

7 Comments | |

My Projects,

Sewing + Quilting |

Monday

25Jan2010

Quilting for Peace in Haiti

January 25, 2010 |

After writing my last post I decided to Google "quilting Haiti" and immediately found a link to Peacequilts. According to its website, this organization works to relieve poverty in Haiti by establishing and supporting women's quilting cooperatives. Members of Peacequilts were literally at the airport getting ready to board a plane to Haiti when the earthquake struck and the flight was cancelled. On the Peacequilts website you can learn more about what is happening in Haiti right now and how you can support Haitians by getting involved in their efforts (including sending donations, fundraising, and/or purchasing beautiful quilts made by the women of Haiti.)

3 Comments | |

In the News,

Sewing + Quilting |

Monday

25Jan2010

Quilting for Peace--About the Cover and Getting Involved

January 25, 2010 |

We looked at a lot of cover variations before we chose a design for Quilting for Peace by Katherine Bell. We knew we wanted the cover of this book to be related to the cover to the first book in the series Knitting for Peace, but didn't feel like it needed to be identical. More than anything else, we wanted the cover to catch people's attention so that they would pick it up, and then feel inspired to quilt for good causes.

The cover above (a runner-up) features the Sawtooth Star Quilt, designed according to the guidelines of Quilts of Valor, an organization devoted to making quilts for veterans.

This multi-image cover (another runner-up) features (from left to right) a detail of an Easy, Striped Baby Quilt adapted from a pattern by Binky Patrol Founder Susan Hinch; the Sawtooth Star Quilt (see above); Mirabel the Owl, a softie made following a design by Softies for Mirabel founder Pip Lincolne; and a Recycled Sleeping Bag adapted from the Sleeping Bag Project pattern.

This is the cover we chose. It features the Preemie Pinwheel Quilt, adapted from a Quilts for Kids pattern.

To see a few interior pages of this book, click on the book cover in the right margin. To learn about STC Craft's Quilting for Peace campaign, click here.

2 Comments | |