Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a newbie to the art, you know that the key to perfectly crafted projects is mastering essential crochet techniques—from the basics like making simple stitches and determining gauge, to doing increases, decreases, and joining crochet seams.

Nancie Wiseman, one of our most prolific and best-selling crochet authors, knows this, too. So she compiled essential crochet techniques into one simple reference guide, to help you create great garments and projects regardless of your level of expertise.

The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques is truly the only resource you’ll need to carry with you as you crochet. Now available in paperback, this perfectly-sized guide has crochet tutorials for making both easy and advanced stitches, buttonholes and loops, zippers, pockets, and more. Full of photos and helpful illustrations, the tips and tricks included will help you create with confidence—from the first stitch to the final blocking and storage of your finished piece.

Table of Contents from The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques

To celebrate the release of this best-selling guide in paperback, we’ve excerpted a crochet tutorial on woven seams from the book. Read on to see how easy and clear Nancie’s techniques are, and learn how to work invisible woven seams.

Woven Seams

Woven seams are worked with a yarn needle and yarn. These seams are virtually invisible and nonbulky.

Horizontal woven seam. Half of seam is pulled tight to show how completed seam will look.

Vertical woven seam. Half of seam is pulled tight to show how completed seam will look.

• Woven seams can be worked on vertical and horizontal seams.
• They’re worked from the right side of the work, which allows you to see what is happening.
• They work with all stitches.
• They work well with all weights of yarn.
• If the number of rows in each piece doesn’t match, it’s easy to “cheat” or adjust the alignment, if necessary, to make the rows line up.

To work horizontal seams (stitches to stitches):

With right sides facing up, pin the edges together with coilless safety pins, keeping the edges flat and matching the stitches from one piece to the other. Thread a blunt needle with about 20″ of yarn or use the tail if long enough. Secure the yarn at the beginning of a piece, leaving about a 6″ tail.

• On the top piece, insert the needle into the first chain at the beginning of the row and out the next chain, and pull through.
• On the bottom piece, *insert the needle into the corresponding chain on the opposite piece and out the next chain and pull through.*
• Repeat from * to * until seam is completed. Pull the yarn gently to tighten the seam and bring the edges together. Fasten off. Weave in the ends and trim close to the work.

To work vertical seams (rows to rows):

With right sides facing up, pin the edges together with coilless safety pins, keeping the edges flat and matching rows from one piece to the other. Thread a blunt needle with about 20″ of yarn or use the tail if long enough. Secure the yarn at the beginning of a piece, leaving about a 6″ tail.

• On the right piece, insert the needle from front to back and up to the front again under the first knot or post of the row, and pull through.
• On the left piece, insert the needle from front to back and up to the front again under the first knot or post of the row, and pull through.
• *On the right piece, insert the needle in the spot where you came out the previous time on this side, go under a knot or post and up to the front again, and pull through.*
• Repeat from * to * working into corresponding rows on each side and making sure they match until the seam is completed. Pull the yarn gently to tighten the seam and bring the edges together. Fasten off. Weave in the ends and trim close to the work.

You can purchase the paperback version of The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques on ShopMartingale.com. It’s the perfect size for tossing in your yarn bag, so you never have to be without it. And don’t forget that when you buy the book on ShopMartingale.com, you get the eBook version for free!

What are your essential techniques for finishing projects? Tell us in the comments and you’ll be entered in the drawing to win a free eBook version of The Essential Book of Crochet Techniques. We’ll pick a winner on May 31 and notify you by email if you’ve won.

“A slight divide has developed between what is considered modern and what is considered traditional, but there is no reason why anyone should have to choose a side. This isn’t a team-based competition—it’s just for fun! To me, modern quilting is as broad a term as traditional quilting. What is modern? Is it wonky or improv piecing, or using a large amount of negative space and neutral solids? Rather than using the term modern and pigeonholing what I do, I like to consider we are all nowadays quilters. We may prefer a more traditional or modern style, but we all make the same thing—quilts—and we all love the same basic process. There’s room on the quilt bus for everyone, and much to be learned from each other.”

What Katy doesn’t shy away from is using fabrics with graphic pops of color, along with choosing patchwork blocks that promise big impact with little effort. We’re excited to have Katy as a guest at Stitch This! today—our first international guest blogger!—to introduce herself and her fun new book.

Projects from Katy Jones, via Flickr.

I’m really excited to be able to share my first book, 25 Patchwork Quilt Blocks, with you today and to tell you a little bit about myself for those of you that have never “met” me before.

My name is Katy Jones and you can find me over on my blog Monkey Do. I’m English born and bred and live in a small village in a beautiful part of the UK called West Yorkshire with my husband, teenage daughter, and seven-year-old son (as well as a couple of lazy, spoiled cats and a Chihuahua). Where I live it is very green, just like the rest of the UK—we get a lot of rain, which is good for the plants and for keeping things nice and green, but not so great if you like the sunshine!

I’ve been quilting for just over five years or so, and when I first started I made a lot of 6″ blocks. I found they were a great way to practice techniques and to become familiar with how quilting worked. I learned from the Internet and from books (my favorite books were, and still are, basic block books). I still enjoy making those 6″ blocks. So when the time came to write a book, that was exactly what I wanted to do.

Stash ’Stache, Patchwork Cross, Aircraft, and Spool and Bobbin blocks

I love traditional quilts and the tradition of quilting as a whole. There is so much history in quilting and for me that’s the big draw. Not much has changed over the hundreds of years since patchwork and quilting first started. We still follow the same principles and still use those first blocks that our ancestors designed all those years ago.

For me there’s nothing better than a traditional quilt made modern with fabric choices. We have so many amazing fabrics available to use these days, and as tastes and fashions change, so do our quilts. Just like the clothes we wear, you can tell the approximate age of a quilt by the fabrics used. In 20 or 30 years’ time we can look back on some of our older work and wonder what on earth we were thinking using those fabrics, just as we might do when we look at what we were wearing…but then we can remake the quilt using the exact same blocks in different fabrics and get a whole new look.

Spool, The Lost Goslin’, Economy Patch, Big O, and Love Letter blocks

Blocks are the bricks that we use to build our quilts. Rather than a book purely full of quilt patterns, I was eager to write a book that (I hope) you will use to inspire your own quilts. You can use different combinations of the 25 blocks in the book to make pillows, pot holders, or quilts, or you can make a quilt using just one of your favorite blocks repeated. Use your imagination and your own initiative, and above all, have fun trying out new fabric combinations and new-to-you blocks as well as old favorites.

I’ve also included four simple projects in the book that you can make step by step:

“Armchair Butler” and “Amuse-Bouche Pillow”

“Cup ’n’ Cookie Coaster” and “Gridlock Quilt”

We all have scraps. My book, 25 Patchwork Quilt Blocks, is designed to use your scraps. If you’re a new quilter and don’t have as many scraps as you’d like, why not ask friends to swap with you to mix it up a bit and get a larger variety of prints and colors? Or ask at your local quilt shop (or favorite online quilt shop). You can often pick up scrap bags for very little money and they’re like a surprise gift to yourself—you never know exactly what you’ll get. I don’t know about you, but scraps can seem even more exciting than a stack of fat quarters. There’s so much potential in those little bits of leftovers!

I really hope you enjoy my book, and that you’ll follow me on my quilting journey over on my blog. I’d sure love to have you stop by and hang out with me. We can drink tea and sew together—it’ll be fun. And if you bring cake, we can be friends for life!

Thanks for your charming introduction to your new book, Katy—keep calm and quilt on!

Do you make quilt blocks without having a final project in mind? Share how you make and use quilt blocks in the comments and you could win a copy of the 25 Patchwork Quilt Blocks eBook! We’ll choose a random winner one week from today and let you know by email if you win.

Purchase Katy’s new book today and you can instantly download the eBook for free.

Thanks for stopping by for the weekly Quirky Question—where questions are just for fun, your answers are always welcome, and you could win an eBook for free!

Right: “Large Starburst” from Quilter’s Happy Hour by Lori Buhler (get the eBook for $10.17 this week only.)

We often share stories about the “hows” in our lives: how did we meet our spouse? How did we get our job? How do we manage to keep our house so clean? But how often do you get asked about your creative passions? That query leads to this week’s question:

How did you become a quilter?

(Recently we asked you to create your own quirky questions, and reader Maureen came up with this one. Thanks for your question, Maureen!)

Post your answer in the comments before noon (PST) on Monday, May 27, for your chance to win. The winning answer will be posted on Wednesday, May 29, along with the next question. (Knitters, crocheters, and other crafters, answer with your own medium in mind!)

Last week’s Quirky Question was, “How would you describe one of your quilts in a haiku?” More than 100 of you wrote beautiful odes to your quilts! Here’s the winning haiku:

Houses in a row
Vintage blocks of calico
Prize-winning quilt show.

Last week’s winning comment was written by Robyn. Congratulations, Robyn—look for an email about your free eBook.

When Stitch This! launched just over a year ago, one of our goals was to pack posts with interesting, fun, and helpful quilting tutorials. Recently we took an inventory of those quilting tutorials and were giddy to find that we’d amassed 52 so far—that’s about one tute a week!

Today we’ve classified, categorized, and compartmentalized those 52 quilting tutorials into one handy post that you can refer to again and again. Bookmark it, pin it, however you do it—just be sure to save this page for the times when you need it!

Got a burning question about quilting that isn’t answered with a tutorial below? Make a quilting-tutorial request in the comments—our aim is to answer every quiltmaking query you can come up with.

Share our “52 quilting tutorials” post with your quilting friends:

Choosing fabrics for quilts

Scraps, strips, and precuts

Designing quilts

Basic quiltmaking techniques

Pattern tutorials

Appliqué

Paper piecing

Machine quilting

Finishing techniques

Sewing techniques

Just for fun

How to Quilt: FREE downloadable eBooklets

Our How to Quilt eBooklets are filled with tried-and-true, solid quiltmaking techniques that you can apply to any project. In fact, several of our free eBooklets are quite substantial—entertaining, meaty pieces that cover several aspects of one technique. In short, they’re deep. Download one or all of them now!

Did we miss a topic? What quilting tutorials would you like to see? Tell us in the comments and we’ll consider your idea for a future post!

There are a few places in the quiltmaking world that even some of the most experienced fear to tread: one of them is that small town where they mysteriously make quilt patterns with circles. Or curves. Or circles and curves.

Oh, you’ve never taken the trip? Well, small towns are known for their creativity, their ingenuity, and of course their beauty and charm—they’re most definitely worth the visit!

When you arrive, the quilters there will ask you: “What’s your favorite way to quilt?” Whether you like traditional piecing or a specific form of appliqué best (hand, machine, fusible, etc.), you’ll likely discover that your favorite technique can be easily applied to the most curvaceous of quilts.

Below you’ll find four different approaches to making circle quilts and quilts with curves. The little town of circles and curves welcomes you—and just might change your entire outlook on quiltmaking. Won’t you stop by for a spell?

Sewing curves in quilting: piecing
From Quiltastic Curves by Tammy Kelly

The antique quilt on the left—called “Love in a Tangle,” most likely made in the late 1800s—inspired Tammy to make curved piecing the focus of her third book. It also inspired her to create her “Mesmerize” quilt, right.

Tammy uses a series of curved templates to make her striking quilts—but wait, don’t be afraid! Her method for sewing curves is simple, straightforward, and skips a few traditional steps to speed up the task.

“Splish Splash!,” “Stars ’n’ Curves,” and “Bits of Shimmer”

In her introduction to Quiltastic Curves, Tammy explains, “The traditional Drunkard’s Path pattern, which I incorporated into the quilts ‘Splish Splash!,’ ‘Stars ’n’ Curves,’ and ‘Bits of Shimmer,’ can be used to demonstrate the steps involved in curved piecing. Looking at the two pieces in the Drunkard’s Path unit, you can see that one has an inner curve, known as the concave curve, and the other piece has an outer curve, called the convex curve.

The template patterns include registration marks for matching one piece to another. However, I prefer a method that does not require marking. For example, with the Drunkard’s Path unit I fold each piece in half and crease to mark the midpoint. Then I match up the creases and pin in place. I typically use three pins to hold the pieces together, one in the center and one at each end. You will find that all the patterns require a certain amount of easing to make them fit. I ease between the pins as needed.

Here are just a few of Tammy’s smart tips for successfully sewing with curves.

Save 40% on Quiltastic Curves through May 26
Print book (w/free eBook): $16.17; eBook only: $11.37

Sewing curves in quilting: interfacing + appliqué
From Quilter’s Happy Hour by Lori Buhler

Using interfacing for appliqués is a technique that quilters have improvised with and improved upon for decades—it’s most recently being used to make trendy hexagon quilts. By applying the technique to curves, Lori simplifies the making of quilts like these:

“Stinger” and “Blue Canary”

“Raspberry Kiss” and “Large Starburst”

Of the interfacing technique, Lori says: “For a long time I avoided appliqué patterns with curved pieces because I knew the anxiety they would bring. Once I started doing appliqué using the interfacing technique, I began to think of ways this method could be used for the look of curved piecing. After many happy hours of sewing, I deemed the technique a success! A vast world of possibilities was now available to me, and quilts that I had admired but was too intimidated to attempt were suddenly within my reach.”

See Lori’s technique explained in detail in this post about machine appliqué. You can use the process with curves or with nearly any appliqué shape you choose!

BOOK BONUS: True to her cry for a “quilter’s happy hour,” Lori pairs a fancy cocktail recipe with every quilt pattern in the book. We’ve included her recipe for frozen piña coladas above, along with a photo of Lori’s beautiful “Piña Colada” quilt, which was inspired by a trip to Mexico. Enjoy!

Save 40% on Quilter’s Happy Hour through May 26
eBook only: $10.17

Circle quilts by hand: Needle-turn and reverse appliqué
From Solids, Stripes, Circles, and Squares by Pippa Eccles Armbrester

Pippa’s creations are bold and graphic, showing off a distinctly handcrafted look. Her circle shapes are sewn in the most organic way there is to stitch: by hand. Pippa’s slight imperfections evoke a delightful charm, while her choice of solid fabrics makes a striking statement. Simple shapes + simple fabrics = visual fireworks. Who knew?

In this detail of “Dancing Dots,” the outer and inner circles are sewn using the needle-turn appliqué technique; the middle circle is reverse appliquéd.

Like most beginning quilters, Pippa started out with a bit of appliqué trepidation. She says, “I used to find appliqué intimidating, but it’s surprisingly fun and easy once you get the hang of it. It’s also one of the easiest ways to incorporate curved shapes into your quilt designs, breaking free from the geometric limitations of patchwork alone. I love using a combination of appliqué and reverse appliqué to achieve dimension.”

Use combinations of needle-turn and reverse appliqué to make your own quilted fireworks, like these:

“Spots on Squares” and “Dancing Dots”

“Dots and Dashes,” “Shifting Stripes,” and “Fruity Rings”

Save 40% on Solids, Stripes, Circles, and Squares through May 26
Print book (w/free eBook): $14.99; eBook only: $10.19

Circle quilts by machine: machine appliqué
From Adventures in Circles by Leigh E. McDonald

Leigh’s artistic quilts are brimming with possibilities for creativity, and in Adventures in Circles, she breaks down her approach so that the budding artist in you can reach full bloom. Using common (and quite easy) appliqué techniques, Leigh covers circles, curves, and doughnut shapes; then she shows you how to layer shape upon shape and add embellishments for a stunning finish.

In her quilts, Leigh uses both fusible appliqué and freezer-paper appliqué. She then finishes the edges of the circles with machine stitching. Take a look at just a few of the quilts that you can make with Leigh’s guidance.

“Clockworks”

“Harvest Moon”

“Carnival”

From the gallery: “Sun Spots” by Kimberly Montagnese; “Catch a Falling Moon” by Kim Svoboda.

Save 40% on Adventures in Circles through May 26
Print book: $16.17

Have you stopped by the little town of circles and curves—or have you routinely passed it by? Share your story in the comments!

(Left: “Butterfly Wings” from 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws)

If you’ve taken a stroll through the home-decor store at the mall or browsed through the latest home-goods catalog, you may have noticed a trend: knitted blankets and throws!

Something about a lush hand-knit blanket brings instant comfort and relaxation to a room, whether it’s a guest room or a family room (or your own bedroom—it’s okay to be selfish!).

But like us, you probably stroll through the mall thinking, “Oh, but I could make that.” We’d much prefer to hand knit a throw than to purchase it premade. And a handmade blanket makes a perfect gift, so it’s a good thing we can’t stop knitting them!

As fellow knitted-blanket lovers and compulsive knitters, we’re excited to share the rerelease of one of our best-selling collections of knitted blankets and throws. These fabulous designs were crafted with care by our staff and first published in The Little Box of Knitted Throws. Now they’re back in 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws—a value-packed book that’s bursting with colorful photos of cozy knitted blankets.

We were so excited to share this collection with you that we uploaded a sneak peek to Ravelry—and it didn’t go unnoticed! Over the past few months, you’ve “liked” the projects, shared them, and added them to your Ravelry queues. Today, we’re going to share with you Ravelers’ favorite patterns from 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws—and hopefully inspire you to cozy up that living room with a knitted throw of your very own. Who knows, maybe you’ll be on the next cover of Stylish Knitters’ Homes. (Too bad that’s not a real publication, right?)

Ravelers’ Favorite Patterns from 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws

#5: Confetti

Bright, cheerful colors and soft, fuzzy textures combine to make a cuddly throw for Baby.

#4: Easy Aran Squares

Classic cables are stitched a block at a time, making this an ideal take-along project.

#3: Sunset Squares

This gorgeous mitered-squares throw glows with the colors of the evening sky.

#2: Arbor

The twining pattern and openwork on this beautiful throw are reminiscent of a romantic garden arbor.

#1: Garden Gate

Gorgeous texture and soft, chunky wool make this the perfect throw to snuggle under on the coldest days.

Of course, we all have our favorites (and really, how could you pick just one?) so be sure to check out the gallery below from 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws. Ready to pick out your next project? Order 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws on ShopMartingale right now, for only $16.99. And remember that when you buy the book on ShopMartingale, you get the eBook version for free right away. How’s that for value?

Which pattern from 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws is your favorite? Tell us in the comments and you’ll be entered in the drawing to win a free eBook version of 20 Easy Knitted Blankets and Throws. We’ll pick a winner on May 24 and notify you by email if you’ve won.

"Baby Blocks"

"Cabin Cozy"

"Diamonds in Denim"

"Holiday Sampler"

"Mocha Ripple"

"Pretty in Pink"

"Rhythm in Blue"

"Ruby Knights"

"School Spirit"

"Spring Lace"

"Stained Glass"

"The Men's Club"

"Tri-Color Weave"

"Triple Wave"

When the quilts from Amy Ellis’ new book Modern Neutrals arrived at the office, waves of oohs and aahs rose throughout the building. Amy’s latest collection of neutral quilt patterns is graphic, geometric, and distinctly dramatic. And although her projects effortlessly lend themselves to remarkable quilts for men, let’s be honest—in our office, it was mostly women doing the oohing and aahing! As much as men will enjoy these quilts, they’re certainly not quilts for men only.

Today, Amy is here to talk about her gorgeous new designs, and to touch on why these designs are a perfect choice when you’re quilting for men. Take it away, Amy—we’re ready to share those oohs and aahs with all of our friends at Stitch This!

Hi there, Stitch This! readers! I’m really excited about the release of Modern Neutrals: A Fresh Look at Neutral Quilt Patterns. Usually I like bold, beautiful prints, but I was challenged by my husband to think about quilts with less color, and that were a little less feminine. As I began sketching ideas in neutral palettes, I became more excited about the quilts and the potential for each of the patterns. I think many of them will suit your most difficult-to-make-for recipient—guys. They can be so particular, at least the guys in my life, and not all that enthusiastic about my fabric choices for them, or about fabric collections geared toward guys.

Each of the quilts in Modern Neutrals is made from a variety of prints—not a collection in sight! Oftentimes they can be made with fabrics you already have in your stash. My first look at my stash for neutral tones surprised me. I didn’t realize how many neutral fabrics I already owned. When putting the neutrals together, I loved the effect. The subtleties of the fabric prints and the texture created within the quilts was just what I was hoping for!

Modern Neutrals includes 15 quilt patterns, ranging from simple to intricate. There are enough instructions for the novice to learn how to quilt, and a few new tips for advanced quilters as well. Of course the quilts can be customized to suit any room or gift recipient!

Since all the fabrics are comprised of neutral tones, I labeled them A–D according to value, with “A” fabrics being the lightest. This helped me group my fabrics and then select the prints to work with for each quilt.

Let’s look at a few of my favorites, especially for the guys in our lives.

“Circuit Board.” I just love the subtle variations in the fabrics.  It’s soft and bold at the same time, without being feminine.

“Waves.” I’ve thought about how I would remake this quilt numerous times! I love the graphic nature, and how simple it is to put together. I might have to make it in black and white soon. It could also be made in school colors for the student in your life.

“Placid Curves.” I love how refined this quilt looks. It’s subtle, yet it keeps your eye roaming over the entire quilt top. Don’t let those tiny squares put you off—it’s strip pieced!

“Prism.” Art is the first thought that comes to mind when I see this quilt. It’s graphic and bold, yet when you look closer, you can see that not all the whites are the same, which gives it depth and interest.

“Digital Pinwheel.” This simple quilt uses subtle variations in tone to create movement. I love the effect and it’s such a cinch to make!

I hope next time you’re looking for the perfect pattern, you will look to Modern Neutrals for inspiration. Don’t ignore those subtle gems in your stash any longer; put them together and see what kind of magic you can make!

Amy Ellis
amyscreativeside.com

Amy, thanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes story of your new book with us! You can see the rest of the projects from Modern Neutrals in the slideshow below. Be sure to check out Amy’s blog—home of the famed Blogger’s Quilt Festival, a twice-yearly event that begins tomorrow!

So, which man in your life deserves a new quilt? Tell us why the lucky guy is on your quilts-to-make list in the comments and you could win a copy of the Modern Neutrals eBook! We’ll choose a random winner one week from today and email you if you win.

Purchase Modern Neutrals today and you can instantly download the eBook for free. Get started on that special guy’s quilt today!

"Triangle Fury"

"Sliced"

"Shifting Sands"

"Quadrille"

"Pleated Patchwork"

"Pivot"

"Piked Peaks"

"In Motion"

"Double Diamonds"

Thanks for stopping by for the weekly Quirky Question—where questions are just for fun, your answers are always welcome, and you could win an eBook for free!

(Below: “Ladybug Jamboree” by Cyndi Walker; ePattern $4.99.)

A fun trend sweeping the blogiverse got us thinking about an unusual challenge for Quirky Question readers: haiku poems. After all, quilts can be quite poetic. And the process of making them can be quite dramatic!

We’ve all made a quilt that deserves a poem. Let’s see if we can remember back to elementary school—what were those haiku rules?

Line one: 5 syllables.
Line two: 7 syllables.
Line three: 5 syllables.

Those three lines lead to this week’s question:

How would you describe
One of your favorite quilts
In your own haiku?

Post your haiku in the comments before noon (PST) on Monday, May 20, for your chance to win. The winning haiku will be posted on Wednesday, May 22, along with the next question. (Knitters, crocheters, and other crafters, answer with your own medium in mind!)

Last week’s Quirky Question was, “What’s the fastest quilt you’ve ever made—and how’d you like the result?” Here’s the winning response:

“The fastest quilt I have ever made was Christmas Eve last year. My daughter has a wonderful friend with two children. They always exchange Christmas gifts, with the children getting what their Mom suggests. A few days before Mom said the two children wanted blankets for Christmas, nice soft ones. So, off to the quilt shop for Minkee. Then to my house for help.  She made one and I made the other, all in one day while preparing Christmas dinner. The children were thrilled, my daughter and I really enjoyed sewing together, and our family still had a traditional Christmas dinner. Special times!”

Last week’s winning comment was written by Mary. Congratulations, Mary—look for an email about your free eBook.

Are you on the fence about eBooks? You’re not alone. In fact, one of our popular authors, Mary Elizabeth Kinch, was decidedly undecided about eBooks—until she challenged herself to learn more about their advantages and disadvantages.

Luckily, Mary Elizabeth had a very special eBook to experiment with—Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts—which she cowrote! She shared her thoughts about her eBook experience with her readers on her blog. Today, Mary Elizabeth has kindly allowed us to share her findings with you. If you’ve ever wondered what a passionate quilter thinks of this new digital medium, read on.

Taking a Closer Look at eBooks
by Mary Elizabeth Kinch, coauthor of Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts and Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts

Call me old fashioned! With more than 350 quilting-related paper books on my shelves, I thought I knew which side of the paper vs. eBook debate I was on. However, I spotted an inconsistency. I’ve been completely digital with my music for the past six years, and with my photos for the past ten! So why have I been slow to embrace change on the book front? I decided to take a look at my perceptions of eBooks.

A peek at Mary Elizabeth’s bookshelf.

Perception 1: eBooks are not the same quality as a printed copy.

Wrong! I downloaded copies of my own books—images and quilts that I’m really familiar with. The page layouts are exactly the same as they are in the paper book. The images are brilliant! I can zoom in on photos for a closer look, with quality so good I could do thread counts on fabric with little difficulty (slightly better on my laptop than my iPad).

Perception 2: I would likely print a “not-great-quality” paper copy for myself to have in hand, so why not buy the paper copy straight off?

There is a bit of truth to that one. I wouldn’t print a copy of a novel, but my craft books are reference tools. I like being able to pull a book off the shelf and have a quick glance or a long study. My limited studio workspace is too precious to have my laptop there all the time. And I’m not going to lug around my iPad for a knitting project. So I would definitely be printing at least a copy of a pattern. The benefit is that I could make notes on the paper copy.

Perception 3: Navigation through an eBook is clumsy.

No, it is just different. Many years of muscle memory makes handling paper books easy. But swiping my finger on my iPad was easy to get used to.

On the iPad: the Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts eBook

When I’m looking for a piece of information, instead of flipping through a paper book numerous times to locate it, I can search an eBook easily.

Plus, a grid view lets you quickly navigate from one part of the book to another.

And many eBooks include links in the text, enriching your reading experience. (Are you tempted yet?)

Perception 4: Portability

The allure of eBooks for travelers is obvious: lots of reading choices without the weight. That’s why I purchased six eBooks recently. At the same time, eBooks can tether you to one place with a power cord, and you risk hard-drive crashes and computer viruses. And you won’t find me relaxing in the tub with my eReader.

The real benefit of eBooks, beside the lower price, space conservation, searchability, and zoom capability, is accessibility. If you’re inspired at 2:00 a.m. and want to start that project now, just hit click to buy, prep your cutting area while the eBook is downloading, and you’re off to the races!

As I explored eBooks, it dawned on me that I might like to print a template for something like, say, “Pumpkin Peel” (right). Printing templates to scale is so important to the final outcome.

Printing straight from an eBook on my computer, I first made sure to set the scale to 100%. The printed template, when overlaid on the template in the book, was perfect.

In your printer settings, be sure to put the scale setting to 100%!

Next was printing from my iPad. This was not so successful. As it’s been explained to me, some of the pages in the book are “full bleed” (meaning images go right to the edge of the eBook “page” as if it were paper). The built-in Apple print option scales pages down slightly, for compatibility with the maximum number of printer types out there. Very convenient for general printing, not great for templates. Once printed, the template had been scaled down and was too small. What to do?

After some exploration, I discovered that most printer manufacturers have free apps that allow more functions. My printer is an Epson, so I downloaded the app. I couldn’t access the functionalities I needed. No success in my case.

As for other eReading devices: if you have a Kindle or a Nook you want to print from, it looks as though you might be out of luck when it comes to adjusting the print scaling. [Ed. Note: While it's possible to print from both a Kindle and a Nook, as far as we're aware you can't set printer scaling to 100%. If you know a way, tell us about it in the comments!]

So where does that leave us? On a positive note! My personal experience is limited to my publisher’s eBooks, but I can tell you that when you purchase an eBook from Martingale, you receive an email with a download link. I like to first download the eBook to my computer, so that I can print pages as needed. Then I also download the eBook to my iPad, for portability.

Martingale now includes a printer-test page at the beginning of their eBooks, and you can even download it here. Just print a copy to test your printer for page scaling.

In the end, I still love the tactile feel of paper between my fingers, the gentle whoosh of pages turning, and the familiarity that rereading brings. Reading a printed book is soothing and relaxing in a way that my computer eBook experience is not, no matter how much they add the computer-generated click/swish of pages turning. But since my shelf space is limited, I see eBooks as a good solution. And for books that are out of print, eBooks are a fantastic solution!

There’s loads more interesting information on eBooks here and here. Are you embracing eBooks?

Thanks for sharing your eBook experience, Mary Elizabeth! You can see the original posts from Mary Elizabeth here and here at her blog.

Be sure to browse the gorgeous, antique-inspired quilts from Mary Elizabeth and her coauthor, Biz Storms, in Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts and Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts. Both books are also available as eBooks, of course—and when you buy the printed version of the book, you can instantly download the eBook for free!

What do you think of eBooks—have you tried them yet? If yes, how do you like them (and if no, why not?). Leave your eStory in the comments!

Have you made a quilt (or more) for every friend, family member, coworker, and child in your life, but you still don’t see a dent in your fabric stash? Perhaps it’s time to explore things to sew with fabric that may not be quite as cuddly as a quilt but that promise just as much fun and creativity.

When you think about what to do with extra fabric—other than using it in quilts—what projects typically come to mind? Pillows? Yes! Pincushions? Sure! Table runners? You bet. But there are even more out-of-the-box ways to feature the fabric you have on hand.

You’ve stockpiled all that fabric for a reason: to create! Below you’ll find four different things to do with spare fabric—things you may have never considered before. The ideas from these stellar authors just might inspire you to break into your stockpile. Are you game for a new sewing adventure?

1. Wrap It

Got fabric strips to spare? Wrap them around common clothesline; then coil that clothesline into beautiful baskets, bowls, purses, mats, lids, and embellishments. If you’re thinking three-dimensional items might be too challenging, put those fears on hold until you watch this video, which demonstrates the basic technique:

Watch the video

Easier than it seems, huh?

The entire process is revealed in It’s a Wrap II—and author Susan Breier makes learning easy and fun. Customize your creations with favorite colors, patterns, and textures from your stash. Make basic round, oval, and square shapes, or try innovative triangles, hearts, and figure eights. Here are just a few examples of what you can do:

“Scrap Fabric Shoulder Bag” and “Large Oval Basket with Knotted Trim”

“Urn-Style Round Basket” and “Scrappy Plate with Tree Appliqué”

“Round Striped Basket with Knotted Handles” and “Synthetic V-Shaped Round Basket”

Save 40% on It’s a Wrap II this week.

2. Manipulate It

As quilters, we typically work hard to keep our fabric flat—pressing, sewing, smoothing, quilting. But fabric is an exceptionally flexible friend; why not try a few techniques that take advantage of the medium’s versatility?

Popular blogger and Moda fabric designer Vanessa Christenson plays with gathers, twists, pleats, tucks, folds, and more in her book Make It Sew Modern. Below you can see how she adds touches of texture—all with the simplest of techniques.

Ruffles: “Decorative Hanging Globes,” “Throw Pillow with Frosting,” and “Spring-Blossom Wreath”

Twists: “Twisted Fabric Bracelet,” “Decorative Balls,” and “Satin-Ribbon Flower Accessory”

Gathers: “Square-within-a-Square Pillow,” “Decorative Bed Pillow,” and “Market/Beach Tote”

Pleats: “Chic Modern Pillow,” “Folded Petal Flower,” and “Everyday Quilt”

Learn more about Make It Sew Modern; save 40% on the book this week.

3. Wear It

If you’ve been stashing away a special collection of fabrics for a real knockout project, you could sew those fabrics into a quilt—or you could wear them instead! Nancie M. Wiseman’s bestseller Start with a Sweatshirt has inspired thousands of quilters to spotlight their stash favorites in beautiful jackets, and helped them expand their sewing skills in the process.

Front and back of “Spring Trees” jacket

With Nancie’s clever approach, you use a sweatshirt as a base. (And since you choose a sweatshirt in your size, a good fit is guaranteed from the start.) Create sections of pieced fabric as you would for a quilt; then deconstruct your sweatshirt and quilt the pieced fabric onto sections of the sweatshirt. Sew the sweatshirt pieces back together; then make reservations at your favorite fancy restaurant. You’re going to want to show off your gorgeous new jacket!

“Mandarin” jacket

Save 40% on Start with a Sweatshirt this week.

4. Paper Piece It (then wear it!)

If you’ve ever wanted to try constructing clothing but have been a little bashful, let the Queen of Paper Piecing, Carol Doak, ease you into it with her friendly advice and easy techniques. More than 100,000 people bought the first edition of Easy Reversible Vests; Carol’s revised edition combines all-new block designs with a fresh, updated style. And because you feature quilt blocks and other pieced elements in each vest, you’ll find a nice familiarity to fall back as you learn new techniques.

First, Carol walks you though choosing just the right blend of fabrics—focus fabrics, supporting fabrics, and accent fabrics. You can choose to work with only strips, only squares, or a combination of both. But what’s really fun about Carol’s projects is that she’s built in lots of variations so you can customize your vests. Plus, she offers tips to ensure your vest will flatter your figure:

Each set of project instructions features two additional vest photos to inspire your own variations.

“Batik Beauty” (main project); “Black Tie” and “Red Hot” (variations)

Full-sized vest patterns are included on pullout pattern sheets.

“Tropical Blues”

Learn more about Easy Reversible Vests; save 40% on the book this week.

Ready to step outside of the traditional quilt square for a spell—for the sake of your growing stash? Be sure to take advantage of this week’s sale!

What kinds of non-quilt projects have you sewn from your stash? Share your ideas in the comments!