I'm having so much fun today working on these scrappy kaleidoscope blocks from Rita's free pattern. It's a great way to use up the baskets of scraps that are slowly taking over my sewing room, and I love the way they look. I'm planning to turn these into a pillow unless I get really carried away and end up with a quilt...
I was thinking this morning about books, sewing books to be specific. There's so much information available online these days -- free tutorials, patterns, blogs, etc. -- yet I can't escape the allure of holding a book in my two hands and paging through the pictures. Do you buy sewing books and magazines? And if so, what are you looking for in there that makes it worth the money? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject, so please share!
Those are such cute blocks! I do love books. I have a bunch on my kindle. I find I am more drawn to the "modern" traditional quilting books or books making quilting stuff for kids. Mostly because I have kids plus that is who I give gifts to mostly like my nieces and nephews. Plus most of my favorite bloggers I have their books like both of Camille's, Allison's from cluck cluck sew, and Sherri's from a Quilting life. I love their blogs, so I buy their books:)
ReplyDeleteI have a collection of books as well. I find that there are just some things that I can't get from blogs. Now as more craftsy classes become avaialble - this is where I'm finding books harder to buy.
ReplyDeleteI've resorted to renting {many} books from my library. And I can check them out over and over - doesn't cost me a dime :)
Those are such cute blocks! I will have to check it out since my scrap basket is ridiculous at the moment, despite my best efforts!
ReplyDeleteAs for books, I really do love them, but for most I don't see that they are worth the money. I really like quilt books that have patterns for inspiration and actual techniques - I guess I don't buy them because I want to make that exact thing, as shown, but can see by learning the technique used and applying it a different way, that I can make even more, unique things. I thought Sunday Morning Quilts did a good job of that, and I already made one inspired by one in the book, although not quite like it. But for example, she explain how to block your scraps, then shows a few things you can make with those blocks and then you can take it one step further and create something of your own.
The blocks look great! I also adore books, and can't stop buying them, i like big bright pictures, clear instructions with good pictures, a variety of inspirational projects with a fresh take on them. :o)
ReplyDeleteI only have one book - Patchwork Please. After seeing the Zakka sewlong last year I thought I'd give this round a try. I'd really like to branch out from making just quilts and wanted to try some different tecniques. It looks great so far... :o)
ReplyDeleteYou always have the best scraps! And I like your new sidebar links!!
ReplyDeletelove thoes scrappy blocks. I try to use online tutorials but love having a pattern I can read right there in my hands. MY hubby fusses sometimes because I buy magazines regularly (none enough to get a subscription) and he alwasy says isn't that online for free -- but I find I make fewer errors with a printed copy and often times print out tutorials anyway for easy refrence
ReplyDeleteI really always prefer books but have bought many and then when I got them been disappointed so I have scaled back. Have you read the Quilty magazine? It is new, fresh and always has great patterns and articles so that is my latest favorite. Even with online tutorials, I always print them out so when I work I can check of each step. (Yes I am a Left Brain)
ReplyDeleteI like books. Mostly for quilts or projects that I couldn't figure out. I also value the stories in the books too, so I like when the books are more than just patterns.
ReplyDeleteI love sewing books. I don't generally buy magazines unless there is something specific I'm looking for, but I do appreciate being able to sit down and look at a book.
ReplyDeleteI am sort of a magazine hoarder. I love crafty and cooking mags. I don't know, I like the little bits and pieces you find in them, and cute little projects. I do however want the Patchwork Please! Book and went to buy it today, but my bookstore did not have it :(
ReplyDeleteadorable blocks. I do buy sewing/ quilting books a lot and the ones I reach for the most are the ones that show the way to do things which means they can be adjusted and used in many projects, not just that one particular quilt. I also love the eye candy.
ReplyDeleteI buy books w/my JoAnn's coupon, that way I can justify the amount of books I buy-mainly for the inspiration and eye candy. I gravitate to those that are similar to my styles and also ones that give you a picture of how their quilt can look different with other fabric/color ways.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are lovely!
The blocks are adorable.
ReplyDeleteI still buy books, for one it's much more comfortable to lie in bed on a Sunday morning and read a book than to use the lap top.
I tend to buy books that a) inspire me to put my own stamp on their patterns, or b) have techniques that I want to learn. I own a few books I bought because they had basic quilting/piecing technique tutorials in them.
I love your little kaleidoscope blocks! I'm hoping to try out Rita's pattern soon.
ReplyDeleteI love books and magazines and often request them as gifts from family. Sometimes I'm disappointed in the projects, but I still keep on buying. I particularly love books a bout scraps! Nd I love your blocks!
ReplyDeleteI love books more than magazines my favorite two at the moment are Pillow Pop and Patchwork, please. I think these are my favorite as they have small projects that I can finish in a week at most. Any more than that it is difficult to get back to and finish.
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a book person.I get so much inpiration from books, and I usually get a book that has a project that I can learn a new technique from. Even with so much available to us on the web, it is just better to see it in a book, even if it's something I've seen before. I love your Kaleidoscope blocks!
jan@http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com/
Oh, man. Those kaleidoscopes are awesome!
ReplyDeleteYes, I still loving holding and pouring over a book, too. I'll never give them up!
Bam, those pictures grabbed me! Nice blocks and thanks for the link :) I do love to hold a book. I've got e-mags and books, as they really save on overseas shipping but they don't come close to the real thing. I like quilting/art/crafting books that have clear directions, lots of pictures, a little bit about what makes the creators tick or why they rote the book, and I love source lists in the back, if I'm so lucky to have that too!
ReplyDeleteI don't buy craft magazines generally, I'm pretty much always disappointed with sewing magazines and am always disappointed with crochet magazines. There just seem to be so many adverts and no unique content. One crochet magazine recently had at least one pattern which was currently free online. So expensive too! I'd rather spend a few pounds more on a good craft book. I still don't have that many craft books as there is so much free, the ones I do have I have generally looked through before buying and are very pretty books. Hexagogo, Sweet and Simple Patchwork and The Quilting Bible are all lovely. I just need a really good embroidery book and maybe one about using felt and then I'm all set! Until another really pretty one comes along at least ;-) I tend to read blogs and browse my own pinterest boards for inspiration, there's normally something on there that I've forgotten I pinned and want to make!
ReplyDeleteI love books and magazines. I have way over 50 quilting books and I don't know how many magazines. There is something about having a hard copy in your hand and turning those pages that isn't the same on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteThe scrappy kaleidoscope blocks are beautiful. They are going to make for a very happy quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love sewing books and magazines! It is nice to sit on the couch and flip through a book, no bright screens necessary. :) I purchase projects books that have patterns I haven't seen before and when I can see myself making a majority of the projects. My favorites are usually by one author with a distinct style. I also like books that focus on techniques because they tend to present the whole picture, whereas online I am usually looking for bits and pieces of information over several different sources. The amount of information on the internet can be overwhelming sometimes, so it is nice to have a condensed version in book form. Even though a lot of times I seek further clarification on the internet, books usually help me get a general grasp of the technique and help me better seek out further information on the internet.
I love books and magazines! I love to sit back and flip through one, then return to it over and over when I'm looking for a project to start. I look online too, but there's something wonderful about a paper copy.
ReplyDeleteI love to sit down with a new quilting book or cookbook and a cup of coffee. Make me very happy! :) Love your blocks!
ReplyDeleteI like those blocks - they have given me all sorts of ideas. I don't buy real books for fiction etc anymore, I love my kindle and that I can keep them all in one small space. I do however love real books for sewing and quilting. I like really good picture as I am really bad at following instructions. I like a variety of projects with design ideas which can be mixed an matched. I got really fed up when I had small kids that all books with makes for kids were actually makes for girls. Sorry, I don't suppose you wanted an essay.
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