Thursday, May 24, 2012

Magazine Reviews galore! Two magazines you NEED

For me, interactive magazines are what makes a magazine worth purchasing, reading and utilizing.  Here are two excellent examples for us quilters:



1.  Sew News June/July 2012

This is great!  If you use a machine to do your quilting, "Sew News" can be a great way to expand your sewing machine techniques and there are some articles directly pertaining to quilting, too.

Interactive is what this magazine is all about!

Join the sewing district forum for free....there's so much variety, great tips, free patterns and you can see  the work of others for inspiration and share your hard work!


sewingdistrict.com/free-sewing-patterns
facebook.com/sewnews
twitter.com/sewnews
pinterest.com/sewnews

You can win prizes for your project(s):
sewingdistrict.com/project-gallery

You can 'meet' interesting people:
lucyblairehandmade.com
oliverands.com/blog
stepalica.blogspot.com
laboursoflove.com
sharonsews.blogspot.com
gruenetree.com
silhouettepatterns.com (specializing in clothing for B, C and D cups)
stacysews.com (from Kansas)
seecherylsew.blogspot.com

(There's an app for that!)  Block Tool App for Android
C&T's Quick and Easy Quilt Block Tool App available at www.ctpub.com


"Tablet Sleeve" project:  On pg. 24 of the June/July 2012 Sew News issue, you will find a great project made with two 8 1/2 x 11" pieces of wool felt, one fat quarter and one piece of cotton quilting fabric, a button and a hairband for your new tablet, plus instructions for tablets of different sizes!  What a great present for a graduate!!

You can download the pattern from sewnews.com/web_extras

Great tips from editors - the best one from this issue is the advice to forego fusible web for applique and to use glue stick instead!  Grab the issue to read why...two of the editors have 'nightmare' stories to share with you so you can avoid those pitfalls!!



2.  "McCall's Quilting" July/August 2012

This magazine ROCKS.  Here at RocknQuilts, we like things that rock :-)

Did you know that McCall's Quilting is going on the road??  They're bringing sixteen reader-favorite scrap quilts to locations across the US for us to see first-hand.  For more info, visit SewingExpo.com

"Ask...we'll answer"
This is a great way for new quilters to learn from the pros and get a set of pretty charm squares if your question appears in print!  E-mail them at mcq@creativecraftsgroup.com
I was impressed with Debbie Law's question via fb:
She asked, "What was the biggest boo-boo or blunder you've ever committed when making a quilt?"  There were a dozen answers dealing from cutting errors to fusible web messes, etc.  All valuable to learn from!

You can visit McCallsQuilting.com
They offer contests, online groups, and bonus patterns; you can vote for the Quilt Design Star of 2012, download free instructions for the Ireland BOM quilt blocks to commemorate the McCall's Quilting Tour of Ireland in June 2012 and lots more!

Do you enjoy quilt-alongs?  A division of McCall's Quilting is hosting a quilt-along.  Download the FREE preview pattern for 'Westward Journey' at McCallsQuilting.com, then click on bonuses, then click on McCall's bonuses.


There's a new, four-part series quilt-along for 2012 called Sugar Roses, too.  If you purchase this issue now, then you'll have the first of that four-part series!

McCall's has kits for almost every quilt, but you always have the option of utilizing your own fabric stash!

Christine Barnes offers valuable information about color Value on pgs. 33-35.  Her website is christinebarnes.com or you can order a copy of her newest book called "The Quilter's Color Club" by C&T Publishing 2011.  See how you can let Value do the hard work and make your quilts look fabulous!

Sometimes we need quilts in a hurry - illness, Project Linus, etc., so McCall's has a special issue called "America Makes FAST Quilts" 2012.


Hexagons can scare new quilters, but once you see the videos available at McCallsQuilting.com, you'll never be petrified again!  Make hexagons EASILY - no kidding!  McCallsQuilting.com, click on videos, click on Partner Product Features, click on Hexi-Flower Foursome from pgs. 44-47 June/July 2012.


I've been cutting scraps into 2", 3.5" and 5" squares and was thrilled to see the PERFECT Scrap Quilt on pgs. 84-86.  It is called "Nine-Patches in Paradise", uses 2" and 5" scrappy squares in darks and lights and is wonderfully colorful and cozy!


Of course, they can't leave you without something of historical value and this is a wowza moment...Blazing Star from the 1920s-30s is featured on the inside back cover...it's just beautiful AND there's a FREE pattern for that, too!  Just visit McCallsQuilting.com 

....and for my readers who enjoy free motion quilting....

FREE 81 Tips on Free-Motion-Quilting PDF file:
http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/quilting-daily/archive/2012/05/24/81-tips-on-free-motion-quilting-and-thread-sketching-techniques-free-ebook.aspx

Hope you found something useful today!

Please leave a comment to let me know if you subscribe to Sew News or to McCall's Quilting....
thank you!

All the Best,
@






2 comments:

  1. Although I don't subscribe, I do pick up the McCalls Quilting at the store every time it comes out. My very first quilt, from start to finish as opposed to just a top, was from a pattern I got from the McCalls Quilting website.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My two favorite mags are McCalls Quilting and Quilts and More! Hope you are getting better every day :)

    ReplyDelete

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