November 2, 2010

B1051 Rose of Sharon Block BookThis month’s featured book is The Rose of Sharon Block Book: Winning Designs from the EQ6 Challenge by Sharon Pederson.

A year ago, quilt designer, author, and teacher Sharon Pederson issued a challenge to appliquérs worldwide to design a block using a special fabric collection and just three shapes… the classic eight-lobed scalloped blossom, center circle, and symmetrical leaf that are found in traditional Rose of Sharon blocks. The challenge was a wonderful collaboration among companies: the book from That Patchwork Place, a DVD from Sharon’s company Nine Patch Media, project files and templates available on the Electric Quilt website for anyone who owns the program, shape-cutting dies from Accuquilt, a CD of embroidery designs from Oklahoma Embroidery, and the fabric collection from Island Batik. The very cool thing about this whole event is that it supports a truly worthy cause in the process… the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.

Sharon received over 850 blocks, from which judges Alex Andersen and Ricky Tims selected 12 winners. Sharon designed a thirteenth block and assembled them into the beautiful quilt that is seen on the cover of the book.

In all, 83 blocks are included in the book for your appliqué pleasure. You can make the cover quilt or you can design your own as you please. You can also use any appliqué method. The author gives information on her own method of machine appliqué but invites quilters to use whatever they prefer. Sharon is known for her method of quilting and joining block-by-block to break the chore down into smaller, more manageable bites, and gives the information in a “Quilting 101” section, but again encourages quilters to use any method of finishing they like.

That Patchwork Place has also put out a boxed set of notecards featuring the winning designs. They just sent me a set!

Rose of Sharon NotecardsThese beautiful 5 x 5 note cards feature the top 12 designs from the challenge, each card showcasing a different block. They’re blank on the inside for adding a personal message and are coming along just in time for holiday stocking stuffers!

I’m really coveting these note cards for myself… but oookay, they’re going in with the book for the drawing. Leave a comment by 7:00 p.m. California time on Sunday, November 9, to enter the drawing. Those subscribed by email or feed reader, remember you’ll need to click over to the blog itself to leave a comment.

A couple of years ago I wrote an article for the newsletter of the Appliqué Society and in the process contacted Electric Quilt to get some information about the appliqué features of the program. Here’s what I wrote:

During the Spring Quilt Market trade show, I stopped by the Electric Quilt booth to chat about appliqué drawing. EQ has the same equivalent drawing tools as Illustrator, and also a companion lesson book available called EQ6 Appliqué Drawing by Angie Padilla. Here’s a blurb from EQ advertising about the book: “No prior drawing experience required. Start a beginner – end up an expert! Learn to draw vines and leaves, invent appliqué folk art, import photos to trace… draw a wedding cake with flowers and so much more!”

Here are some links in case you’d like to follow up a little more.

eq6

Electric Quilt 6

eq7

Electric Quilt 7

design-wizard

The Electric Quilt Co. Quilt Design Wizard

applique-drawing

EQ6 Appliqué Drawing
Beginner’s Guide to Drawing Like a Pro by Angie Padilla
EQ6 Companion Book

rosdvd

Sharon Pederson Presents Rose of Sharon: Winning Designs from the EQ6 Block Challenge

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Comments

32 Responses to “Sharon Electrifies roses”

  1. Ana Sweet on November 2nd, 2010 7:27 am

    I love those designs. Just a beginner here but applique is this years project.

  2. Penny on November 2nd, 2010 8:44 am

    the rose of sharon quilt, etc., is a wonderful project, that supports Alzheimer’s research. I’d particularly like to learn Sharon’s machine applique method, and her quilt as you go technique.

  3. Erin in MI on November 2nd, 2010 10:11 am

    I love that book! It’s been on my wish list for months…Love your blog, too! Keep up the wonderful work :)

  4. Donna~~ on November 2nd, 2010 11:36 am

    Wow–that’s a book I’ve been drooling over! And supporting a great cause–what’s not to love!

  5. betsy on November 2nd, 2010 2:15 pm

    Kay, great book. Thank you for the chance to win.

  6. Eileen Keane on November 2nd, 2010 2:28 pm

    I have loved the Rose of Sharon for many years-it’s one of my favorite patterns. God bless all the sponsors and participants! I hope it raises tons of money for the AAQI.
    eileenkny

  7. Toddy on November 2nd, 2010 3:50 pm

    This book really looks like it says it all. I love the Rose of Sharon. The fact that the proceed are going to AAQI is a bonus.
    Toddy

  8. Dolores on November 2nd, 2010 4:16 pm

    What a beautiful book. I have always like the Rose of Shannon. Those note cards are almost too good to use. Maybe frame them?

  9. Deb G on November 2nd, 2010 4:20 pm

    The Rose of Sharon quilt is beautiful! I would love a chance to win a copy of the book. Thanks!

  10. Brenda on November 3rd, 2010 8:02 am

    I love hearing about quilters coming together for a challenge and supporting a cause. This looks like a winner all around.

  11. Jen on November 3rd, 2010 9:42 am

    I would live to be entered into this fabulous giveaway! That book looks like it is a jewel! I’m nit that good at appliqué yet, but I definitely want to be!

  12. Marcia Kosturock on November 3rd, 2010 10:14 am

    Those are some VERY beautiful blocks. It would be wonderful fun making them. I would love to be entered in the giveaway. I am just learning to applique, and what better way to start than with a beautiful project like this!

  13. ruth anne shorter on November 3rd, 2010 11:02 am

    I would love to win this beautiful book of those gorgeous blocks. I am not an expert but I adore applique.

  14. Bonnie on November 3rd, 2010 12:30 pm

    Oh, I would love to have that book, it’s a beautiful quilt.

  15. Colleen on November 3rd, 2010 12:38 pm

    Lovely lovely books! Thank you for the chance to win!

  16. Sue on November 3rd, 2010 2:25 pm

    Aren’t these just the prettiest blocks ? I fell in love with these patterns as soon as I saw them. And it’s great that buying any of the related products supports AAQI !

  17. Jean C on November 5th, 2010 9:25 am

    I love the blocks! Still pretty new at applique, but love a challenge.

  18. Liz A. on November 5th, 2010 9:28 am

    I would love to learn her method of machine applique as my thumb no longer allows me to do much applique or other hand work.

  19. Judy Costales on November 5th, 2010 10:40 am

    I would love to own this book to further my path through the maze of applique art. This style of applique I like and have made a couple of blocks in the red and green tradition.

  20. Emily on November 5th, 2010 11:50 am

    I’m dreaming of a rosy Christmas… :)

  21. Terri Blanco on November 5th, 2010 11:53 am

    Great Blog Kay. Your Rose of Sharon is awesome. Applique is on my bucket list when I retire. I am keeping all of your books and patterns tucked away and someday will enjoy them emensely. Hugs, Terri B.

  22. Pixielove on November 5th, 2010 12:25 pm

    I have had my eye on this book for awhile now and think it could make a really pretty Baltimore style quilt. I’m thinking black back ground with jewel tones for the appliques.

  23. Karen Alexander on November 5th, 2010 12:29 pm

    Will have to look this up while at Festival tomorrow! Will the author be signing anywhere in Houston?

  24. Vicki H on November 5th, 2010 4:18 pm

    What a stunning quilt that is. Would love to win the book and note cards. Just gorgeous.

  25. dee m on November 5th, 2010 8:52 pm

    The block designs in this book are just beautiful. What a wonderful contest idea. Sadly, my maternal grandmother had Alzheimer’s and passed in 1984, so this cause touches my heart deeply. Thank you for the opportunity to be in the drawing for the book and note cards. I would love to someday make these blocks in her remembrance, and others who have had this terrible disease.

  26. Roberta on November 5th, 2010 9:17 pm

    This looks like a fantastic book. Thank you for including me in the drawing.

  27. Judy Zaspel on November 6th, 2010 6:31 am

    Hi Kay.
    I am so excited about this joint venture. I love applique almost as much as EQ7! The new book from Sharon looks lovely.
    I am off to check out the applique addition for Electric Quilt. Thanks for sharing.
    Judy Z

  28. Gloria on November 6th, 2010 10:01 am

    I happened to meet you at the Long Beach Quilt Festival and I appreciated your time in sharing your love of applique. As a result, I purchased a few of your books that day and now I’m an applique quilter! I love this art!! Also, thank you for the heads up on the pre-order of your new book at Amazon…I just pre-ordered it :)

  29. Janice on November 6th, 2010 10:34 am

    Kay,

    I’ve left the CA coast for the Atlanta, GA area and your blogs keep me up to date on what you are up to. If you are ever East of the Rockies please look me up. The Rose cards are beautiful as is the quilt. Makes me want to applique.

  30. Cher on November 6th, 2010 10:54 am

    The book looks like one worth having. Love your blog Kay, enjoy visiting.

    Cher in BC

  31. Mary Kastner on November 7th, 2010 5:25 pm

    I wish I’d win, I wish I’d win. Thank you for the opportunity – what a great giveaway.
    Mary

  32. Sharon’s roses, Helen’s teapots : All About Applique on November 9th, 2010 9:40 am

    […] winner of the Rose of Sharon Block Book and note cards is… Jen! Congratulations! Enjoy these beautiful items, courtesy of That […]