The book that may have changed my quilting life

Today I'm delighted to be Stop #11 on the blog tour for Sujata Shah's new book, Cultural Fusion Quilts.  When Sujata emailed me in November and asked me to participate, I didn't hesitate.  I've been following her blog, The Root Connection, for years and have long been a fan of her personal, dynamic quilts.  If you're new to Sujata's work, you're in for a treat!

In this, her first book, Sujata has drawn from a variety of experiences and inspirations ~ her childhood in India, her graphic design education and her long interest in patterns and folk art and crafts ~ to develop a quilt style of her own.  As she says in the book, "What inspires me is everything handmade. Irregularities, organic lines and imperfections in handmade things make me wonder about the maker's life and mind-set during the making of the craft.  I feel connected to my quilts because my life lives in them."  

The layout of Cultural Fusion Quilts is thoughtful and useful.  Sujata starts by discussing her journey as a quilter and what brought her from her early disdain of stitching to thoroughly embracing its expressive possibilities. Several short chapters follow in which she explains her methods of free form piecing and offers her thoughts on fabric selection.  Then come the project pages, featuring 15 of Sujata's joyful creations.  While most of these quilts are based on recognizable traditional patterns, her easy approach and vibrant fabric choices transform them into something special.  These chapters each feature one of her quilts, a photo and short description of her inspiration, cutting and assembly instructions and a list of *possibilities* ~ suggestions for ways to further explore the design.

If you're a regular visitor here, you know that my favorite quilts are often offbeat, individual pieces, quilts that make you wonder, "What the heck was she thinking?".  Yet most of my quilts are pretty "tight" in design and execution. I seem to be hard-wired that way!  So I decided to take a more hands-on approach in my review and try some of Sujata's suggestions to see if I could loosen up a bit. I've always loved a zig-zag quilt and the cover quilt is a zinger, so it seemed like a good start. I flipped to its project page. Look ~ no templates, no rulers! Can I do this?  

As instructed, I layered two fabrics and, freehand, sliced a gentle curve down their length.  Check!

Two pairs, sewn together ~ hmmm, that was easy.  I know, some of you are laughing ~ go ahead!  Although I've spent time with the Gee's Bend quilters and own most of Gwen Marston's liberated quilting books, I never quite believed you could really sew neat curves without clipping or rippling along the seam. Time to push the envelope.  How about something more pronounced?

I tried another set and to my surprise, even this more exaggerated wavy curve, stitched with a 1/4" seam, set in smooth as could be.  A revelation!  (A personal tip ~ don't wonder about something for years, give it a try!)  The top piece is the wrong side view so you can see that pretty seam, flat as can be.  Once this 15 minute exercise was complete, there was no stopping me.

After my recent projects (tiny appliqué, 2" squares, bright, small prints), it was so much fun to start pulling beautiful, bold fabrics from my stash, prints that I had purchased for their exciting visual patterns and luscious colors but never could seem to make work in my fussy pieces because of scale or busy-ness. Before I knew it, I had pulled out quite a pile ~ richly colored Anna Maria Horner and Tula Pink prints, Kaffe Fassett florals and text prints I'd hauled home from trips to Japan.  Only the tug of our Christmas decorations, still sitting boxed by our bare tree, made me finally put down my rotary cutter after 6 blocks' worth of fun.

Before I pulled myself away, I had to quickly try rearranging the smaller squares into a different version. I have so many ideas for quilts I want to make from this book next year that my mind is reeling!  The ease and speed with which these blocks went together tells me that I might just achieve that goal.  What fun designs to balance out my more time-intensive projects!

Have I convinced you that you need to consider this book for your quilt library?  I'll share that yes, I did receive an e-copy of Cultural Fusion Quilts to review, but after flipping through only the first few pages, I immediately clicked over to Amazon and moved it from my wish list to *order now*!  I've been on a quilt book diet this year but Sujata's book is the equivalent of that one chocolate that you can't resist!

The good news is that you can have a chance to win a copy by leaving a comment on this post.  (Book for U.S. winner, E-book for international winner)  Comments will be open for 5 days at which time a winner will be chosen at random and announced in a post.  Even better news is that if you haven't visited previous stops on the book tour, several from the past few days are still accepting comments so that means even more chances to win.  (And more beautiful photos to see from the book!)  

Following is the list of remaining stops on the Cultural Fusion Quilts tour as well as those still accepting comments.  Congratulations, Sujata, on a wonderful book!

*    *    *    *    * 

Monday December 8 Malka Dubrawsky @ A Stitch in Dye

Tuesday December 9 Sherri Lynn Wood @ daintytime

Wednesday December10 Bonnie Hunter @ Quiltville's Quips and Snips

Thursday December 11 Jake Finch @ Generation Q

Friday December 12 Jan Burgwinkle @ Be*mused

Saturday December 13 Janet Treen @ Quiltsalott

Sunday December 14 Lindsay Conner @ Lindsay Sews 

Comments

[June]

I think I'm getting into quilting at the right time with all these wonderful resources! Thank you for putting my name in the hat for the drawing. Fingers are crossed in San Diego!

[Rachaeldaisy]

I really enjoyed reading your review. Your blocks look wonderful. I made some trial blocks , and found I couldn't stop either .

[Lisa Marie]

I've been reading about this book on the blog hop and the more I read the more I want to read the book, learn the techniques, and make wonderful quilts. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Aileen]

Wow I love your blocks. Oooo I am gasping to get this book!

[Barb Robson]

Looks very interesting! An ebook would be great!

[Carol W]

I enjoyed hearing about your positive experience with the book.

[Jane B]

I've had this book on my Amazon wishlist for some time . . . maybe you want to play Santa. Thanks.

[Adele]

Great blocks! I'm itching to get my hands on a copy of this book.

[Mary D]

Isn't this book just wonderful. I love Sujata's work and have been following her for some time. This book will be a great addition to my library. :)

tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

[Amy Lause]

This book is AMAZING!! I would love to have a copy. Thanks for all the information about it on your blog!

[Amy]

That explains it, while you've been on a book diet, I've been buying them all. (My husband recently asked if I had purchased enough books lately - some were pre-ordered in April...)

[Vicki W]

I got a peek at this book a few weeks ago and it's going on my Amazon wish list soon!

[Deb]

Sujata is new to me, and it's been very interesting to read about her quilts. I'd love to own the book.

[lila Retzer]

I want to try the curve!

[Dorothy]

Maybe it's time I moved out of my comfort zone too!

[Michelle Wyman]

I love that you found Sugata's book and techniques so freeing. I can't wait to start a new year of quilting with Cultural Fusion Quilts as well. Hope to find a copy Christmas morning under the tree!

[Rhoda Forbes]

Oh my what fun you had. Yes you certainly convinced me that I must have Sujata's book. Love her use of color and design.

[Erin]

This book looks amazing. Maybe it would help me loosen up my quilting a little bit?

[Jeanne in Ohio]

Your comments have convinced me that I need to get this book (if I don't win it). Please pick me!

[Nicole Sender]

I love this book! The quilts are so bold and colorful. What fun!

[Pam]

i love Sujata's work. I would be so happy to add this book to my library- thank you!

[Ann]

Sujata's quilts are always inspiring. I enjoyed reading how you made yours, too.

[usairdoll]

This looks like an awesome book! My quilting background is more traditional so I could really use some help stepping out of my box, hehe. I'd love to learn more about color and design.

Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

[Béatrice]

I think it's a wonderful book !

[Sharon]

I know I was afraid to try the more liberated approach to cutting and sewing, and was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was! I learned the easy curves from Gwen Marston in a class last year, and you're absolutely right - they're slick and easy as can be! I would love to have Sujata's book . . .thanks for the chance to win!

[alis]

The more I see of this book, the more I want it.... some great quilts!

[Karen H]

Love the blocks you made. Sujata's quilts are so exciting and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of her book! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Cheryl]

I'm looking forward to playing with this book. If I'm lucky, I'll win a copy but if not, I'll buy one. Thanks for a great review......it's been fun to discover your blog.

[Debra Gutenson]

This book would really push me way beyond my comfort zones to try new things! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

[Nancy Bekofske]

I love the no template approach! I checked out her blog and was very impressed. Thanks for brining these designs to attention!

[Jill]

I love how you could lay this block out and achieve different patterns.

[Becky]

I am thinking this would be a great gift for a "new" quilter.

[Roberta Miller]

This book is what I need to let go of my ruler!

[Michele Bilyeu]

A beautifully written review! I love Sujata and would love, love, love to won her new book! Visiting all the blogs on the hop and I learn more from each one. But I must say, I did love how you used it and made your own blocks. Great fun seeing others own journeys as a result of new experiences. I'll be hopping over here more often now, enjoyed discovering your blog!!!

[Michele]

I really want to "loosen up" too. Thanks for a great blog post and a chance to win a book I'm convinced I need.

[Carol]

Can't wait to try this technique. Love the colors.

[Claudia Shearer]

I would love to own this wonderful and inspiring book.

[Sallee]

Love the look of your blocks and how you have had fun putting them together and rearranging them. This book is very inspiring!

[Lyn]

This is one of those books where I'd actually make something from it...

[Linda K]

I want to try Sujata's techniques for gentle curves and color! I've followed her for a couple years, and it's time to dive in!

[Beth]

I agree with you. The best quilts to me are ones that have a life to them. They're very individual and unique in their creativity. Sujata's quilts are great examples! Thank you for the opportunity to win her book. Magistra13 at yahoo dot com
Beth

[Karen Thurn]

Looks like a good book for my quilting library. kthurn@bektel.com

[rose]

Christmas list book! Love the easy cutting and piecing techniques.

[Rita]

Loved your review and the photos you shared. An online friend suggested I check out Sujata's designs and this book looks like a great motivational tool for my library!

[Sharon T]

I have the fabric (tons!)...now all I need is the book!!!

[Dorothy Matheson]

Your quilt is just great. Thanks for a chance to win this book as it is one I would really like and use.

[Linda Fleming]

I confess I don't recall seeing Sujata's work before but I love what I see and hear from you. She's obviously a great source of inspiration.
I'd just love to have her book.

[PT in SC]

Would love this book, thanks for the giveaway!

[cjhaab]

I love your description of how exciting it was to explore new concepts with your favorite lovely fabrics. I would love to have a chance at the book also - it looks very inspiring!

[Dixie]

Always have loved Sujata's quilts! Your blocks look amazing!