Monday, September 22, 2014

Beyond Neutrals- Book Tour


From the moment I got wind that John (aka Quilt Dad) was working on this book I could hardly contain my excitement for it's release. I knew it was going to be fabulous but really I had no idea. This book blew me away!



The whole idea of the book is to get you to look at fabrics in a different way and to use those fun, vibrant fabrics in places you would normally reserve for boring neutrals (white, grey, etc). John has designed 16 amazing quilts using colors and prints that make you say "Wow! I wish I'd thought of that!" 
One of those quilts is Fallen Timbers, pictured above. I'm the boring quilter that reserves prints and color for the blocks and uses white for sashing between blocks. I absolutely LOVE how John used a variety of prints, many light in color, for the main blocks and chose a gorgeous grass green for the sashing between. The overall look is stunning!


Another quilt that I LOVE in the book is Raven Rock. John didn't use any boring neurtals in this quilt. In fact there is no sashing, background, etc- it doesn't need it! The bold strips of fabric flow through the quilt with graphic movement. It's awesome! 

Let's not forget the cover model and show stopper- Pacific Crest! Those prints, in that layout, with the deep blue background is breathtaking. I'm hoping to make up my own version of this quilt some time soon. Guess what I've chosen as my fabrics!? (hint: see the first picture :)

This book should be in everyone's quilt book library. The patterns are fabulous and perfect for all quilters regardless of their level of expertise. My other favorite part of this book? The photography- it's stunning!

So, do you want to win an ebook of Beyond Neutral courtesy of Martingale?
Simply leave a comment telling me the fabric(s) you would use in your own Beyond Neutral quilt. I'll choose a winner and announce on Friday!

HAPPY SEWING!


August 25 -- Kick-off -- YOU ARE HERE!
August 27 -- The Stitch This! blog at Martingale Books
August 29 -- Sara Lawson at Sew Sweetness

September 2 -- Molli Sparkles
September 4 -- Angela Pingel at Cut to Pieces

September 10 -- Lynne Goldsworthy at Lily's Quilts

September 15 -- The Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber
September 16 -- Julie Herman at Jaybird Quilts
September 17 -- Nick Ball at Quilts from the Attic
September 19 -- Amy Lobsiger at Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts

September 22 -- Emily Herrick at Crazy Old Ladies Quilts
September 23 -- Sarah Fielke at The Last Piece
September 24 -- Monica Solorio-Snow at the Happy Zombie
September 25 -- Scott Hansen at Blue Nickel Studios
September 26 -- Katy Jones at I'm a Ginger Monkey

41 comments:

mean sarah jean said...

actually, i want to use your fabrics as shown in the first picture. LOVE!

Stacy Lindblom said...

I would make Fallen Timbers but use neutrals as the larger fabric and greens/browns for the 'trees'. Oh man, I love that idea!

Rina Mason said...

I think Ansonia by Denyse Schmidt would work well in either of these quilts. They would also look great in a Winter Bertie's Woolies Flannel for a cozy lap quilt.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

This looks like a wonderful book. I am looking for just the right pattern for Ellen Crimini Trent for Clothworks - Vintage Sunshine!

Lisa England said...

I'd go through my stash and pick a bunch of favorites in aqua, lime and navy.

Vicki H said...

I have lots of greens in my stash, so I think that's what I would use.

Melanie said...

I have a Far Far Away bundle I want to use!

Unknown said...

I just reorganized my stash and have tons of scraps I got from a friend. I love navy, so I think I would do a color gradient with my scraps and a navy background

Anita said...

The colors of Pacific Crest is just perfect, why change anything with that one?!

Kathy S. said...

I'd love to use the houndstooth fabrics that my friend, Julianne from Quilting with Calicos, sent to me for my birthday. She got them super cheap at Walmart and they are of awesome unusual quality. Thanks for the chance to win!

Vicki in MN said...

I think I would like to make it with polka dots of different sizes but seperate them with a matching solid.

Michele said...

I have some Bar & Branch fabrics that would look great in the leaf-like quilt in his book. Probably with a deep tan or sky blue background!

Colleen said...

I gotta get my hands on this book... I neeed it !
I'm thinkin the very modern designs need Alison Glass, Handcrafted fabric !

Unknown said...

Hmmm... I actually have your fabrics and have been debating on a pattern. : )

Wendy said...

I like the idea of using various blue fabrics with a mint sashing... or maybe yellow

bee said...

i've got some stashed gypsy bandana fabrics that would be fun in the stripy one.

Judy1522 said...

I am not really sure which fabric I would use in one of these quilts but I have to say that lately I have been thinking that I should make a quilt using something other than neutral for the background color. I love the quilt with the deep blue background so would probably go with that for my first quilt. This book is definitely one that I need in my library of books.

Betsy said...

I have a fat quarter bundle from a Zen Chic line that I'd like to use.

Helen said...

A while back I won a BIG FQ bundle of Sassy by Sandy Gervais...Okay so it was quite a while back but it is so pretty to look at! I would use that bundle and choose a coordinating coral for the "neutral".

Tu-Na Quilts said...

I'd use fabric from my large (OK enormous) stash since I want to use it up so I can buy new fabric (actually, that hasn't stopped me from buying anyway. Fabric confession feels so good, thanks. I'm a new quilter so need some practice and these quilts from the book look great. kthurn@bektel.com

Megan R. said...

I'm not sure what fabric. Anything wih navy and lime green I would love :)

rainbowkelf said...

I'd love to make the cover quilt using Cotton + Steel Basics and Moonlit fabrics. I would LOVE to win this book. It's been on my wish list for ages! :)

Joan H. said...

I would like to use some of the purple prints of Chelsea on a lime background

Christine S said...

Some dark modern fabrics :)

Mom C said...

I used to do lots of color in my sashings. Then I became more modern and went with the creams and white. But I always thought they were boring to sew with so I'm so glad to see this book. I don't know what collection I would use but I love the quilts and I can guarantee they will be in blazing colors. Thanks.

Anita said...

I have been collecting some Cotton + Steel fabrics lately with no big plan for them so I think those would be the ones I would use for my first quilt from this book which would probably be the cover quilt.

GranChris said...

I would love to use some AMB solids and probably a black background. Then I'd try a blue instead of grey, sorry I'm not a grey person and some flowers. Maybe some browns.

Unknown said...

I would like to make the quilt in the first picture, using the same colors.

cakegirl said...

I love the cover quilt for my son. Thanks for a Greatgiveaway.

Unknown said...

I would love to make FAllen Timbers out of my scrap batiks with black sashings. Thank you for the chance to win! I am always looking for new ideas to make quilts for the Santa Train and for wounded service meen and women.

Veronika said...

I'm loving the nouvelle fabric line from art gallery. I want this book- everything I've seen looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

HI, not sure yet>maybe the navy and lime!
Thanks!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Janie said...

I would use a vintage colored aqua. I have seen the color around quite a bit lately. Thanks for the chance.

Ella and Nesta said...

I would love to use Tidal Lace by Kim Andersson to make the cover star Pacific Crest!

Farm Quilter said...

I would make Fallen Timbers in greens, yellows, and oranges and again in green, burgundy and gold! This book is fabulous!!

Emily said...

Pacific Crest is my favorite pattern in the book and lately I've been on a solids kick, so I think my bundle of Kaffe shot cottons would be perfect!

Kathy E. said...

Oh, I love these quilts! I'd choose a mix of paisleys and solids in black, burgundy and gold to match my bedroom. So pretty!

Weatherbee ;) said...

I love these quilts! I actually just got a colorful fat quarter bundle from Quilt Dad, and I would definitely have to use that! :)

Brittany Rigby said...

Color theory by V and Co!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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