Today I'm honored and happy to share with everyone a new book - Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs by Kelly Young.
Kelly, who blogs at www.myquiltinfatuation and is on Instagram @myquiltinfatuation invited me and 21 other quilter-Blogger-Instagrammers to help her launch her new book.
With several months to peruse the book in advance, I discovered it wasn't easy to decide which of the 30 beautiful quilt back designs I wanted to piece for a couple of my quilt tops!
The first backing I pieced was for my super-scrappy Harvest Moon/Yin-Yang quilt. Here's a picture to remind of you of what the 72" X 86" quilt front looks like.
Since the front is pieced with hundreds and hundreds of fabric bits, it wasn't difficult to decide to stick with the scrappy concept to make a back. I chose "Coin Strip." Kelly indicates that "Coin Strip" is Skill Level: Confident Beginner. I had one extra block left from the front, so I pieced that into the coin strip too.
The second back I pieced went with my improv quilt, Alternate Route. Here's what that 59" X 62½" quilt front looks like.
For me, using up every bit of this unusual color-combo (lavender and royal blue) was important. So, I chose Kelly's design called "Tallies," a backing that's Skill Level: Beginner.
I probably added a wee bit of an increase to the skill level by hand-appliquéing several leftover circles to the back. But like I said, I was really trying to use-up every bit!
By the way, though both of these quilts are pin-basted, I've only managed to start quilting the improv one. I domestic machine quilt all my quilts, so I'm getting there!
Kelly's book offers 30 different pieced back ideas ranging from using the smallest scraps, to using leftovers, to arranging stashed fabrics. Cutting instructions include making backings in three sizes.
On page 7, in a section called "The Case for a Pieced Quilt Back," Kelly suggests several great reasons for piecing a backing. I'm 100 percent on-board with all of them, but the best is this:
These days, when most quilt books focus on a new technique, it's refreshing to own a book about backs. Though, it's worth noting that Kelly's bonus material is: 18 free downloadable patterns for piecing lap-sized quilt fronts! Wow."It adds something extra.Though I currently live in Tennessee, I was born and raised in Louisiana, and back home, we have a French word, lagniappe (pronounced "lan-yap"), that means "a little something extra." Think of a pieced quilt backing as a little lagniappe for the recipient. What a wonderful surprise!"
For the past week, Kelly has been reviewing backing designs on her blog and Instagram, so head to those places to see more of her suggestions... or just go buy Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs from Amazon! Or, Barnes and Noble, Connecting Threads, Missouri Star, and Kelly's own Etsy shop where you can get a signed copy.
Linda
P.S. Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs was published by Landauer Publishing (a subsidiary of Fox Chapel Publishing) that in 2012 published my book, First Time Quiltmaking. I think that makes my review a wonderful coincidence!
Love your pieced backs! What an inspiring way to use leftovers. . .even the smallest of them!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking time to pay such a lovely comment, Terry! I tried to reply by email, but my message bounced. Anyway, I appreciate what you said. Kelly has written a really good book - a wonderful resource - and I hope she sells lots of copies. Linda
DeleteThese are such beautiful quilt backs. I'm so happy you are enjoying the book. Thank you so much for helping me with the launch!
ReplyDelete:) Kelly
I'm totally humbled and honored that you invited me to make backings from your book, and hope you sell heaps and heaps of copies. Best wishes!
DeleteWow those are amazing quilts and backs!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat backs! I love how you put the extra block into your coin strip! That's creative!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Gail! I sure like it when I can include blocks in a backing. If you could see the collection of orphan blocks I have, you'd know that I need to use this backing-making method a whole lot more! :-) Linda
DeleteI love Kelly's work and have been following her posts on the book. I especially love what you did for your improv back. It's a whole second quilt in my opinion. Today I finished piecing the backing for my queen size quilt and used up a ton of traditional florals from my watercolor quilting days. It's nice to have found a use for so many really old fabrics.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt backs for your amazing quilts, Linda!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, it’s so helpful to see the concepts put into practice with your quilts! I ordered a copy for myself and look forward to adding a little something extra.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracie! Thanks for taking the time to comment! (I'm guessing you already know you're a "no reply-commenter," so I'm unable to reply to you by email. I hope you read this!) I appreciate that you liked seeing Kelly's backing designs "in action," so to speak. And I'm even happier that you decided to invest in the book for yourself. I hope Kelly sells lots and lots of them
DeleteI piece a lot of my backs for practical reasons and have a book about pieced backs from years ago. It's good for the idea to come around again with new variations. I like your backs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great concept for the new book. I love the backings you pieced. Thanks for the blog link- will visit it soon. I've missed a few posts as we were away in Maine plus I had a few computer issues (never fun).
ReplyDelete