Friday, June 5, 2009

SEWN and shared

The quilt that's featured on the front of my book made its way back home yesterday. I had made the quilt with the book in mind, but I couldn't possibly make something so large without a real life purpose as well.


From the very first I had planned the palette of this quilt with my daughter, Rachel, in mind. A few summers ago, we painted Rachel's room a fun, adobe/orange color and I used that as my inspiration for the colors in this quilt. I told Rachel from the beginning that it might be a while before she got to use this quilt as it was meant for the book and would be off being photographed and what not. She was OK with that (read totally apathetic).


I was a bit surprised by how happy she was to arrive home and find out that the quilt was ready for use on her bed. She even cleaned up her room in honor of the new quilt. Jaws need to be dropping because she's 15 and holds fast to all those stereotypes about teenagers and housekeeping. I was elated on so many levels. I'm always happy to see smiles on my children's faces. I'm always happy to have my efforts appreciated. And I'm always happy to see that there is still carpeting underneath the clothes that usually cover the floor of her bedroom.
Having shared with Rachel and encountered so much happiness, I want to share with you and, who knows, maybe more happiness. I'm participating in the big launch extravaganza for a new and wonderful website, SEWN. It's an online community for quilters and sewers with tips, interviews, online forums, chats, and all sort of other cool stuff for those of us who like to put thread to needle. It officially launches on Monday, June 8. That's this coming Monday! You can check it out through the cute little button I've added to the right hand side bar of my blog. But...before you do that...take a minute to put your name in the virtual hat for the giveaway I'm sponsoring in celebration of SEWN. Leave a comment and you'll be entered in to win this:


It's a copy of the DVD I taped for Quilting Arts Workshop. It focuses on the shibori technique I use to mimic piecing in many of my hand dyed quilts and pillows. There's a complete list of materials and lots of info on dyeing and patterning fabric.
I'll keep the giveaway open until 5:00pm CST on Monday, June 8 and then announce the winner as part of Mini Quilt Monday.
Good luck and have a wonderful weekend!

122 comments:

misplacedpom said...

The quilt is beautiful! I'm not sure I ever grew out of the 15 year old style of housekeeping myself, but I appreciate the token effort on your daughter's behalf :)

Monika said...

The Quilt is beautiful! I'm definitely going to check out SEWN.

Sally Deck said...

The quilt is wonderful! But more than anything I am in love with your Mini-Quilts! The process of making something weekly is something I've wanted to try. With a 9month old and 4 yr old, it's hard to chisel out a specific time each week to dedicate to a "me-project", but it's on my back burner still!
I really enjoy watching you play with new techniques and colors and other things in the small scale!!!

Françoise said...

Lovely quilt! No wonder your daughter was happy to see it back home.

DianeY said...

I am totally in love with everything you put your needle or dye to! Do you want to adopt me? Your daughter is really lucky!

regina said...

lovely quilt. i am working on my third baby/lap quilt right now.

Teri said...

What a lovely quilt. The colors are gorgeous and you do such wonderful work. I'm sure your daughter must be proud.

Kim said...

Having a daughter just like that I can totally relate. Good news! When mine got out on her own, she cleaned up her act :-) Not to say her place is always perfect, but it's amazing how much pride she takes in "keeping house".

No wonder she's willing to clean up her room to make room for her beautiful new quilt! G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!

Love the idea of SEWN, looking forward to it!

Amy said...

This quilt is super gorgeous! I would love to get my hands on that DVD, because I love your dyed fabrics but have been to chicken to try it.

Kristin L said...

A quilt that inspires a teen to clean her room -- now that's some quilt!! Nice giveaway too. I'm off to check out SEWN -- sounds intriguing.

Janny said...

What a beautiful quilt, I love the colors.

jannza said...

The quilt is beautiful! How exciting to have the book in your hands and a dvd to boot. : ) I've found lately that I look for help from dvds since it helps the visual learner in me and since I can't make it to many of the classes I'd like to be taking.

Great job all around!

Robyn said...

What a cool giveaway! I'm looking forward to the new Sewn site!

Carmen Rose said...

The quilt is beautiful and I'm glad your daughter loves it also! I think the website SEWN sounds like fun so I'll be checking that out as well. Thank you!

KateKwiltz said...

Awesome quilt, great colors! Just bookmarked SEWN so I can return often. Thanks for the giveaway (crossing fingers in hopes of winning)!

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

The quilt is gorgeous! I love the subtle earthy colors. Nice that your daughter loves it too.

the 6 o'clock stitch said...

What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity to win. I'm working on my very first quilt, now!

Erin Andrews said...

Wonderful quilt! I love all of your work!

Tonya said...

I really love your blog, it is so inspirational. I am excited to check out Sewn. It sounds like a sewing equivalent to Ravelry. I have really like ravelry for knitting. Thank you for the giveway, I would love to be able to learn how to die my own fabric.

GloJoeSews said...

What a beautiful quilt. It made me want to purchase your book! I'd love to win the dvd and learn how you create such beautiful color combos!

Janet said...

Yellow, my favorite color because its sunshine and happiness. Its perfect for your teenager. Hang in there, we love them in their teen years but as adults, they are even better. Congrats on the new book and web site.

Nova said...

I want to go in the hat please!

connie said...

The quilt is lovely. Thanks for all the great information about SEWN. I look forward to checking it out.

My daughter is now 22 and really a bit of a neat freak. She was such a mess at 15... From 15 to she moved into the dorms we did not see the floor! You did good!

Cheryl Arkison said...

That's a great quilt. At least your daughter knows how to truly show her appreciation!

Hi! I'm Wendi! said...

I love the quilt - and I'm so happy your daughter loves it too. I'll never forget the morning my daughter woke up and walked through my sewing room, saw an apron that I had made the night before and said, "Oooh Mommy! Is this for me?" I hadn't planned it for her - but after that response I couldn't resist. :-)

Daisy said...

I've recently found your site.
I love the colors and patterns of your hand dyed fabrics, and the simple geometry of your finished pieces as well.
Im looking forward to Sewn and to getting my hands on your book too!
Your daughter's quilt is lovely.

MichelleB said...

It's always nice to hear that other 15 year olds are the same as MY 15 year old. I'm constantly amazed that she really has that many clothes that can totally obliterate her bedroom floor! The quilt is wonderful! I love the pattern. How nice that she loves it so much.

PrairiePeasant said...

Off to check out the new blog! Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilt and good news!

Andi said...

Lucky Rachel. Stunning quilt!!
Andi :-)

Frogdancer said...

Ahhh... 15 year olds. The boys are just the same, you know.
Lovely quilt, interesting dvd. I'll put my hat in the ring to win!

Marijke said...

Yes Malka, great inspirator, please put my name in the hat (if i am a winner, i'll participate in the shipping costs).

Amy said...

Looking forward to the book!

susanlr said...

The quilt is beautiful-cant wait for your book.

Brenda said...

lovely quilt. I have a 15 year old myself, so I get the housekeeping part. thanks for the chance to win!

Pamela S. said...

What a generous giveaway! I would love to win your DVD. SEWN sounds wonderful and I look forward to its arrival - I learned to quilt recently via flickr, blogs, tutes and other teachers through the internet!

Sara said...

Wow! I'm so glad you showed the yellow-gold-adobe quilt! I am just beginning to put together a Rail Fence that is Summer Yellow, and this gives me an idea of how it will GLOW.

And thanks for the info about SEWN, I'll be looking for it.

Sarah said...

I can't wait to se SEWN! and your book. Oh the anticipation.

Julie Alvarez said...

Can I be yout daughter too? The quilt is fantastic!
Thank you for sharing yet another giveaway.

Fulvia said...

Congratulations again, Malka, and on so many levels! I look forward to my chance at winning AND the new Sewn website--can't wait! Thanks.

Jocelyn said...

What a beautiful quilt. Thanks for joining the SEWN giveaway. I have always been interested in fabric dying/painting.

L said...

I'm in awe of your fearlessness of sewing circles on quilts. I'm in Texas too and fell in love with Austin the first time I visited. I love that yarn tree. No one does cool stuff like that around here. What an original giveaway! I've never seen anyone giveaway a sewing DVD. If I win, which I would love to, I guess I'll need to buy a new tv and put it in my crafty sewing room. ;-)

galaxie_bleu(at)yahoo(dot)com

Angie said...

Oh, love the quilt.

Jody said...

I love your work! I would absolutely love the chance to win this DVD...I'm crossing my fingers! Thanks for being so generous!
jodym7@yahoo.com

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

Love the quilt! Can't wait for the book to come out. Please count me in on your generous giveaway!

Lotta said...

Your quilt looks so beautiful! I'm definetaly in love!
Lotta

Leisurely Lesley said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your colour palettes are so vibrant. Love the greens in this quilt.

Tara said...

I LOVE that pillow! My mother in law just gave me these Plexiglas triangle/circle thingys used to teach fractions that I can't wait to play with! So excited for you book!

Anonymous said...

Lovely quilt, and lucky daughter, so glad to hear she loves it too. I shall check out SEWN, sounds like it will be good, and I would love to be included in your DVD giveaway. Fingers crossed

mathea said...

I just love that quilt, so I'm not surprised your daughter does too! 15 is a "funny" age - I made a quilt for my nephew, then 15, a couple of years ago and all he said was "cool", before he disappeared into his cave of a room. A week later his mum told me that he had been making his bed every day since, because "that cool quilt can't lie on the floor". It actually went on for months, but not for ever... I don't work miracles! But I think that was one of the best compliments I have got for any of my quilts :-)

Peta said...

Found your blog through The Last Piece...your work is beautiful...especially that quilt. Had a quick look through your earlier posts...your mini quilt and pillows look stunning!

Thanks for the chance to win the DVD, what a great giveaway.

Hope you win something too!!

Mark said...

I think i'm still 15 at heart, my bedroom is always the last room in the house to get cleaned and it's always a relief to see the carpet is still there lol! It's a beautiful quilt! and thankyou for the chance to win your giveaway!

Chris Daly said...

What a generous giveaway! I always enjoy visiting (or maybe lurking) you blog.

Joyce said...

I love the quilt. I'd clean up my room too if you gave it to me!

Marty Mason said...

What a great quilt to go with that cleaned up room. Thanks for having such a great giveaway. I'll be happy for the winner....but I sure hope it's my lucky day!!

Zarina said...

It would be great to see how the 'experts' go about their dyeing for quilting. I have just started and it would be great to learn the correct way to make great looking quilts.

Nora Pero said...

Your quilts are gorgeous! I love the old timey blocks done up in your modern urban color sense. A wonderful merging of old and new!
Congrats on the new web site!

Mary Ellen said...

Gosh - lots to learn! I love your quilts and enjoy your writing style.

Liz Jones said...

Gorgeous quilt, of course. I am looking forward to your SEWN blog!

Melanie said...

Your quilt is beautiful!

Thank you for the chance to win your awesome give away!

Anonymous said...

The quilt is spectacular! I love your fabrics, I have several and cannot bring my self to cut them.

mjb said...

I used to be able to watch that show but don't have it anymore, so a dvd would be great!

Emily said...

The quilt is beautiful and I love the story of your teenager. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the BOOK!

pastrymama said...

Please count me in for your giveaway. Thanks
pastrymama1@yahoo.com

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

I love that quilt, esp the zig zag quilting on it. I would love to win a dvd of yours, thanks for the chance.

folksmith said...

Malka, I love your quilts so much. When I need a lift, I check out your blog to see what's new. Likewise, I love circles and can't seem to stop making them. I love your DVD on dyeing, which I know own.

Melissa said...

That quilt is beautiful! I can't wait to see what's going to be inside your book.

Adaiha said...

That quilt is beautiful!!! I'm excited about the new website. I've read about it on several blogs the past few days!

Jenny Fierro said...

I just found your blog and love it! Thanks for so generously sharing your talent with us.

Unknown said...

oooh! you have me on pins and needles waiting for your book to come out! And thanks for letting me know about SEWN! It sounds a little like Ravelry, something I've been thinking needed to be made for sewers!

free indeed said...

Glad your daughter loves her quilt. My girls aren't interested in sewing but they all want a quilt! Would love to read that book...on my porch swing over the summer....peace and relaxation...can you feel it??

Andrea said...

Your teenager cleaned her room??!!! Wow! I've *never* sewn anything *that* good - but I would love your DVD to inspire me to keep trying! Your work is beautiful and very intriguing...

A Joyful Chaos said...

Sweet giveaway. I would love to win.

Anonymous said...

The quilt is lovely
I can't wait for Sewn to go live.
bryghtrose at gmail dot com

Rossie said...

Put my name in that hat!

Rossie

Kare said...

I'm always amazed when I read your blog. The quilt is beautiful as are all of them. Can't wait for the book to come out !

Erin Sew said...

sweet one!
this SEWN is really happening!
if you like batek prints try your luck on my giveaway!

Louisa said...

great giveaway, love to learn about the techniques.

Anonymous said...

Oh this is such an interesting technique! Thank you.

linda said...

Love the quilt, the colors are so nice!! Looking foward to purchase your new book!
Thank you for the inspiraton on your blog,

Linda

Kineret WillowGreene said...

Malka, how exciting! A book and a DVD! I love your work so much and I feel so privileged to own some of you pillow covers (and your hand-dyed fabrics)!


I am so happy for you! Congrats on the publication of your book! It's so cool that Amazon.com shows the publication date for your book as November 3--my birthday!

Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys) said...

Thanks for the generous giveaway! I'm a really visual learner so this could be the solution to my quilting woes!

l o v e l y d e s i g n said...

the quilt is absolutely amazing. I'd love to learn more of the techiniques - thank you for sharing!

chookie said...

I love the colours you use. thanks for chance to enter

Unknown said...

the quilt is gorgeous and the giveaway is fantastic. Thanks for the chance, feel free to visit me for my giveaway too.

Judy H said...

so if I make a quilt I can get my teenage daughters to clean their rooms.....where's the sewing machine!

monica said...

hey it's my birthday tomorrow!!

can't wait to see 'SEWN' and that quilt? simply gorgeous.
(do you think the cleaning trick works with boys too?)

Unknown said...

How exciting! The book coming out, getting the quilt back, your daughter's reaction... all coming together.

bunnabee said...

The quilt is gorgeous! I'm a messy person too and well out of my teens, but even I would clean my room for that beauty. I love the green and oranges together.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

It is a beautiful quilt, well deserving of a clean room.

Kerry said...

WOW! This would be a lovely gift to receive! I love learning and experimenting with new crafty adventures, and this would be very exciting for me. Please count me in!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Your blog is beautiful and thank you for participating in the SEWN launch.
Your daughter's quilt is awesome.

Muriel said...

I love dyeing fabric and have also tried some Shibori techniques. I would love to see what you did!

Mercedes said...

I would love to try this tecnique, please enter me to the giveaway and thanks a lot for this opportunity!!

Beatrice said...

What a beautiful quilt, and keep up the good work with all that you do :) It's an inspiration to a newbie like me... thank you!

isabel f. said...

wow!!lovely giveaway!!
count me in, please :))

hugs Isabel

Fran said...

What a beautiful quilt !......and great news about the
website & your book ! Thanks for sharing your
news....look forward to SEWN. What a quilting treasure
you are !!!!

Tamara said...

Hi Malka,

So great of you to join in. The quilt is AMAZING and can't wait to get my hands on a copy of your up-coming book - you clever girl you:)

Oh and of course I would love a copy of your DVD that would be a lovely way to start my week!

Tam xo

anniem said...

Malka, I am in awe of the work you do. It is a constant source of inspriation for me and is goading me into trying to quilt "outside the block' I like to think I'm creative but I need the toggle swtiched by someone like you. Thanks so much, Ann

jmb_craftypickle said...

Wonderful quilt! It just makes me want to nap in the sun....oh, and watch a quilting DVD!! Congrats!

Bec Clarke said...

I hope I am not too late to enter...
Thanks for the giveaway

Christy said...

I'd love to win. Your work is beautiful!

Helz said...

Oh Gosh... Just popped over from Lurline's via Redpepper Quilts... Gotta Luv Bloghopping to find your gorgeous Quilts so guess I need just a tiny little bit more time here... Lol & just one more sleep for Sewn's Launch !!!

Unknown said...

Great quilt! I'm excited for the Sewn launch!

kelly mae said...

lovely quilt! i've added SEWN to my reader.

Unknown said...

So looking forward to your new book...and thanks for the chance at your give-away. Your quilts and colors are so inspiring!
Liz

charlotte gurwell said...

Great quilt!

ReneeC said...

You have such a wonderful sense of color. All of your pieces are just perfectly colored and so bright! Can't wait to check out SEWN. Sounds intriguing.

Veitch said...

Please put my name in the hat. Love the quilt. I think my 17 year old might clean her room if I made her such a beautiful quilt. I am making her a stuffed creature to take for her summer working at camp. I will clean her room for her while she is gone. (I'll have 2 months to do it.) I'm heading over to SEWN.

patty a. said...

It is great that the quilt is home. Would love the DVD as I to hand dye fabric.

brown robin said...

Wow! I'd love to win that DVD and can't wait to see the new site. I tracked donw your article in Quilting Arts through a friend of a friend. I was ridiculously obsessed about it, and of course, I blogged about it. Your work is amazing!

Maya Matthew said...

I'd love to win a copy of that DVD.I'll be checking out SEWN too. Your work is beautiful, love the colours.

ilovebabyquilts said...

I LOVE this quilt. Love the colors and pattern.

JustPat said...

I amazed by your color use. I wish I was brave-not bland, walking in life with (your) daring color swagger.

StudioCherie said...

Your daughter's quilt is beautiful. Thanks for sharing about the new site. I am going to check it out! Cherie

Karen said...

The quilt is beautiful! I'm glad your daughter liked it. I would love the DVD. Looks fun!

Anonymous said...

I hope its not too late to add my name to your hat!!
I love your book quilt!
Jenny
Krousegirl2ataol.com

Michelle said...

Is it too late to enter? I can never keep time zones straight...

Annette said...

I love your style it is very distinct and very lucky to have a style and develop it. I am still in the discovery phase and looking for mine.
Hope I didnt miss the win, if I did will you be selling your DVDS?
YARNIA@AOL.COM AKA Annette

Anonymous said...

it is beautiful, I love your work and blog.

cheers
Christine

Jill said...

Love your projects.

susan said...

isnt great when your efforts are appreciated by your kids! very nice quilt. a chance to win your dvd...yipee....i cannot wait for the book to come out.

Lauri said...

A 15 year old girl cleaned her room?! I think you must be hallucinating because the quilt is finally there! lol! If it's true though, can you please please please put her in touch with my 15 year old daughter? I have seen carpet in her room recently, but she definitely could use some help!

Congratulations on the book!!!