My book, ‘Big-City Bags’, releases in just 5 days and I am super excited about it! You can pre-order your copy on Amazon, or if you’d like an autographed copy, you can pre-order that from my pattern shop (free U.S. shipping). Additionally, get it at your local quilt shop, as many quilt shops stock Martingale books like mine!
I organized a blog hop to help get the word out about the book, and I wanted to show you what different blogs and my pattern testers had to say about it! This is my recap from the week (and stay tuned for next week, for week 2!).
Craft Buds – My friend, Lindsay, from Craft Buds wrote a very heart-felt post about me and my bags that really touched me.
I remember talking with Lindsay about the book-writing process at great length several times, as Lindsay was working on her book Modern Bee at approximately the same time as I was writing my book. Lindsay was able to calm a lot of my fears along the way.
Kim’s Krafts – Kim pattern-tested the ‘Sound Check Bag’ pattern that appears in my book, and this is her actual bag that appeared in the book’s pages! It was made using Laurie Wisbrun Brrrr! fabrics. Her bag was so beautiful, and I’m glad it made it into the book (while I saw all the photographs, I did not actually choose what did or did not make it into the book, including the cover)!
When I contacted my pattern testers, I asked them to send me the top 5 bags that they wanted to test. Literally everyone had the Sound Check Bag in their list, so I guess this will be a popular one.
Sew Mama Sew – To celebrate the release of my new book, I wrote a free bag pattern for The Kennedy Bag, which is available only on Sew Mama Sew. This is the only free pattern that I wrote this year, and I hope you enjoy it!
My pattern testers once again turned in some great work, and you can see their versions of the bag right here.
The Littlest Thistle – Katy tested this gorgeous version of the ‘Bee Sweet Bag’, and she made it in Riley Blake Chevrons. She was kind enough to bounce this bag all over the world in order to get it to me on time. Love you Katy!
Katy was not able to take photos of her bag before she sent it off, but I happily received all of the bags from my book from the UPS man last night, so I ran out this morning to snap a quick photo of the bag that Katy made. 🙂
Aurifil Thread – Aurifil wrote a lovely review of my book. You’ll want to hop on over to the Aurifil blog, because they have generously offered up a box of Mark Lipinski’s ‘Basics Collection’, which is 12 large spools of neutral threads. Also included in the prize package is a signed copy of my book. A prize worth approximately $130!
I use Aurifil 40wt. and Aurifil 50wt. to make all of my bags, and I like using neutral colors of thread in most of my bags, depending on the fabric.
Made with Moxie – Jill pattern-tested the ‘Wonderland Bag’ for me, which is a structured bag with rounded sides. She used Anna Maria Horner ‘Drawing Room’ fabric for her bag, and I just love it completely!!
My Bricole – Deedee was kind enough to pattern test the ‘Fireside Bowl Bag’ for the book. This is Deedee’s own photo, but her bag did make it onto the pages of the book too! This bag was made using Laurie Wisbrun fabrics.
Deedee turned in a fantastic bag, and it was much oooh’d over when I showed it at my Schoolhouse talks at Quilt Market!
Craft Gossip – Anne from Craft Gossip posted a lovely review, and you will also have a chance to win an ebook version!
My Crafty Crap – My friend, Bree, pattern tested the ‘Go-Go Bag’. This bag features a pretty flap and a twist-lock closure. She did a fantastic job, and I love all of the bright colors that you can see on the front of the bag with these Laurie Wisbrun fabrics!
Thank you for checking out my blog-hop recap! I think a blog-hop for a pattern or book can be a tricky thing because you don’t want to see the same photos and exclamations on each of the blogs (‘Wow that is awesome!’ or ‘I loved this!’), but I’m really proud of everyone that participated and hope they each gave you a unique perspective into my new book. Thank you to everyone, so much! 🙂
Today, I'm very happy to review the book 'Modern Rainbow' by Rebecca Bryan of Bryan House Quilts. I met Becca about 2 years ago at Quilt Market; she was at a talk that I was participating in, and it was nice to meet her since I was nervous about speaking!
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This post is part of the Quilter's Mixology Sew Along. For full details and schedule, click here!
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Hi friends! Nicole from Modern Handcraft...
This post is part of the Quilter's Mixology Sew Along. For full details and schedule, click here!
Today's post is from Faith of Fresh Lemons Quilts. Faith is a quilt pattern designer, and her best-selling book is called Vintage Quilt Revival! Follow along on her blog to see all of her newest quilted projects!
Hi there! Faith from Fresh Lemons Quilts...
This past May, I got the chance to get an autographed copy of Beyond Neutral: Quilts Inspired by Nature's Elements by its lovely author, John Adams. I was most excited by the book because it doesn't use any white for any of the quilt backgrounds, which is also a style I like to use when I make quilts (I...
This giveaway is now closed. The winner is Sonia.
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This giveaway is now closed. The winner is Shirl.
I am very happy to review ModKid Summer Fun by Patty Young of ModKid fame. This lady does it all...fabrics, childrens' clothing, womens' clothing, bags, quilts, and now doll's clothing and accessories! ModKid Summer Fun is a pattern booklet that comes with full-size pattern pieces. It's great not only if you...
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Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know about a contest on Sew Mama Sew! This is a bag-making contest with nearly $1,000 in prizes! All you need to do is make a bag using one of my patterns (book patterns, free patterns, pdf patterns, or paper patterns). There's nearly 50 patterns to choose from. The contest is...
My book, 'Big-City Bags', came out last Tuesday! I'm so excited!! You can order your copy on Amazon (it looks like Amazon sold out of the initial stock, but they will be getting more this week!) or if you'd like an autographed copy, you can order that from my pattern shop (free U.S. shipping). Additionally, get it at your...
My new book, 'Big-City Bags', is now available to order as a SIGNED copy in my pattern shop! It's releasing on November 5th, in just two short weeks, so order your copy now!
Also, if you live in the U.S., receive FREE shipping on your order (international customers, please contact me for overseas rate - [email protected]).
You can read more about...
Today I'm happy to be participating in the blog hop celebrating my friend Lindsay's new book with Stash Books called 'Modern Bee - 13 Quilts to Make with Friends' (available now!).
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This giveaway is now closed. The winner is #14 Jen@thecraftingfiend. Congratulations!
I'm here today with a book review from the new embroidery book by Carina Envoldsen-Harris of Polka and Bloom. I made something from Polka and Bloom last year, and so I was really excited to review this book. You can pre-order the book on Amazon or on Barnes and Noble,...
Congrats on the upcoming release of your fab new book!! I’ve really enjoyed being a pattern tester for your non book patterns and I plan to order an autographed copy of your exciting new book!!
Just have to say that your patterns are so easy to follow along with,I love each one so far! (I generally have a hard time with patterns,but no so with your’s) Am looking forward to the book and all the new bag patterns to sew up 🙂
The first time you go into a bookstore/quiltshop and see your book on the shelves you will have to work hard to resist the urge to jump up and down pointing at it shouting “I DID THAT!”- trust me, I had to leave my local newsagent when one of my projects made the front cover of a patchwork magazine and I saw it on the shelves, I was too excited to stay sane….x
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations. I pre-ordered mine from Crafters Choice Book Club and will be anxiously waiting for it. Those bags are very cute.
Sarah your work always amazes me. I am so happy for you and your book. I pray for great success for your carreer! Everything you make is just gorgeous. Love to you
Congrats on the upcoming release of your fab new book!! I’ve really enjoyed being a pattern tester for your non book patterns and I plan to order an autographed copy of your exciting new book!!
Can’t wait to get it 🙂 Congrats again !!
Oh cool. Good to see such recap and your pretty bags.
Your friends really like Laurie Wishbrun fabric. It is adorable. I particularly like the chairs.
Congrats!
congratulations!!! The bag that I made with one of your patterns is my all time favorite (so far). I look forward to making more of your bags! 🙂
Just have to say that your patterns are so easy to follow along with,I love each one so far! (I generally have a hard time with patterns,but no so with your’s) Am looking forward to the book and all the new bag patterns to sew up 🙂
Yay, glad it’s going so well, and thanks for the photo :oD I think a few of my readers have already added it to wishlists and preorders :o)
Sooooo excited for you. And to get my own copy of that wonderfully creative book of bags.
The first time you go into a bookstore/quiltshop and see your book on the shelves you will have to work hard to resist the urge to jump up and down pointing at it shouting “I DID THAT!”- trust me, I had to leave my local newsagent when one of my projects made the front cover of a patchwork magazine and I saw it on the shelves, I was too excited to stay sane….x
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations. I pre-ordered mine from Crafters Choice Book Club and will be anxiously waiting for it. Those bags are very cute.
Sarah your work always amazes me. I am so happy for you and your book. I pray for great success for your carreer! Everything you make is just gorgeous. Love to you
I pre-ordered the book on Amazon as soon as it was available. Can’t wait to get it.
Your post was simple amazing and I find it helpful as well. I was impressed with your blog. Big thanks and keep sharing.
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