Thursday 1 September 2011

Pick Four

Easy Fabric Choices for Great Quilts by Sue Abrey

Welcome one and all to the the Pick Four Blog Hop, for those of you who have been travelling with us on the tour bus, I hope it was a pleasant flight back from Paulette's over on Vancouver Island and welcome back to Blighty!  Are you refreshed and ready for another day, and another chance to win your own signed copy of Pick Four?  Grab yourself a cuppa and help yourself to a slice of Lincolnshire Plum Loaf, with or without butter (apple and/or cheese optional) 


If you are not familiar with Sue, then please take the time to visit her blog at Quilt Times, say hello, and enjoy all the wonderful patterns, quilting eye candy and amazing quilting.  I've been very lucky to have met Sue last year, and what a delightful lady she is!

So lets get down to business, Pick Four arrived on my door mat and I was so excited, I just had to read it from cover to cover and admire all the wonderful quilts in it before I could truly appreciate the book in all its glory. 

Sue openly admits she doesn't 'do' scrappy, this little nugget allowed her to realise just how she puts together her quilts with a limited colour pallet.  Now I'm not one to shy away from colour, choosing colour or even scrappy for that matter.  My immediate reaction was to take four, and then turn it scrappy, but actually, I don't do scrappy well, it tends to be controlled.  Whilst I have not done that, I will give it a go for the next quilt.  For the new quilter and to be fair, so many experience quilters alike, choosing fabrics does not always come naturally.  Sue leads you through your choices, how to choose, where to start, and the whole mystery that choosing fabrics can be. 

What a relief, finally some sound, honest and lets face it, damn good advice on where to start and how to go about the process!

And that is the whole feel of Take Four, the techniques are clear, concise and easy to follow, as I read through the book I can hear Sue talking to me, in her calm, considered manner, leading me through all the decisions, as I go along my quilt journey. 

There are so many beautiful choices to make when it comes to which quilt do I make first, I had a hard time deciding.  In fact, I changed my mind several times! 

But I finally settled on 3D Naughts and Crosses ....

Now I wanted to shop for my fabrics from my stash, but there was a problem.... not a show stopping one, but a significant one that made me change my pattern choice, I really didn't have enough of some of the fabric choices I made, and so a a compromise was made ...
yes, I picked five?  Let me explain, I have my two mauve, one light, one dark, and I have a cream and a white on white, those are my FOUR, but not enough to do the outside border as per the instructions, so this is pretty much a suck it and see quilt.  I knew I had enough to do the centre and then I'd see where it goes from there, with the option of adding the purple as a small accent in the border.  I'll be making that decision once the centre has been made and I can see how much of each fabric is left ...


so I set to with the instructions and completed the cutting for the centre of my quilt. 

Now a word on instructions.  Pick Four leads you through all the cutting and piecing in a clear and methodical manner.  Again that sensible voice of Sue was with me with great little tips like "...since you'll be cutting the squares of dark tan and light tan along the bias edge, I recommend that you apply spray starch to these fabrics and press with a dry iron rather than steam before cutting."    It's little nuggets like this that make all the difference in the success of your piecing, and ultimately the your finished quilt. 

Attention to every detail of the process had be paid, including specific pressing instructions (which frankly I loved!), there are even colour options to give you an idea of how each pattern would look.  Sometimes you have to decide is it the colour choices or the design that really makes me love it.  

Now I have to say, although this will be a big quilt, the piecing really didn't take that long.   Those of you who are regular visitors know I am very much a procrastinator, however, when I sit down to do something I can get a lot done in a relatively short space of time.  I only started this quilt last Thursday.  And I've been 'busy' with something else too. 


Border decisions were now necessary, assessing how much fabric is left and how I could make this work.




There's 20" of the light mauve left, JUST enough for middle border so this is what I went with  ( a slight deviation from the pattern, but that's OK, it's my quilt after all )   ...

and now I only have 5" of dark mauve, less than a meter of the white on white and just over a meter of cream.  Now that's a result!  This is all from stash!  (and I even have found just the right backing fabric in my stash too!  Bonus!)


Whilst I may not have a finished quilt to show you, I am thrilled to have such a fabulous top I can now take my time to make considered choices about how to quilt it. 

Quilting is such a difficult decision for everyone, personally I like to see how the original was quilted, do I like it, would I be able to do something like that on my short arm set up, would I prefer a different quilting design.   Sue has taken up the quest to look at how each quilt was quilted and why.  This information is invaluable to the quilter, novice or experienced.  In fact, Pick Four has a whole section on quilting choices and decisions, to help you make the right choice for you. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of making this quilt, and Pick Four leads you through the process from start to finish.   This is the book for any novice quilter, AND experienced quilters too! 
So, if you have made it this far, phew, thanks for sticking with me, please leave me a comment (just one) telling me what your favourite munchie might be with your cuppa, for your chance to win a signed copy of Sue's book, Pick Four.  I'll close the comments on Sunday and announce the winner on Monday. 
If you are not lucky this time, you get another chance to win tomorrow with Quilthaze over at Cotton Cocktails.  You can also buy your own copy at your Local Quilt Shop, Martingale or Amazon.

I'd like to thank Sue for inviting me to be part of this Blog Hop, and for the opportunity to review her book, which is Excellent!  (imho!)  

Coments for the giveaway are now closed

Happy Quilting!




136 comments:

Manda said...

Ginger biscuits!!
Great review and a fabulous quilt top!

LindaTN said...

Beautiful quilt and great review. Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

Linda-TN
ChenL99290@aol.com

Gill said...

Bara brith with lashings of butter!
This looks such a great book Trudi - I'd love to win a copy!!

Judith, Belfast said...

Fab book review Trudi - you've really sold it to me (or maybe I'll just win one!!). It has to be Scottish shortbread with a nice hot cuppa of strong tea! Jxo

QuiltSue said...

Your quilt is beautiful Trudi.

Deb said...

Love the quilt... Chocolate chippie bikkies are the best thing to go with a cuppa!

Unknown said...

looks really lovely
have a nice day

Michele T said...

I always like a couple of cookies with my tea!! Thanks for the chance!

Lisa England said...

Blueberry muffins are a favorite of mine. Enjoyed the book review and thanks for the chance to win.

Gene Black said...

If they are available (not often in the USA) I like TimTams with my cuppa. However, I frequently eat almonds or cashews as a munchie. I also love cheese flavored crackers with peanut butter.

pcflamingo said...

Love your color choices! Every review makes me more and more envious of those who have seen this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

Barb said...

I just love the quilt you made from her book...just awesome!

Quiltin' Sandy said...

Hi Trudi! I have been a follower of Sue's for a while now. I love the fabrics you chose- pink being one of my fav, colours!!
I love cinnamon doughnuts with my coffee. YUMMMM. :)

Sunnybec said...

Dark chocolate digestive every time! Love Sue's book so far not been lucky maybe today is the day. Linda

hueisei said...

Chocolate chips cookies :)
I love the quilt !
Thanks for the review , I am following the book tour :)

Reenie said...

Beautiful quilt!! All butter pound cake would be my choice!!!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

No cuppas here but I do love to eat cucumbers as a snack.

Lynda said...

Lovely quilt. This book really sounds fantastic.

Karen said...

A little cup of a dry cereal mix (of my own making) goes along with my cup of coffee every morning. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book and your quilt is very, very pretty.

Unknown said...

Cinnamin crispies and a cuppa. Makes my mouth water. Would love to have the book. Your quilt is lovely.

Loveday's Day said...

Mini Vanillia Wafers. Love Them!!! Would LOVE to win this book :)

Carol C. said...

Banana nut bread is my favorite!! I love your quilt - the colors are beautiful!! I would love to win this book - it looks great!! Thanks!

Ella said...

Cookies...ideally Tim Tams, though they are REALLY hard to find in the States.

Paula said...

A snickerdoodle cookie.
Your quilt is wonderful. I do love the borders you added.
Thanks for the chance to win this fabulous book. Can't wait to get my hands on it.
Good luck to all.
Paula

JudyCinNC said...

Yesterday it was a jelly donut, changes daily. Thank you for a wonderful review and encouraging words. This is a great opportunity and giveaway. Judy C in NC

Diane said...

I have to say Peach Scones-I have fresh ripe peaches and we're on our 3rd batch, yum.
Your post was wonderful and your quilt is terrific. I agree that I like to see the quilting on the 'original' quilt to decide if I want to go that way or deviate.

Sarah said...

Great book review Trudi! I'd sit down to read it with a good strong cuppa tea and a chocolate chip cookie :-)

Quilts And Pieces said...

I love shortbread cookies with my cuppa! And chex mix! Your quilt turned out so beautiful! I love the colors! Thank you for a great review!

Peggy said...

The more I see of this book, the more I want it! Thanks for the chance!

Snoodles said...

I love a granola bar with my cuppa tea! I also love your quilt -- just beautiful! Hope I can win her wonderful book!

Mom C said...

Chocolate or poppyseed muffins but they are a calorie extravagance so I don't have them very often.
I really like your quilt and I appreciate all the info you give about the book. I think I'll have to get it, although I'd rather win it.

Anonymous said...

Love your quilt! Fabric and food two of my fav subjects and you do them so well...thank you the book giveaway, you would to win..don't know how to make anything with only four fabrics ;-)
Susan Vicary

Kathy H said...

The quilt turned out so pretty. Choosing just 4 fabrics would be a bit easier than the ones I usually make with lots more choices. I would pick peanut butter cookies as my favorite munchie.

Linda said...

Well done and all from stash. Your quilt is lovely, now you can think and decide how to quilt it.

Hmm, I like Teacakes with my tea. I think they would compare to your scones. Thanks for the book giveaway and the great review. I'm looking forward to getting this book from all the great reviews.

Emma said...

Great review Trudi. As it is officially the first day of Autumn, I would have homemade pumpkin bread with my cuppa.

Teri said...

Well......a vanilla frosted scone is what I like the best.
Very pretty quilt.....If I don't win I will just have to go out and buy myself this book it sounds like it would be a useful tool in my sewing room.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

A high fiber chewy bar is wonderful with my cuppa.

Love your color choices! Your quilt turned out just great.

Kathy MacKie said...

Chocolate chip scone does it for me every time. Loved your colors and thanks for the giveaway.

Molly said...

I just made a loaf of the best zucchnini bread ever! It has fresh rosemary and lemon in it and it's my new fav with a cuppa.

This looks like a great book!

Lee Ann L. said...

I don't have cuppas. But, I do love to munch on muffins (most any flavor). :-)

JulieF1962 said...

Pretty quilt! My favorite snack is roasted pumpkin seeds. I'm weird, I know. :)

Anonymous said...

NICE REVIEW!
THANKS FOR THIS ENTRY!
HAPPY QUILTING!

jldouglas@wispwest.net

Marcia W. said...

This sounds like a good quilting book -- especially with your statement that the book tells how to press the seams. I need that help and so many directions do not include this essential (for me). Please enter me into the Pick Four drawing too. alternate email mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com

Catskill Quilter said...

I do love your new quilt top -- the colors are yummy! My favorite little snack with a hot drink (in my case, coffee!) is chocolate!

Barb said...

My daughter has been making homemade gingersnaps and they are my ultimate favorite with either a cuppa tea or coffee--I enjoy both! I would love to win a signed book--I love the subtle colors you chose! Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Great review! Raisin Bread with cream cheese!

Shannon said...

I don't drink coffee and I only drink tea in the winter. I try to keep my munching down a bit but when I do I like chocolate and a Diet Pepsi. I love the way your quilt turned out. It a beautiful one. I can't wait to get this book.

Delores said...

I like anything homebaked with my coffee. Loaves, cakes, biscotti, I'll eat it all!!
Love the chance to win the book!!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's a tough one but I currently have a thing for custard creams!! Looks like a great book - thanks for the giveaway!

Joan said...

Your quilt is gorgeous, such pretty colours. My favourite munchie would be date and nut loaf and it's delicious! Thank for for including me in the giveaway. I'd love to win this book.

Mommarock said...

My favorite treat MIGHT be Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.. but I can't eat that stuff any more. I now make myself have a snack of fruit, or pretzel sticks instead. Totall boring, but I'm trying to eat a little better since my rear continues to expand.. BOOO.

Mrs.Pickles said...

wow that quilt is a real beauty! Thanks for the review!

pbee ... said...

My favorite treat is Pepperridge Farm Mint Milano cookies. They go great with new quilt books too! Lovely top!

Sue said...

Your quilt top is beautiful and has convinced me that this is the book for me! I'm going to enjoy reading it while having my current favorite munchie, bannana nut bread, with my hot chocolate. Thanks for the chance to win. :)

Nanbon44 said...

My favorite munchie when I am sewing is the goldfish crackers.. I want chocolate, but I am trying to be good and shy away from it... so crackers it is.. and my cuppa is TEA, mostly Ice tea

PDXPam said...

MMMM. Anything chocolate!!

Thanks for the chance to win!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I munch on pretzels when sewing, crackers with tea. ;-) Great review, Thank you!

Dana Gaffney said...

Cookies! Right now my favorite are chocolate with raspberries, but that can change next time I go to the store. I love that you're a rebel and thinking about throwing in an extra color. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Choc-chip Muffins go very nicely with a cup of tea!

cherie said...

I am a hot chocolate lover and my favorite with it is a hot buttery slice of toast to dip in it. (Maybe not exciting but really satisfying). love the ideas in the book. Thanks!!

Diane H said...

Pecan pie with my cuppa please. Thanks for a chance to win Sue's amazing book. Love your quilt!

Jeannette said...

I honestly do not like to eat with my coffee. I do not like anything hot to drink with food. However, if it is iced coffee I love cinnamon scones!

Needled Mom said...

Love the lavender colors! Very pretty.

Munchie??? Smokehouse almonds.

Mary said...

Some muffins, either blueberry or banana nut, would be great. Your quilt is lovely.

Rosa said...

Beautiful review quilt!

Chocolate con Churros,
mmmmmmmmmm,just delicious!!

Thanks for the chance to win Sue`s blook.

Sally said...

Really cool quilt. I struggle with a controlled pallet, would love to see this book to get inspiration for only using 4 fabrics

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Unsweet Tea and raw cheerios...smile.

Anonymous said...

Hi from France

With a cuppa I really love somethig typically french called "madeleine".
Have a nice quilting day

Wendz said...

In the UK they call them flapjacks, in South Africa we called them 'crunchies', it's squares oats, coconut, sugar, syrup and some other ingredients .... and they're yummy anytime. Great review and thanks for the chance to win a signed copy.
wendzneil [at] googlemail [dot] com

Sallie said...

Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite munchie is a scone that my DH makes.

Renee said...

Love Sue's book Pick Four...and love to munch on my favorite Dutch spice cookie called "speculaas"!

Heather A said...

Fav munchie ... an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Dark chocolate, please.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh my that's some quilt!
Biscuit? Any that are left over from what was there BEFORE the kettle boiled!!

Sand and Sunshine said...

Lovely top, this turned out great with your fabrics! Not to mention all the stash busting you did. Favorite munchie with my cuppa - I'm a biscotti gal.

Jan Alexander said...

Love the piecing Trudi, and you've worked well on depleting your stash!
If I wasn't slimming :( it would be caramel shortcake with my cuppa. x

Quilt n Queen said...

I would luv a pie of rhubarb custard pie with my cuppa. Can't wait to read the section on 'how would you quilt your quilt and why'. I could use some help in that department. Thanks for the review....great job Trudi!!

Lesley said...

Love the quilt...my favorite snack is the coffee itself...i only drink flavored coffee with a teaspoon of hot chocolate and an irish cream "creamer"...yum!

KWILEY said...

I do cold cuppa's and love 'em with some cookies :). Would even more love a copy of this book!

Kathy S. said...

My favorite munchie (this week...) with my cuppa is the new Fiber One 90 calorie brownies. (It's hard to eat just one, and they are kinda small.) Boy are they packed with 5 grams of fiber.

Quiltsy said...

A mini dark chocolate almond joy candy bar goes perfectly with my cuppa coffee. Awesome color choices for your Pick Four quilt. They are smooth to the eye and just lovely.

Heartsdesire said...

Lovely job on the Pick Four quilt. You make it look so easy. I love Walker's shortbread or a McVitties digestive biscuit with my cuppa.

Hazel said...

Whoa! I just had to drop by to tell you that I *love* your take on Sue's quilt! And I *totally* agree with your book review!

Biscuits? Homemade delish abbey crunch every time - might put the recipe up the next CQAL day...

(Obv. not in the running for the draw - unless you are sending out biscuits. Hmm - or the quilt... ;-) )

Vicki said...

Love your choice of fabrics for your quilt top. My favourite munchie with my cuppa is coconut shortbread cookies.

Jan said...

No doubt, chocolate for me!. Thanks for your blog!

Kristi said...

love it...great colors!!!

swooze said...

Depends on what is in the cup but if it is coffee then probably pie!!

Liz said...

I love your quilt and your determination to only use from your stash. It looks like a great book and appreciate the chance to win a copy.

MaryBeth said...

Great quilt. Congrats!

Janet said...

Great review! Great quilt! I'd love to win the book. Thanks for the chance.

Donna said...

Chocolate - hands down! Thanks for being part of Sue's blog tour.

Deb said...

The quilt is beautiful! I'd love to be included in the giveaway. I like brownies...the more chocolatey the better.

Joanna said...

Definitely cookies are my munchie with tea. Right now it's maple leaf cookies from Canada - so good. Your version of the cover quilt is beautiful.

Louise said...

Your quilt is lovely!
I like to have muffins with tea or coffee, especially homemade bran muffins with raisins.
Thank you for the chance to win the book!

Linda H said...

Anything chocolate! Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book.

Peach Rainbow said...

I'd love a piece of chocolate cake ;D

Rhonda the Rambler said...

Your quilt is beautiful. Great job! Thanks for sharing.

Bev C said...

Hello Trudi,

Thank you for your insight on Sue's book. Love the colour tones of your quilt. Good luck with the quilting.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Hanne said...

Lovley quilt. I eat cookies to my coffe.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I love a Crunchie bar, which is honeycomb covered in Chocolate. Yummy! The book looks fantastic too.

the running chicken quilting said...

A chocolate digestive definately!! Great book...

Jayne Honnold said...

Loving this book tour! I'm meeting so many new bloggers!
;-)
Jayne
jaynesquiltingroom.blogspot.com

Lee said...

Thanks for the review! I love shortbread w/ my coffee! thanks!

Vivian said...

Thanks for another look into the thought processes, techniques and projects behind this book. I am not a beginning quilter nor am I afraid of choosing fabrics so if not for this tour I probably wouldn't have given this book much of a glance.

But I have to admit I've already seen so much that has piqued my interest that I see myself buying this one for myself and a few fabric phobic quilters I know (whoo hoo, Xmas gifts!) if I don't win one.

So thanks for another great stop on the tour!

Vicki B said...

chocolate chip muffins. Your quilt looks great! Would love a copy of this book - seems something many of us could use. Thanks to Sue.Vicki from Vancouver Island BC Canada

Marj said...

My favorite munchies with my cup of tea in the morning is a cherry toaster strudel. Thanks for the chance to win an autographed copy of Sue's Pick Four Book.

MyCretanlife said...

My favorite thing to have with a cuppa is digestives. I love to dunk them in the tea. Thanks for the chance to win this great book.

JustPam said...

I would love to win a copy of this book

Jittina said...

I wish I could make a quilt like that. Maybe, if I win a copy of this book I can! Thanks for the chance.

Jittina, the Netherlands

QuiltNut Creations said...

my favorite munchie would be some baking; preferably chocolate baking! thanx for the chance.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I love ginger snap cookies with a hot cuppa java - great dunkers Would love one of Sue's books - even if unsigned.

Nancy Page said...

I am not a fan of purples but your choices work so very, very well with Sue's pattern. Well done. Thank you for sharing and for this giveaway.

Have a super great sewing and stitching day.

Mary Burn said...

Lovely quilt. My favorite with a cuppa is an apple nut muffin made with apples from our tree. Thanks for including me in your giveaway.

Sue Wild said...

Lovely to see another colourway to the cover design. When I go to exhibitions where a project made of the same design it is the choice of colours that make each quilt so different.

Rainy said...

favorite munchie is potatoe chips, I am a salt craver.

Cheryl Greenleaf said...

Vanilla Wafers (cookies) of course!

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
cgreenleaf2(at)gmail(dot)com

Jen said...

I love how Sue included quilting instructions in her book! Your top looks great with 5 colors too! My favorite treat is dark chocolate raspberry truffles with peppermint tea...mmm

Deanna said...

The 3-D illusion created by your fabrics is lovely and makes me want the book even more. Thanks for the chance.

Hands Sew Full said...

Thanks so much for the great review, I really appreciate the insight, especially the comments of there being suggestions on the actual quilting to be done. I like to snack on homemade chocolate chip cookies or nuts if no one baked! Thanks!

Winona said...

Your quilt turned out lovely. This book is definitely a winner. My favorite munchie is Reese's peanut butter cups. I love chocolate and peanut butter.

Miss Hillbilly said...

I don't drink anything but water and we got rid of all sugar and flour...but if we were pretending....I would just go for good ol cookies and milk.

MJ said...

Favorite munchie... to many to name but most likely peanut m&m's!! Love your quilt top... fabrics are very nice!

NancyinSTL said...

My cuppa would be tea, not coffee, and I'd love a slice of homemade poundcake with it, while reading my copy of "Pick Four" that I might win.

Sparky said...

looks fab in these colors....and it is not green..how surprising is that lol

Lindi said...

Good Morning! I like to toast my homemade raisin bread slathered with butter with my cuppa. Thanx for asking,L

Mary said...

Great review and I like your reasoning. Using all the fabric from your stash and making the pattern work for you! I'm hoping the last day to WIN this Book so I can play too. Thanks for the chance!

Beeshebags said...

Orange & Poppy Seed cake with my cuppa would be my first choice...but like my 'to do list' it's a very long list *grins*.

Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.

Hugs
Naomi

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

What a beautiful creation using Sue's great book - I would love to own it. My favorite muchie with my cuppa' would have to be shortbread cookies!

Tina said...

Fresh cake doughnuts! Yummy!!
PS Love this quilt with the purple color way too!

Nanbon44 said...

I was wonding about your choices until I saw the finished top and I love it... I have to get my hands on this book.. hope I win one,

quiltingnana said...

my favorite thing with my cup of tea is a scone although I don't have them often. Tea and scones reminds me of my best fried...we would often have tea after work together.

kate x said...

I try and stick to cashews. I feel guilty sitting on my bum while I'm sewing, so I try and stay healthy!! Boring huh!!

This book looks great - I'm interested in the quilting options too - I have started considering my quilting process when I'm piecing - the direction you iron can also make a huge difference to the look.

Pat from Florida said...

How about scones? Or chocolate chip cookies? Or biscotti? Or, Or, ...

Love the book. Would love to win!

Jackie said...

love your color choices....gotta look at that book :)

Nancy D. said...

I love a good cinnamon cake donut with coffee. I may have to go to the donut shop in the morning and get some. Thanks for sharing!

Nancy D. said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
quiltmom anna said...

I love cinnamon buns with chai tea.
Thanks for the chance to win such a great book.
Regards,
Anna