I was thrilled to get the chance to review Siobhan's new book, By the Block. I'm a huge fan of her blog and everything she makes is just gorgeous (and super yummy).
By the Block features 18 quilt patterns that are organized by theme - Squares, Half-Square Triangles, Crosses, Triangles, Log Cabin and Curved Piecing. Siobhan found that her quilting students lead very busy lives (like most of us, I'm sure) but were still eager to make amazing quilts so she wrote this book to help us all make beautiful quilts that "look complex but are actually simple to execute."
By the Block: 18 Surprisingly Simple Quilts
Interweave/F+W; $26.99
I have met Siohban at Quilt Market and she is genuinely so sweet so I thought it would be fun to do a little interview with her.
1) ok because I am a sappy romantic, I saw in your acknowledgements that you met your hubby in a photography class. Want to share about that?
My poor ever patient husband.
I meet him my first year out of school (way back in 1994) we were both studying commercial photography and we were in the same classes. We have been together ever since.
He helps and supports me in everything, I have had some ridiculous hair brained plans or interest over the years and he just goes with the flow. Deciding to write a book on quilting being one of them. I have been very lucky.
2) I absolutely love your half square triangle quilts - especially Hoo Are You and Go Big or Go Home. But I really am not a fan of HSTs - lol! Any tips on how to make them more enjoyable/less tedious. Or is it more just a personal preference with this block?
Thank you!
HST are funnily one of the first techniques/ blocks I experimented with many years ago as a beginner. It seemed easy enough to manage as a novice - cutting straight lines and sewing straight lines. I could get lots of effects and geometric designs using the simple HST it was just a matter of fabric colours and the direction the block was laid.
I agree that sewing the same block repeated 100 times can seem boring ....... I also have a habit of not trimming my HST units, I know for some that may be controversial but I don't have any issues piecing untrimmed HST or any issues with bulk when the top is being quilted.
I do find that sometimes I want a project that is in a round about way mindless, If that makes sense - If I have all my units cut and ready to go I can chain piece lots of HST and not have to think about much what so ever, which when you are a busy person with the usual family/ friends/ work and kids "Stuff" - it can be nice.
I have found from teaching and being around lots of quilters that people enjoy quilting for lots of different reasons and this also usually drives what type of quilts people attempt to create or are drawn to create. Different life stages seem to have a little impact too.
3) I think this one of the few quilting books I’ve seen where I am in love with every pattern. I just love your bold use of color and scrappy designs - it’s how I love to create too. Do you keep a large stash at home and just use what you have or do you buy fabric with specific projects in mind?
I went through a stage of buying lots of fabric, I wouldn't say I have a huge stash of fabric but I do have lots!
Now days I know my style a little better and I am a bit more savvy with my fabric purchases. I have learnt that I tended to use what I had bought most recently and completely forget about the fabrics I had stored in the cupboard.
I make more of an effort to have a real look through what I have before I purchase anything new. It can be really hard when you see so many fantastic fabric ranges coming out to stay disciplined.
If I really, really want a new range and I have no specific project in mind I will buy a pre cut bundle, which is great for creating scrappy looking projects. I also find I am drawn to similar coloured ranges and most things go together.
If I see a fabric that I know I will use as the main background or I really want it to be the feature of the quilt I will buy 2 meters for a single bed design and 3 meters for a bigger quilt design and I try to use all my scraps as a pieced backing for my quilts - I like to use up what I have and then I don't need to go out and buy 6 yards worth of extra fabric just for the back.
You also need to keep in mind that in the last 24 months I have made over 30 big bed sized quilts......... Thats a lot of fabric.
4) I know I’ve told you before that I think you are superwoman - ha ha! I get so inspired by your designs, your baking and your photography and I know what it’s like to try and raise 4 kids at the same time. Any advice for busy moms trying to juggle a lot of things too?
Its all an illusion! My house is organized mayhem and I miss out on lots of social stuff because Im trying to get everything done or teaching at night.
I am very mindful of people who don't have it so easy - families all over the world are working a huge amount of hours and still trying to run a family and not always in the easiest or happiest environments.
I have a leg up in life - My life is pretty uncomplicated. I don't have everything but I think I am incredibly lucky coming from a good area in a good country with access to everything I need.
I try to be thankful for what I have.
I try to be "good enough" no such thing as perfect when your a mum and I usually carry a little mothers guilt around with me, like at the moment I have just booked to go to Spring Quilt Market and I feel slightly bad that I am leaving the kids for a week with my husband.
Leaving the kids for a week also means that I must have some pretty good family support?!
Which I do. My husband does lots in the house and works full time, I also have my dad and in-laws that will drop everything to come look after things.
I wouldn't be able to achieve half the things I do without any backup support.
In saying all of that...sometimes fitting in my design work means the kids bedrooms aren't as tidy as I would like or the clean washing isn't folded and put away or I haven't double checked the kids spelling words........
I make things (sewing, cooking and photos) because it makes me happy - I am so lucky to be able to share that with everyone.
I loved chatting with Siobhan and getting to know her a little better. You can keep up with her on her blog or Instagram and go check out her book - By the Block - it really is a great quilting book to have!
Thanks Siohban!
