I am so excited to be hosting the final day of the Classic Modern Quilts Blog Tour. This whole experience has been such a rollercoaster ride from start to finish and I am so grateful for being included in this book with all these fabulous designers.
My journey to design a quilt for this project is a rather serendipitous tale. If you know me, or have read my previous blogs, you likely know that I was fortunate to have two quilts (STELLA! and If Kaffe Met Seuss) juried into the QuiltCon 2013 quilt show in Austin in February and I was able to go see them hanging there in person.
STELLA!
If Kaffe Met Seuss
A few weeks after I came back home I received a message from a friend (thanks Gloria!) who had been trolling the internet for pictures of quilts from QuiltCon. She told me to check out a blog that had a picture of STELLA! on it. The blogger had made some very nice comments about my quilt but said she hadn’t written down who made it. I commented on her blog to thank her for her kind words and identified myself as the maker. This started a little flurry of emails back and forth, then she asked to see some of my other quilts so I directed her to my Flickr page. I was a little surprised when she identified herself as an editor for the publishing company Kansas City Star Quilts (and their new imprint My Stars Quilts) and said she had a project in the works that she would like to invite me to participate in.
We were given 36 blocks to choose from and had to submit our top 3 picks. I used EQ7 to work on the block and quilt designs. I love designing on EQ7 … it is so easy to preview colour choices and block placement. Luckily I got my first pick, although I still like the designs I came up with for my other two picks and will likely make them at some point in the future.
The quilt was inspired by the block Rebecca’s Fan that was published in 1931 (fifth row, third from the right).
So now let me introduce you to my quilt … Electric Fans.
The fan blocks are foundation paper pieced and are really easy to make … so this could even be your first foundation piecing project! Along with the chance to win a free copy of the book from the publisher, I’m also giving away a package of Carol Doak’s Foundation Papers (the same kind I used for copying the foundation patterns). This paper is so much easier to remove from the back of the block than regular photocopier paper. Ask your local quilt shop if they carry it or can order it in for you.
Here’s a sampling of the fabrics I used.
Finished fan block.
Fan (4 fan blocks put together)
The fabulous quilting on my quilt was done by my good friend Ardelle Kerr who is also known as The RoseCity Quilter. She has the amazing talent of knowing exactly how to enhance a quilt, not overpower it. She also did the quilting on STELLA! and you can see some of the quilting detail in the banner at the top of my blog. I encourage you to check out her blog to see more of her fantastic work.
Tammy Vasser from Marmalade Fabrics has chosen four quilts from the book and has made up fabric bundles that are available in her store. Electric Fans was one of those quilts so if you’d like to make your own version, visit her site to check things out. Don’t forget to visit her blog.
For your chance to win a free copy of the book and the package of foundation papers, just leave me a comment by midnight on November 26th. I will make a random draw from all the comments I receive and will be in touch with the winner so make sure to leave your email address. And remember to hop on over to visit the other bloggers on the tour. By visiting all the blogs and leaving comments you have up to 10 chances to win a copy of the book along with some other giveaways.
Here’s the list of the other designers and their blogs, in case you missed them.
Lisa Calle, http://www.vintagemodernquilts.com
Lynne Goldsworthy, http://www.lilysquilts.blogspot.com
Lauren Hunt, http://www.myauntjune.blogspot.com
Heather Kojan, http://www.heatherkojan.blogspot.com
John Kubiniec, http://www.bigrigquilting.blogspot.com
Adrianne Ove, http://www.littlebluebell.com
Trisch Price, http://www.hadleystreetquilts.com
Tammie Schaffer, http://www.craftytammie.com, and Tia Curtis, tiacurtisquilts.blogspot.com
Amy Smart, http://www.diaryofaquilter.com
Copies of Classic Modern Quilts are available at Marmalade Fabrics and Kansas City Star Quilts. Or ask for it at your local quilt shop.
I hope you’ve enjoyed our Blog Tour as much as we have. Come back and visit any time.
Strong Stitches 
Pick me, pick me. Love this qult and would love a chance to own a copy of this book!
I love your quilt – the design is amazing. This looks like a fantastic book.
All of the quilts are lovely.
There are several I would like to try Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
Mary Jo
Wow, the quilts you shared are gorgeous! This looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to win.
Great Blog Tour! I love the stories behind each new project. Thank you for sharing. kathleendotlutzatcomcastdotnet
I’ve loved the blog tour and everyone sharing their quilts! Can’t wait to see the other two you designed as well!
I would love to have a copy of this book…..hope to try some modern quilts. Barb
Love your block and fabric choices. Thank you for the chance to win this great book.
I’ve been waiting all week to see the whole quilt!
Love your electric fans. Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on being included in the book.
Love your fans! Paper piecing is the best!
I love hearing stories of how people connect through their hobbies online. That’s so great that you were part of this project!
love your block, its so great to see old made new again, my favorite type of quilting
I thoroughly enjoyed this blog tour. I would make these modern quilts as they are bright, clean lines and vibrant. Thanks for the giveaway.
Pingback: Blog tour and giveaways, Day 9: Susan Strong | My Stars: A New Tradition
I have enjoyed this book review blog tour! So many great patterns in the book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy!
I love this quilt and it makes me want to try paper piecing!!
Love the blog tour!
This is a beautiful quilt!
Enjoying the blog tour and all the beautiful quilts.
Thank you for the opportunity. Your quilt is beautiful!
I love the look of the electric fan blades and the choice of fabrics used. Paper piecing is great! I love the effects you can get on something like these fans using paper piecing and I’ve been trying to use up scraps of fabric piecing. This quilt would also make a very nice ‘scrappy’ electric fan instead of fabrics that coordinate. Thanks for sharing!
I love the accuracy of paper piecing and this does not have iddy biddy pieces, which I avoid. I need to try this one, too! Looks like a sampler quilt for me. That way I can enjoy each technique.
I think I’ve found my favorite, save the best for last I guess. The fabric you used is so pretty, great job all around.
Stella will take your breath away! Love your Electric Fan quilt as well, it would be so lovely in my bedroom! Thanks for participating in the blog hop, it has been one GREAT hop!
Fascinated by the history of Star quilt block patterns.
Susan, your quilt is beautiful. You do such amazing work! That technique looks fun!
Wonderful use of the traditional block to make something funky and new!
I love your version of the Dresden Plate. Thanks for sharing your other quilts and for the chance to win.
I love this quilt, and many others, from this book. Hope you pick me!
I would love to win this book, and your Electric Fan quilt is done in my favorite colors. I enjoy paper piecing and have used Doak’s foundation paper. Definitely easier to use than printer paper.
Thank you so much for the blog tour and the giveaway! I haven’t used foundation paper yet, reading these comments has made me extra interested in trying them!
What a great block. I think it would be striking done in patriotic colors for Quilts of Valor.
Thanks for the insight into how your block/quilt was chosen for the book. I find that very interesting.
Congrats on being in the book! Looks like an amazing book! Thanks for a chance to win!
I’d love to win a copy of the book. elsiesgeekery(at)zoho(dot)com
I love your modern take on this classic pattern – so striking and fun!!! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win!
So beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Electric Fans – this is my favourite from the book!
I would love to win a copy!
I love your quilt. Everything about it is beautiful. I really enjoy the color choices. Wonderful job.
I’ve been following along and am very enthused about this book and the exciting updates by all you talented quilters!! Thanks for the chance to win the book!
I love that your block is paper pieced rather than made with blades like a traditional Dresden plate. Thanks for the giveaway.
Those teals and whites – so fresh! Thanks for the chance to win.
Beautiful block and quilt! Just came across this blog tour and am slowly catching up. Thanks for a chance!
I spotted this quilt on the cover shot and have been following the tour waiting to see how it was done. Love it! Hope to win the book.
love the electric fans. I’d love to win
I love this blog tour & your quilt! Thanks for a chance to win the book.
I have been enjoying this blog hop, and your quilt is delightful.
I love your quilt! It is a nod to a Dresden plate, but totally modern! And I love that it is foundation-piece … Thank you for the giveaway!
The blog hop was so much fun! It is wonderful to see classical quilting patterns reborn as fresh modern quilts with a kick!
It is my pleasure to quilt your quilts Susan! It is easy to come up with a quilting plan for such inspiring quilts….
Stella is SOOO amazing! Nice job and great color choices! I love it and I’ve pinned it to my “Quilty Goodness” board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you’d like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/