Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Cultural Fusion Quilts Blog Tour!


I am so happy to recommend Sujata Shah's beautiful new book, Cultural Fusion Quilts!


You may know Sujata's gorgeous quilts from her blog, The Root Connection.
If you've visited her there, you know she has a unique and fanciful eye for design and color.  

She grew up in India, where vibrant color and pattern are everywhere.
In the book, she tells the story of coming to the U.S. as a young bride, feeling like 
"a character from a color film that had walked into a black and white film."

With Cultural Fusion Quilts, she introduces us to her world of color and design, 
and helps us step into that joyful place with our quilt-making.


Sujata taught quilt-making at a shop in the Seattle area for several years.  
I had the good fortune to receive her help while selecting fabrics for some of my quilts.
Over the years, we became friends, and I was invited to try the technique she presents in the book.  

I found it easy, fun and new.  The results create unique quilts with just enough quirkiness to add a sense of the maker's own hand.  No two quilts could ever be alike with this technique!

You'll find my quilt in the book.  Today I'll show you some of my process in making it.


I started with pinwheel blocks.  I just love the way each one dances in its own way!
This is one of the many configurations of the Rail Fence block on the cover.




Once I made many, I tried out different arrangements.
Above, I've alternated warm and cool pinwheels.



Each cut set made a group of four. Here I tried grouping the sets 
and placed all the red ones in the middle.



I kept making blocks, (I couldn't stop!), and decided to alternate the sets by warm and cool colors.



I had enough leftover to make another quilt. 



I decided to add them to the border, and make it queen size. 




Now it's my favorite quilt to sleep under!




To win a copy of this book, enter a comment, and make sure I have a way to email you.   I'll do a random drawing Saturday night, 12/6, at 9:00 p.m. PST, and post the winner on Sunday.  If you're in the U.S., you'll receive a print copy.  If you live outside the U.S., you'll get the ebook.

Here are the dates and locations for the next blog tour stops.

Thursday December 4 Victoria Gertenbach @ The Silly Boodilly

Friday December 5 Rachaeldaisy @ Blue Mountain Daisy

Saturday December 6 Lori Dejarnett @ Humble Quilts
  
Sunday December 7 Casey York @ The Studiolo

Monday December 8 Malka Dubrawsky @ A Stitch in Dye

Tuesday December 9 Sherri Lynn Wood @ daintytime

Wednesday December10 Bonnie Hunter @ Quiltville's Quips and Snips

Thursday December 11 Jake Finch @ Generation Q

Friday December 12 Jan Burgwinkle @ Be*mused

Saturday December 13 Janet Treen @ Quiltsalott

Sunday December 14 Lindsay Conner @ Lindsay Sews 

Good luck!


102 comments:

Rachaeldaisy said...

Yay for Sujata and her inspiring book!! It's wonderful you got to have a play with pinwheel blocks and contribute a beautiful quilt to the book. I found it so interesting to see the different layouts you tried along the and it's great to see your quilt in use on your bed.

meli B said...

It is so good to finally be able to see some of the amazing quilts Sujata has made for this book.

SonjaM said...

What beautiful quilts!!!!!!! I would love to win a book! I like physical books better than e books so this would be great!!!!! Thanks for the chance!!!!!! sonjasmith76@yahoo.com

Béa said...

Very beautiful book and quilts !

Amy said...

I just love Sujata's color sense; it's so vibrant and joyful. Glad to hear she has a book published.

Carmela said...

This is a new book for me. I just love the different layouts and the possibilties!

christine said...

It is fun to see the positive response to Sujata's book. I really like your quilt and know you will have special dreams under it....or at least by comfy warm.

Helen said...

You couldn't stop making those blocks...and that is the best endorsement for this book. I need to have it.

Adele said...

I NEED this book! So much inspiration!

magistra said...

I love the beautiful quilt you made. It has such a rich and warm glow that invites a person to relax on it :) thank you for offering this book in a give away, perhaps we will slowly become less black and white. Although, I would describe our world as beige, beige everything, especially when compared to India! Thank you again! Magistra13 at yahoo dot com
Beth

Millie said...

Awesome! I love the idea of the quilt on the diagonal!

Katkat said...

Beautiful colors!

Material Girl said...

I love that funky pinwheel. I have lots of brights that need a home, maybe I should make one too!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Your quilts are stunning. I have this book on my Christmas wish list but would LOVE to win a copy before Christmas!

Chris said...

Love her quilts, love the book. Your quilt looks great!

Karen said...

I didn't know she had the book coming out, it looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I love Sujata's book and i love your quilt that is in the book. Thanks for sharing your process in this post - love seeing "how" things came to be !!!

mcv1691 said...

Love your quilt and I can't wait to read her book.

Diane said...

Thanks for sharing your process! So fun to see the possibilities...not to mention all the colors. This looks like a fabulous book.

Anonymous said...

I love your quilt, and would like to win the book. Thank you.
Jackie
jackiealu@aol.com

Frog Quilter said...

Would love to get a copy of that book. frog2quilt@gmail.com

DianeY said...

This book looks exciting. Love your quilt!

claire said...

This book looks amazing! I 'd love to try those patterns!

James P said...

I love free-form and improv - this book looks amazing. Thanks for the chance to win.

Pam said...

I love how you took these ideas and ran with them! Great quilts!

Jodi said...

I love Sujata's style, and your quilt is gorgeous!

Jenny said...

Congratulations to Sujata and her book and yay you on such a lively quilt

Linda in NC said...

What fun to have your quilt in Sujata's book! It looks great on your bed.

Her book is definitely on my Christmas wish list!

smazoochie said...

Lucky you, to be able to be a part of Sujata's book! I am eager to see it, it is on my Christmas list.
Your quilt reminds me a bit of the one I made with my Mom's shirts -- lovely & scrappy.

Lori said...

Very nice! I didn't actually read the credits in the book to see that you made that quilt. It is fantastic! Gee, now I'm starting to feel intimidated for my blog tour post..

Rebecca said...

Soooo much fun with the colors!

Sarah Martin said...

Love.
Thanks for the chance to win this gorgeous book!

Anonymous said...

Yet another nifty quilt!!

Unknown said...

Love your new favorite sleeping quilt and your blog. Always looking for your next post. Would like to win the book.

Quilting Stories said...

Sooooo beautiful! I love your quilt, and the book of sujata looks great!

one line lane said...

What a fun process to design & make your quilt. It is beautiful. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.

mumbird3 said...

Cute ideas! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

Wtrstone said...

What amazing quilts!!! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the book.

Andrea said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I enjoyed reading about your selection process and seeing the lovely end result!

Karen H said...

Love the quilts and Sujata is such an inspiration. Would really like to add this book to my library! Thanks for the chance to win!

Gill said...

I love your quilt - this looks such an amazing book!

Elaine M said...

Your quilt looks so inviting on your bed. What a great book, thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

This is beautiful!

CecileD said...

Oh my....this quilt looks amazing and the book stunning !!!

sjzak said...

Your quilts look so colorful and neat!

Mystic Quilter said...

Loved the setting you chose for your Rail Fence quilt and the border was such a good idea for using up the extra blocks. Scrolled down your posts and now following!

sallgood said...

I love scrappy! So freeing!! Great looking quilts that speak to the soul of what quilting is about.

Poppy Seed Arts said...

Sujata's quilts are absolutely lovely and such bright colors! I would really like to win this giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity. freshman(dot)quilter(at)gmail(dot)com

Quilter Kathy said...

What a fun quilt you made from this idea!
Looks like a wonderful book!

Havplenty said...

I am so happy for Sujata and her new book. I get her esthetic because mine is similar. I love color and patterns. this book would be a great addition to any quilter's library.

tushay3(at)yahoo(dot)com

audrey said...

How fun that you were able to help out and make your fantastic quilt too! I would love to have a copy of this book.:) It sounds like a perfect book to have on my bookshelf!

Unknown said...

great job. your interpretation is beautiful too.

Lauren said...

This book looks so awesome!!! I've been rearranging blocks all afternoon and reading your post just gave me another idea!!! Thanks, have a great day!!!

Unknown said...

The blog tour is a great idea. I can't wait for the next few days to see the posts on all the sites. Thanks for organising it!
judybarr@iearn.org.au

Becky said...

Interesting quilt!

floribunda said...

thanks for the chance to win -- the book looks terrifc, and I'm happy to have "discovered" your blog!

Heather said...

I prefer books that teach you methods, rather than just patterns for making exactly the same quilts. Love your quilt, and all the possibilities of the pattern.

Janet said...

How wonderful to have been able to add a quilt to Sujata's fun book. Thanks for showing the process, that's the part I love to read about. The quilt looks great on your bed.

roberta mill said...

Rail fence blocks are fun to play with. I would love a copy of the book!

Sarah said...

I really love this quilt, and this book, and all of the color and movement! sarah@forrussia.org

Sharon said...

How great that you have a quilt in Sujata's book! I love seeing the same quilt in different colors/fabrics and layouts. That just shows what a great pattern it is. And the quilt looks so cozy and bright on your bed! Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book.

Jeanne said...

I'd love to win a copy of the book and play with bright fabrics!

Cathy said...

This is a beautiful book, if I don't win it, I will definitely order it.
Cathy
zetti1@charter.net

Quilteuse Forever said...

It is an amazing book and I enjoy to know how you decided to make this one : so precious for all quilters who do not dare yet to make impro-quilts!
I did not know you were friends -or I forgot- but it is not surprising, you have the same great inspirations and I love both of your quilts & blogs!

Nancy said...

It would be such fun th have this amazing book.

Barb said...

don't put my name in as I already have Sujatas book. what a nice write up and i love your quilt -

patty a. said...

Your quilts turned out wonderful!

antique quilter said...

I love this quilt and its the first one I would make if I am lucky enough to win her book! Love your fabric choices as usual! cute little quilt too,
Kathie

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

I have been saving my pennies for her book! Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!

Claudia said...

I love scrappy quilts and the book looks spectacular!
csjshearer@gmail.com

Nann said...

Of course I'd like to win the book. But now I'm admiring your colorful quilt! The four-alike pinwheels provide focal points (more concentrated than having mismatched rows of pinwheels) and the chunky piano key border pulls everything together. I really like it.

Sharon said...

Love the look of her quilts, would love the chance to enter for the book

Sharon said...

OK now I'm entering for Dorothy, you met at Lopez. You can use my contact if her name is drawn.

June D said...

Thank you for sharing a bit of your thinking while planning the placement for the blocks. They look great together! Thanks for putting my name in the hat for the drawing!

CyndyK said...

I love your quirky windmill quilt. I really want to make one of these. Thanks for sharing. Cynthia Knapp cknapp3626@sbcglobal.net

Hilacha (loose strand) said...

This quilt is full of colour and ideas. The combination of the rail fence blocks, the irregular pattern... Everything in it makes me want to start making one now!

Anne said...

Looks like a great book!

Cherie in St Louis said...

The quilts I've seen from Sujata's book are amazing!

Kyle said...

If your quilt is any indication of what the whole book is like, it must be a winner.

Madhu Mathur said...

I have long been an admirer of Sujata's vibrant quilts and am excited at the chance of winning her book. But I am also glad that this led me to your blog and all your lovely, colourful quilts!

Nathalie said...

I love her use of color and would love to win her book. Thank you for the chance.

leanne said...

wow love that quilt on your bed and can understand why you love snuggling under it - it just sings !

Beth said...

That looks like a very inspiring book!

Michele said...

Lovely quilt and wonderful book, by the looks of it. Haven't done free from piecing yet, but I am very tempted by this book.

Juliann in WA said...

I love Sujata's work. The book looks so fun.

Ann Marie said...

I can't believe I don't already have this book!

Donna~~ said...

Your quilt is wonderful--so fun to use so many fabrics, too! Looks like a great book to add to my library!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Looks like there is great inspiration in this book! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

Catskill Quilter said...

I love your quilt! Now I am excited about the book!

LizA. said...

This book is definitely on my Christmas list. I just love Sujata's profusion of color.

Rina Mason said...

Love all the wonderful quilts in this book. They are so eye-catching and the colors combinations are amazing.

Unknown said...

I've followed her blog for several years and am delighted by her success. I look forward to using this book.

TY

Ruth said...

It looks like a great book! Please add me to the drawing!

the girlfriend gap said...

I would love to read about her quilts and techniques. Love your colorful pin wheels. Always love your creative expression. Thanks for a chance to win. Janita

Kathryn said...

I love any kind of zig zag quilt design. Yours is terrific.

Elaine said...

Thank you for hosting the giveaway. The quilts are just super!

Jill said...

What a great quilt and I love the second quilt you made with the leftovers as well.

Janet said...

The colors are amazing! I would LOVE this book!

Kim said...

Look at me lucky 100!
Thanks for the chance to win.....this book looks terrific, I love visiting the Root connection for color inspiration there is nothing boring about Sujata's use of colors!
What great patterns, can't wait to try them.

Happy Sewing

Karen (Misiz C) said...

When my kids ask for Christmas gift suggestions, I have a great suggestion..... this book! Love the quilts I'm seeing!

Annemieke said...

I just read your post, I know, a bit too late for the copy of the book. Your quilt turned out fabulous!! I can imagine you like Sujata's way of working and color choices. I sure will remember this book.
Groetjes
Annemieke

Jodi said...

Sujata was one of the first bloggers I started following about five years ago and she's always a fantastic inspiration to me!