Modern Bee Book & My First Quilt Block

Sewing has enriched my life in so many ways. If I had not started sewing again nearly two-and-a-half years ago, then I wouldn't have started blogging.  If I had not started blogging, then I wouldn't have made so many new, wonderful friends.

One of those real-life personal friends is Lindsay Conner, blogger at Lindsay Sews and Craft Buds, and now author of the new book, Modern Bee: 13 Quilts to Make with Friends.

Photo from ModernBeeBook.com

Lindsay and I met last year at Sewing Summit where we hit it off right from the start.  A few months later, she moved to Tennessee, and about a month ago, she moved within a few miles of me.  I've so enjoyed getting to know Lindsay and hang out with her in person on a regular basis. We even flew out to Utah and roomed together again at Sewing Summit this year.  She is so sweet and talented, and she's taught me so much about blogging, networking within the sewing community, and now quilting!

From the start, I joked with her that I was not a quilter because I don't have the patience to sew in straight lines all the time, but she kept encouraging me to give it a try and start with something small. When her book was finally available for sale, I purchased a copy from her immediately (I still need it signed though) and decided to give quilting a serious try.

Honestly, Modern Bee is the first quilting book I've ever owned or read, so I'm not sure how much my opinion or review of the book will count to you seasoned quilters out there.  But just like I do with any other pattern I use and review, I tell it like it is--truthfully.

Having never been a part of a quilter's guild or bee, I really felt uneducated on the topic.  However, Lindsay's book explains the concept and workings of an online bee, how to set up and manage one of your own, or in my case (for now), just how to make a quilt all by myself!

The book is conveniently divided into sections for beginners, confident beginners, and intermediate quilters.  Since this was my very first attempt at making a quilt block, I started with a beginner block--Bluebell's Cabin by Adrianne Ove.  I picked this design because it appealed to me aesthetically--very classic with a modern twist depending on the fabrics used--and it looked like the easiest to cut out and sew together!  I chose well because it literally took me only 15 minutes to stitch out.

That was so easy that I may have decided to try and make an entire quilt now!  What?!  I have plenty of my favorite Joel Dewberry Heirloom fabrics that desperately need to be sewn into something I'll enjoy. I'd much rather have them made into a quilt I can use on top of my bed than sitting in a box under my bed!

The Modern Bee book includes all the instructions and yardage requirements for me to finish an entire quilt, including detailed illustrations and options for backing, batting, basting, binding.

Oh, and did I mention all the beautiful photos in this book?  There are pictures of all 13 modern quilts you can make using the Modern Bee book plus color illustrations that accompany the written instructions.

So, what do you think?  Should I give it try and make my own quilt?  This might just lead me to joining a modern bee and making more quilts and meeting more wonderful people!

Yeah, sounds like a good idea to me, especially since I have a great friend just down the road from me who knows how to quilt!

Want to start your own online quilting bee and make lots of new friends?  Then be sure to pick up a copy of Lindsay's new book, Modern Bee: 13 Quilt to Make with Friends, and learn how today!

Also, Lindsay has generously offered up a little prize package of fabric, notions, and a rotary cutter to one lucky sewVery reader!  Thanks, Lindsay!  To enter the giveaway, just click on the rafflecopter widget below.  Contest open to US residents only.

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