Friday, June 12, 2020

My New Book

Yippee! I'm really excited to share the cover of my new book - Schoolgirl Sampler - which will be released in October 2020. I've been waiting a looong time to tell you all about it and it can't come soon enough . . . .



If you like making small blocks and antique-looking sampler quilts, then you're going to love this one. Inspired by the antique sampler quilts so many of us love, Schoolgirl Sampler includes simple instructions for making many of the traditional quilt blocks we all love in small scale. And, in addition to the sampler, there are patterns for six other darling mini-quilts using the blocks.



It's a treasure trove of 4" blocks reminiscent of those sewn by schoolgirls during the nineteenth century.  Combine all 72 blocks into a sampler quilt or select a few favorites to use in any of six other charming doll quilts. The blocks are fun and easy to stitch and are perfect for using your reproduction-fabric scraps. You can complete several blocks in one sitting or finish a small quilt in a weekend. The possibilities for making small quilts are endless. The book also includes plenty of tips for sewing small blocks, simple rotary cutting instructions and clear piecing diagrams -  no paper piecing, tracing or cutting templates to make the 4" x 4" blocks. It's very user friendly! 

Here's an excerpt from the book - 

"The sampler quilt with many different blocks has a long history in American quilt making. I've always adored antique sampler quilts and I know I'm not alone. Almost ten years ago I embarked upon the journey of reproducing the "Mother" of all samplers – the remarkable Jane Stickle quilt from 1863, commonly known as the Dear Jane quilt. My quilt is not quite finished yet but I work on it whenever I get the chance, in between writing books and making other projects. I'm getting close. This quilt, the Schoolgirl Sampler, took me a lot less time to complete and I hope it offers some of you an easier alternative to creating an antique-looking sampler quilt comprised of small blocks."


Schoolgirl Sampler is coming out in early October and hopefully will be available at your local quilt shop around then. If you're interested in getting a signed copy, I'll begin taking pre-orders on my website in July. (Pre-ordering is always recommended since it gives me an idea of how many books I need to buy before it comes out. But even if I have to restock and you have to wait a bit, there will still be plenty of copies available.) International quilters may want to visit the Martingale website to purchase an e-book version when it become available.

I know you'll have a lot of fun making this quilt. I sure did. Have a good weekend!            


15 comments:

Tradquilter said...

Oh I need this book! Congratulations!!!

Pauline Simpson said...

Oh my! Your quilt looks absolutely wonderful. Cannot wait till this book is available!

Lady Locust said...

Congrats!!!
All of your projects are conducive to home in my eyes. Large or small, they bring comfort simply by being.
Have a beautiful day~

Colleen said...

I pre-ordered mine yesterday :)

Judi Smith said...

I am so excited! I’ve been wanting to make a big quilt with little blocks. This one is perfect! Can’t wait! Thank you for designing a great quilt!

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Kathleen, I messaged you but don't know if you received. Also requested membership with your "quilt Small Talk Group" twice and answered all questions the site requested for membership. They sent me another email requiring other information which I thought would take care of acceptance and approval. Every time I go into site it says " approval not accepted yet. can you help me? Please advise. Thank You!

P.S. Love and have all your books...looking forward to your new book soon. Also I and 3 friend took a class at the Grout Museum located in Waterloo, Iowa a few years ago... we enjoyed being with you so much!
cchosilpd@q.com

Carolyn Hosier

Ann said...

Waiting to pre-order
Love samplers and medallion quilts!

Carol Garnaat said...

Kathy, your talent is a gift from above which you so generously share with all of us. Thank you!
I have all of your books thus far and cannot choose which one is my favorite! I will be pre-ordering 3
copies of your new book, one as a gift to my dear daughter Kimberly Mohr, one for my sweet "seestah" Suzanne Drummond, and one for myself, a gift from me to me! I can't wait to receive your new book and spend hours ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the quilts therein.
Carol in Mid-Mich (Carol Garnaat)

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Oooo this looks like a wonderful book! Going straight to the top of my quilt book wish list!

marian said...

Kathy, congratulations again! You know how much I love the name and the cover of your new book. It goes without saying I never tire of seeing it. It's so inviting, it brings a smile to my face. Who doesn't love sampler quilts?? I can't wait to hold a copy in my hands, and peruse the pages within :)) hugs, Marian

Yvonne said...

The moment I saw the quilt on the cover I fell in love with it. This is going to be on my ' want to make' list.

quiltgrannie said...

Really looking forward to getting this!! Love all your books.

Candee said...

GORGEOUS ❤️ I’ll be calling it the Dear Kathy quilt. Love it!

QuiltGranma said...

Congrats on the pending book release! That was a lot of work, and am looking forward to seeing what you've done in the pages when i get mine.

Karen said...

I have all your books so far, and love every one. This looks like another great one. I could never do the Dear Jane quilt, but I love your sampler and I think with your instructions, it might be possible for me to do. I can't wait for the books' release! Congrats!