What a fun tour we had! It was great getting to know more about Cherri, and getting to know so many new bloggers. Thanks to everyone who stopped in and left a comment. I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Now for the winners!

The winner of of copy of City Quilts is Megan! She says:

“Every time I see a new quilt from this book I want to make it! As a relatively new quilter who is just now venturing more into solids I have to say that this is the most inspiring collection of contemporary quilts I’ve seen. Fingers crossed for one of the lovely prizes!”

Have fun, Megan!

The winner of a killer stack of Kona Cotton fat quarters is Dayna! She says

“This tour is great! Who knew solids could be so interesting!”

Sounds like you’ll be learning more about it!

Ok, now it’s time to get started on your quilts!

While the City Quilt love is making it’s way around the internet, I’d thought I’d take this opportunity to show off my new quilt! I am smitten by the book’s new City Shops quilt, and started one almost immediately upon the book’s arrival! The Gee’s Bend look of this quilt struck me right way, and am always happy when when quilt instructions are clear, easy to follow, but do allow for some random fabric placement! There’s something about it that feels more like an adventure!

Inspired by bar codes & shopping (who doesn’t love shopping!), Cherri used black, white and blue fabrics for her City Shops quilt. Loving the look, but wanting to make it my own, I chose a palette of green, yellow and white Kona cottons, which is what Cherri uses in all of her quilts. Then, I reversed the dark to light ratio, creating a more light and summery version.

Everyone at the shop LOVES the result, so much so that we quickly quilted and bound it, forgetting to add the border! If I were to go back I would have added one in the minty green Kona cotton, but I think it looks wonderful just the same!

If you’d like to try your hand at our version of this quilt, kits are available in both shops. We’re also down to the last 2 days to enter our City Quilts blog tour giveaway! Be sure to leave a comment by tomorrow at midnight. Enjoy!

Welcome, City Quilts fans! I am so pleased to be hosting this stop on the City Quilts blog tour. I am a city girl through and through, so it’s refreshing to see a quilt book inspired by an urban environment. The clean, simple lines and enthusiastic use of color fit so well into the modern home, no matter where you live. Currently, I am wondering just how many of these quilts I can fit into MY home!

Cherri kindly answered some questions about her book, design process and personal style. Let’s see what she has to say!

Congratulations on your first book! How does designing a book compare with designing a quilt?

Though every quilt is different, you know before starting what each step and process will require. With the book, there was so much more involved that I was completely unaware of…formatting, illustrations, samples, so much goes into a book that is a complete mystery until you are actually involved in the process.

What’s your most & least favorite part of the design process?

I’m not sure if I could describe it as my least favorite, but I might say the most frustrating part for me is having incredible fabric, and not knowing the best way to utilize it – waiting for some illusive inspiration that seems just out of reach. This doesn’t happen too often, but when it does it kind of freaks me out, and gives me a little panic. I then have to stop forcing the issue, and try to be more patient. I have to live with the fabric for awhile, and figure out what it wants, and needs to be. It’s pretty magical when the inspiration comes, and the 1/2 dozen ideas I have rejected get recycled and refined for another project. The best part is when a quilt is finished, and it is EXACTLY what I had envisioned, or better.

Looking at your quilts, I see that you are someone that loves color play. What is it about working with solid colors that you find so attractive?

The timelessness of solids! I love printed fabric, but it becomes so dated so quickly. It’s heartbreaking to make a quilt, then somewhere down the road, you look at it and say, “that is so 2007″. Also, I love the painterly quality of solids, creating contemporary works of art is achievable with solids.

You obviously have a wonderful color sense! Do you have formal art training or have you always been so attuned to color?

No formal art training for me, sadly. I have always loved color, and have been drawn to it my whole life. Anything with color pulls me in like a magnet – from flowers to fabric, to nature; I just can’t get enough of it. I was a florist for many years, and it greatly influences how I design my quilts.

Does this love of solids carry over into your home & wardrobe? For example, do you have whole closet full of gradations of your favorite colors & pillows on the sofa to match?

Yes, walk into my home, and the first thing you will notice is that I have no fear of color…navy carpet, solid red couches, yellow living room walls, orange dining room, purple guest bath, black slate floors – an explosion of color. My wardrobe is 95% solids as well…at least I’m consistent!

Thanks, Cherri! That was fun!

Now, I know you all want to know about the giveaway. Here’s what you have a chance to win!

A copy of City Quilts from C&T Publishing & a gorgeous fat quarter bundle of Kona cotton solids from Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. Be sure to enter by Saturday, July 24th at midnight. I will announce the winners on Sunday, July 25th, so stay tuned!

Check out Cherri at her other tour stops, and enter to win more prizes!

July 12th – http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/

July 13th -http://mrsschmenkmanquilts.wordpress.com/

July 14th – http://littleladypatchwork.blogspot.com/

July 15th – http://patsloan.typepad.com/

July 16th – Here you are! Welcome!

July 17th – http://www.swatchandstitch.com/

July 18th – http://blog.fatquarterly.com/

July 19th – http://carolinapatchworks.com/blog/

July 20th – http://www.sewer-sewist.com/

July 21st – http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

July 22nd – http://www.spunsugarquilt.com/

July 23rd – http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/

July 24th – http://www.trueup.net/

City Quilts is a wonderful new quilting book from first time author, Cherri House. Besides having a great name, Cherri is an talented designer, with an eye for color and a love for all things quilty. This book is something I have been waiting for, and I know you guys will love it too!

Using Robert Kaufman’s Kona Cotton solids as her palette, Cherri uses cityscapes as her inspiration for 12 gorgeous, modern quilts. The patterns are beginner friendly, with simple piecing and clear instructions throughout. Even if quilt construction is a cinch for you, Cherri’s color play will keep you engaged and having fun! I am finishing up my first from the book right now and I am in love! I can tell it will be the first of many!

To celebrate the book’s release, Cherri is having a blog tour starting next week! I’ve never been involved in a blog tour before, and I am so pleased to be hosting a stop. Cherri will be interviewed by each host, 13 in all, which not only gives you chance to check out some fun new crafters, but also gives you 13 chances to WIN! At each stop on the tour, you will have a chance to win an copy of City Quilts and a fat quarter bundle of Kona Cotton Solids from Robert Kaufman. Wicked!

Here’s the schedule: Have fun & see you back here on the 16th!

July 12th – http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/

July 13th -http://mrsschmenkmanquilts.wordpress.com/

July 14th – http://littleladypatchwork.blogspot.com/

July 15th – http://patsloan.typepad.com/

July 16th – http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/

July 17th – http://www.swatchandstitch.com/

July 18th – http://blog.fatquarterly.com/

July 19th – http://carolinapatchworks.com/blog/

July 20th – http://www.sewer-sewist.com/

July 21st – http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

July 22nd – http://www.spunsugarquilt.com/

July 23rd – http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/

July 24th – http://www.trueup.net/

There’s new fabric in the shop from the talented Valori Wells! As soon as I saw Nest, I knew you guys would love it. If there’s one thing we like at Spool, it’s a sweet birdie print! Pair that with a soft, light palette and you have a fabric line that is totally worthy of your nest.

I could see this as pretty pillows and a Springy, cuddly, sofa quilt. It would be wonderful in a nursery; curtains, bumper, crib skirt- the works! Or, for when you need to carry part of the nest with you, make a pretty Birdie Sling with birdie fabric. What would you make?

We love Erin McMorris! Her previous collections, Park Slope and Wildwood, quickly became shop favorites and her new line, Weekends, promises to do the same! Her gorgeous colors and lively patterns announce that Summer is here! Picnics in the park, rambling roses and leisurely bike rides all around!

How amazing is that citrus green! The little diamond pattern looks almost like cross stitch. So cute!

Bicycles are a big deal here in Philly, so I knew we had to have that cute bike print in every colorway!

I made up weekend snack-inspired bundles for both shops: Limeade, Butterscotch Sundae, Plum Popsicle and Peach Cobbler. Yum! We have every fabric in every color, so I’m thinking I need to start a new quilt project today! What would you make?

I love it when a quilt comes together! Our latest Piano Keys Quilt is done; Shot Cotton Surprise is quilted and bound! We finished off the quilt with Kaffe Fassett’s Buttons on the back and bound the edge with a Micheal Miller stripe. It looks gorgeous, if I do say so myself!

This quilt was truly a group effort – colors chosen by me & Olga, blocks cut & arranged by Olga, pieced & quilted by Elizabeth and bound by me. The quilt composition is so well balanced, and the wavy quilting is a nice foil for all those straight rectangles. Everyone knows I love a stripey binding, so I am pleased as punch with the look of this edging!

Piano Keys is a pattern meant for playing with pattern and design. There are so many color stories waiting to be written! Quilt top kits are available in both shops, just waiting for your creative touch! Have fun!

Sunday is the first day of my weekend, and when I left the shop on Saturday I asked Olga & Elizabeth to cut and arrange a new Piano Keys Quilt using my fave Shot Cottons du jour. Look what was waiting for me on the design wall when I arrived at the shop this morning!

So lovely! All I wanted to do was sit down and start sewing it together right away. I decided to stay my course, however, and snapped a few photos to share instead! Check out that gradation of color in the border, creating an orderly frame for their favorite pairings at the center. Fantastic! The saturation and depth of the Shot Cotton colors get me very time- I think it would be impossible for me to NOT adore something made with these special fabrics. Great job, Olga & Elizabeth!

It’s amazing how completely different, but equally strong, it looks from my last Piano Keys quilt. This pattern lends itself so well to larger prints, but I’m glad we decided to see what it looked like in all solids. With the cutting and piecing so simple, it gives you a great opportunity to concentrate on playing with pattern and color to your heart’s content!

If you like the looks of this quilt, we are holding a workshop starting this weekend, taught by the pattern’s designer, Sujata Shah. There are only a few spots left, so be sure to call the shop to reserve your space. See you soon!

Piano Keys Quilt
$65 plus materials

Saturdays, May 15 & 22: 11AM-2PM

Materials: Pattern, 10 fat quarters or 1/4 yards, thread. 3 yards backing, 60″ x 60″ batting. Finished size: 44″ x 48″. Pattern includes instructions for a 72″ x 80″ version as well. All materials are available for purchase at Spool. Use of our sewing machines, rotary cutters, scissors, mats, and rulers are included for class sessions.

Kaffe Fassett has done it again! I believe that there can never be too many stripes in your life, and I have a feeling Mr. Fassett shares my opinion. Just look at his new Ikat Stripes! In six colorways, this fabric has a solid color weft and multi-colored yarn dyed stripes running through the warp. The result is a gorgeous depth of color and a pretty, lightweight fabric. The feel is similar to his Shot Cottons, but with a little more body. This would be amazing for summer skirts and blouses – nice and cool. Of course, I just wanted to mix it up with my favorite Shot Cottons and make a new quilt!

I paired a shade of Shot Cotton with each Ikat Stripe and got busy. Since I wanted it to be a simple quilt with the fabric doing all the work, I chose my old friend the square as my inspiration! Elizabeth quickly cut it out and then we spent some time at the design wall. We decided on a dynamic diagonal stripe (of course!) to highlight the rich colors. Love!

After layering a thin batting and backing with Kaffe’s Plink print, I quilted a wonky nine patch pattern with a saffron yellow thread. Lord knows I enjoy a stripey binding, so I finished it off with his woven stripe. Kaffe- tastic!

Perfect for cuddling up on a chilly night, the finished size is about 40″x 52″. The beachy feel would be perfect for a shore house throw, or a quilt for a summer baby. Kits for the Ikat Stripe Quilt are available in the shop, and each one includes the pattern free! Fat quarter bundles full of just stripes are on hand as well. What would you make with your stripes?

I finished a new quilt! In record time, might I add! Seriously, I started this on a Saturday afternoon and it was washed and hanging on the wall by Wednesday morning. And yes, I did sleep and eat and do all the other things I like to do! The pattern is called Piano Keys from Rangoli Designs. It’s no secret around the shop that I am in love with Laura Gunn’s new line Poppy, so when I saw that this pattern recommends mid to large scale prints, there was no question what fabrics I would be using!

I had the pleasure of meeting the pattern’s designer, Sujata, and she showed me a sample she had made. Using just 10 fat quarters, you can make a completely unique work of art! The pattern’s instructions are clear and the cutting is simple. All the blocks are the exact same size! Arranging the cut blocks is so fun, mostly because you really can’t go wrong. Sujata recommends laying out the quilt and sewing piece by piece, so you see the quilt forming before your eyes! It’s not often that you get instant gratification in quilt making but this definitely fits the bill.

I finished off the the quilt by backing it with a Kaffe Fassett woven check, and quilting with a variegated thread. I chose the wavy line design that I had seen in the sample. This was surprisingly simple and very relaxing. Normally, I am a stitch-in-the-ditch kind of girl, and quilting this way was very freeing. I highly recommend it!

I made the baby quilt size, which is 44″ x 48″, but the pattern also includes instructions for a 72″ x 80″ version. I love this so much, I made up kits for the shop. Each kit includes 10 fat quarters in the fabrics shown and the pattern. I am so pleased that Sujata will also be teaching a class on this quilt in May. Please check our class page for details!