I am always amazed at the paper piecing designs that my friend, Penny Layman, makes. Seriously wowed. And when I heard that she was writing a book, I was anxious to get my hands on it. I imagined that it would be chock-full of cute patterns and also all the information needed to paper piece successfully. I was right!
I admit that I am a huge fan of Penny and completely biased, but that aside, this is a great book. The Paper-Pieced Home by Penny Layman has 40 different paper piecing blocks and 14 projects all centering around house and home. The designs have a retro vibe and are all well thought out. The best part? The designs come on an included CD that makes printing the foundations a breeze. Just pop it into the computer and print what you need.
I have told Penny and I will tell you: paper piecing is not my favorite piecing method. There I said it. BUT when the block is as well designed as Penny's are, it does make for some enjoyable sewing. Take the oven mitt block that I chose for this blog tour. It includes many tiny bits and the thought of anything remotely fussy almost always makes me want to run. Not this! It was a JOY to put together and I was able to do it easily and confidently given all the information that Penny relays in her book. I think it took me about thirty minutes after printing the foundation. Not bad! And pretty cute, if I may say so myself! I did increase the overall size of the block by about two inches by adding a border. Of course, I plan on making this into a hot pad (perfect for an oven mitt, right?!?).
I encourage you to take a few minutes and check out the other stops on the blog tour. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by all the darling blocks people are making. Seriously, so cute.
The Paper-Pieced Home
Blog Tour Schedule
3/16 McCall’s Quilting / Sewing Machine Block
3/17 Love of Quilting / Review
3/17 Sandi Sawa Hazlewood of Crafty Planner / Watering Can Block
3/18 Quilty Pleasure (Quiltmaker blog) / Review
3/18 Imagine Gnats / Rotary Phone Block
3/20 Verykerryberry / Lion Block
3/21 Artisania / Cast-Iron Skillet Block
3/23 Where the Orchids Grow / Lamp Block
3/24 Katie Blakesley of Swim Bike Quilt / Layer Cake Block
3/24 House on Hill Road / Oven Mitt Block
3/24 Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced / BBQ Grill Block
3/26 Pink Penguin / Allie-Gator Block
3/26 A Happy Stitch / Giraffe Block
3/27 Bijou Lovely / Jar Block
3/27 Two Little Banshees / Saucepan Block
3/27 Charise Creates / Espresso Mug Block
3/30 Karen Lewis Textiles / Couch Block
3/31 Poppyprint / Clawfoot Tub Block
3/31 One Shabby Chick / Stack of Books Block
3/31 During Quiet Time / Sleeveless Dress Block
4/06 Pat Sloan The Voice of Quilting / Author Podcast Interview
More information on the book can be found here on the Interweave site:
The Paper-Pieced Home: Quilting a Household One Block at a Time
By Penny Layman
Interweave/F+W; $26.99
http://bit.ly/1zClNAv
Your block is so cute – I love paper piecing, but get frustrated sometimes. I’d love to win this book! LOL!
Love your little oven mitt.
HI,Thanks for sharing your oven mitt! Something we always need!
HAPPY STITCHING!
Your oven mitt turned out very cute. It will make a great hot pad.
Cute oven mitt!
Very Clever Oven Mitt and orange is the “In” color.
Your oven mitt is cute, and what better use than on a pot holder!
You did great on the oven mitt!
I treated myself to this book for Christmas, and just yesterday made my first block – the lawn chair!! I was so pleased to get your email about the blog hop – whoever wins this will LOVE it!! And, you blog reminded me to make a block – yipppeeee!!!
Happy winning, whoever gets a copy!
Cute block..love your choice of fabrics!!!
I LOVE the colors/fabrics you used Erin!!! It will make the perfect hot pad 🙂
The strawberry fabric was perfect!
I like your oven mitt block – and I would use it for a potholder too!
I like your oven mitt block – and I would use it for a potholder too!
I like your oven mitt block – and I would use it for a potholder too!
I like your oven mitt block – and I would use it for a potholder too!
I like your oven mitt block – and I would use it for a potholder too!
I like your oven mitt block – and I would use it for a potholder too!
What a great idea to use the strawberries for the mitt! Love it!
Your mitt is cute! Love the book – great inspiration!