Wednesday, July 14, 2010

City Quilts Blog Tour


Welcome to the 3rd stop on the City Quilts Blog Tour!

I am very thrilled to be hosting
on my blog today.


 City Quilts is one of my favorite quilting books!

I have read it cover-to-cover 10 times because I

am drawn to the bold colors and clean, simple lines of her quilts.



In this book, Cherri takes you on a tour of her hometown of Houston,Texas.

This not just any tour of Houston,

but a tour as seen through the eyes of a quilter!

Many of her favorite sites from around town

(like the park, shops, or buildings)

are the inspiration for the quilts in her book.


 City Circle  is based upon the Houston road system,

which consists of a series of loops that encompass the city.

City Center represents Cherri's interpretation

of how downtown Houston would

look from a helicopter.

All of the quilts in the  book are done exclusively in solids

but they are based upon traditional piecing.

Cherri  takes you on a eye catching journey

 of different color palettes

and she shows you that "simple isn't boring".



I had the opportunity to sit with Cherri

and she shared the following insights with me.


Can you tell us how your first got started quilting?
I made my first quilt with my mom when I was 12 years old. She had cut templates out of cardboard and we cut around the fabric using them. My mom was an amazing seamstress, and the fabric for the quilt was leftovers from years of sewing.

How would you describe your quilting style?
Contemporary, minimalist, in terms of fabric and ornamentation. Traditional as far as actual quilt patterns used, like bow-ties, log cabins, and my favorite "the nine patch".

What came first: the name of the quilt, the quilt pattern, or the color choice?
It really varies from quilt to quilt, with City News (one of my quilt patterns) I was wanting to make a black/white/red quilt, then the old joke"-what is black & white, and read all over" came to mind, an the quilt developed from there. It's quite a long, mental process before the physical work ever begins.



I noticed that you machine quilted several of your quilts in the book. For those of us that are machine quilters, can you give us some tips?
Probably my best tip would be, before beginning each quilt to make a quilt sandwich with the fabric/batting/thread that you will be using and do a practice run before starting your actual quilt. This way you work out any thread/tension issues prior to starting on the real deal.

Quilt with YLI silk thread! Much to many folks surprise it seems, I quilt with it all the time. It's strong, it sinks well into the fabric and its a dream to work with. Be sure and use a smaller needle (#60 or 70) if you are using silk thread.


I absolutely love your City Lot quilt. What is your favorite quilt from the book and why?
City Lot is my favorite too! Why? I love the colors. I love the uniformed grid of it, and I love that there is a secondary pattern that you can only see from a distance, Aside from all of that, who would imagine something of beauty could be inspired by a parking lot?

Can you tell us what is on the horizon for you?
I'm thinking about another book, working on lots of new patterns using a variety of fabrics- not just solids. I'd like to design a line of fabric somewhere down the road. More cake parties-always more cake parties!



Thank you Cherri for sharing your insights with us!


To enter my drawing for a copy of  City Quilts

compliments of C & T Publishing

and a fat quarter stack of

Kona Solids compliments of Robert Kaufman fabrics,


please leave me comment on this post.


I am adding something extra of my own to the giveaway!

Become a follower of my blog

or post a link to my giveaway on your blog

and you will be entered into a

separate drawing for and EQ7 Upgrade.

(you must have EQ6 for this software).



The deadline to enter my giveaway will be

Saturday, July 24th at midnight CST.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, July 25th.


Please be sure to check out the other blog tour hosts

for more from Cherri and more chances to win .

July 15th: Pat Sloan http://patsloan.typepad.com/


July 17th: Allie/Robert Kaufman http://swatchandstitch.com/

July 18th: John/Fat Quarterly http://blog.fatquarterly.com/

July 19th: Emily Cier http://carolinapatchwork.com/blog

July 20th: Sarah/Josh Sewer Sewist



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

July 24th: Kim Knight http://www.trueup.net/


Until Next Time ...Happy Quilting!


401 comments:

  1. cherri is my favorite quilter on the web, so i'm really digging this "all cherri all the time" theme that's going on my google reader.

    thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great giveaway! I would love to win this book & FQ stack :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for an interesting interview! Your post today gave me lots to think about in planning future projects. I don't own a copy of City Quilts, but would love to have a personal copy. Many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for a great giveaway! I'd like to make them all!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cherri's quilts are very appealing to the "quitler's" eye :) Great use of colors in all her quilts. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post. I would love to have a copy of City Quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have been following this tour and loved being able to see some more pictures of the different quilts inside the book without a trip to the bookshop (my local library is still nowhere near stocking the book).

    I'd love to win a copy and see what other fabulous inspiration and ideas are inside!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Every picture I see of quilts from this book just makes me love it more. I would so love to win a copy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't think I have ever made a quilt with solids, but I love the look of these quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so in love with this book tour! These quilts are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This book is on my "wish list." I like the simple quilts with dramatic results. --Julia

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow you and I love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really enjoy the solid color fabric quilt (love the Amish quilts) and look forward to reading City Quilts. I'm a follower of Cherri and am now following you!

    hugz,
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  14. thanks for your insight - love those yummy fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really like Cherri's quilts and it's nice to know about the silk thread! Thanks for the chance to win:)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been reading your blog for a while and now I'm a follower:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great interview, thanks for posting and I would love being entered in your giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. The book looks great. I'd love to try making a few of those quilts as I've been working to build up my solid stash and use solids more often.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for hosting Cherri. I had a look at the book yesterday in the quilt shop. Fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love her tip on quilting with YLI silk threads. I'm so excited about this book and would love to see what else is in it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love this mini tour. You know I'm not sure how I became a quilter. I think I wantaed a pretty bed spread for my newly furnished house and I thought it would be cheaper to make one. Ha! That got me hooked. I wonder what THAT quilt cost me as I am still quilting ~ ~ ~ ~

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love your blog and the chance to win these great treats.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great interview and great blog. I became a follower. Thank you for the chance

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the great interview!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for participating in the book tour and for the insight into Cherri.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great giveaway! I've been itching to get a copy of her book - I'm eternally amazed at how great Cherri does with solids!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I will be so happy to win this wonderful giveaway. Hugs from France.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love this book too! So cool!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you so much for the giveaway, I would love to make anyone of those amazing quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Good interview - thank you for the giveaway!

    nrbird @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a cool book!!! & an AWESOME giveaway! Thank you for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great interview! Thanks for sharing with us. The book sounds great!
    steeplechaser29 (at) yahoo (*) com

    ReplyDelete
  33. ...oh, and thanks to you both for this interview...great read!

    ReplyDelete
  34. These blog hops are so fun. A great way to meet new people. I am now a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm very inspired to try some quilts with solid fabrics. The book has been on my wish list so it would be great to win a copy. Thanks for the interview.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This book looks amazing. Thanks for sharing insights. And I am a follower of your blog, and have also posted insights about your giveaway on my blog (http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html)

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. As a city girl I'm really interested in how the urban landscape can inspire quilting.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The book really does look amazing! Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  39. And I am already a follower :-)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank you for the interview. beautiful quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for the pictures and inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I really like the beautiful colors in the City Lot quilt. Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great giveaway...would love to own this book. The quilts are absolutely beautiful. Thanks again. nlundeen at catt dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great blog and great interview! Thanks! I am keen to win so I can try to work with solids, which until I saw Cherrie's designs, never appealed to me. Now having seen (through Cherrie's samples) what can be done with solids, I am wanting to try!
    Melanie

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow, lurk and comment too! Hee!! How fun that you even added your own little something to the giveaway! Your so generous and such a sweetie! I won't be needing that EQ7 upgrade thanks to a sweet friend (wink) but sure would love some color!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great interview. I love her work!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I luv this giveaway! Such a different look at life.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This is great! I love Cherri, and her quilts! Her book looks mag!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Great book ! Thanks for a wonderful
    interview & being part of this book tour.
    Loved the machine quilting tips.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I love how bold the solids make the quilt.

    Lindsay.Forgette(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love this book - I got it for my birthday and now I need some great colours of solid fabric! I'm a city girl, and I think that's why I am so drawn to the quilts. Thank you for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love the quilts in this book and hope I win!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I love Cherri's quilts & love this book!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Yea! I love Cherri's designs and I am glad to meet your blog, Stephanie!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Reading this interview I realized it is the structure of the quilts that call to me along with the colors. The grid patterns bring a calming effect to mind.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am really enjoying checking out all the new-to-me blogs on the tour! I hope to make some of the quilts in Cherri's book. What inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  57. You are all making me drool reading about this book! The giveaway is on my blog... I have a giveaway too!

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm going to have to order this book---city quilts. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I love this book...will have to order it soonest! Thank you so much for this fabulous giveaway.
    hugs,
    CheriS

    ReplyDelete
  60. This book tour is letting me visit some gorgeous blogs - hello look forward to reading more of your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'll try silk thread! Good tip for machine quilting.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thanks for a great giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  64. This is such a neat idea, everyone asks such different questions! I love that these quilts were made with such simple colors, because I tend to overlook solids quite often!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Thanks for a great interview and a great give a way

    ReplyDelete
  66. Thanks for the additional insights into the making of City Quilts and a chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Great post, and great giveaway. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  68. What a good interview! Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I'm loving this blog tour and would love to win a copy of the book! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'd really like to see a fabric collection from her. She has such good design instincts.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Great interview! I am really loving getting to more about what inspires Cherri as the week goes on!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I would love to win this book! Beautiful quilts
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  73. Quilters are wonderful interview subjects! I love hearing all the backstory and hints. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love that book and started a love for solids through the www

    ReplyDelete
  75. it's funny, after see this quilts and knowing that the city is what inspired Cherri, I look at the city building in a different light, I see quilts in them!

    ReplyDelete
  76. I like your blog, Upbeat, with beautiful photos. The more I see of Cherri's quilts, it makes me want to go out and get her book right now! Thanks, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  77. Yay for giveaways! Great interview and great blog!

    ReplyDelete
  78. The greatest thing about the blog tours is the opportunity to find new blogs ... love yours! A friend of mine has already made the cover quilt of the City Quilts book - I'd love to beat her to some of those in the book

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Love the book, already own it! thanks for the interview. i'm thinkin' that fabric has my name on it, hoping anyways! :>)

    ReplyDelete
  80. I love Cherri's book also! Would love to have these fabrics to work with! or any of your lovely giveway gifts! so generous.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Thanks for hosting such a talented quilter. I'm happy to start following your blog. Your have great taste!

    ReplyDelete
  82. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
    I am a follower and own EQ 6 and haven't updated yet :)
    great giveaways, the book and the fabric wow either would be wonderful...I have a list of amish quilts in my head and well kona cottons are just what is needed!
    thanks !!!!
    kathie

    ReplyDelete
  83. I'm so fascinated by Cherri's quilts! I will definitely buy this book if I am as unlucky as usual!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Quilts with all solids - awesome! What an inspiration! :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. enjoyable interview. Thanks. Was a nice stop on the blog tour.

    ReplyDelete
  86. OK, I just signed up as a follower...I kinda new to the "following" thing, but it's a good way to save some favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  87. The more I see of the various quilts, the more I'm enjoying this book that I didn't even flip through when I saw it at my LQS...I was in a 30's phase when it first came out :)

    ReplyDelete
  88. I love this book. I really want it in my quilting room

    ReplyDelete
  89. and I am a follower of yours now too!

    ReplyDelete
  90. The book certainly looks like a gem! Thanks for a chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Thanks for the chance to win and I'm enjoying this blog hop, great to "meet" new people.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I am also a follower of your lovely blog via google reader.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I would love to win this book!!! The quilts are just gorgeous!

    And those fabrics??? YUM!!

    Thank you for the give away!!

    SheilaC

    ReplyDelete
  94. Thanks for a great interview and a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Um, yes please! I'd definitely love to win - Cherry is just so awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Great interview! Thanks for the chance to win!!

    ReplyDelete
  97. And of course I'm a follower of yours!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Thanks for hosting the blog tour today! The more I see this book online the more I need it!

    ReplyDelete
  99. I`m loving this blog tour
    Thank you for to days interview

    ReplyDelete
  100. I'm glad to hear she's thinking about more books, more patterns and maybe even fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  101. This is one lovely book and a wonderful giveaway. It is nice to meet so many interesting quilters and see the questions they ask about Cherri's process. Your EQ giveaway is wonderful too. Regards from a Western Canadian quilter,
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  102. I am a follower and I want to win!!!

    ReplyDelete
  103. I have also become a follower- I love discovering new bloggers - There are so many great quilters to share and learn new things.
    Regards,
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  104. I have become a follower! Love this tour and hope to win!

    ReplyDelete
  105. The Cherri House tour is wonderful and I can't wait to buy Cherri's book after reading just the first 4 stops :)

    ReplyDelete
  106. Cherri's quilts have made me want to explore solids more often! Love!

    ReplyDelete
  107. oh yay! good news for possiblity of more books from Cherri!! would love to own this one!

    ReplyDelete
  108. Beautiful quilts and a lovely book. I need, need, need some Kona solid fabric. It's a must have. Thanks for the chance at the book and the fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  109. I am enjoying the blog tour and visiting new blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  110. I would love to win the EQ7 upgrade software. I use EQ6 all of the time and love it! I posted a link to your giveaway on my blog.

    http://thequiltedhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/little-lady-patchwork-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  111. What a great looking book! I'm hoping to win a copy on this tour.

    ReplyDelete
  112. There are some great quilts in that book. I hope I win! Thanks for the giveaway and interview.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Thanks for the interview. I'm having fun following this blog tour!

    ReplyDelete
  114. Stefanie, I have been checking out your blog daily since you gave me your card. I am so inspired by your beautiful work (and your sewing room!) that I can't wait to get started on some quilting of my own. I hope I win the book and/or fabric to help me get started.

    ReplyDelete
  115. Thanks for hosting and interviewing!

    ReplyDelete
  116. I'm really enjoying this blog tour. Thank you for doing this

    ReplyDelete
  117. this sounds like a fantastic book to add to my collection!!
    www.jayteespatchworkplace.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. This blog tour is really fun, so here I'm again testing my luck :)

    ReplyDelete
  119. I love this book. I want it so bad and I'm definitely buying it if I don't win.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Great tip about quilting with silk thread! I'm enjoying the tour!

    ReplyDelete
  121. Great interview with Cheri. Your blog is new to me, so I am glad that I discovered it.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Got here from Pat Sloan's site and so glad I did! Now I'm a follower and I love your site and City Quilts too! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  123. Loving the tour thank you for sharing, fingers crossed for that book.

    ReplyDelete
  124. Thanks for the terrific interview. I really like your blog

    ReplyDelete
  125. Thanks for the chance at such a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  126. I just love a good blog tour, but it makes my blog reader a bit bigger which is not good for my time spent in front of the computer.

    ReplyDelete
  127. This looks like a fabulous book! Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  128. Thanks for the chance to win such a great book. I cant wait to make one of Cherris quilts

    ReplyDelete
  129. I enjoyed reading your interview with Cherri and I love her quilts. Thanks for a chance to win the fabric and the book.

    ReplyDelete
  130. I am a follower of your blog. Thanks for the giveaway of EQ7.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Great book! Great fabric! Great EQ7 upgrade! What more can I say!

    ReplyDelete
  132. So pretty! Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  133. I saw these quilts at market and love them. I especially love the last one listed here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  134. I am continually amazed how striking the basic and simple quilts can be. Great quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  135. GREAT GIVEAWAY!! WOULD LOVE TO WIN THE BOOK AND FQS!!

    ReplyDelete
  136. I am thoroughly enjoying this tour! I can't wait to see more from City Quilts. This book is at the top of my wish list now :)

    ReplyDelete
  137. Very nice interview. I am a follower of yours, but I already have EQ7, so please don't enter me for that portion, but I am good to go for the fabric and book. LOL Winona

    ReplyDelete
  138. These are wonderfully graphic quilts and would like to win both book and fabric to make one. mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  139. I have never made a contemporary quilt but would love to try!
    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  140. I follow your blog. : Lisa Garrett

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  141. Those city quilts are so intriguing and inspiring. Great questions.

    ReplyDelete
  142. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.

    ReplyDelete
  143. I have started following your blog thanks to the City Quilts blog tour and I am enjoying all your posts. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. I NEED/WANT that book! And would really enjoy the Kona FQs. Best wishes.
    Gayle
    gag7949@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  144. Thanks for an interesting interview. I have a vacation coming up and this just put a whole new spin on it.

    ReplyDelete
  145. (Insert John Wayne accent) "Well, Little Lady, you sure can get a girl's hopes up!" What a delightful website you have. I'd be honored to win your prizes! brown.k@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  146. I love that she created such a beautiful quilt with a parking lot as inspiration. I am really looking forward to this book.

    ReplyDelete
  147. The silk thread tip for machine quilting is great. I use it for hand applique so why not for MQing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  148. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  149. LOVE the book! One of the best quilting books I've read in a very long time! Hurry with the 2nd book Cherri!

    ReplyDelete
  150. I love that because a mom took a little time with a young daughter we now have these awesome quilt patterns! Okay, now I need to go hug my mom!

    ReplyDelete
  151. I really like the graphic looks of the quilts in this book! Thanks for give away and the interview.

    ReplyDelete
  152. I enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  153. Love this book! The quilts are spectacular. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Sandy A

    ReplyDelete
  154. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  155. Thanks for asking the great questions of Cherri that we all want to know!

    ReplyDelete
  156. Oh, I would love to win the book & fabric. The photos are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  157. Have the book and love it. The gradations in the fabric pictured is great.

    ReplyDelete
  158. I would love a chance at either the book or the fabric. I am new to quilting and need to build my stash. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  159. Thank you for the interview the blog tour has been awesome. Inspirational

    ReplyDelete
  160. I think I follow you. you are in my google reader thingy and I only get to that once a week lately! But wow what a great book and love the quilty goodness!

    ReplyDelete
  161. Thanks for the interview and giveaway! What fun!

    ReplyDelete
  162. I am finding that several of my favorite quilters use YLI silk thread. I am definitely going to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  163. What an interesting way of getting to know a quilt book author with a blog book tour! The book is amazing - and so are the FQ's! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  164. This is just great! I qam loving learning about this book!!!

    And, the fabrics are awesome...

    ReplyDelete
  165. I'd love to check out this book. I love the simple and modern quilts. Thanks!
    crafts[at]oursideofthemountain[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  166. Thanks for the great questions -- and answers! Hope I win...

    ReplyDelete
  167. This sounds like a book I would read over and over too! Thanks for the great interview!

    ReplyDelete
  168. Thank you for interviewing Cherry and posting it on your blog. I enjoyed reading and especially seeing the quilts. They are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  169. I ordered the book today from C&T Publishing, it looks so exciting. If I win the book I would be pleased to give it to a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  170. Thanks for the Q&A - interesting to get more insight into how these quilts have evolved :-)

    ReplyDelete
  171. That book looks great!! ...and the fabrics yummy!! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  172. That book looks wonderful! Plus, I used to live in Houston, so I enjoy seeing the quilt interpretation of it. Thank you for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  173. Beautiful book....bold clolors, simple lines..........just my style. Keepin' my fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
  174. Great book. Great fabrics. Thank you for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  175. Beautiful book! Thanks for the interview and giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  176. Thanks for sharing the interview, Stefanie. I love what Cherri has done with solids.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...