Modern Appliqué Illusions!

I am thrilled today to be part of the blog tour for Casey York‘s new book, Modern Appliqué Illusions!  I’ve been watching Casey’s creations ever since her quilt Onwards won the Modern Quilt Guild Madrona Road fabric challenge.  I loved the modern, minimal design and the perspective conveyed by the trees.  Casey now brings those same wonderful design qualities to her new book Modern Appliqué Illusions.  It is fascinating to see how she can bring a third dimension to a basically two dimensional quilt.

When I saw Casey’s book, I was eager to try one of her quilts.  Grand Canal is inspired by the gardens at Versailles in France.  Being a bit of a francophile who has always wanted to visit Versailles, I knew that was the project for me!  Casey graciously downsized the templates for Grand Canal so I could make it as a mini quilt.  She warned me that some of the pieces would be tiny and that she had slightly adjusted some of the proportions to make the quilt work in such a small size.  The original Grand Canal is 80″ x 60″ and my quilt is about 24″ x 18″.  My retreat last week was the perfect time to indulge in such a fun project.  I was able to pull all the fabrics I needed from my stash and set about tracing the templates and working with the fusible.

When I came to those tiny trees along the rear hedges, I knew that I had met my appliqué limits.  They are about the size of the fingernail on my pinky and stitching around the appliqué would totally cover the fabric in stitches.  After thinking a bit, I decided that stitching was the best way to make these little trees and I found a stitch on my machine and stitched the trees – no appliqué needed!

I chose quilting that echoed the perspective of the design and bound it all in the blue water fabric (which isn’t quite as bright as it seems in the photo).

In addition to amazing quilt designs, Modern Appliqué Illusions features detailed information on appliqué techniques including Casey’s special embroidery-finished appliqué method.

Casey and C&T Publishing/Stash Books have graciously offered to give away a book to one of my lucky readers.  The giveaway is open internationally – a US winner will get a hard copy book, an international winner will get an electronic copy.  If you are not the lucky winner or you just can’t wait, Casey is selling signed copies of her book on her website.

In addition, Casey is also doing posts on her blog during the blog tour that provide more information about her inspiration and process as well as an additional giveaway of Pellon interfacing.

Check out all the other stops on the tour:

11/11: Jenifer Dick/42 Quilts                                   
11/12: Debbie Grifka/Esch House Quilts
11/13: Pink Chalk Studio                          
11/15: Pellon 
11/20: Violet Craft 

To enter the giveaway, tell me if there is somewhere that inspires you that you’d like to turn into a quilt one day – or maybe you already have!  Don’t forget to include your email so I can contact you if you win!  The giveaway will close Friday, Nov 14 at the end of the day.

36 Comments
  • Suze
    Posted at 03:08h, 23 November Reply

    I visited London, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Birmingham, England in August. I took lots of pictures of the architecture with the idea of either blocks or quilting or both to be included in future quilts. Who knows? Maybe it'll become a reality.

  • Farm Quilter
    Posted at 07:13h, 18 November Reply

    I have a file of photos on my computer of nature that I would love to turn into quilts one of these days!! Maybe after studying Casey's way of keeping things in perspective I may be able to accomplish that goal!

  • Yan Hong
    Posted at 13:32h, 16 November Reply

    I love trees, and when I saw Casey's trees and their shadows, I thought I'd like to try those.

  • Jackie Thompson
    Posted at 08:17h, 16 November Reply

    I love your honesty and ingenuity in regards to the trees!

    jackiethompson323(at)gmail.com

  • Heather
    Posted at 15:17h, 15 November Reply

    I went to Rome years ago. I think the Coliseum would be an interesting study for a quilt!

  • Karen Thurn
    Posted at 03:47h, 15 November Reply

    I'd love to make a quilt of the Eiffel tower. I think it would make a good illusion quilt. kthurn@bektel.com

  • Louise
    Posted at 22:18h, 14 November Reply

    I sketched a scene out the front window of our boat as we were cruising down the Hudson River. I would really love to quilt it!

    Thanks for offering this giveaway.

  • Mokki
    Posted at 20:44h, 14 November Reply

    That looks great! I live near a beautiful landscaped park, I bet that would look lovely in a quilt using techniques like this.

  • Sallie
    Posted at 19:45h, 14 November Reply

    Architecture

  • oknonnie
    Posted at 18:04h, 14 November Reply

    45 years ago we spent our honeymoon at Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota. I'd like to capture this memory in a quilt someday!! (we actually got snowed in!) oknonnie@hotmail.com

  • Beth
    Posted at 05:10h, 14 November Reply

    My hometown landmark, the Huntington Beach pier, would make a wonderful quilt. Now I just need the skills to match my inspiration.

  • kimberj
    Posted at 23:01h, 13 November Reply

    I am so inspired by the high desert of Santa Fe, NM and would love to use perspective to try and capture its beauty. I think Casey's book looks amazing, thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  • Linda
    Posted at 22:06h, 13 November Reply

    HI, yes, I love appliqued vines and flowers and have completed some quilt borders with them! Thanks for a great giveaway! HAPPY QUILTING!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

  • RxMom
    Posted at 21:21h, 13 November Reply

    I have a pattern to do Yosemite Falls… I am kind of scared to try it, but it is going to be a great wall-hanging. I actually hiked to the top of one of the waterfalls at the National Park 25 years ago…very cool memory. my e-mail is
    rxmom80@gmail.com thanks for doing a give-away ! Lisé

  • Kathryn
    Posted at 18:25h, 13 November Reply

    I have a picture looking up through tree branches that I think would make a great design.

  • Amorette
    Posted at 18:14h, 13 November Reply

    New Zealand! I have not made one yet, but i would love to figure out how and what to make.

  • patty a.
    Posted at 15:13h, 13 November Reply

    This book could open a lot of possibilities that I never thought of before. I work in non-picture themes, but I am getting some ideas on how to incorporate this into my work.

  • Claudia
    Posted at 14:29h, 13 November Reply

    I'm inspired by my hometown, San Francisco. Love your version of this quilt.

  • Gina S.
    Posted at 12:44h, 13 November Reply

    I would like to do one based on the view from my parents deck. They live in the Arkansas mountains. That's where i spend most of my vacation, sitting on that deck.

  • Betsy
    Posted at 12:38h, 13 November Reply

    I love pictures of rows of colorful houses along a cliffside overlooking a calm sea. Think that would be very stunning in a quilt.

  • Tabitha Keener
    Posted at 09:48h, 13 November Reply

    I've always wanted to visit Venice, Italy and see the canals. I think this would be beautiful in a quilt using illusion to feel like your seeing the whole picture. Thanks for the giveaway, I will definitely be getting a copy for myself!

    tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

  • California Fiber artist and composer
    Posted at 06:11h, 13 November Reply

    I have several photographs from my travels that I would like to turn into quilts, such as a decrepit barn in Canada and a sand spit in Fiji.

  • PT in SC
    Posted at 02:10h, 13 November Reply

    I have thought about doing 'Polariods from the Mediterranean'

  • habibihomemade
    Posted at 01:43h, 13 November Reply

    I have always wanted to make a quilt based on my travels in Europe and the Middle East! But I never seem to have the time.

  • Robin
    Posted at 01:29h, 13 November Reply

    I really love the way your quilting accentuates the architectural elements of the quilt. I think from this I am now inspired to do something architectural, maybe something in a Salvadore Dali type style, who knows.

  • Cat Lady
    Posted at 22:58h, 12 November Reply

    I have hopes of someday making a quilt that resembles the house I grew up in. Perspective would really help bring it to life.

  • sophie
    Posted at 21:34h, 12 November Reply

    I am also a Francophile and would live to make a quilt based on the south of France where I was lucky enough to live many years ago.

  • lizzieslog
    Posted at 20:07h, 12 November Reply

    The golden sunset at Kahana Beach in Maui

  • Lisa Marie
    Posted at 20:04h, 12 November Reply

    There was a waterfall we used to hike to when we were in college. I would love to make a quilt inspired by that.

  • Donna
    Posted at 18:12h, 12 November Reply

    I would love to try to do a lighthouse quilt… Never tried anything with landscape or art….

  • Jodi - usairdoll
    Posted at 17:43h, 12 November Reply

    Love your mini! That's great that you found a stitch on your machine for making the trees instead of doing them applique, hehe. I think it would be fun to try a landscape. Can't wait to see more on the tour.

    Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Gill
    Posted at 17:17h, 12 November Reply

    Wow!!!!
    I'd love to try the Malvern Hills in the UK! a favourite spot for walking!

  • DianeY
    Posted at 17:11h, 12 November Reply

    Living in Hawaii, I see so many sights, usually beaches, that I see as a quilt. But I will have to say, as soon as I saw the photo for this post I knew it was Versailles! I was just there in Sept and was so taken by all the gardens. She captured it beautifully

  • Auntiepatch
    Posted at 16:57h, 12 November Reply

    The ocean is going to be my next project!

  • Ben
    Posted at 14:11h, 12 November Reply

    Great job on the mini! I'm planning an applique quilt inspired by the US Space and Rocket Center.

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