March 21, 2014

Thomas Knauer 'Modern Quilt Perspectives' Blog Tour... And Giveaway!

*** GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED ***

Sum of Interrelations
Ages ago, Thomas had asked for volunteers to make a little applique block each. I'm not the biggest fan of applique -- not because I don't fancy it, but because I think I'm quite shit at it -- but I immediately raised my hand and offered my services. Why? Because it was Thomas. Mr Thomas Knauer.

Split Personality
Thomas is... different. And I mean that in the very nicest way possible. In a world of sameness, he's refreshing. He puts so much thought into something that's so seemingly simple, and emerges with things that just makes you wonder what his brain must be like. He eventually contacted me directly and asked if I'd piece some quilts for him. Umm, DUH. Thomas has challenged me with the quilts he's asked me to piece, and I really love that. They're by no means difficult to the point that they make you homicidal. No. They're just different. And different is good.

Cinderblock
I finally met Thomas in person in Utah at Sewing Summit in 2012. I was carrying the top for Cinderblock (as seen above), and when I spotted him through a crowd, I tapped him on the shoulder, introduced myself, and handed him his quilt top. Then he fell to his knees and thanked me. Oh, Thomas, I knew then we'd get along just fine :)


So, let's talk about this brilliant book this brilliant man wrote. I received an advanced copy of Modern Quilt Perspectives weeks ago, and it hasn't left my desk. It's been at the top of my pile of paperwork because I keep flicking through it in utter awe. And there's a fair bit of mumbling to myself because HOW DID HE DO THIS?!?

I gave Thomas an early review of his book, and I stand by it. I still wish to punch him. A lot. Now more than ever.

In Defense of Handmade
Excess
Quilt after quilt, after quilt, there's meaning behind each one. THAT'S why you write a quilt book. I design a quilt and I can't explain why it exists farther than I thought it'd look cool. Idiot. Thomas gives his quilts meaning because each of them are borne of an ideology or are meant to provoke thought about something bigger than your little corner of the world. I thoroughly enjoy that about him and his work.

Ampersand
But aside from the social commentary, this book is filled with gorgeous quilts. I've already got Ampersand (as seen above) earmarked for when I have the time to do some selfish sewing because the ampersand has special meaning for the hubs and I :)

I'm so proud I got to be a part of this, and I'm always thankful that Thomas trusted me with his babies. But more than that, I'm thankful I get to call this man a friend, because there's really no one like him. Please get yourself a copy, read it from cover to cover, and then repeat. You won't be sorry, I promise. (And if you are, then you've got problems, my friend.)

Here's the complete list of everyone on this epic blog tour:

March 14: Thomas Knauer
March 15: Lisa Sipes 
March 16: Robert Kaufman 
March 18: Katy Jones 
March 19: Bill Volkening 
March 20: Kelly Biscopink 
March 21: Audrie Bidwell 
March 22: Mary Rachel Kolb 
March 23: Rachael Gander 
March 24: Sew, Mama, Sew 
March 26: Cheryl Arkinson 
March 27: Quilting Daily 
March 28: Fat Quarterly 
March 29: Pellon/Erin Sampson 
March 30: Sew Modern 
March 31: Rachel May 

April 1: Quilty 
April 2: Amy Smart 
April 4: Teresa Coates 
April 5: Generation Q 
April 7: Sara Lawson 
April 8: Kim Niedzwiecki 
April 10: Thomas Knauer 

A copy of Modern Quilt Perspectives is up for grabs, so please leave a comment below (make sure you provide an email with your entry or your entry doesn't count!). The giveaway will run till Monday March 31st. And be sure to visit everyone else on the blog tour so you can enter their giveaways too. Good luck!

128 comments:

deadlycraft said...

I especially like the part where you detail how much you want to punch him... I will help :)

Quiltjane said...

My little 'i' is there too. Some lovely quilts in the book.

Anita said...

The quilts in this book are magnificent .

Mary W Quilts said...

Cinderblocks is lovely. I would love to read about it and make one.

QuiltSue said...

I love the look of Cinderblocks, but really I'd love to read the whole book.

syfalkenstein said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
syfalkenstein said...

Gorgeous! Sounds like an awesome book!
Syfalkenstein at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to get a copy of this for myself.

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

These quilts are beautiful! Beckmoyer (at) gmail.com

Wendy said...

it is an amazing book. I love the Ampersand, but Cinderblocks is my favourite.

My email is linked to my profile.

Alexandra P. said...

That seems a really inspiring book. I would love to have it in my sewing room!
Thanks for the chance!

Jennifer said...

I've heard really good things about this book so far! I'd love to get my hands on a copy!

Unknown said...

Everything I have seen and read of this book makes it sound like a must have. I love the cinder blocks quilt. First time I saw it in a photo it just struck me.

cynthia said...

What a vivacious review!

Flaun of I Plead Quilty! said...

I want to squeeze him so hard his eyes pop out of his head, so I totally get the punching...

Dana Gaffney said...

Wow, lucky you, I've been in awe of him for a while now.

Quiltbiscuit said...

What a feast!

momma said...

I love that each of these reviews is passionate, the man inspires people, and gets them fired up on a different level, and that's so good. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Vicki H said...

I see so much I like, I want this book in my library.

L said...

Looks like a really interesting book!

Anonymous said...

I agree completely. Fabulous book. I contributed 1 "I" block and 2 for the "Excess" quilt and am so glad to be a (very)small part of this amazing book.

James P said...

Thanks for the chance to win - looks fantastic.

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Can't wait to see this book for myself :) amycav at hotmail dot com

Sam said...

Wow! This book sounds lovely! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

Donna said...

Like so many others, Cinderblock is my favorite. The ampersand is pretty cool too. Was Cinderblock hard to make?

Laura said...

I've been trying to put more meaning into my quilts and would love to have this book to help me do that.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to getting my hands on it! If not through a giveaway, maybe Mothers' Day gift from some someones? Thank you the little personal anecdotes.

Kathy MacKie said...

Count me in and thanks for the chance to win.

bee said...

these look like fun quilts to make and sound like a fab book to read through. thanks!

Michele said...

I love the quilts you pieced for this book. It is such a lovely book.

Jo said...

I am really excited about this book after just a few days of following the blog hop! There are a few people in this world that I have done exactly what you did I wonder what their mind is like,the first person that ever made that list was Stephen King, over the years a few others have been added and now Thomas Knauer has been added to my list. Someday I will meet all these talented people that I wonder about I hope.

Ruth said...

I don't buy many books anymore unless the are about technique but I am so interested in this book I will have to buy it if I don't win one. Maybe I will buy one even if I do win one I will buy one to share.

Anonymous said...

HELLO,such neat quilts!
Thanks for sharing about this book+your projects too!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

ithinksewquilts said...

Okay, truth. I'm gonna buy Thomas' book no matter what, but I'd love to win a free copy. I've got a sister in Portland, OR, ten years younger than me, that I'm mentoring into becoming a full blown quilter and she's gotta have this, too. So work with me, people, so we can fold and mold this new generation of quilters! Fingers crossed!

Kimberly McPeake said...

I love the Cinder block quilt, amazing colors and quilting. I agree with you that Thomas is amazing and was lucky to run into him at Quilt Con.

Lisa said...

I love reading his blog, and that ampersand quilt is on my bucket list now. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
hubsllc(at)gmail(dot)com

Lisa England said...

This book looks both beautiful and fascinating! Thanks for the chance to win.
jklmengland at windstream dot net

Carol said...

Great quilts - can't wait to get a copy of this book.

Linda said...

I'm looking forward to reading this book!
Ljs742 at yahoo dot com

Tennjenny said...

Such a nice post.

Janet M said...

Thanks for a peek at this book. Looks amazing!

Katelyn @ Sing While Crafting said...

The more I hear and see of this book, the more I want it in my hands. It sounds like the kind of book to change views on quilting. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy! - Katelyn
*singwhilecrafting at gmail dot com

Katherine said...

I would LOVE this book - looks amazing. Awesome that you have the personal connection too.
k dot lile dot quilts at gmail dot com

Karen said...

Thanks for your review(s) of this book. I am so glad to be learning about it on this tour.

Jeanette said...

That cinderblock quilt is beautiful-the colors, design, quilting!! Is that pattern in the book??? Would love to win a copy. Thanks.

Anna said...

I love all of the quilts I've seen so far. Can't wait to get my mitts on a copy.

Anonymous said...

I've hadmy eye on the cinderblock quilt. I love it!!

Ali said...

Wow I love this blog tour. Your writing is just fabulous, I had to follow you so I can read more!

Maxine said...

This looks like a wonderful book

Jean said...

Would love to have this book!

Anonymous said...

Different is so so good! Cinderblock is on my bucket list for sure. I'm at demelzapo (at) outlook (dot) com.

Unknown said...

I love how the quilts have a story behind them. I hope to do that for my family as I become more confident in quilting. Cindy (scgiL2@aol.com)

Unknown said...

I would love to have a copy of this book. Modern is where it's at !
mollygoddess2002@yahoo.com

felice said...

The book looks fab!

Ella said...

Thanks for a chance to win Thomas's book. ellaredstar at gmail dot com

meintc said...

Would love to win this for my bf mother! She loves quilting and reading! (:

Amy Verne said...

I would love to win a copy to give to my guild library.
raverne at comcast.net

Unknown said...

Lively review - you make a good quilty team! The quilts and book are intriguing. Thanks for the chance.

Chancy said...

This looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!

Hitch and Thread said...

I've only found Thomas and his work recently but how I wish I'd found it earlier! I can't wait to see this book in real life.

Unknown said...

Wow, looks like a fabulous book! Might have to get this one. I love what I read so far. Thank you for the giveaway! You can contact me at Kampbos ten at Gmail dot com. Marlae :)

Donna~~ said...

Gosh I like every quilt from the book that I've seen! My fingers are crossed for the giveaway--thanks!

carolyndawn said...

These quilts look absolutely amazing. Which one do I like? All of them. AND they come with a story. Here's hoping.

cdbarnes52@gmail.com

Susan said...

I would definitely not be sorry to win this book! Thanks for the chance to do so! I love the ampersand too!

Crystal said...

I've already ordered from Amazon, but would love to win a copy to give as a gift!

Gill said...

What a great book - I love the bar code quilt and the cover quilt!

Marty Mason said...

I can hardly wait to get my hands on Thomas Knauer's book. What a delight.

Kathryn said...

I can also see Ampersand hanging in my house. wonderful designs.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

This sounds like a great book. I love the cinderblock quilt.

Unknown said...

I am so excited to see this book, it looks very interesting! Ld (dot) glasser (at) gmail(dot)com

Lyn said...

The quilts all look cool. Like the colors and quilting on cinderblock.

Pattia said...

ooo, love all that I see. can't wait to try at least one or two of these. Newbie, though. if I can handle it. lol
pattiarb@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I love Split Personality, and the name makes it even better :) I'm earmarking it
amatlock1atymaildotcom

DebraKay Neiman said...

In defense of handmade...blows me away. I really want this book. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

B Greene said...

My "I" block shows up in the staged shot - I was so thrilled!! I would love to read this book and ogle all the beauty!

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful quilts. I have a couple in mind to make. Thanks for sharing.

Rachel said...

I love your punchy review! I can't wait to get my hands on this book! The quilts look incredible, I want to read all about them!

Mara said...

This book sounds awesome.

Unknown said...

Great review, and the book looks fantastic, too.

Linda R said...

Book looks like it would be totally awesome. I love things that are "different".

Miggsie said...

Sounds like a great book - thanks for the review!

Linda M said...

I'd love to win this book!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Yep, going around the whole blog tour. This book does indeed look special. It does look awesome.

KimG said...

I would love a copy of this book. I can't wait to read the stories behind the quilts. Thanks for the chance to win.

Cynthia H said...

The book looks EPIC!!

clherms@frontier.com

Deb Cox said...

You do run in good circles Audrie.
Thanks for sharing (once again) and
thanks for the chance to win. "Wouldn't it be loverly". Bless your little cottons socks. Deb @ dsp3@sympatico.ca

cakegirl said...

Beautiful quilts and I would love a copy of his book. Thanks.

Joan H. said...

Beautiful quilts! Fascinating book!
I'd love to win one.

Jeannie Gan said...

The quilts are so modern and fresh.
jchiagan at yahoo dot com

Becky said...

Thank you for sharing this book! It's always fun to study a new quilt book for inspiration.

Jaynie said...

I especially like cinderblocks & the book cover quilt. Would love to have the book...thanks for sharing.

Kelly O. said...

This book looks fabulous! Great review Audrie!
brockdiva at Hotmail dot com

Jacklynn Grimm said...

Thomas does have some beautiful quilts - I like the ampersand quilt too. Thanks for the give away!

Siobhán said...

I am drooling over this book!! I love how Thomas uses quilts to tell a story. I am able to do that with embroidery but I'm so much more into quilting, and want to be able to get the stories in my head out into my quilts--even if I'm the only one who knows what they 'mean'. Thanks for the chance to win!

kimberlier said...

Thank you for introducing me to this book. I really enjoyed reading your review and would love to learn more. Thanks!

Nancy in IN said...

I am excited about the book. The colors are really nice and Lisa did a fabulous job quilting.

janequiltsslowly said...

Love ampersand! Thanks for the chance to win this book.
jane dot bitz at gmail dot com

Melanie said...

Love the excess quilt! Thanks for the chance to win this book!

Sarah said...

Thanks for the chance to win!
sarah@forrussia.org

June D said...

Book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance!

Cindy said...

Wonderful quilts in this book. I would love to have one to read the stories behind them.

R Cretney said...

I'd love to win a copy to gift to my Mum who is super talented at quilt making!

Nelly Kelly said...

Oh, thank goodness I'm not the only one who feels so explosively moved and inspired and related to and envious of this man's talent that I could do him physical harm in my exuberance. I wanna punch him, too! Thanks for the opportunity to win his book.

Linda E in NM said...

Wow, I like Thomas's quilts, esp the Cinderblock.
thanks!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

So fab to see my little 'i' in there! Thanks for the chance x

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

HELLO,love to win a copy!
Thanks for sharing!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Tamie said...

Looks like this would be a lovely addition to my library.

Teressa P. said...

Pretty quilts! Thanks for the chance to win :)

Crystal said...

Thank you for the awesome giveaway! Looks like it has some really great ideas for quilts!
sellcrystal2 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

It looks like an inspiring book, I would love to win a copy!

Margaret said...

Can't wait to see your ampersand quilt!

Anonymous said...

This looks like a fantastic book! Thanks!

kimberj said...

I love how incredibly graphic his designs are, they look like they would fit in MOMA!

Brenda said...

I am salivating. How can something so simple be so complex, or is it the other way around. Some minds just work in different ways, and I love to visit and want to stay!

Willa said...

your remarks and the others about this book make it seem enormously appealing and inspiring.

Jude said...

wow..it looks like a great book! thank you!

Marti Taylor said...

I was always taught that 'quilts tell a story' so Thomas is a quilter after my own heart. Thank you for the chance to win!

Zizophora said...

This looks like a great book! I love Split Personality.

Audrey said...

I really need to read this book and use the ideas in future quilts. I am very partial to Cinderblocks. I love the design as well as the quilting. A perfect combination.

Lisa in Port Hope said...

Sounds like a fascinating read, thank you for this review.
ljridge4511 (at) gmail (dot) com

Fran said...

I am a follower of Thomas' blog & love the way he writes from his posts so I knew that his book would be incredible. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

frannyharrington (at) gmail (dot) com

Janie said...

Like how you said you wanted to punch him! Amazing work. Thanks for the chance.

Anonymous said...

What an interesting color sense and palatte he has. I'm fascinated. Thanks for the chance to win. VermontPines at aol dot com

Lisa E said...

I love your description of the book; makes me want to read it now! I hope you get to punch Thomas soon.

Joy said...

Hey, wow! I'd love to win!
Thanks!

giggles said...

Looks like a lovely book! The quilts look ravishing!!

Alison said...

Hope I'm not too late in leaving a comment. Would really love to win a copy of this amazing book. I love the ampersand quilt but I think I need to make them all.

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