I was working on this quilt way back in 2001 when I was first writing a book about my letters etc. This was me talking to myself, encouraging myself, about the book. I wanted to do it completely and totally my way. No patterns.Now I'm working on that book again. (Not that I've actually started really writing it yet. So far it's "written" in my head and I have the tutorials printed out and arranged like I want them.) I realized that I wasn't reaching for the stars this time. I was just hoping to get into orbit.
Therefore, I'm not going to limit the book proposal to just the letters after all. Yes, I do have a few quilts that are just composed of letters, but I have so many more that use the houses, asterisks, and hearts too. And since I want to include something on how I hand quilt "pictures" as well, some of the house quilts have the best illustrations of that.
I want a book crammed full of information and pictures. The more the better. Let the publisher shoot me down if that's not what they want, I shouldn't limit myself...
I've also had a nagging thought that I should be careful what I post. Will anyone buy the book if it's all just a rehash from my blog? Well I reread "Liberated Quiltmaking" over and over. I love having the book in my hands, poring over the photos. You can't get that on the web. So I'm gonna keep posting whatever I want to post. In fact, I just might write another couple of tutorials...
15 comments:
Tonya - I constantly refer both your blog and your instructions on Bonnie's site when I'm working on letters as none of them and their contruction steps come naturally to me - this surprises me as I'm usually a very logical person - I'd buy a copy of your book as it's always good to keep referring - especially if you've had a break away from playing :o)
I'd buy a copy of your book. My computer is in the house and that is a walk from the studio where I quilt and I often want to refer to your tutorials. Also I have noticed that quilters collect books almost as compulsively as they collect fabric. Go for it!
I'll tell you what I have told Bonnie - if you write a book I will buy it. As it is I have printed all of your tutorials and all of bonnies patterns, but bound in a book would be sooooooo much nicer! (not to mention easier & convenient!)
I could care less if I've learned it on your blog and even printed the tutorials out - I for one will buy the book! I LOVE books, and your book would be so much nicer to have than print-outs! Plus they would make great gifts for all my quilty friends who don't blog or internet!
Your reach for the stars is great!
I don't want to piece letters but I would buy your book anyway just for the inspiration!! Tnx for the extra info on tentmaker applique. In one of your earlier posts you explained that the canvas is first covered with a background cloth and the stitches don't go through to the back of the canvas. That's the little detail that I had been puzzling over. Canvas would be hard to stitch through! And it also probably is firm enough to glance that needle back to the surface but give enough stability so that they can stitch without any kind of hoop or frame and still not have much buckling. Smart! When I tried my one and only Susan Shie style of work, I only sent some of the stitches to the back layer and discovered I thoroughly enjoyed stitching on a padded surface with the sts only going through the top one or two layers. No blog for me yet. Thanks again!
I think people will still love a book, even if you've blogged many of the ideas. There's nothing like laying in bed with a book, reading and re-reading for inspiration!!! I have books I've never made anything from, but I have cracked the spines, I've read them so many times!
Tonya, I would buy your book for the same reason I enjoy browsing thru Gwen Marston's books over and over again -- inspiration.
I'm not the kinda gal who really needs the full-blown instructions. I start out reading them, but once I get the idea, I run off on my own and play. (I guess it is impatience.) Some people may want/need the total stepped process -- nothing wrong with that.
To be honest, when I started with the Wonky Houses, I read your instructions, but then I printed them to take from my office to my sewing room. I could have dragged my laptop down there, but I wanted paper in my hands.
I like books for the explanations of difficult concepts, pretty pictures, and INSPIRATION! I would buy your book in a New York Minute!!!
Well, to be honest, when you first mentioned a book I though about having ot out on the web and the issue of stealing...but only for a minute, because then I realized that if something ever came up you could prove the time, date and place that you thought up the idea with your blog entries.
The issue of whether or not we'd buy the book if the info was on the web...no worries. Ladies still want something tangible in their hands that they can see and refer to even if the power goes out or things disappear from the web.
So post away.
I say go for it! I agree with everyone else, I would buy the book, even though I printed out the tutorials (haven't done them yet, they are on the "list"-heehee). Just think of the blog entries as your testing grounds with the bloggers testing your patterns, etc. There are still many people who don't do the internet, so a book would be a wonderful addition to any quilter's library. Then we can look at the pictures (in color) over and over for inspiration.
When I buy your book, Tonya, I want an autographed copy, okay? I like this quilt of yours, how you laid it out etc. Wish I had thought of that :) Thank you for your kind words about my blog.
Book! Definitely! Something to inspire all the year round and to read in bed with a cup of hot chocolate during those long and dark winter evenings.
I love your photos. Alexandra is always asking if Tonya has done something new and she loves your houses, though Terms remains her firm favourite.
You could also have a Tonya's Travels chapter showing quilts/appliques etc from the various places you've stayed at.
"Live Bookmark" is the RSS feed.
Clare x
An autographed copy sounds good to me too. :)
In my guild, there are only two or three of us who 'do' the internet for more than just e-mail and the occasional search. A book would reach a whole different audience.
Well Tonya you know we'd all buy it regardless! And there's nothing like having an actual book to take down off the shelf and use as a reference - it's not so easy off the pc. I still love my books and understand what I'm reading so much better off a real live page than a computer screen.
I'm loving that quilt you posted. It's got more pattern than I'm used to seeing in your work and I do love the colours.
I agree with most of the other comments - we love your online stuff, but a book is a completely different thing and we want one!!!
Having everything together with lots of examples for inspiration can't be beaten :)
very late in chiming in..what with life and computer woes..I too would love a book that I could look at over and over of your stuff Tonya...it's so much easier than printing off the web or leaving the photo up on the computer screen - looking back and forth as I sort something out.
just felt it's important that you keep hearing encouragement on writing your book!
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