Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Modern Bee: 13 Quilts to Make With Friends {Blog Tour}

Hi all!  I am so so excited to finally share more about the book Modern Bee: 13 Quilts to Make With Friends that I had the honor of being a part of!


This book all started when the Mod Stitches Bee was formed just about two years ago, at the end of 2011.  Things started just as any bee usually does, Elizabeth virtually gathered 12 quilty friends, some of whom I had known previously, and some I hadn't, to begin a 12 month quilting bee, making blocks each month for one "bee mama" that would  ultimately result in enough blocks for each member to put together a finished quilt.  

While we were getting started, Lindsay had the awesome idea to turn our bee into a book!  She documented our quilting journey, and not only describes how to create each of the 13 different blocks and resulting finished quilts, but also provides information to start and run your own virtual quilting bee!  Lindsay really is one talented lady, and has a gift for writing, as Modern Bee reads like she's talking to a friend, giving helpful tips and pointers to someone she's known a lifetime.  


This is a picture straight from the book of my contribution, Trellis Crossroads.  I love the look of quilts using blocks turned on point, but usually they require block trimming and adding sashing, and I wanted a design that would come together with just the blocks themselves, no extra work for quilt assembly, and after working through a few design possibilities in my head, this quilt was born.

Mod Stitches block

This was my test block, and as you can see, the trellis design comes together quite simply by sewing together the blocks of each each row and then each row into a finished quilt.




I cannot say thank you enough to the wonderfully talented quilters I had the pleasure of working with, and of course to Lindsay, as without her this book would not be!

Modern Bee—13 Quilts to Make with Friends

And of course no blog hop is complete without a giveaway!  To enter to win, click here to complete the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win a Modern Bee gift bag* filled with sewing goodies from Coats and Clark, FreeSpirit Fabrics, Olfa, Pellon and Timeless Treasures!

*Winners will be randomly selected after October 18, 2013 from all comments received. If the winner lives outside of the U.S., they'll win a Modern Bee e-Book of instead of the gift bag.

Be sure to follow along with the remaining stops on the Modern Bee blog tour for book reviews and more sneak peeks from many of the book contributors!


Modern Bee Blog Tour:

Monday, 10/7:  Sew Mama Sew + Stash Books
Tuesday, 10/8:  SewCraftyJess + Sew Sweetness
Wednesday 10/9:  Ellison Lane + Diary of a Quilter
Thursday 10/10:  Katie's Korner + Pat Sloan
Friday 10/11:  Fat Quarter Shop + imagine gnats

Tuesday 10/15:  Live a Colorful Life + Craft Gossip
Wednesday 10/16:  SewCanShe + Maureen Cracknell Handmade

120 comments:

  1. Jess, everyone is in love with your quilt, including me! :) So gorgeous... Thank you for being a part of the blog hop and the bee, and I appreciate you going on this crazy journey with us!

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  2. I've never been a part of a quilting bee. Someday maybe! Right now I'm sewing up some ties for my boys

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  3. Such a lovely quilt! Great job on choosing it Jess! I've been in bees where we send off fabric and I've been in bees where we just use our stash. I love when you can find a group you really click with and everyone is happy every month!

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  4. I'm in a do good stitches bee! Just started. :) Looks like a super fun book.

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  5. My 3 sisters & I have a kind of quilting bee going for about 6 years. We live in 4 different states, and keep connected by doing round robins and block exchanges. Thanks.

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  6. congrats on the book! your quilt looks lovely.

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  7. I have not been a part of a quilting bee yet but they look like fun!

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  8. All of my Bees have finished up so now I can put my blocks together. It was fun but I look forward to sewing for "me" now :)

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  9. Congrats on the book! I have never joined a bee. Not sure I can make that monthly commitment. Maybe someday!

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  10. I am part of International Stashes and absolutely loving it!

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  11. I've never been part of a bee!!

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  12. I have never been part of a bee

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  13. I haven't participated in a bee, but Lindsay's book has me interested in finding one to join. I love your quilt design!

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  14. I haven't been in a bee beofre, but it sure does seem like a lot of fun. Currently just working on a quilt for my hubby and son.

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  15. This looks like such a great book. I can't wait to read it.

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  16. Your quilt is gorgeous!! I've done a friendship block swap with other quilters in my area but not an online one. Looking forward to the new book:)

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  17. I've never been in a bee before. I just finished a chevron quilt for the back porch... And now I need to make a quilt for each kiddo (we have 6 children, ages 18, 16, 16, 14, 14, & 11!). This book looks amazing!

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  18. How exciting! This looks like a fabulous book!

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  19. I have been part of a couple of local bees. They are a lot of fun.

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  20. I don't know if you would classify it as a bee, but I get together with a group of women once a week to sew. We sew during the morning and then we go out to lunch together. Once a month we bring our machines and work on charity projects. I look forward to my weekly meeting. :-)

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  21. I wish my guild bees were more interested in making blocks or projects as a group. Most seem more interested in just socializing but also is important.

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  22. I have never been in a bee. Congratulations on the book

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  23. I have never been in a quilting bee, but I would love to someday!

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  24. I've never been involved in a bee, sounds super fun!

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  25. My first bee was the 4x5 Modern Bee, and I loved it! Congrats! :)

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  26. I have never been apart of a quilting bee, unless the birthday group we have counts!

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  27. I'm part of do. Good stitches. I just finished some butterfly blocks for the September quilt and need to get working on some large HSTs for October. Thanks!

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  28. What a lovely quilt! This sounds like a great book! I recently participated in a quilting bee with my local quilt guild. It was a lot of fun, and such a great way to try out new patterns! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  29. I have been in a number of bees and they have mostly been a good experience! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  30. How fun. This quilt looks amazing! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  31. Beautiful quilt! Pat Bravo is one of my favorite designers. I have never been part of a bee but really want to join one. I love the idea of quilting and sewing with friends. Thanks for the giveaway!
    (majesticjenkinsATgmailDOTcom)

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  32. This book looks really great! I'm in my fist mini bee right now and I hope to do many more. I am really interested in the extra tips, like what to do if someone uses "wrong" fabric, etc.

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  33. I've never been involved in a bee, but it's something I would love to try in the future!

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  34. I have never been a member of a bee but it sure sounds like a lot of fun.

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  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  36. Congratulations on your book. I would like to make your quilt. Someday, I would like to participate in a bee.

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  37. I have never participated in a bee, but have always wanted to. I'm not sure where to find one or what all is required, but they look like so much if fun!

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  38. Congrats! I've never been part of a bee. I'm doing some epp currently

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  39. A Bee sounds fun! I have never had a chance to be in one :(
    I have been in fabric swaps and things like that and once swapped a mug rug. I'd love to join a Bee though!

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  40. Love that trellis block. I have been part of a bee before. There were some aspects that I didn't like but mostly it was a great experience.

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  41. Your trellis block is gorgeous!!! I would love to make one! Can't wait for the book!

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  42. I have never been in a quilting bee before, but I have made a group quilt for charity.

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  43. My current projects are a quilted totebag and quilts for my nieces. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

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  44. I've never been apart of a bee, but I would like to some day ;)

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  45. LOVE the look of your finished quilt - so clever that it isn't actually blocks on point!! Would love a chance to win an e-copy of the book - thanks for the chance :)

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  46. I haven't been part of a quilting bee, but I'd love to. My friends assure me that once their kids are a wee bit bigger they'll have time to join me in a bee. Until then, I send around photos of the quilts I'm working on and elicit their advice, which always leads to a better quilt than I would make on my own.

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  47. An online bee is a lovely new idea. The excitement when blocks arrive in the mail!

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  48. I've never been in a bee. I guess I'm concerned that sizes of blocks won't be exact and that someone will drop out mid stream... b
    But I do love the quilts in the book!
    contentncm at yahoo dot com

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  49. I've got half of a bee identified (now, I just have to convince them to join me...)

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  50. Online bees are fun. Can't wait to see the book!

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  51. I've never been in a bee, I'm a novice and so my blocks wouldn't be good enough. Looks like a fab book

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  52. Thank you for the chance to win. I'd love to have this book!

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  53. I have never been part of a quilting bee. Currently, I am working on organizing my sewing/craft room. Then I plan on working on finishing UFOs.

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  54. Congrats on the book, Jess - looks fabulous!

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  55. Your quilt was the first one to catch my eye. Because of it I have been following the various postings. Very creative.

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  56. I have never really been a part of a bee, but have sewn with two quilting buddies for years. It is always fun to sew and quilt with friends.

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  57. love, love, love the modern quilting style

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  58. I've never been a part of a bee. I'm currently working on logos, then a dress for my daughter tomorrow.

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  59. I haven't had a chance to be a part of a bee, but I'd love to give it a go! Especially in person, I feel like I'd pick up a lot from the other quilters. I'm currently working on Halloween projects for the Wicked blog hop that is later this month! Thank you!
    ~Brandy

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  60. No, I have never been in a bee but it sounds like fun, thanks for the giveaway!
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

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  61. I am working on a flannel quilt that feels wonderful. I had a break from quilting over the summer and this quilt is the perfect back to quilting project.

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  62. Never been ib a bee. Right now working on unique log cabin scrap blocks for a quilt for me!

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  63. I am working on a scenic applique quilt.

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  64. I have never belonged to a bee group, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe there's one in my future.?.

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  65. I haven't participated in a bee yet, but I would like to try it once.

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  66. Your book looks like so much fun to have. The quilts in it are so bright and modern. All very inspiring! yoyopattycakes@hotmail.com

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  67. I really like the trellis crossroads.
    I have a ton of scraps and a bolt of white!

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  68. Love to quilt and would love to try the quilts in this book. Thanks for the chance of the giveaway.

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  69. I've never been in a bee, but it's on my bucket list! Currently working on Christmas tree skirts for our 4 daughters ~ this is my first year giving quilty things, so I hope they turn out! Thanks for the chance ~ fingers crossed!

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  70. What a great idea for a book, I'm looking forward to seeing all 12 projects and reading about how to do the virtual quilting bee!

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  71. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Trellis Crossroads quilt!! It's beautiful!! I would love to make one!! I'm currently working on picking some new designs for some quilt orders I have.. I would love to do a pattern from this book!

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  72. I love your block!!!! This book is definitely on my wish list.

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  73. This is one of my favorites I've seen from the book, beautiful design!!

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  74. HI, LOVE YOUR BLOCK!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  75. My LQS (Intrepid Thread) has your book in stock, and I'm looking forward to getting a copy. I've never participated in a bee, but think it would be fun. I've only done a couple QAL, but those are too easy to get behind on. At the moment I have about five projects going. I had high hopes when I started each one, but alas, school started and it's been one meeting after another. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  76. I am participating in the 3x6 bee, working on building a blue & white sampler quilt. :)

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  77. I've never been in a bee. I'm a bit of a solitary sewist.

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  78. I've never sewn in a bee. I am sewing children's clothing right now.

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  79. Love the quilt! Such a nice story behind the book:)

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  80. I quilt at church. The ladies get together twice per week. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

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  81. The colors are amazing and the quilts are awesome!

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  82. These are some beautiful quilts. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  83. Love your quilt! Great colors! Would love to add this book to my library, Thank you for the chance to win.

    missmoozie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  84. What a distinctive block. great for all my scrap?

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  85. This book should be great(sorry my bad english)

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  86. I like the colors in your lattice quilt. I've never been part of a quilting bee. I haven't done a lot of sewing lately, except for hemming my husband's pants. He's short, so they never fit off the rack.

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  87. The quilts look great. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  88. I've never been part of a quilting bee. Right now I am sewing hair accessories for my 6 granddaughters for Christmas.

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  89. Creative and inspiring website here! I would love to win the Rafflecopter giveaway bundle for my home sewing arts crafts and jewelry studio!
    Blessings,
    ;-)
    <3
    From
    Debra J Webb
    http://www.heartsonnet.wordpress.com

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  90. Trellis Crossroads is such a lovely pattern. I'm hoping to make one out of all my scraps sometime this winter. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  91. Una colcha estupenda, con mucho colorido y un poco de blanco para darle más luz.
    Gracias por la oportunidad de ganar un regalo.

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  92. I'm in a do. good stitches bee and would love this book!!

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  93. I think your Trellis Crossroads is lovely. I would never have thought you made the blocks in straight rows rather than on point.

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  94. Gorgeous book! I love my quilting bee.

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  95. currently, am not in a quilting bee. The blocks look wonderful! I think the colors are spectacular. I will have to practice sewing on the diagonal

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  96. I have never been in a quilting bee This book looks wonderful.

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  97. I'm not in a bee but would love to be in one. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  98. I never was part of a quilting bee but I would love to be in one.

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  99. The whole notion of quilting bees sounds such a stimulating social occasion and I wish you all every success with your book.
    Its a lovely way to commemorate your time together and share your stitchery with us out here!
    Like others here - I adore your Trellis design, its utterly beautiful!
    If I'm not lucky in the draw, your book is now on my wish list lol

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  100. I love your quilt and I'm looking forward to getting a copy of this book!

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  101. I haven't been in a quilting bee yet, but I would love to!

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  102. I am in a charity bee, my month is February, would love this book to help me with a block pattern.

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  103. This is great! Quilting with friends is the best. I've never been part of a bee, but I've done my first Round Robin, and done a BOM club at my local Bernina store.

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  104. What a clever idea to let the block do the work for you. Really clever. Great quilt.

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  109. http://sewcraftyjess.blogspot.com/2013/10/modern-bee-13-quilts-to-make-with.html

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  113. love it! What fabric line did you use or did you used a variety. . or do you list it in the book?

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