Amy Ellis' Modern Basics blog tour - The Jolly Jabber Quilting Blog

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Amy Ellis’ Modern Basics blog tour

302 Comments

Today we have a special guest in the house.  She is a mother of 4 (nope- not Kimberly this time), Blogger of Amy’s Creative Side, Co-Captain of The Sewing Summit, and now Author. Amy Ellis is the name and her newly released book, Modern Basics, is today’s game. Let’s start it off with a little Q&A!

How did you get into quilting? Tell us a little about your background.

I’ve been sewing for 20+ years, which is hard to believe! I learned to sew garments as a girl. With my own kids, they grew out of clothes too fast, so it didn’t make sense to sew for them. I needed to find a way to keep my sewing juices flowing, so I learned to quilt.

What inspired you to write a book? What inspired to write one on this topic specifically?
Going back to being a mom to 4, I was looking for simple and interesting patterns that could be finished easily in a week or two, instead of a month or year. I wasn’t finding them, and started sketching my ideas, which eventually turned into a book proposal.

What is your new book about? What makes your book stand out compared to others on the topic?

Modern Basics is a pattern book, and then some. I sew at the kitchen table, and so I encourage those that don’t have studio space, or any spare space in their homes to find room, and have tips for finding time too. Being a stay at home mom to 4, time is not in abundance, but quilting has become an outlet for my creativity and I am not planning to stop!

Thanks for visiting us today Amy! Now, what is a blog tour without a giveaway!?

If you comment on this post telling me your favorite line on our Coming Soon page you will have a chance to win an autographed copy of Modern Basics!

You have until Thursday, March 3rd @ midnight CST to comment. Good luck!

PS. Next stop on the blog tour is One Shabby Chick on March 1!

302 comments

  5. This book looks great. I'm excited to get my hands on a copy eventually!

    That page is dangerous – too much good stuff!! I like Reindeer Games, not that I need more Christmas fabric 🙂

  7. That is always a tough one, love so many of them. I love primitives and I love fun fabrics. But, for my favorite today, I just saw the wash day blues, love those. Not only are they great for primitive quilting, but would be beautiful on fabric boxes.

    Debbie

  13. Wow, that's a lot of stuff to choose from. I love Foliage Batiks and Camelot, but the one that really grabbed me was Artful Home. Just gorgeous!

  15. Its so fun to look through the Coming Soon section. Here's my short list: Choo Choo You, Farm Fresh, Sherbet Pips, and Strawberry Fields.
    stephensons4 at embarqmail dot com

  22. I just LOVE Amy's book so far. This book looks like it's a great one to have. I'm loving all the quilts I've seen so far during this tour.

    Oh gosh, it's been awhile since I checked out your coming soon fabrics page. I am in SO much trouble. I know one line I've been looking forward to already is from Kate Spain and her new Christmas line, Flurry.
    And then the Milan and Verona Bellagio Road are both just gorgeous too.

    Thank you for the chance to win Amy's book.

  25. I'm looking forward to the Dr Seuss Grinch and the It's a jungle out there fabric. I'm a child at heart and love anything with cute animals with little beady eyes. Thanks for a chance to win Amy's book!

  26. Really I have to choose just one? I looked through dozens and picked so many I want. I stopped looking when I got to Modern Workshop by Oliver + S. Which is fabulous! I bet it would look great with the patterns in the book!
    ascottherridge (at) gmail.com

  31. Love the new book by Amy the quilts look great.
    My favorite range is Fa La La La La by French General it's what I'm looking forward to just love all French General ranges.And a close second is Grace by 3 sisters.

  32. Aviary 2. I love joel dewberry! So excited to see Amy's book, it looks fantastic. I'm another quilter without a space so I'm excited to hear her tips!

  35. I can't wait for Flurry to come out! Farm Fresh is cute, too. I have to say, though, that I love Silent Cinema. I'll be keeping an eye out for that one!

  36. I really like the looks of Bancroft. I like the quilt on the cover of Modern Basics too! thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

    Mary

  37. There are a couple that are my favorites but I guess Grande Finale by Sandy Gervais is one of my very favorites. Let it Snow and Artful Home are close too though.

  39. The book looks like it would be very helpful and nice to have. Thank you for having this giveaway. I'm looking forward to at least three fabrics. Grace by Three Sisters is beautiful, as well as Northern Cardinal by Holly Taylor. Warm Memories by Kansas Troubles is pretty too. So many beautiful fabrics coming out it truly hard to pick just one.

  43. It's a real treat to see whats coming up. JOVIAL really caught my eye. Great color combination. Kathie L in Allentown

  44. I like Northwoods by Lunn Studios. Great lines coming! Thanks for the giveaway chance for the book. 🙂

  45. One is way too hard because every time I look at it, I find I want more.

    Right now I'm going with Dem Bones by Andover Fabrics.

  46. You mean I can only choose ONE line that I am looking forward to??? Okayyyyyy, I choose Fa La La La La by French General for Moda. is it June yet????

  47. Hullabaloo and Sherbet Pips, for sure! And lots of other fabric lines look yummy as well. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

  49. Wooohoooo! Great book!

    Do I have to pick just ONE fabric line? I like Artful Home, LOVE Joel Dewberry so Aviary 2 makes the list, and although I keep telling myself no more novelty prints, I can't resist Sherbet Pips.

    Okay, I admit it, there are others I like, but I've already gone over the limit so I won't mention Flurry or Fa la la la la, or Silent Cinema or…

  52. I LOVE Embroidered Garden, and Wedgewood, and Cherry Fizz… it's impossible to pick only one! Some of these come out soon… maybe my husband will want me to buy myself a small present for his birthday… HAHA. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book!

  57. I have to choose just one, there are so many that I want… but it I must the is would be Bancroft, no Aviary 2, no Alice's Wash day blues… yes that's the one Alice or maybe,,,,,,,,

  61. SO many choices! Aviary 2, Sherbet Pips, Silent Cinema….. even some of the batiks look fabulous, and I'm not normally a fan. And I swear to god that I am making a Christmas quilt this year – so add Flurry to the list!

  66. Well I have 2 and I cannot narrow it down any further….lol I hope this does not disqualitfy me for the draw but I cannot lie…I am waiting for hands down, "Sherbert Pips" and "Pom Pom de Paris" French General for Moda Fabrics…I just love both of them. thanks for all the info and would love a copy of the book.

  68. Are you kidding me? Another blue/brown line of fabrics! I'm like Alice Wash Day Blues. I love Pure; but, this is so different from Pure!

    Another line I like Desert Springs Batiks. I recently gotten into Batiks and Balis and these look really nice!

  70. Depending on who I was making something for. If it was for me I would love the camelot line, oh so pretty. But the Choo choo you would be perfect for my nephew…. absolutely perfect he loves trains. and Critters Yardage… OH so fun!

  78. Wow – There's lots of fabrics to choose from. I love both Choo Choo You and Under Construction. These would both make awesome quilts for my boys. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  81. It was hard for me, but I decided to go with "Hoo's in the Forest" by Doohikey Designs.

    Leslie S. in MN
    esclante at comcast dot net

  83. There are many I like but the one I'm most looking forward to seeing is Hoo's in the Forest. I like the colors and the little animal characters. Thanks for the chance to win the book, it looks like a fun one.

  86. Wow! I can't believe how many different Christmas fabrics there are to choose from! However, I'd have to choose the Imperial Collection from Robert Kaufman. Beautiful. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  90. I like "Alice's Wash Day Blues". It speaks to me chromatically and literally. It's reminding me to start a load of wash. I really want a copy of this book. I sew at my kitchen table too! -Rachel from CA, 1ratchet@sbcglobal.net

  96. That book looks like a ton of fun~! A favorite fabric line? REALLY? I couldn't possibly choose. I mean, well maybe… but no, no it's like asking me which of my children I love best. It couldn't be done. They are all fabulous in their own ways! Fortunately I can afford to have more fabric than children!
    Cheers,
    Dionne

  98. Oh I feel like I'm waiting for so many fabrics! There's Strawberry Fields of course, and then Hullaballoo! I also can't wait for Cherry Fizz! There are more but I am not supposed to be writing an essay! :S
    Thanks for this chance to win this awesome book.

  101. 'Alice's Wash Day Blues' is gorgeous.

    also 'Francesca' , 'Gallery in Red II' , 'Grace' , 'Imperial Collection 7' , 'Lakeside Cottage' , 'Silent Cinema' , 'Wedgewood' , 'Winsome' , 'Golden Winter' ..it's not fair..too much beautiful fabrics…

    greetings

  102. Well I didn't have to look far. I am so short of blue fabric for me it would be Wash Day Blues. Thanks for the chance to win.

  104. Fa la la la la by French General is definitely my favorite new line in what is coming up!
    What a great book that must be! Look forward to the tour (o:

  105. oooh, I want Animal Party Too1 It will go with the bits I have from the first Animal Party. Love me some kiddy brights! 🙂
    Thanks for the chance to win.

  109. I have been looking at all of the fantastic quilts using pre-cuts of Sherbet Pips that I am saving up for when you get the fabrics in (in April?!!!). Can't wait!! Do love the look of this new book.

  111. I can't wait for the Lilac Hill yardage, such gorgeous colours! Already got my pattern picked out 🙂

  116. My favorite are Bouquet Garden, Milan Bellagio Road and Desert Spring Batiks. There are more I really like too. Thanks for the giveaway.

  119. Sherbert Pips! It's such a cute fabric; I would love to make a quilt with it.
    Thanks for the chance!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

  120. This book looks like a great source of inspiration and easy pattern. As for the fabric: looking forward to Countdown to Christmas! Thank you!

  123. So many great fabrics coming! My favorites have to be Sherbet Pips and The Grinch. Thanks for the chance to win!
    ktyoung1(at)gmail(dot)com

  128. Wow! There are some great lines coming in the next weeks and months. It's hard to pick one:) I'm looking forward to Reindeer Games and the yardage from Lilac Hill and Dr. Seuss flannel. I didn't realize that Monique Dillard has a book coming out. Yahoo! Love the premise of this one.

  141. Hullaballo! But then I am also waiting for Flurry and the new Anna Griffin line, I have eclectic tastes…lol and grave fabric! Thanks for the chance to win Amy's new book.

  143. I would have a hard time picking just one! Hoo's in the forest, Sherbert Pips, Choo Choo you, and a lot more. Thanks for the giveaway.

  144. As I was browsing the list I couldn't get past the Fa La La French General line for Christmas. I love everything she does, timeless work. (Of course I'm looking forward to the Pips like everyone else)

  145. I love anything Moda! I would love to get my hands on Grace By Three Sisters! I also like Sweethearts by Darlene Zimmerman.

    Thanks for the book giveaway!

    pojeda (at) embarqmail (dot) com

  147. I have been waiting and waiting for Lori Holt's Sew Cherry to be available–it can't be here too soon!
    Karen in Breezy Point

  151. It's hard to choose, but I really like "Gallery in Red II" and "I love snow" fabrics.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  153. OOH,OOH,OOH! Hard to choose just one. I'm going to pick my favorite as Jovial by Basic Grey mainly because I love the project quilt made from the fabric. Trees and pinwheels for Christmas that's heaven. Other Christmas fabs that are putting a twinkle in my eye are Merry and Bright by Henry Glass and Reindeer Games by Sandy Gervais. Last but not least is Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree. Joanna always has some new sweetness! Amy's book looks wonderful thank you for a chance to win. Janita

  154. It's way too hard to choose my absolute favorite, but I'll have to pick to fit the bill here. Since it is so difficult to find fabrics for the men in our lives and they love quilts, too, I'd have to say the Sew Sporty line by Dan Morris for RJR Fabrics.

  155. I love the fabric Artful home. It reminded of my house and family. All have artistic talents. I would make a great quilt for my husbands stain glass room. Thank for the chance

  156. Love the Christmas collections but already have enough to make about 4 laps. Love batiks and the PrincessMirah Flower Power look great – hardto find gold and yellows in the LQSs.

  160. Well, there are so many: Cactus Garden Batiks and Desert Springs Batiks are both calming and soothing for me; and Grand Finale is exciting; but: [here it comes] what I really need is Warm Memories, because they feel like home in a snow storm! Oh, and Bellagio also piques my interest!

  162. I can't wait for FLURRY! I love Christmas AND Kate Spain. And I've been following Amy for awhile now – I'd love to get her book!! THANKS.

  165. Ok, doesn't seem fair that we can only pick one favorite line! 🙂 But since that is the rule, I am going to have to go with Grace, by Three Sisters! Coming in a close second was Reindeer Games, by one of my favorites, Sandy Gervais.

    Shelley

  168. All of those batik collections are SO wonderful, but I think my favorite of the upcoming lines might be Winsome by Kim Diehl. Those colors are so rich and luscious!

  170. I love the coming soon page, but who knew we would be perusing the Christmas fabrics on the first of March!!! I have been waiting for (love) Artful Home by Heather Mulder Peterson, but Jovial by Basic Grey has caught my eye too! Both look like great lines of fabric for the holidays!

  175. How on earth can you pick just one. I cannot, no matter how hard I try. So the two that stick out as absolute must haves are Warm Memories by Kansas Troubles and Haunted Hollow II by Jacqueline Paton. LOVE THEM!

  176. Just ONE? About one for each member of my family?
    Me: Artful Home
    Boy: Animal Party Too!
    Girl: Hoo's in the Forest
    Hubs: Winter Magic

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  180. So many to choose from!! I love Bouquet Garden and Farm Fresh. I am a mom of 5 so I would love this book!!

  182. Right now, I would have to say that my favorites would have to be a tie between Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater, Flurry by Kate Spain, and Ready Set Snow by Me and My Sister.

  183. I love Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree Quilts. That is my favorite of all the new fabrics that are coming soon. Thank you for this giveaway.

    Have a super great sewing and stitching day.

  184. It's a tie for me between Cherry Fizz and Sew Cherry. Cherries are the bomb! Love 'em so much. Also wish I could order one of everything if wishes came true! Thanks for carrying such great fabrics.

  189. So many choices! I love almost everything I saw, but my favorites are:

    Desert Springs Batiks
    Flower Power Batiks
    Aviary 2
    Francesca

    Thanks!

    Karen

  190. So many that I 'want' 🙂 but, I'm looking forward to:
    Bellagio Road
    Strawberry Fields
    Through the Grapevine

    ~ Laurie

  191. Thanks for the chance to win this book – what I'm looking forward to? How about Gallery In Red II along with ChristmasHolidayDrSeussWedgewoodSapphireWondersetc – in other words how do you choose when you want them all?

  192. I really love the Be Merry Bears Yardage , Teresa Kogut for Marcus Brothers Fabrics! It's so cute & I love the book you're giving away too! Thanks!
    Lisa
    mistyfuji *at* yahoo *dot* com

  194. Well, it's hard to choose – I think Sherbert Pips is my favorite but Silent Cinema is a very close second. One thing for certain, I was not ready to peruse Christmas fabrics – ouch! I'm craving spring.

  195. I cannot wait for about 20 of these…but I do have to say Strawberry Fields will have to be coming to my home soon! 🙂

  198. That was so hard to choose just one…but I chose Just Wing It, already dreaming up a project, but best wait, I could use one from the book 😉

  200. Thanks for the chance of winning the book.
    As for the coming soon fabrics… Well, it's just impossible to choose one, the fewest I can do is 3: Countdown to Christmas, Alice's Wash Day Blues and Sherbet Pips 🙂

  201. I just love Laurel Burch's
    Holiday Celebration Yardage
    for Clothworks Fabrics! Her fabrics just make me so happy.

  204. Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry! I actually have a half yard set of his first bird themed line still waiting to be made into a quilt!

    Farm Fresh also looks really adorable! So much fabric, so little time and money!

    erincomptondesign (at) gmail (dot) com

  207. It's actually really hard to choose. Joel Dewberry's new Aviary 2 is first and then Kate Spain's Flurry line is second. But there are a bunch of great new fabrics coming out!

  211. There are a TON of them I am looking FWD to. BUT, if I have to choose 1, it would be Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry. Those woodgrains & colors are just too pretty to resist!

  217. Any and all of the Dr. Seuss fabrics! I'm already planning to make Christmas pajamas for the family out of the Grinch flannels.

  220. I wish that the line Heaven on Earth Batiks was available right now because it would be absolutely perfect for the quilt that I want to make my DH for his 60th birthday at the end of July!! Thanks for the chance to win this book – it looks awesome!

  224. Um, there were 16 collections I want! 🙂 If I close my eyes and point to one, it's Pleasantdale.

    But seriously – I just want them all.

    Looks like a great book!!!!

  225. Thanks for the chance of winning this great new book. I really want a Layer Cake (will be my first) of Sherbert Pips!

  226. I am sure that I could quickly – if I had the money – buy a minimum of ten sets! 🙂 But I think I would have to start with Choo Choo You because my boys don't often get fabric THEY like. 🙂
    This book looks wonderful! As a homeschooling mom to four I like fast and fun!
    Kori

  229. can't wait for "count down to Christmas" by Sweetwater! Thanks for the chance to win – and have a grand day Laurie

    llsbaskets(at)comcast(dot)net

  231. I've been thinking about refreshing my kitchen, and Cherry Fizz would be perfect. I also want to make a quilt using The Embroidered Garden.

  232. Wow, there are so many wonderful things "coming soon"! I am looking forward to the Sherbet Pips, but I also fell in love with the Kate Spain Flurry Quilt kit and The Grinch who stole Christmas fat quarter bundle!

  236. All that holiday fabric – yikes, am I behind again already?! Anyway – I really like all the batik lines that are coming in the nature inspired colorways, but I also really like the Forest Northwoods prints.

  243. So hard to choose, but I'm anxious to get Artful Home by Heather Mulder Peterson. Love the red, aqua and brown with a touch of black! Thanks for the chance to win the new book!

  244. I think Aviary 2 will make such a lovely, elegant quilt. And Sherbet Pips is simply so darling I just want to hug it–which makes it perfect for quilting, right? Those are my top two…I couldn't possibly choose between them.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

  245. One? I can't just pick one! :0)
    Aviary 2; Fa la la la la; Flurry; Hoo's in the Forest; Modern Workshop; Ready set Snow; Sherbert Pips; Silent Cinema; oh man, there are even more, I'm gonna need a new credit card for all of my favorites this spring!

  246. So many – but I am really in love with Farm Fresh by Riley Blake Fabrics at the moment. Coming soon I hope.

  250. There are so many lovely lines coming up and it's way too difficult to choose! Sherbet Pips or Modern Workshop would have to be at the top of my wishlist at the moment 🙂
    Thanks for the opportunity of winning Amy's fab book!

  260. My favorite line is "Hoo's in the Forest." Just so soothing when you look at it, plus I love the deer and the color.

  264. I'm anxiously awaiting Flurry and Isabelle so I can start Christmas stockings for my grandchildren. I'm also waiting for Strawberry Fields and Francesca. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!!

  265. Besides all of them, I would go with Embroidered Garden. I am in love with florals right now. This book looks awesome.

  268. Thanks for the chance to win. Browsed and found Heaven on Earth Batiks by Princess Mirah Design! Love the collection!

  271. Can't wait for the Grinch who Stole Christmas, Countdown to Christmas, and Flurry sarina at cottagecommunities dot com

  272. I like feed sack 2. This book is nice. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Cindy W
    cwcavy @ hotmail. com

  273. I think Modern Workshop is a match made in heaven for one of Amy's Modern Basics 🙂

  277. Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree definitely! Would love to join the BOM party offered by your shop for this one.

    Rita

  279. Look forward to Dutch Wedgewood; such gorgeous blue fabrics! Thanks for the Chance! hesabella(at)gmail(dot)com

  280. I love them all but the holiday ones are my absolute favorites. I'll go with O'Tinsel Tree by Robert Kaufman. It's very yummy. I love the holidays!!!!!!

  281. With the Civil War Anniversary this year I'm looking forward to Bancroft by Judie Rothermel. I love taking CW colors and using them in modern quilt patterns. It gives the quilt a unique in between look!

  284. I just can't choose one… so I put here couple; 'Grace' by 3 sisters, 'La La…' by French General, 'Bowood House' by Robyn Pandolph and 'Warm Memories' by Kansas Troubles Quilters. Thanks for the chance.

  294. Countdown to Christmas is my absolute favorite Christmas line. I'm also looking forward to Aviary 2. My favorite pattern is Jaybird Quilts Hugs and Kisses.

  295. Wow–hard to narrow down– so many cool new collections coming up. Moda faves are Kate Spain and Me and My Sister Christmas collections. Also like Shelly Comiskey's I love snow — nice to see brown and blue combo for winter.

    Amy's book looks great. Thanks for
    this drawing!!!

    Mary J.B

  296. I love the Bot Buddies. I have a 3 yr old son who is robot happy 🙂 That fabric is so cute, you can't help but giggle a bit 🙂

  297. so i finally saw the line saying to post what you liked from the coming soon page, but I can't find my first post so i can't delete it. I do like the Cherry Fizz fabrics. I can just see some quilted pot holders with cherry's on them in a red themed kitchen.