I signed on to write this book almost 21 months ago. 21 MONTHS!!! It’s a long process. And literally the day I signed the contract I found out I was pregnant. :)
Luckily the people at C&T Publishing were fabulous and let me drag the process out a little bit longer. I’m convinced that the best time to write a book is while pregnant…that pregnancy flew by!
All of the projects in the book are beginner friendly, simple, and usable. I wanted a quilting newbie to be able to pick it up the book and make anything from it.
The hardest part for me in the whole process was the photography. I had initially said no-way to taking the photographs myself…because I knew it would be hard. But after some convincing I gave it a go.
In hindsight I learned a lot, and I’m glad I did it…even though there were many tears shed during the process (like when I took 100 pictures in the wrong format!).
By the end of taking pictures I was bribing my kids left and right. They probably had sugar highs for a month after all the treats I gave them. Luckily they were very patient with me (and very easily bribed).
A Mom’s gotta do what a Mom’s gotta do.
There are 14 quilt projects + one pillow project + one quillow (a quilt that folds into a pillow!).
7 of the quilt projects come with multiple size options so you can make them in a baby, crib, or twin size.
All of the projects can be made in a weekend…or a day if you’re a crazy-pregnant-sleep-deprived-mom hopped up on M&M’s and Sugar Babies.
I have to give a big huge thank you to the people at C&T Publishing and Stash Books. They are an amazing team with amazing editors and designers who made the process go smoothly.
The book is available on amazon…and also might be at your local quilt shop!
You can see another book post with more project photos here.
Erin
Congrats! It looks like a beautiful book. I can't wait to get my hands on it!
tabbiegirl
Congratulations, Allison! What an accomplishment! Everything looks adorable (as usual)! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of your book.
Rhona
It looks amazing. I was excited to get my pre ordered copy yesterday then I got an email from Amazon (UK) saying they hadn't received them from the supplier yet so I'll now only get it towards the end of the month. Aargh!!
Jenny
Congratulations! Your photography is beautiful, esp the little girl against the hot pink wall. Lovely! I did get kind of sweaty just looking at the baby on the changing table, but I am going to assume there was a hand *right there*, just cropped out. :) And the quilt is wonderful!
This looks like a great book!
Chris S
It looks like a must have book!
Sally Evans
Love your beautiful quilts. I've just bought the car fabric in the last photo (it's called Toot Toot!)so perhaps I REALLY need to buy the book to go with it?!
EmileeHope
Congrats! It looks like a great book! Kuddos for doing all the photography...that is a big job! Please tell me you sent out the quilts to be made by others at least!?! Love your work!
Joy Manoleros
Congratulations!!! I think you have it wrong - the best time to be pregnant is when you're writing a book! ;)
Jocelyn
Congratulations Allison! I'll be hopping over to Amazon to pick up a copy. Thanks for making the projects suitable for beginners! I love so many of your patterns for that very reason. And your instructions and illustrations are clear & easy to understand.
allison
Yep Jenny there was a husband there ready to pounce if she got near the edge of that changing table! ;) I worried someone might think I left her there!
Debbie Leschisin
I have a few of your patterns and love them. The new book is quite an accomplishment. Guess my quilting book library is going to grow again!
Iclal Bicer
çok şirinler ellerinize sağlık. :)
http://dantel-yap.blogspot.com/
Melissa Corry
You did fantastic with the pictures!! Your wee ones are so adorable!!! Great job!!! And the quilts look just fantastic!! Congrats Allison!!
Happy Cottage Quilter
Congratulations!! The quilts look fabulous!! I love the colors.
SewSara
You are my hero!!!!
Grandmasewnsew
What great photos and wonderful quilts! Am going to order the book now!
Gale, Ky quilter
Love it! My niece is new to quilting and loves modern quilts. Sounds like a great present for her. And, your photos are gorgeous!
Mary on Lake Pulaski
Congratulations! I see a lot of quilts I need to make!
Biff
Congratulations - it looks a fab book. I love the giant log cabin quilt in the changing table photo. I need to make a quilt for my baby girl and this one is shouting out to be made :) Can't wait to get my hands on your book!
Mary Grace McNamara
Well a hearty congratulations to you on both the book and the beautiful baby! All those quilts are gorgeous and all your photos are just stunning! I'm sure it helped to have such good looking models to go with your good looking quilts!
Nice job all around!
MGM
the mrs
Boy! A talented quilter, pattern maker, new fabric designer, and now an author too (not to mention a momma of three little ones). You are one talented lady. Congratulations!!
Di~
It looks WONDERFUL! can't wait to see it. You've done a great job! Give yourself a pat on the back and kiss that little one for me! :)
Beth
Congratulations on your book. Love the Lego Quilt and the Log cabin best.
Marina
I allready ordered your book last week with Book Depository in Great Britain! I could not wait till my holidays in July when we are going to USA again!
Hope to see the book in a few weeks ;-)
Greetings from the Netherlands
Marina Fluit
Calli Makes Do
Congratulations Allison! It looks wonderful. I can't wait to see it!
Joyce
Your quilts are almost as beautiful as your children...lovely photos!
Carie
Congratulations, it looks fabulous!
Amanda Murphy
Congratulations, Allison! The book looks beautiful!
Mel @ Heart and Homemade
What a lovely book, clever Allison! Congratulations!
Carly R.
Congratulations! I can't wait to get the book. I found my first sewing project on your site just a few months ago, the spoke pillow. I made two, one for each of my daughters. The instructions were wonderful and i know this book will be awesome.
gale
I love the preview pics. I'll have to put it on my wish list.
trish
A very big congrats to you Allison!! :o)
I love your pictures! All those projects look like so much fun! I can hardly wait to order your book. :o) Side note : I used m & m's to potty train both of our children and everyone was happy! :o)
Southern Gal
that's great! I love that it's for newbies, too. I need all the help I can get. ;)
ThirdMargaret
Congratulations! This book looks wonderful. I can't wait to see it in person.
Carla
So I am ordering this after work. How precious! I laughed out loud at your little Sophie ; )
Caaaa-ute!
meli B
Beautiful post, beautiful children and what looks like a beautiful book.
Anita
I bought my copy of your book last Friday from Chapters/Indigo online (pre-order) so I cannot wait for it to come in the mail! :D
life in red shoes
You have done a wonderful job with your book! The fabric, patterns, prints, and the pics, your kiddos are just darling :)
I have always found your tutorials easy to follow, and I am instructionally impaired!
Take a bow, no really, TAKE A BOW!
Valerie
We just got your book into the shop where I work (Quilter's Way). I honestly think its the best baby/kids quilting book I've seen in ages! Good work!
Gerri
How exciting. Congrats on your book. Tbe quilts look cute as do the kids!
Sewing Mom
Congrats to you! the photos look amazing...your children are beautiful...and treats are nice once in a while anyway. =)
Nell
Congrats! This looks like an awesome book. I'm off to check out book depository!
marilyn
Congrats on your book. It looks amazing. I'm adding it to my birthday list :)
Lisa Lisa
Congratulations! Will definitely check with my local quilt shop to see if they're carrying your book. Your photography is amazing!
needle and nest
Congratulations! Your photography is amazing and I'm awe that you did it all yourself! Well done! And, of course, your projects are gorgeous! I'm betting you'll sell a lot of copies. :)
Mimi
Beautiful book, children and photography!! Congratulations!
leanne
LOVE your photos - can't wait to see the book - big congratulations :)
Andrea
I can't wait to get my hands on this book. I'm very impressed with the photos you took-beautiful work! Seeing pics of your daughter make me sooooo miss that baby stage (my daughter was born a few days before yours), but I have to say, isn't this age they're at now just so.darn.cute!!! Love it!
Andrea
I can't wait to get my hands on this book. I'm very impressed with the photos you took-beautiful work! Seeing pics of your daughter make me sooooo miss that baby stage (my daughter was born a few days before yours), but I have to say, isn't this age they're at now just so.darn.cute!!! Love it!
yeissen
Congrats!!!! How exciting!!! I just ordered my book from Amazon and so glad I did... There's only 2 left in stock!!! :)
Can't wait to get it and start my next project!!! Woohoo!!!
Melanie
Love all the photos! I need to order this book...a little Mother's Day gift to me :)
CraftyGal
Congrats on the amazing book...I bought it last week as an E-Book and love it!!!!
Darice
Yeah! That's what I'm talking about! :o) Great job Allison!
Darice
Darice
Yeah! That's what I'm talking about! :o) Great job Allison!
Darice
vwestermeyer
What a beautiful book! And I'm inspired to try another quilt (even tho after my first one I swore never again!)
Pam
Congratulations! Love your photos of your quilts and children. They are beautiful!
jaimie
Hi,
Very nice pictures and lovely blog.
I follow your blog. Great quilts you made.
Proficiat on making the book !
Greetings, Jaimie
SuperMomNoCape
Congratulations! I love reading news like this. And your kids are adorable. You did great taking photos.
Helen L
Lovely and fun looking quilts: need the book now!! (Darn you!!)LOL!
And your kids are beautiful!! Your older daughter is going to be a heart-breaker: your hubby better be getting the gun ready when she starts to date!! Congrats on all the pretty things you have made! :-) Hugs, H in Healdsburg
Judith Blinkenberg
I love the book and it's in at Fat Quarter Shop! I got notice the other day. I plan on getting this wonderful book. Thank you so much for the simple quilts. What an opportunity for us newbies and Thank you
Chrissie
I'm a newbie to quilting and this will be on my shelf faster than you can say "Amazon one-click!" The designs look amazing - easy enough for a beginner without looking like they are for the inexperienced. Thank you, and congrats, especially for managing to do this with baby-brain! Chrissie x
Diane-crewe
who cares how long it took when it looks so wonderful? Well done xx
Teje Karjalainen
Congratulations for making a fantastic book! Your photos are beautiful, fun and adorable!
Little Miss Spider
Congratulations on this wonderful book!
Lynda
Congratulations Allison. All of the quilts and pillow are beautiful.
Pat
Congratulations on your book and your beautiful children. I think the photos look great and the kids were great models. You have a beautiful family and good luck on your new book.
Gene Black
Congrats on the book! The photos look amazing. I would have thought they were done professionally.
Rochester Modern Quilt Guild
Congrats! I love the rainbow log cabin quilt!
Jeneta
Your photos are fantastic! What a wonderful achievement (amazing that you did it while pregnant and beyond!). I look forward to getting my hands on your book!
Jeanenne Nielsen
The book looks great. Congratulations. You did great.
Cindy
Congratulations! I love your patterns so I know I'll love your book! Great job on the photography and what beautiful pics of your kids! That last photo is just too precious!:)
Cindy
haha- that last photo is precious too but I was talking about the smile on your little girls face!:)
LauraC
It looks like a beautiful book. You have beautiful children- I especially love your ice cream balloon caption over the picture of you Congratulations on the book.
Jenny
I can't wait to get my hands on this book! I am expecting my first child in August and this book will be the perfect inspiration to get busy sewing!
Patchwork Penguin
I'd get this book just for the pictures of the kids!!!! They are so cute.
Congrats!
Shirley
Your book looks amazing and congrats on the awesome photos too! Looks like a great book to add to my quilt library and love that you included different sizes for some of the quilts!
Patricia Lessell
I know I'm number 76 but I HAVE to have this book it looks just totally awesome. And your picture taking is awesome.
kitty
Congratulations Allison!! The book looks amazing. I ordered it straight away!! Your kids did a wonderful job!
Stephanie Zito
Hurray! Congrats Allison! I'm so happy for you and me lol! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of your book!
LivingVintage.etsy
Wonderful! You gave birth to two babies. Congrats.
DebbieS
Congratulations! I love the rainbow log cabin quilt and great job on the photos.
kathy-o
completely full of sweetness! Congratulations! And the photos - very professionally done! Can't wait to get my fingers on it!
linda stevens
You sold me! Looks like a great gift idea for my daughter, but I gotta have my own copy too!
Anna
I want a copy!!! it looks amazing and man, I am so so impressed with you, all that while pregnant and having kids and everything else on top of that! wow wow. gold star for you. :)
Melissa
Congratulations! And I think the sugar highs were totally worth the simply adorable pictures!
Anne
Congrats. What a very special memory for your children to be a part of such a project done by their mom. The photos are amazing.
Kim
Amazing, Allison! I just bought a sewing machine so I am going to get your book! :)
Cecilia
Congratulations! I will be getting your book for sure! I love the ones you showed in your post.
Sarah Craig
What a fabulous looking book, Allison! Congratulations!! And if your blog pictures are any indication, you did an impressive job with the picture-taking!!
Handmade by Hanki
Congratulation! I can't wait to see the book! I love your style and photos looks amazing!!!
Lauren Deel
I love your work and am now so excited to get so many wonderful projects in print form. Many congrats!
Colleen Potter
yeah, what they said...
but arrrrgh amazon.ca doesn't have it yet.
A Quilter's Mission - Vicki
You are truly a 'girl friday'! It looks to me like you can do it all. Mommy, photographer, writer, quilter and everything else that you do. CONGRATS!!!
rebecca
It looks lovely....I'm thinking that maybe some photography tutorials for taking pictures of quilts should be added to your arsenal ???
CJ
How exciting! Congratulations!
Franziska
another book on my always growing list. I think I'll have to purchase it soon. Congratulations.
Erica Toole
I bought your book as soon as it came out. I loved all of the beautiful pictures and quilts you had chosen for the book. Great Job and Congrats!
craftygoods
The photos are great! I'll definitely pick up your book after seeing these. Congratulations!
mindingmomma
the quilts look amazing! congratulations on your book
kendascrafts
congratulations! The quilts (and your kids) look beautiful!
Esther F.
Congratulations on your book! The projects are superb, and the pictures are FAB!!!
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
Libby
Congratulations on your book ~ Beautiful quilts and kids ~ Love it~
senoraresources@msn.com
Stacy
What a great accomplishment! Congratulations! I'll be picking up this book soon!
Boo McCready
I love everything about this post! The quilts, babies and book!
Jeanne W.
Congratulations! It looks just beautiful!!
Cheryl Arkison
I think I found out I was pregnant nearly the same day as signing my last contract too. We are two insane peas in a pod.
You did a great job with the photography and I can already tell I need that pillow/book holder project on my to-do list!
Jenny G
Congratulations! You are awesome.
Liv
Looks amazing will definitely be buying this one!
Sara
Congrats! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book! You do amazing work.
Margo
Thought I was going to have to wait weeks for this ( I'm in the uk) but yah for kindle, got it in an instant. Gorgeous book, can't wait to get started.
TADVR
You Go Girl! Your kids are adorable, and thanks for the inspiration
Nurdan
I have bought the kindle version as soon as it became available. Now making the raw edge circle quilt and loving it! all the projects are just so much fun!
Kaitlin L
Congrats on the book! I will have to check it out! I love my quillow that I made back in elementry school. They are awesome and I love giving them for gifts! So glad you included it in your book :)
Kelly Simonsen
I preordered mine from Amazon back in April and was so excited to get it but it hasn't shipped yet. Boo to them! I can't wait to get my hands on it, it looks so beautiful from your little sneak peak!
Lisa E
The quilts are beautiful. Your kids are beautiful. Your photos are beautiful. Great job!
Lisas Mom
This looks like a keeper, can't wait to check it out next time I'm at my LQS. Congratulations!
Natalia from Piece N Quilt
It looks darling! I have got to pick up a copy soon! I can totally relate to being pregnant while writing a book, and I agree that it makes the pregnancy go by super fast! :)
Barbara Konkle
Oh my goodness! I had no idea this was your book! I put it on my wish list after my recent pregnancy! I have been out of the quilting world (pregnancy was not easy this time) and I am jumping back to it. This is a must have now! :-)
Little Star Cottons
Wow - always love your quilts so I'm excited about a whole book of them. My youngest is 5mths today so it's perfect timing he "needs" a new quilt (he has 4) but I've got some new fabric !!!
Claire Jain
The book looks amazing!!! Congratulations :-D
Robyn Marginson
The post has just arrived with your wonderful book filled with inspirations for quilts I may never have time to sleep again!!!!
Highly recommend pre release purchase from Amazon..pretty good timing to get here to Sydney Australia I think!!!
Sew Create It - Jane
Congratulations! It looks like a brilliant book and the photography is top notch! Well done!!!
Sara
I received your book for Mother's Day and it is beautiful! I am so excited to make some quilts!
Lindsay Conner
Must-have book and just look at that timing! :)
thea
I had put your book on my wishlist and my daughter got it for me for Mother's Day. I love it. I'm in the middle of the stacks quilt and there are some other projects I want to make from it. Thanks!
lisa gonzalez
I saw your book at the library - it was so wonderfully done that I just purchased a copy for myself. Thank you very much for such fabulous modern and fresh ideas.
Allison
Oh how fun! I'm so glad you like it and thank you!!