Monday, August 19, 2013

Semaphore Quilt Designed by Author Marie Bostwick


This month in the Quilters' Book Club, we're reading Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick.  And look what I found in the Fall 2013 Easy Quilts Magazine - this Semaphore Quilt designed by Marie!  You can read more about it here.

In the book, man character Mary Dell Templeton submits her original quilt designs fifteen times to Quilt Treasures magazine before she finally gets noticed (in a big way, I might add!) 

Marie was recently interviewed here. She responded to this question:  Many of your books incorporate quilting. Do you see similarities between this skill and the writing process? Also, how do you feel that the inclusion of this element enhances your stories?

"Oh, yes! When I make a quilt I’ve got to take all these little bits and scraps of different sizes, shapes, and colors, and make them come together into a beautiful and balanced whole – which is exactly what I have to do when I’m bringing together a disparate cast of characters with different personalities, needs, and desires and trying to blend them into a story that is entertaining and believable. And just as there is a lot of rewriting, editing, and cutting in the writing process, there is often a lot of ripping and re-sewing of raveled edges when you’re making a quilt.

"Nothing about it is easy. Sometimes it can bring you to tears and tempt you to say bad words. But, in the end, when you see the finished product, it all seems worth it.

"And, if you think about it, living life isn’t that much different – it’s just that the process takes longer. That’s why I think quilting works as a metaphor in so many of my books. Even non-quilters pick up on the larger picture. And as a practical consideration, quilting is a wonderful and natural device to bring together characters from all walks of life and all backgrounds, people who might not have had the opportunity to meet and become friends if not for their interest in quilting.

"As a quilter myself for more than a quarter century, I can attest to the truth of this. I have made so many, many dear friends through quilting."

 
Have you ever, like Marie Bostwick, had your quilt pattern published in a magazine?  Have you ever, like Mary Dell Templeton, submitted a quilt pattern for publication and been rejected?   Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  (If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.)

By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway of a fabulous prize pack containing Wedding Ring, Endless Chain, Lover’s Knot (first three books of the Shenandoah Album Series) and Mountain Away, all by Emilie Richards - courtesy of Harlequin!

Heads Up:  Our September book is The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs.  You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

21 comments:

  1. I haven't ever submitted a pattern for publication. I have modified the patterns of others for my own use. I'm sure computer aided design would make the process much easier than it was in the "old days."

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  2. Like Karen, I've never submitted a design but have modified others and do the same thing with smocking. I will take parts of different designs and put them together.

    Thanks so much for focusing on Marie's books! This has been great!!

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  3. I too will modify a pattern. I have created several patterns for my own use tho as I use them for my holding threads of memories quilts that I design for others from their loved ones clothing. Love Matie's books and her quilt guild group of ladies.

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  4. I seem to always make my own pattern or change one so much, it probably would be hard to recognize, but I have never submitted one to a magazine. I have, however, had pictures of my quilts published in quilting magazines a number of times.

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  5. No I have not. I have recently proof read and edited a new quilt book that is about to be released and that was exciting enough.

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  6. I have never submitted a pattern but alter some patterns to fit my needs. Thanks for asking

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  7. I've never submitted a pattern but have been a pattern tester. My mind boggles at the thought of submitting a pattern. I know that a lot of writers and quilt designers have to submit their stories, whether it is in fabric, paper or digital, but I'm not sure that I could handle the rejection. Who knows, perhaps I'll find out one day. After all, I never thought I'd be able to quilt or be a pattern tester either.

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  8. For years I rarely strayed far from the original pattern...right down to color choices! Now that I have plenty of experience I am always changing things up a bit. I've never submitted a pattern and my chicken scratch notes during construction wouldn't get anyone very far in the quilt making process!
    I do enjoy your blog...almost daily!

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  9. I have been a tester. Once for grandson I had to draw the pattern from a picture of a quilt that he liked. He told what colors he wanted and where they went. It was a challenge but I was suggestive.

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  10. I have made a few Quilts for classes -made of my choice of blocks to teach new beginners- never did send in to a magazine though. Enjoy your blog and quilt blocks

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  11. No and no. I published a photo on my blog once of a mug rug I made in an original design and one of my blog readers heartily encouraged me to send it in to a magazine. I didn't though. Too shy, too afraid of rejection, too busy...

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  12. I just finished reading Marie Bostwick's first book, the one about Cobblestone Court Quilts. Loved it! I read all about this one on the blog hop, but didn't realize there was a quilt in that magazine, too. I have had articles in quilt magazines, but I haven't submitted designs. I have a friend, not a big name quilter, who submits to every single 100 Block issue, and she's been accepted 3 times, so it's worth doing! dezertsuz at gmail

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  13. No to both questions & I admire those with the talent to design & write.

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  14. Like so many, I have not submitted anything to a magazine. I do at times go a little afield of a pattern.

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    1. I email commenters, but you are a no reply commenter, so I don't think you'd receive my email. I haven't ever submitted anything to a magazine either. I often combine patterns of others or adjust them to fit my own tastes.

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  15. Since we are talking about patterns and such, I was asked to tell about being a pattern tester. I occasionally test patterns for The Quilt Pattern Magazine. It's a great online magazine, and while you do pay for a subscription, it is very reasonable and is packed with patterns. It comes out monthly. The reason I am saying this is because they are always looking for pattern testers. I didn't think I could be a tester since I am new to quilting but they love to have people from all levels (beginners to Advanced) test their patterns. Sometimes the beginners actually find errors that the more experienced do because they don't automatically "fill in the missing instructions". If anybody is interested in being a pattern tester for them, go to:

    http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/contact.php

    and contact them. They are great people and I've learned a lot since doing the patterns. You get to pick which patterns you want to test and you keep the finished products. Check them out.

    Oh yes, this was posted here by permission from Starwood Quilter as well as the Quilt Pattern Magazine.

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  16. I have never submitted anything to a magazine; still consider myself a beginner and tend to follow the pattern when I'm working. I have noticed when taking classes that I tend to be more interested in the design process especially when the basics include designing/piecing your basic fabric, cutting that up, and creating a design from that.
    Thanks for the tip on being a pattern tester, Bonni. Sounds interesting!

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  17. Love Marie's unique quilt! I have never submitted a pattern, just modified like others. Thanks go to lisa for proofreading patterns & those who would help Quilt Pattern Magazine. So many times a pattern is not technically correct. One time I had to track down the author/designer of a book of patterns, and she actually called me back - twice - to clarify things. I really appreciated that!

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  18. No to the above questions, but, I made some fabric flowers for the LQS when they re-opened several years ago. The flowers were pretty popular, so, they asked me to make a pattern for them. They even paid me. Woohoo! I've seen much better flower patterns since then. I still have a copy of that pattern here somewhere. Not the best, but, it was fun, and a good learning experience. I usually just draft patterns for myself (by hand).

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