Love that granny smith sweater! And ooh, I can testify to the loveliness of those cookies (I made them here, along with Megan's lovely green tea cookies -- check those out, too! So yummy and super easy to make, both!

Isn't the Weekender Bag divine? I just bought the pattern and fabric to make one! My first impressions of the pattern are that it is very well written and easy to understand. The instructions aren't complicated at all. I was surprised to see that the pattern only included 4 pattern pieces! The hardest part about sewing it is going to be stitching through 1/4" thick (approximately) layers of fabric. The Timtex stuff that the pattern calls for is like cardboard.

Oh my, the Amy Butler bag is fabulous. Also, from someone who learned to sew a long time ago and is just picking it back up *thank you* for the link, because I didn't know they sold cute patterns like that. Honestly. I'm still stuck in the days of McCall patterns in the back of Joanns.... (which probably explains why I dropped sewing in the first place :)

I have the Denyse Schmidt book - I was getting the whole quilting bug too. It is an amazing book! I am not sure if it is a good place for a beginner to start, but I give it high marks for the inspiration it provides!

Great to see Megan and Melissa's awesome creations too! ;) *love them*

Oh, that Weekender Bag is COOL. Have you seen this? http://sewiknit.blogspot.com/

All those great links are seriously decreasing my productivity at the office. That cardigan is AMAZING, the cookies sound delicious...I could go on and on. Thanks for sharing your fabulous finds!

I'm a beginner starting with the Denyse Schmidt book. It seems OK to me so far--although I think I've probably chosen the easiest design to start with (Flock of Triangles). My one complaint is that they only list size/fabric requirements for the "crib" size quilt--to make a larger one you need to do the math yourself, and let's just say that I've been back to the fabric store a couple of times already!

If you want to give it a try without buying the book, instructions for the Flock of Triangles are online: http://www.thefabricofourlives.com/HomeDecorating/DenyseSmidthTrianglesQuilt/

Heehee - I was going to suggest Sew? I Knit! - we're making bags! And I've made a couple Amy Butler bags and her patterns are very well written - you'll be fine. Denyse Schmidt quilts - I'm making one this summer - I promise. We're thinking about quilts down the road for Sew? I Knit!

wait, are you telling me that Purl has a quilting store? Do I need to drive up to NYC right now?

Having made Amy Butler's nappy bag, and a sloppy seamstress on my best days, her patterns are some of the clearest out there and it's easy to visualize how the item comes together as you're working. Go for it.

I have seen the fabled Purl patchwork store and it is as fabulous as you would imagine - stay away unless you are ready to obsess over a new hobby! Although also go now before it gets too crowded. Gorgeous! Now if only I could sew...

I just treated myself to Denyse Schmidt Quilts. :) It's a gorgeous book and full of smaller projects that get you in the swing of cutting, piecing, and sewing; I've heard that Bill Kerr's Modern Quilt Workshop is actually more informative, but I liked the projects in the Denyse Schmidt book more. Also, if you don't already have a rotary cutter and a self-healing cutting mat, get these guys from your local craft store post-haste! They're AMAZING.

That cardigan is adorable!!

Is Purl the place that is the cafe/ LYS? If so, I was calling it Point all weekend and wondering why the people at 411 couldn't find it..

The new Purl store is yet another reason why it is (probably) good thing I'm no longer down in the village every day - talk about temptation! So many opportunities for more hobbies!

I will vouch for Amy Butler patterns. I have made a few nappy bags to great acclaim. The directions are clear. The pattern pieces are simple and printed on heavy stock paper. I also have the Denyse Schmidt book, which is very inspirational although I have yet to make anything from it.

I too am a beginner armed with the Denyse Schmidt book! It's a beautiful book. I started small with the Heating Pad Cover and it came out so cute! Also bought the Amy Butler Swing Bag pattern last weekend, along with some delicious Japanese fabric, at the new Purl store. That store is going to leave me penniless and surrounded by miles of fabric!

I just wanted to say hello. I read your entries every day, often on the sly at work, and I never get a chance to pitch in my 2 cents. We're always on the same aesthetic wavelength and I really appreciate the mellowness of your blog.

I hope that comes as a compliment, I just find a lot of them to be overly technical or ranty, etc. Yours is balanced, fun and beautiful. Thanks!

That Granny Smith cardigan is divine. And I am VERY EXCITED about the lamp. Can't wait to see it in action.

Yet another beginner who just got the Denyse Schmidt book here. The small projects are a lot of fun and great for a beginner (such as myself) I think, but I've also kinda jumped the gun and started on my own version of "Any Way You Slice It," which is probably much easier than it looks (as long as you cut rectangles, not squares like I did) . Well, at least making the blocks is easy so far....
BTW, where is the Purl quilting shop?

Good stuff...good stuff indeed. I really, really like the Granny Smith Cardiga, must bookmark that baby. And ironically I've been looking for flax recipes since I recently bought a bag of flax meal, the cookies look sweet! (no pun intended).

If you want to be bitten by the quilt bug again go over to
http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/ for some great quilts. You'll also find yourself making one of her cute freebie toys before you know it too.

Great job on the lamp. I also live in an old, very much in need of repair brooklyn browstone. I'm always tempted to fix things until I realize, hey I don't own this place.

Hi from another knitter who has succumbed to the pull of quilting. I'm planning to venture into quilting with the Denyse Schmidt book as a starting point. I just got my copy of the book and really like it. There are small projects to build one's way up to making a full quilt. The directions, for the most part, are clear enough that I can mentally picture how they would work. There are also a lot of photos to help you along the way.
I love the Amy Butler bag too but was scared off by the list of supplies it required (I don't know what even half of them are). However, everyone seems to be very positive on her patterns...hmm, maybe I should reconsider.

as far as quilting beginners, go with strait lines and fast(ish) completion. I've only made one quilt with the aid of my mom (master crazy quilter who has been doing this for over 25 years) and even if your like me and your only skill is sewing in a strait line as long as you stick to simple shapes you can pull it off

thanks for the link to my site! glad you like it :)

I'm thinking about picking up quilting, my mom has left behind trunks and trunks of squares to be made into quilts and I want to do it! If you figure out a good beginner guide, do share!

glad to hear you like the cookies - i just made a batch this morning when my friend stopped by for i visit. even with very little groceries in the house, i always have the ingredients for cookies... and they take no time to whip up!

I know that MAKE Workshop (www.makeworkshop.com) on Chrystie Street has done quilting workshops with Denyse Schmidt as the instructor. That might be a good place to start.

Update: MAKE is organizing a field trip to DS's quilting studio in Connecticut. The next available trip will be on June 10, cost is $180 for the day.

We're on the same page! I JUST bought the amy butler weekender bag with some trepidation AND the denyse schmidt quilt book. I have also been away from sewing for a verrrrry long time and I wonder I'm jumping in to deep!

ugh! sorry about the insanity of that last comment. it SHOULD read:
"I have also been away from sewing for a verrrrry long time and I wonder IF I'm jumping in toO deep!"

Too excitable, I guess.