I was pretty excited to get Emily Cier’s new book, Quilt Remix, in the mail. I’ve drooled over her Carolina Patchwork patterns and knew this book would not disappoint. It just so happens that a few weeks ago I was able to meet her when she popped in to join the Seattle Modern Quilting Guild. As a newbie to Seattle, she will be a welcome addition to the Guild.
The first thing I noticed about a few of the quilts, such as the Ohio Star above, is that Emily has a talent for mixing fabric collections in her quilt designs. A definite skill I admire.
For those less confident with combining fabric, or limited in their fabric stash, she demonstrates how fabric collections can shine with the addition of solids. A great example is this Irish Chain, my personal favorite quilt design in the book.
Emily’s also got you covered when it comes to that coveted ‘layered cake’ collection you just don’t know what to do with. Several of the quilts in this book utilize them.
I love how each quilt is showcased twice to demonstrate how the pattern would look with a reversal of the prints and solids or by using different fabrics altogether. I also appreciated that the book includes designs for every skill level.
I think her fabric choices and designs speak to a modern quilter as well as a more traditional quilter looking for a less traditional quilt design.
I appreciate how some projects are clearly diagramed from crib to queen size.
The diagrams also make for easy fabric placement… just substitute your lights, mediums and darks.
All designs are old favorites with a twist on the settings- Log cabin, nine-patch, Irish chain, flying geese, pinwheel and more… All organized from beginner to advance.
I particularly enjoyed the Dresden Plate…
the Trip Around the World… (I love that Emily does one in solids!)
and how she reworks Trip Around the World with sweet, wee Japanese prints.
You’ll certainly be inspired by the quilting as well!
I thought it would be fun to get into the personality behind these designs, so I asked Emily a few questions.
Me: You recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, has this transition influenced your quilt designs in any new directions?
Emily: Ooh, good question. A lot of what I’m working on right now was designed in Raleigh. I have been playing with colors quite a bit and have noticed a drastic change there. Our home looks out onto Puget Sound and many of the colors that I’ve been putting into quilts could be colorpicked right out of the view — mellow and light color groupings (the grey sky, clouds, mountains, islands, water) with little splashes of color (passing boats, birds, cargo ships, bright blue skies, vegetation). Clean and calm. I have a feeling the quilt designs will go in that direction too.
Me: Do you have a favorite part of the quilt making process?
Emily: It’s a toss up between designing the layout and picking a color palette and sewing the last stitch of the binding and your project is complete. I enjoy the sewing and quilting parts as well. Basting is the most despised part of the process.
Me: Can you explain a bit about the evolution of your quiltmaking aesthetic?
Emily: I’ve never really been able to define my aesthetic — whether it be now with quilts, as a painter, graphic designer or art student in college. I basically draw what I like and if it turns into a quilt (painting, design, etc) that I love, then great! If not, it’s at least a cool drawing and I had fun sketching.
Every project starts out with simple shapes (and no color), merging them all together into a completed design. After the design is finalized, I match it up with the fabrics that are currently available — whether they be prints or solids.
Me: What’s next for Carolina Patchworks?
Emily: LOTS of fun stuff. Most of it is top secret at the moment though. I can say that I will have new patterns for Spring Market. The rest you’ll just have to wait and see.
Me: Can you tell me a bit about your relationship with your quilter Cathy and how you two come together in deciding the quilting design?
Emily: Cathy Kirk (http://www.quiltingcowgirl.com) is a local-before-we-moved-to-WA long arm quilter in Cary, NC. I got her name from a local quilt shop ages ago and she worked on a couple quilts for me then. When it came time to do the quilts for the book, I knew I wouldn’t have the time to do the quilting myself due to deadlines so I asked Cathy if she was interested. I showed her the drawings of the quilts and had picked out some long-arm designs that I liked. She quickly learned what I liked and was able to suggest other options as well. Her work is absolutely impeccable.
Leave a comment here for a chance to win a copy of this fabulous book!
Want a second chance win?
Head over to view Emily’s independent patterns and leave a comment here on your favorite.
and of course follow along:
January 11 (Tuesday) — Kathy Mack — pinkchalkstudio.com
January 12 (Wednesday) — Julie Herman — jaybirdquilts.com
January 13 (Thursday) — Ally Aller — alliesinstitches.blogspot.com
January 14 (Friday) — Rachel Griffith — psiquilt.com
January 15 (Saturday) — Heather Bostic — alamodefabric.blogspot.com
January 16 (Sunday) — Connecting Threads — connectingthreads.com
January 17 (Monday) — Deborah Moebes — whipstitchfabrics.com/blog
January 18 (Tuesday) — Cherri House — Cherryhousequilts.com
January 19 (Wednesday) — Kim Kight — trueup.net
I’d love to win this amazing book 😀
Thanks for the chance!
My favorite is the “Concentric” pattern 🙂
Enjoying seeing the new take on old designs in Quilt Remix, beautifully done & I’d love to win a copy!
Chris x
interesting to see the new take on old patterns.
So fun!! I love Discontinuity as well as some of the ones in the book I see glimpses of – like the Trip Around the World !! Awesome!
Looks like a great book! And to have her join your guild. A modern quilt sounds like so much fun and inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
I love Emily’s patterns and am a huge fan of her work. Great interview! I’m anxious to see what fun patterns she’s created for her book.
Wow! I’ve been considering purchasing this book for a while but after seeing your review I’m convinced, it is a must have! I really liked seeing some of the quilts that I had not seen showcased before. The irish chain and dresden “remixes” look awesome.
This book looks really interesting, and I love the crib-to-queen diagrams – genius! Thanks for the review (and for the giveaway!).
It’s a tough call on my favorite of Emily’s patterns, though I think I’d have to say that Twisted is my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway!
This book looks fantastic. I love the variety of designs and fabrics!
I think I need this book just for that trip around the world quilt!
Beautiful book. Fun patterns!
Looks beautiful! I love all the use of color! I’ve been drooling over her patterns for a while now too – can’t wait to see this book!
Thank you for the chance. Wonderful!
Looks like a great book, also enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
I really like the concentric. I have been wanting to get into the geometric designs. Great inspiration.
Wow, that books looks great!
I would love to win her book! Thank you!!!
Looks like a great book! Thanks for all the photos showing more details.
WOW, great book! Emily does lovely work!
I’ve always loved her quilts-looks like a fabulous book!
looked at Emily’s patterns and really like ‘You Can Call Me Al’. Lots of color and it’s really wonky (which I really like).
I would love to have a chance to win this book! I really like seeing quilts in more than one color way! Thanks and really enjoy the blog!
The book looks great – thanks for the chance to win! Nice interview questions too 🙂
Looks like a book full of good ideas. I’d be glad to take it off your hands!
Looks like an amazing book! I sure would love to win a copy. I love Carolina Patchworks too.
I think my fave pattern is #24, Twisted.
Look forward to more projects!
Thanks for the chance for the give away. It looks like a great book.
This book looks fantastic! I’d love to win a copy!!
But just in case I don’t I’m off to Amazon to put it on my wish list
I LOVE the look of this book!
Great interview too!!!
I have loved her patterns for a while… I think this book is a must-get! Thank you for showing it to us! 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win! It looks like a wonderful book:)
This book looks wonderful and so inspiring!
I love the Dresden Plate design! Looking forward to seeing the whole book.
The Trip Around the World quilt is so neat!
Looks like a great book. I love Emily’s Carolina Ptachwork patterns!
My favorite independent pattern of Emily’s is carbonated!
I absolutely love the ‘concentric’ quilt.
I’ve had my eye on this book ever since Emily started talking it up – I’d love to get my hands on a copy!
The twisted pattern looks awesome – it looks like it would play well with lots of different fabrics and backgrounds.
Thanks for the giveaway of a great looking book!
My favorite pattern is “Discontinuity”.
Oh, I’ve been drooling over this book. She did a great job!
My two fav patterns of hers are Modern Rose Garden and Mod Pod. Both of which I have and have yet to get to!
This looks like a very intriguing book. Thanks for a chance to win.
I love Emily’s ‘Blue Marble’ pattern. Such a lot of work.
this book looks amazing!
i think concentric is an amazing pattern. whoa, some great work!
I can’t wait to see this book…I love Emily’s patterns! Thanks for a great giveaway.
Fabulous quilts! The use of color is inspired. Can’t wait to see more during the blog tour!
I love her “Uptown Girl” pattern!
Great looking patterns. This looks like a nice book.
I’d love to own this book. I have several of Emily’s single patterns and have enjoyed those.
I’ve made the “plumber” pattern (Mario) and everyone ADORES is!
I don’t even have to go over to her blog to know which is my favorite of her patterns–Discontinuity! She’s got great designs, and I hope to meet Emily someday when I get to a SMQG meeting again!
I love this book before I’ve even read it 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
allisonbright{at}gmail{dot}com
thanks for the interview, and the chance, i see a lot of things i would like to try!
Oh, darn! The space I made on my bookshelf isn’t meant to last. This looks like a book I NEED to have. I do appreciate your reviews. You’ve pointed me in the right direction before, and now you have me headed on over to Amazon, again. Well, maybe I’ll wait long enough to see whether I win, or I celebrate someone else’s good luck.
The Irish Chain has really caught my eye. Lovely interpreration. Kathie L in Allentown
Of Emiily’s patterns, Carbonated is my favorite. Kathie L in Allentown
The book looks wonderful. Especially the reworked Irish Chain and the Around the World quilt. I can’t wait to play with those quilt designs!
Love that Trip Around the World in solids! I can easily see it in muted colors, too, like grey and white and lavender. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d love to win this delightful-looking book. Very clever new takes on traditional patterns.
Thanks for a chance to win!
Good interview – and thanks for the giveaway!
… and my fave of Emily’s other patterns is “intertwine.”
Many thanks on both your parts for the marvelous interview – really appreciate the insights into the entire process
Can’t wait to check this book out – so winning it would be even better!
That books look great! Love the quilts. Congrats on your book as well. Can’t wait to see it!
Okay, I have to admit … without your review of the book, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up myself. However, now that I’ve actually seen these quilts … Oh My Goodness!! They are gorgeous and I (gasp) might actually have a modern bent in this ol’ traditional quilty brain. Thank you for opening my eyes and brain to new possibilities!!
wow — I’d love to win all that inspiration!
Intertwine is gorgeous!!!!
Looks like a great book!
The “twisted” pattern looks really cool.
This would be a fun win as it would take me ‘out of my box’.
This book looks amazing! I’d love a chance to try out some of the quilts.
Oh and I really like Intertwine!
This book looks great! Thank you for the chance to win.
The book looks wonderful. I am glad it has all different levels included in it! thanks
I checked out the patterns at carolina patchworks also. I really love the twisted design.
Oh yeah! I’m loving this book. Thanks.
The Twisted really looks interesting.
I can’t choose my favorite, there are to many great designs. I love typography 101, concentric, twisted, discontinuity, blue marble, but the pixel/game quilts as well
I love the Irish Chain too!
This book has been on my wish list since I first heard of it. I like the fresh take Emily has on these traditional designs. Would love to win it!
I have been seeing this book all over blogland and loving it. I’d love a copy!
I have a hard time choosing my favorite pattern, but I think Discontinuity (followed closely by Concentric and Carbonated — probably b/c it’s so pink).
I have several of Emily’s patterns, but one I don’t have that I really like is Twisted.
looks like a great book!
That book looks both well-organized and inspiring. Thanks for the interview!
I love Walking on Broken Glass and this would work wonderfully well with so many fabric ranges.
I love the peek at the book – there are some really sensible looking instructions as well as cool patterns. Well done Emily
Very interesting!
Wow! The book looks amazing and you did such a wonderful interview! Thanks for the chance!
I love the fun shapes and colours in Emily’s pattern Carbonated!
This book looks great.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
But I wonder if it’s too advanced for me.
I like Twisted and Intertwine patterns.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
It seems to be a very interresting book! This Irish Chain looks great!
Greetings
Thank you for an inside look at this fabulous book! Can’t wait to get my hands on one!
What a great book! Would love to win a copy!
Wonderful!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love all of her patterns but I think I’ll say Twisted is my fav!
Wow!! That is all I can say after seeing those photos! I can’t wait to see the book in person!
Thanks for a chance to win it.
This looks like an amazing book. I really love the Irish Chain one.
Great modern quilt patterns….would love to win that book!
Discontinuity is pretty amazing – lots of fun to be had with different colourways too!
Neat ideas. Not too far afield. I love the mix of classic and modern. I like the Irish Chain. I would love to own a copy of the book.
Blue Marble is my definite favorite of the Independent Patterns!
I love discovering new books and designers through the various blogs. This looks like a really useful book and I love the designs showcased in this post.
I love Carbonated. Something about those big circles that is very cool.
WOW this looks like an amazing book! The Irish Chain has always been my favorite 🙂
My favorite pattern from her site is Cottage Maze.
Fabulous book! I can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
Wow! I can visualize making most of these quilts. Please enter me into the giveaway and thank you for the quilt remix tour.
Love so many of them, but the Carbonated quilt pattern always catches my eye! Would love to win a copy of Quilt Remix.
Those are fabulous! Love the solid Trip Around the World! Wowee!
Genevieve
Ohhhh, what an exciting book! Trip Around the World is awesome.
I like her “Porcelain” pattern! So pretty.
Genevieve
Just visited her site, and I think I’m going to have to have her Carbonated. Love it!
What an amazing looking book and one that surely could teach me a lot more than I know now. I’d love to win this. (along with everyone else of course. lol)
Thank you for the chance to possibly win.
I love how she sees her color and other prospectives change a bit now that she’s in another part of the country. I never thought about that possibility.
In looking at her other patters from the Carolina Patchworks site, I really LOVE Number 24 – Twisted. That’s such a fresh looking quilt with beautiful color choice of the red and aqua. That’s becoming my favorite color combination.
I have to agree Emily is amazingly talented at mixing fabrics. It is to be a must have book.
Oh my Plumber and the monkey is my fave I have to make this quilt for my son in law, he will love it!
That book looks amazing. I have so much appreciation for quilt books (and quilters!) like that which take into account all different skill sets. The different simple diagrams for crib, twin etc sizing is so helpful! Thanks for the chance to enter!
My favorite quilt from Carolina Patchworks site is “Concentric” as the geometry appeals to me. Thanks for hosting the book tour and giveaway.
Can’t wait to see the book!
What an awesome book…hope to win it. Thank you for the opportunity!!
Looks fabulous. I think those diagrams make it look easy to follow as well.
I like her porcelain pattern very much.
I like her porcelain pattern very much. Please count me in for this giveaway and thank you for sharing.
Very cool aesthetic! I’d love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway!!
The peeks at the yummy quilts has my mind working. I’d love to win this book – if not I may very well be buying it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I really like the Carbonated pattern. Lots of fun!
How wonderful! Thanks for the chance!
I’ve been following Emily for a while and love her designs. I can’t afford to buy her book right now…so here’s hoping I win a copy 🙂
I love this book! It looks like finally a truly modern quilt book for all levels!
I love the twisted pattern. I’m a huge fan of sleek lines!
Oh, I’d love a chance to win this book! Awesome quilts!!
I like her wacky log cabin pattern called ‘Off Your Rocker.’ I think it would be fun to make using my crazy stash of cat fabrics!
And I’d be hard pressed to choose between Discontinuity and Intertwine as my favorite pattern….
I really like this book! Thank you for the chance to win!
My favorite pattern is Porcelain. Thanks for a second chance!
Santa forgot to bring me this book from my list and I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance and the great interview.
My favorite is Mrs Roy G Biv which I bought a while ago and need to find the time and scraps to make it!
Gorgeous quilts – love her patterns!
I love her Super Mario pattern – so cute!
I am sooo intrigued! I can’t wait to learn more about Emily, her quilts and to win the book!!!!! I love her designs!
I love the Discontinuity pattern! I just discovered it last week and it is one of my favorites, I’d like to make it soon.
I’d love to win a copy of the book! Thanks!
What a refreshing take on tradition! Would love to browse that book. And I wonder if Cier once was Cyr? Unusual name…
It’s my husband’s so I don’t know too much about the background of it. I’ve heard that it might have been Czier at some point? It’s pronounced like Sears the department store but without the second ‘s’.
Thanks everyone for the compliments!
I like “Typography”!
Looks like a fabulous book – thanks for the sneak peek!
Several I spied that intrigue me: Golden Waves, Walk on Glass and Porcelan.
OK favorite pattern – I love Mod Pod, but I think You Can Call Me Al is my favorite!
Love this book. I hadn’t seen it before but I love what I’m seeing here.
Gosh, I saw several patterns I really liked! Porcelein is pretty .. as is Twisted … and Typography. Nice!
🙂 Linda
Looks like a Great Book! I would love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh, I’d love to win that book. I would make the Trip Around the World, that is hanging on the wall.
Mrs Roy G Biv is my favorite! I love it.
That book looks amazing! Is it available for purchase yet? Amazon only came up with an ecopy 🙁
Try the Carolina Patchworks shop. She had some there.
The image change a couple days ago to the ebook. I’m almost positive that it’s the actual book on amazon and not the ebook. Quite a few c&t titles changed images.
I just adore her “Caronated” pattern!
Actually, I meant “Carbonated”!
I LOVE the irish chain!
I love taking designs and making them into new designs.
I like primitive style, but my kids love modern, so fun to have new and contemporary ideas to play with.
Debbie
I liked the way the traditional blocks looked mixed up a lilttle. It lookes like a fun book.
I liked the Plumber and the Monkey. It made me smile!
How lucky are you to move to the Seattle area, we visited there in the summer of 2009 and love it! I would love to win the book, such cool looking patterns! Lisa in Texas
The quilts are beautiful and it looks like a great book. I need to make a dresden plate quilt. Soon.
i like Twisted – a nice cross between traditional and modern.
Love Carbonated! The colors are great too and of course they would be coming from Kate Spain.
Stunning! Thanks for the great post about this book.
Very nice quilt patterns, they are really fun. I’d love to see more of this book!
This book looks great. It’s different from a lot of quilt books, but not intimidating.
I really like “Concentric”. But, the pixel quilts look like something my son would love.
Remember how clever and fun Fractured Faerie Tales were, way back when? That’s how these pictures from the book make me feel!
Hmmm, I love the freedom of “Carbonated,” and the serenity of “Porcelain.”
OMG The book looks awesome. I need to get one now!
Discontinuity is my favorite pattern. Thanks for the chance to win.
There’s something a little twisted about Emily’s patterns that appeals to me!
Love these designs, it would be fun to win the book! I found her first at a local quilt shop in Yorba Linda CA, Fresh Picked Fabrics!
Intertwine caught my eye straight away, but then I saw Concentric and couldn’t decide which I liked best! Again, too many wonderful choices! The book looks fantastic and I’m hoping/planning to do more with my stash this year! Thanks
I adore funky fresh and new… and I like contemporary meets modern! This is a book that needs to be in my collection. Thank you for sharing!! <3
Discontinuity is my fav… <3
I love that trip around the world one! Awesome!
I looked at her website, and my favorite pattern there is discontinuity.
What a lovely giveaway and I can’t wait to see all the trip around the blog worlds
The pattern I like most is Carbonated. Oh what colors I’m not sure 🙂
that book looks wonderful
The book looks lovely!!
I can’t believe she has a pattern of the world!! That is so cool!! I also really like intertwine!!
I’ve made one of her patterns, they are well made.
The book looks fabulous!! If I don’t win I’m sure someone at my quilting group will buy a copy which I can borrow 🙂
I’d love to win a copy of this book 🙂
I love the look of Trip around the world, this book looks like one to add to the library. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I’m interested in quilting and started collecting some books, this looks like another one to have on the book shelf. I do like the idea of having diagrams showing different sizes and the trip around the world quilt is beautiful.
The books looks amazing; I’d love to win it.
Awesome giveaway! My favourite is the Alien Hoardes/Racecars pattern. How fantastic are Emily’s patterns.
Can’t wait to get this book! I’ll also be starting a Super Mario quilt soon 🙂
Looks like Emily has a very creative approach!
This book looks wonderful, thanks for sharing.
Intertwine caught my eye, I think I want to try that one, but don’t know what color.
Those patterns look so inspired!
I like the twisted pattern
Great in-depth & thorough review. thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
What a fantastic book. I really like the look of the dresden plate.
I’m really loving Emily’s larger-than-life remix of traditional patterns–what a wonderful time in history it is for us to be quilters!
I have a quilt book wish list and this one’s going to the top of the list!
Love that version of the trip around the world!
I love Emily’s concentric independent pattern!
I like Mod Pod!
Really interesting book – I’d love to win!
What a wonderful book! I’d love to win. 🙂
love the modern twists on quilt designs. fresh ideas are so needed in my sewing room!
What an exciting book!
love the intertwined pattern!
Everything old is new again. This book looks fantastic!
really cool to see a fresh take on traditional designs!
oops, I forgot to say that I’d love to win this book….and I’m very interested in the Irish Chain pattern.
Discontinuity looks like it would be my favorite! love the colors and the style!
I enjoyed your review of the book- it is very helpful to have the sizes charted like you said. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Looks like a great book
I do like the graphic nature of her pattern Intertwine
Drat! I was hoping the book was just ‘interesting’…but you got me with that ‘Trip Around the World’…beautiful quilts, gorgeous book!
‘Twisted’ is on my list to order! I love that pattern!
From what I’ve seen, I’d be most interested in making the trip around the world quilt. Thanks for the giveaway. Nice interview.
The book looks amazing! So fun to see traditional designs in a whole new way!
I like the Discontinuity pattern…great energy and movement.
this is such a fabulous book!
I’m excited by this book and it’s great value! Two different colourway photos of each quilt is amazing. I agree, the Irish Chain is superb. Thanks for hosting!
I like “Discontinuity”. I haven’t yet made a bento style quilt, but always love seeing them.
I would love to try that Trip Around the World! Fantastic!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this fab book. I like her concept of traditional patterns with a modern twist with modern fabrics. That is something I need help with and she is very inspiring. Liked your questions for her!
This doesn’t look like everyother book out there right now which is great for quilters looking to make something with more personality, thanks for the chance to win.
I’d love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!
I love Twisted. It’s such a fun quilt.
I’d love to win a copy of this book!
This book looks amazing, I love the fresh interpretations of classic patterns! Such inspiration.
My fav from what you showed in the book is Trip Around the World. Fun interview.
Oh my gosh this book like a must have!
thanks so much for a chance to win and I wish
Emily continued success.
Happy sewing
Zero One Zero appeals to the nerd in me. I also think Typography 101 would make a really cute baby quilt.
What a fabulous book! I’d love to own a copy.
This looks like a great book! Inspirational photos and diagrams … Thank you for the giveaway!
Great selection of patterns on Emily’s site. I love Discontinuity and Carbonated – great colours! Thank you again!