Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to review. But as always, all opinions expressed here are 100 % my own.
Review: Step out with Tangle Stitches
Jane Monk is the teacher we all wish we had growing up, in that whatever the challenging subject, she would inspire us to master it. With her new book, Tangle Stitches: For Quilters and Fabric Artists, you’ll feel as if Jane is sitting down with you for a tutoring session on stitching. The premise of her book seems obvious after the fact: she combines Zentangle and needle and thread. Need a way to relax? Hand stitch some Zen. Always been afraid of free motion quilting (FMQ) on a domestic machine? No more with her expert guidance. Afraid to draw? She’s confident you can do it.
In the first part of the book she gives you tools you’ll need, techniques to be successful (such as ways longarm quilters can modify Zentangle for custom work) and patterns for practicing your new skill. The 41 tangle patterns include step outs, these are diagrams for achieving the Zentangle design. The second part of the book includes 10 projects you can stitch using the Zentangle patterns provided in section one. My favorite happens to also be on the front cover, “Pincushion With a Twist”, with instructions on page 71.
Quilters generally fall into 2 categories, those who get more joy from creating the tops and those where stitching is the supreme motivator. With this book, Jane may win the former into the fold of stitching heaven.
Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of this book
The publishers have also given me a book to give away to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. To get a chance to win, leave a comment on this post and tell me the last time you drew something freehand as a creative endeavor and why. It’s okay if it was in grade school.
Contest ends October 4, 2014. Only US and Canadian entrants eligible due to shipping costs.
I actually picked up a Zentangle book from the library about three weeks ago and tried my hand at some little 3″ squares. They were rather soothing and a great size to doodle on with being overwhelmed by all that white space on a sheet of paper. Thank you for a great giveaway.
I drew something freehand just before reading about this contest: a Zentangle-decorated envelope for a note I wrote to our son who is moving to a new city and a new chapter in his life.
I draw something nearly every day. I’ve tried zentangle and it is calming. I’ve wanted to try it on my quilts, but haven’t yet. This could be the time! Thanks for a chance to win what looks like a very interesting book.
Most of my drawing is “thinking on paper” to plan other projects and is usually of the quick and easy “Pictionary” variety where only I know what I have drawn. I am fascinated by Zentangle, though – and want to start.
I love to piece tops, but have always been reserved when it comes to quilting. I’m a stich-in-the-ditch or crosshatch on straight lines person. This subject gives you the opportunity to produce some small free hand quilted projects. I’m definitely going to try this out and see if I can grow to larger projects.
Having always been a stick figure artist, I’m intimidated by drawing and haven’t tried Zentangle yet. I am definitely one who prefers piecing tops but would like to “join the fold of stitching heaven.”
I have been drawing free motion quilting designs. This would be a great book for giving me some additional ideas! Thanks for the review.
I tried some Zentangle a couple of months ago. I watch videos of it and want to do more. It looks like a great book. I make a lot of baby quilts but never do any free motion quilting on them.
I know I’ve drawn things here and there with my kids. They are all better artists than I am!
Funny, I was just saying to my husband over the weekend that I couldn’t remember the last time I drew. I try to doodle free motion quilting designs whenever I have a chance but I am still learning on my machine.
I usually draw my designs as a freehand sketch first. I do draw frequently. This book looks wonderful.
I love to cross stitch and just finished a pumpkin piece that I drew freehand first.
Do knitting charts count? I’ve drawn them freehand so to speak. Otherwise it’d be some quilt squares I sketched once upon a time. : )
I’ve done a little freehand drawing just this past week. I needed to come up with a figure to wood burn. I’ve done a little zentangling and quite a bit of doodling. 🙂
This book looks fabulous and I’ve been searching for some stitching to do to relax after work. Thank you for the chance to win a copy! The last time I drew was just a few days ago. It was more of a doodle but relaxing none the less.
I’ve been dabbling in Zentangle for the last year or so, so very mediative. Sketched a face on receipt for waitress yesterday.
Does doodling while on hold count as drawing? It can make interesting designs that I have often thought of turning into stitching.
I draw patterns all the time to use as embroidery patterns for pillowcases or quilt blocks. I love embroidery, it is good for hand exercises and I get something beautiful in the end.
Sadly, I am all pinkies when it comes to drawing. I’ve given up- my stick men have stick heads. But I enjoy quilt tops… I drew lopsided boxes when I planned a quilt from small panels.
I drew a funny cat to embroidery on a book bag for my friend’s daughter’s birthday. And I am not an artist in any sense of the word. Would love to win the book. Thanks
My last freehand drawing would have happened yesterday. Not that anyone would want to copy it though. I just love my own work but none of it would be worth publishing.
My freehand drawing probably ended in kindergarten. I fall in to the piecing of quilt tops group. I live several months in a RV so Zentangle sounds interesting and do able with my life style.
Its been a long while since I actually drew something completely freehand. Often, I find an image to use as a template, then add my own details freehand as needed.
I love the idea of this book. Thanks for another great giveaway!!
The last time I drew free hand was when I was making a pattern for dog and cat placemats. I have seen examples of zentangle but have not tried it myself yet. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
I actually drew something freehand this week, to design a chunky triangle scarf with faux leopard print. It’s really fun. Thank you for the contest!
I probably do more sketching and drawing than I actually realize! I have a journal right beside me and I’m regularly writing ideas, sketching quilt designs, or just doodling. This book would take me in a new direction and I’m always open to new ideas!!
Last time I did freehand drawing was 30 years ago doing an engineering project
last freehand was about a month ago drawing butterflies for my 2 year old niece.
Just finished designing a quilt for some fabulous fabric I collected in Alaska! Books looks so exciting!
I have never Zentangled. it would be fun to try something new.
I have a friend who hads done some great work with sent angles and fabric. Now I want to try
I can’t remember when I drew something freehand. . . probably doing art projects with my children about 25 year ago. Too long.
I’m an Engineer and don’t generally draw freehand. However I took a class on Surveying a couple years ago and had to sketch each layout – in a very small book!
I like to draw freehand doodles, which I do often (or did before I had kids!) but it’s hard for me to “draw” anything more than that unless I am copying a picture.
I teach free motion machine quilting classes and tell my students that one of the best ways to learn a quilting design is to draw it over and over again. I did just that about 6 hours ago today! Thanks for the giveaway! The book looks like one I could really use a lot!
My drawing is terrible. I head to coloring books but I try all the time.
Haven’t managed to do with pen and paper. Maybe my sewing machine which works better for/with me might be the answer!
I can’t honestly remember my last drawing, but my daughter loves art and draws almost daily.
I had started zentangles when it first came out and loved. I am thrilled about this book and would so love to win this..I like to make my own patterns and design and know that this will inspire me to learn to do freemotion quilting.
I draw out and color in my quilt patterns, a few years ago. Takes longer to make the quilt then the pattern.
I used to draw freehand all the time, I can’t remember the last time I did — other than kisses on my notes to husband.
I drew freehand yesterday and almost every day. I always keep a sketchpad at my side especially when we travel. I make free motion “paintings” so I stitch freehand as well as draw. I would love to win this book.
Hi, the last time I drew anything was back in the summer. A friend of mine asked me to draw a quilt square for her, so I designed a quilt block for her. She is making a quilt with squares from several friends. I am very happy she decided to use mine. Thanks for a chance to win.
I love zen tangle and I love sewing. My last creative endeavor with a drawing was just yesterday.
I drew some free hand sketches this summer of 2014. I am a teacher and made a wall hanging for my classroom “Coffee Shop.” Coffee cups in the cupboard was a fun Debbie Mum pattern that I will use for my students as we share our book projects each quarter. I decorate the classroom like a real coffee shop with table decorations and pictures hanging throughout the classroom. Students drink hot chocolate and have treats while sharing their books. I am working on creating an additional wall hanging that I drew free hand which will be the “Coffee Shop” sign which features our Coffee Shop. I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks!
I’m afraid I do it all the time especially if I am bored.Any piece of paper will do.
I do it weekly. I’m not very good though It looks like something from grade school.
I have tried to draw a quilt layout in the past 6 months, but was not very successful.
I am always drawing patterns for machine quilting quilts. I also drawing ideas for fabric designs.
Thanks for the chance.
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I’m always doodling…sometimes just in my head. The shower wall is also my doodle pad.