Today, I’m excited to be part of the blog hop for an exciting new book, Riel Nason‘s Modern Selvage Quilting. As many regular readers know by now, I’m a little obsessed with selvages. I think it may be the art historian in me, but I love the idea of the selvage of a quilting fabric as an artifact containing all of the information about that fabric in a condensed, efficient format. For most of the backs of my quilts, I try to incorporate the selvages of the fabrics I used on the front of the quilt, a feature that I get asked about every time I give a trunk show.
It should come as no surprise, then, that I’ve been saving selvages almost since I started quilting. I’ve had this vague idea that I would one day make them into a scrap quilt that would be a record of all of the projects I’ve made. Until now, though, I’ve been at a loss for exactly how to do so. When I learned that Stash Books was coming out with a whole book on using selvages, I was immediately interested. I bought the book as soon as it came out and read it cover to cover. Then I emailed Riel to tell her how much I loved her book, and she kindly invited me to be part of this blog hop.
When I say that I really read this book, I’m not exaggerating. Riel is an award-winning novelist, and her introduction and writing style demonstrate her facility with language. Her book is written in an engaging, easy-to-read style and peppered with interesting anecdotes about her history as a quilter. She even includes a trivia section at the close giving fun facts about the making of the quilts in the book. Having written a couple of quilting books, I can also appreciate the challenges that must have come with writing about a technique that relies so heavily on variable resources–writing the materials requirements for selvage projects couldn’t have been an easy task.
Because it takes a while to accumulate a large collection of selvages, I appreciate that the book includes a variety of projects that will allow anyone to use their stash, no matter how small or large. From projects such as the diminutive Make Every Scrap Count pincushion to the showstopping Split Selvage Strings cover quilt, the book showcases a range of possibilities for using the selvages you have. There are also projects such as the Latticework pillows that demonstrate how to stretch your supply by supplementing them with additional fabric yardage.
Each project in the book is labeled with a construction technique (or multiple techniques) for sewing the selvages together to create a fabric panel. These techniques are detailed in clear instructions at the beginning of the book. For my selvage project, I chose to use the Overlap Method to make half-square triangle blocks. So far, I have made six blocks, each showcasing the selvages from a different quilt project, and making each block has been a fun experience in remembering the project that used those fabrics. The blocks come together quickly and are fun to make, so I’ve been using them as my reward for finishing larger and more time-consuming projects. I have to confess that I’ve even considered cutting into my stash of unused fabrics to acquire more selvages for making blocks.
If you’re like me and have been saving your selvages while searching for the perfect inspiration for using them , this is a book you won’t want to miss. And if you have never considered saving those little fabric artifacts, this book might inspire you to start! Stash Books has generously offered up a copy of Modern Selvage Quilting for a lucky reader of this post. To enter, simply leave a comment below about what type of project you dream of creating from your selvages. I’ll leave comments open until May 22 and draw and announce a winner on May 23. Winners in the US will receive a paper copy of the book, while international winners will receive an electronic copy. And, for additional perspectives on the book and chances to win, make sure to visit the other stops on the blog hop, listed below!
studioloblog.wordpress.com 
I’d probably start with a pillow project until my stash of selvages is bigger.
I’ve had my eye on this book and now have plenty of selvages to start a project :) Thank your for the chance to win.
This book looks fabulous! I have some ideas about using my selvages for a nice bag for shopping! Thanks for reviewing this book! :)
I’d like to make a wall hanging or tote bag with my selvages. I’ve seen shoes covered with selvages, and if I get ambitious, I’d like to try that also.
I would love a copy of this book. I have been saving selvages, but no real thought of what to use them for. This book looks like it has some very doable projects. I am ready for some fun selvage sewing.
It’s been so fun to stop by all the bloggers to hear their perspective on selvages and their favourite projects from Riel’s book!! Love your string blocks. Love the idea of incorporating the selvages from your project into the backing….brilliant!! See you on the 19th.
I spy some lovely selvedges in your blocks, and they look great set off by black. Like you, I like to incorporate them in the back of quilts (sometimes the front!), as a bit of documentation. I am so excited to read this book!
My next selvedge project is to re-cover a piano bench, however I have enough for a full quilt and have my eye on Riel’s Medallion!
I would like to create a the Latticework Pillow fabric and make a tote or lap quilt for the couch. The selvages would pop!
I loved the arrows I saw on this tour– it would make a cute pillow for my little guy who loves all thinks transportation (it reminds of a street sign!). Thank you!
I want to make a quilt with selveges and I like your half square triangle blocks.
Love the Medallion Quilt shown on the hop! I guess, from now on, will have to shop for the selvages and not the fabric they are attached to. Seems like I saw a fabric that had selvage printed on it just a few months ago. Will have to do a search!
I’ve been saving my selvages for a chair cover for my sewing room.
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
I would love to make a tote bag out of my salvage……. happyness04431@yahoo.com
I would love to make a bag or wall hanging. I have sewn some of mine together and have a nice size chunk of fabric, but no plan. Lol
I only have a small stash of selvedges so would need to start small with a pin cushion or small pillow x
I’ve made a few projects with my selvages (minis, zipper pouches, etc.), but I also have an ongoing collection of blocks that will (one day) become a quilt!
I’ve been saving my selvages for a lap quilt. Although those pincushions are so adorable; I may have to break into my selvage stash to make one! Thanks for the opportunity.
I don’t have many selvages yet. But would love to make a wall hanging. Thanks for the chance to win.
I don’t have much of a collection of selvages so at this point I must dream small. The pincushion idea is really cute and I could have tiny snippets from some favorite fabrics and designers right there in my workspace. This book looks fascinating, thanks for the chance to win. Also, I love the idea of incorporating selvages into backing. That sounds like something I’d like to try.
I have a modest salvage collection and was planning on make a thread catcher out of them. However, I’m sure this book would inspire a lot of other projects. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to make a set of cute pillows with selvages.
I have no idea…so I could really use a book for inspiration. I literally just started collecting my salvages since this blog hop
I have an ugly upholstered office chair in my sewing room. It’s super comfy, but the fabric is a dull gray. I’ve seen photos of chairs covered with selvages and I’d love to do that with this chair. It would really brighten up my room!
I’d like to make placemats out of selvages.
A friend made a jacket. It was beautiful. I could do that.
I would like to start with a pincushion. I’ve never saved selvedges before because I only imagined large projects that would take forever. Those seem doable.
I’ve made a selvage jacket and a big block quilt using selvages is in process.
I’ve bought pieces of fabric in order to have the perfect selvage for a project – would love a copy of the book.
Probably start with something small since I don’t have a collection of selvages yet.
I love this red pillow. i would love to make one like this and those cute pincushions. I have just started to save my selvages
Wow I love all the great ideas and especially the small projects. I want to begin but don’t know how.
I probably don’t have enough selvages right now for a quilt, but I have been making a point to save them. I could start off with a pillow or pincushion. This book looks inspiring. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
I have saved quite few selvages I think I would like to try the arrow quilt smaller version maybe a pillow
This book is definitely on my list! I have been saving my selvages for a long time waiting for that perfect project.
Love these projects; just need to remember to save the selvages!
l’d love to make a small wall hanging with my strings. Its sounds like I need this book to learn how to use my many different sizes of selvages!
Carol S.
sandyzoo45@comcast.net
I’ve been saving selveges for a while, and would love to make the Medallion Quilt from this book.
I’ve been saving selvages for ages and hopefully one day will put them to use in a quilt
I have been saving them for a year and will need to have a look at this book!
I can’t wait to see this book! I’ve ordered it for our guild library, and it should be here soon. I often use selvages to frame my quilt labels, especially if a quilt features mostly one line of fabric. I think it’s a nice tribute to the fabric designer! Thank you for the giveaway Casey!
I have been saving selvages for years, but I have not made a project with them, yet. I would like to make a table runner, to start with.
I’ve been saving selvages without a plan. Love the red pillow with the simple sashing, how striking! Thanks, I could really use this book!
I had started saving my selvages ever since I saw the Red Zinger quilt by Karen Griska. I probably have not amassed enough to start a quilt project yet but I will keep on saving them. Riel’s book offers some truly great projects and would be a welcome addition to any quilter’s library.
Hi Casey,
I love your idea of creating memory blocks from each project w/the selvages from it.
For now I’m sticking to zip pouches w/my selvages. Like you I’ve been in my stash a few times, itching to cut the selvages off for more projects:) Tis tempting. Thanks for sharing your blocks, what beauties backed in black.
I need to save more…I might have enough for a pillow, but for sure a pin cushion!
I’ve been saving selvages since I saw a quilt made from them! But I’m hoping that my first project could be a pillow! Then I’ll make a quilt!!!
this book looks like new ideas to me. thanks for the chance
I want to make a large quilt for picnics.
I would make a quilt.
I think my first project would be a pillow.
I’ve been wanting to make a traditional spider web quilt with selvages. I really love the medallion quilt I’ve seen on this blog hop. Maybe that will be the one I make.
I started saving selvages with the hopes of making a pincushion…..but it’s been a while and the pile is growing…. I see some very cool ideas just in the posts that have been shared! I may have to adjust my project scope to something larger…… Thanks for a great review!
I have saved them, they were too pretty to throw away-would love to try a quilted wall hanging, or lap quilt!
I have been needing a new pillow for my chair and this selvage pillow would make for a unique pillow
I would like a wall hanging but I figure a pin cushion or mug rug might be what I should start with as I don’t have so many selvages.
I love the seasonal wall hangings Riel has created and am dying to try my hand at one.
I don’t have many selvedges yet so I’d start with a zippered pouch!
This book looks like a fun read. I don’t have a stockpile yet, but would greatly enjoy making the pincushion to start. I love reusing and recycling and hate throwing anything else. This book seems to be filled with many modern and lovely ideas to turn something that is usually thrown out into something beautiful.
What a neat book! I would like to make a bag from selvage pieces!
I’ve got quite a selection of selvedges and so far have made place mat sets. Think I’d rather like to make an apron as my next project. I have to wear aprons as I’m a bit of a messy cook- so they may as well be fun and pretty! Thanks for the chance to win the book.