Welcome to the final day of the Marie Bostwick Ties That Bind blog hop, hosted by Michele of Quilting Gallery. When Michele asked me if I was interested in participating in this blog hop I immediately agreed – I am always looking for a good book to read, and as it turns out…this was a great book to read.
Here’s a quick synopsis of the book:
“Christmas is fast approaching, and New Bern, Connecticut, is about to receive the gift of a new pastor, hired sight unseen to fill in while Reverend Tucker is on sabbatical. Meanwhile, Margot Matthews’ friend, Abigail, is trying to match-make even though Margot has all but given up on romance. She loves her job at the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop and the life and friendships she’s made in New Bern; she just never thought she’d still be single on her fortieth birthday.
It’s a shock to the entire town when Phillip A. Clarkson turns out to be Philippa. Truth be told, not everyone is happy about having a female pastor. Yet despite a rocky start, Philippa begins to settle in—finding ways to ease the townspeople’s burdens, joining the quilting circle, and forging a fast friendship with Margot. When tragedy threatens to tear Margot’s family apart, that bond—and the help of her quilting sisterhood—will prove a saving grace. And as she untangles her feelings for another new arrival in town, Margot begins to realize that it is the surprising detours woven into life’s fabric that provide its richest hues and deepest meaning… ”
I didn’t read anything about the book before I opened it up, not even the synopsis. All I knew was that it was a novel with quilting as part of the main story line. I didn’t want to bias myself one way or another and I have to tell you I really did love it.
Here are a few fun questions that we were all asked to answer:
1. What drew you into the book? In the first few chapters of the book, one of the main characters, Margot, hand sews a binding on to the quilt and as Marie describes each individual stitch I could see Margot sitting and sewing. It was so vividly written, I was hooked.
2. Which character did you identify with? Give one reason as to why. I identified with several characters, my favorite was Charlie – food is a main focus on his life (he owns a restaurant!) and the way his food is described I just wanted to eat it right off the pages!
3. If this is the first book of the series that you have read – will you be reading the rest now? This is the first book I have read in the series and I fully plan on finishing the series.
4. In 5 words or less state why someone NEEDS to read this novel.
It was a good laugh/cry!
5. Did you take a beginner quilting class when you first started out? What was it like and did it inspire you to continue quilting?
I’ve never taken a quilting class. I learned at my mom’s side, watching her for 20 years before taking the plunge and making my first quilt.
6. Phillipa signs up to make a baby quilt as her first quilt. Have you made a baby or toddler quilt? Share the photo and story if you like. (This is to be sent to me to post on the QG site)
My first quilt was for my niece – she turns 11 in September and I am making her a quilt to commemorate that occasion as well. My first quilt was made out of all purple and pink calicos from JoAnns and back with some extra fabric we had from making dresses. My niece loved it to death…literally! She wore a hole straight through it. The first quilt I ever designed by myself was for my daughter.
Read what the other members of the blog hop had to say about Marie’s quilt here:
Tuesday, April 24
Michele – Quilting Gallery – http://quiltinggallery.com/
Jackie – Canton Village Quilt Works – http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/
Wendy – Ivory Spring – http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, April 25
Jennifer – SewHooked – http://sewhooked.com/
Erin – One Piece at a Time – http://erinrussek.typepad.com/
Thursday, April 26
Victoria – Bumble Beans Inc. – http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/
Sandi – A Legacy of Stitches – http://alegacyofstitches.blogspot.com/
Friday, April 27
Michele – With Heart and Hands – http://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/
Melissa – Lilac Lane – http://www.blog.melissastramel.com/
Saturday, April 28
Melissa – Sew Bitter Sweet Designs – https://test.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/
Kim – Crafty Apple – http://kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com/
Do I still have your attention? Would you like to win a copy of Ties That Bind?
Leave me a comment telling me about the first project you ever sewed – it doesn’t have to be a quilt! That’s it – very easy! This giveaway will be open until May 2nd and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
Good luck!
When I was in 8th grade (19720 my parents let me attend a sewing class and the first item I sewed was a sleeveless top with a zipper. It was supposed to be a dress but when they cut my fabric they didn’t give me enough and I didn’t know any better at that time to check or even watch when they were cutting my fabric. I look back now and I was the only child in the class and I remember my top as not being real pretty! I do still have the same bright orange sewing box with great memories!!
I think it was an apron, which we tie-died first, way back in 5-6 grade in elementary school. I am still mad at that one, as one of the higher grade kids took mine, and I think I was kept holding an uglier one…..lol
My very first sewing project was a denim wrap-a-round skirt. I totally fell in love with sewing! My mom tried to sew and she had made it look so hard…it’s hard to believe I ever wanted to sew.
My first project was sewing a pillowcase back in my first year of 4-H. My mom has a Home-Ec degree so pillowcases were just the beginning of the fun 🙂
The book sound great! I’d love to win a copy!
The first project I ever sewed – Barbies clothes on my grandma’s Singer. They weren’t designer quality, but they were functional and made me happy. Thanks for the giveaway!
The first thing I sewed was a pair of pants in a doubleknit green patterned material. I guess I’m dating myself! I can’t believe I actually wore them to school! Thankfully, they shrunk (or I grew a couple inches) so I couldn’t wear them much. Whew!
I would love to win this book. I’ve read the first 4 of Marie’s books, and they are fantastic!
My first was a lime green dress with daisy trim 1970. Had to do it for Home Ec. I hated it the whole time. But when i had my first daughter thats when i got the sewing bug. So iv’e been at for 38 years and love it.
I can remember making a pale blue strapless ball gown for Barbie when I was 8. All hand sewn (with an 8 yr old’s stitches) underlined with a netting petticoat. I’ve been sewing ever since. Thanks for the giveaway.
The first thing I made was a skirt. I couldn’t get the seams straight and it turned out so bad that I didn’t sew again until I had children. I did better that time.
The first thing I made was a “crop top” when I was about 10 years old. I don’t know how much of it I really made and how much Mom did, but I called it my own.
The first sewing project for me was a shorts outfit I made for 4-H. Entered it at the county fair and won a blue ribbon. Lots of guidance from Mom.
The first project I sewed was probably 40 years ago! I’m pretty sure it was a blouse in a red, white and blue print. My mother guided me in using the sewing machine and reading the pattern instructions, but basically let me do it on my own. I haven’t stopped since!
I remember sewing when I was a little girl, making dolls clothes, but I cannot remember specifically what I made. I do remember going on to make my own clothes as a teenager. I made many dresses and skirts. One in particular was a straight mauve skirt that I wore on my first date.
Good morning,Melissa. I have been sewing ever since I could reach the peddle of my mom’s old treadle machine.The first thing I made were clothes for my doll and blankets to wrap her in.With encouragement from my mom, she had a complete wardrobe even though they were not put together all that great.But I was happy with them and I fell in love with sewing. Thanks so much for the giveaway.
I think my first sewing projects were hemming the tea towels I did embroidery on.
My first sewing project was a vest in 8th grade Home Ec. The first and last piece of clothing I sewed for myself! I did sew pj’s for my boys later in life but now I am all about quilts. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
My mother taught me to sew in junior high. I made jams – those long, loose, elastic waist, “surfer” style shorts – they were very forgiving of a novice. Many pair of those were made that summer, and I’ve barely stopped sewing since. Since I found quilting, I haven’t done much garment sewing, though!
I love Marie’s books and look forward to this next one.
I made muslin curtains trimmed in pink pom poms for my bedroom for my first sewing project. It was in my 9th grade home ec class and I had a new bedroom to decorate. Goes to show all things old are new. That was in 1964 and now pom pom trim is making a comeback.
The first thing I ever sewed was a ‘traditional’ Winnie The Pooh kit, that I think my mum hoped would get me hooked on sewing. On the contrary, I really wasn’t happy that he didn’t look like the Pooh on the cover lol Looking back at him though, my 7 year old self didn’t actually do a bad job on him, but my 7 year old self was the same perfectionist my 30-something year old self is 😉
I started sewing a age 7..not sure what my Mom started me on but recall lots of Barbie clothes. Have been sewing ever since. Quilting is my main craft and love to read so chance to win..fantastic.
CathyC in Alberta
cathyc1950@gmail.com
Long, long ago in junior high when the girls took sewing classes we made a skirt with a zipper! Since then I made all my clothes, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, etc, etc! I started sewing again in 1995 which saved me from a depression following my mother’s death. In 2002, I switched to quilting because my daughter was too old for those little pinafore dresses and I wanted to make my son a quilt for graduation and I’ve been quilting ever since! Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to reminisce! Here’s the rest of my story if you care to read on! http://lrdesignsquilting.com/blog/archives/1140
Before I started with quilts, I made some shirts with appliqué. I usually used butterflies. Unfortunately I can’t find some of my home sewn shirts now, think I have sent them away. Thanks for the giveaway!
The first project I ever sewed was probably an apron I made in home ec. I made a lot of doll clothes for Barbie dolls and even sold them.
First sewing project was Barbie clothes (I think I was around 10)–first quilt was a queen sized log cabin!
I made an apron in my home ec. class. Then we made a sailor collar dress. Afraid that was 60 years ago. WOW!!! How the time flies. Thanks
Can’t remember my first project, but it would have been some clothing for myself. Or doll clothes. My first quilt was a baby quilt for a friend. Simple blocks, and I tied it.
My first sewing project was when I was in grade school and in 4-H. It was a picnic placemat made from a hand towel and a washcloth. The hand towel was the mat and then you cut the wash cloth into pieces that you sewed onto the hand towel to make pockets for your cutlery and napkins. Then you sewed ribbons on the back so you could roll it up and tie it closed. I haven’t thought about that project in years and don’t even know what happened to it and can’t remember ever using it.
The very first thing I ever sewed was doll clothes for my Barbie on a child’s Singer sewing machine. Sooooooooo many years ago – lol! Thanks for the opportunity to enter your wonderful giveaway! I just love Marie Bostwick’s books.
The first project I ever sewed were pillows in sewing class in 6th grade. They were really cute animal shapes and hearts. My mom and Gram helped me choose the fabric and notions. Wish they had not been destroyed in storage. 🙁 The book sounds great!! Going to have to give it a read over the summer. 🙂
It was a small lap quilt I started in a class. I even machine quilted it myself. Not perfect, but my 2nd favorite.
Wow…first sewing project was in Jr. High! Not sure, think it was an Apron…then next was a Gathered Skirt! LOL Have sewn for a looong time now, but just learning to do quilty things! Great fun too!
Thanks for chance to win! 🙂
My first project was a piece of embroidery when I was eight years old. It was the start of my love of needle and thread.
The first project I ever made was a purple apron in 7th grade Home Ec class. Thanks for the giveaway!
I think my first project was a shirt and then a small quilt my mom helped me with. Great giveaway. Thanks
The first project I ever sewed would have been some very simple doll clothes (think paperdoll simple) back in the late 1950s. Thanks for the chance to win the new book.
My first sewing project was one that I sewed in a week long sewing class. It was taught by my Dad’s cousin who we called Aunt Grace. My dress had a square neckline. It was made of orange broadcloth with white trim. Thanks for reviving this wonderful memory!
first ever sewing project?
i was about 6, staying with my grandmom [who was a sewer and quilter]. my teenage aunt thought they could teach me how to sew in the time i was with them, so out came the fabrics and thread for the tredle machine all prepped for their teaching project – a darling purple / white calico apron!
o my! i still have clear memories of that adventure! a grandmom who couldn’t speak english and a child who didn’t speak german! and amazingly, the apron turned out lovely 😉
faithhopecherrytea@*gmail.*com
TY for the delish book offer and the creative entry ! can hardly wait to read it 🙂
I took home ec during my middle school years and I made an apron and a stuffed toy kangaroo in that class. My first big quilt was a quilt in a day quilt that took me about two years to make. LOL. It is a big quilt and mostly in tatters now. I can’t bear to toss it away so there it sits in my sewing room. It had lots of problems on the back and was a pain to quilt because I did double batting in it. Thanks for the chance to win such a nice book.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna
Doll clothes, of course……hand stitching a skirt or top for the dolls. That was a LONG time ago! (50 years!)
The first project I ever sewed was an A-line skirt in home ec, back in 1970. It was gold twill and that’s where I learned to do a zipper.
I sewed a pink heart shaped velveteen pillow for my Barbie doll in about 1983! LOL!
Hello Melissa,
Thanks for the review and look at your baby quilt. One of the first things I remember making was a baby bib in Year 5. I remember doing blanket stitch on it.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
My first quilt was a half hand quilted, half machine quilted full size quilt.
My first project was most likely doll clothes, but I have been sewing and crafting so long I am not sure.
Sounds like a great book and I’m a big reader! Love the butterfly quilt you made for your daughter. I have a girlfriend who is butterfly crazy. The first thing I remember sewing was a dress in home ec. I’m thinking it was 8th grade? I loved that dress and wore it even! hehe.
Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)mail(dot)com
i don’t even remember what the first thing was that I sewed. My mom sewed all my clothes adn my grandmother sewed wedding dresses. I starting 4-H in 2nd or 3rd grade. My first really proud moment of sewing was winning a blue ribbon at the fair for a long sleeved plaid shirt I made in 5th or 6th grade. The judges really questioned if an adult had made it b/c it was done so well….that tells you the kind of teacher(s) I had and how much I used the seam ripper! LOL
The first thing I ever sewed was a dress in a Singer Sewing class I took when I was eleven. Thanks, Melissa, for participating in the giveaway.
My mom taught me how to do lots of crafts as a kid, and I remember always loving making anything. My earliest recollection of “sewing” was using those cards that had holes punched around the outside, and a shoelace kind of yarn to “sew” through the holes. After that I did lots of embroidery, and lots of loomed potholders. I haven’t thought about those crafts in years. Thanks for the blast from the past!
I started sewing Barbie clothes when I was in grade school. The clothes were very simple, like a scrap of fabric wrapped around the doll.
The first thing I ever sewed was my high school graduation dress. Didn’t turn out to bad but I didn’t get it finished so Mom did. It was so sweet, 1967, white on white dotted swiss, lined with an ever so soft taffeta. I loved that dress.
I’d love a copy of this new quilting book!!! I love to read as much as I love to sew.
My first sewing project was soooo many years ago now…I learned the basics of sewing from my mother and then went on to make doll clothes for all of my dolls from scraps. I still have some of them tucked safely away.
I’d love a copy of this new quilting book!!! I love to read as much as I love to sew.
My first sewing project was soooo many years ago now…I learned the basics of sewing from my mother and then went on to make doll clothes for all of my dolls from scraps. I still have some of them tucked safely away.
I’m pretty sure the first project I ever sewed was a tiny pillow for a doll bed as a child. Who knew I’d grow up and continue making things for beds as a quilter!
I’ve been sewing for a long time. I sewed in highschool. don’t remember what my first project was probably an easy skirt
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
i think the first project i ever made was probably the 4H apron for first year sewing. it was a peach solid to go with a dress that had peach, rose and green. i never had to model it though. got a blue ribbon on it too. that was 50 years ago!!!!!
Thank you for hosting such a sweet giveaway. I sewed some clothes in high school but upon going to college, my dorm room mate and I decided to sew patch work blocks to make bedspreads…in bright orange, lime green and yellow…it was 1970 🙂 We got the blocks sewn together but neither of us ever completed them into a quilt, they just adorned our beds as primitive quilt tops. Eventually my grandmother tied my quilt top into a quilt. I still love it.
The first thing that I ever sewed was an apron in my home ec class.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
The first project I ever sewed (that I remember) was an apron. It was a class called (n the day) Family Life. That is where I learned to use a sewing machine. The apron is long gone; I have no clue what happened to it, but the skill has served me well.
My first sewing project was making an outfit for one of my dolls…way before there were Barbies! My aunt showed me how to thread a needle. She will be 105 years old on May 4!
Ummm, the best I can remember, the first thing I ever sewed was an outfit for my baby doll….I was six or seven at the time. My Nana let me use her machine — mom would have had a dee-duck-fit if she had known. LOL
I couldn’t tell you what was my first sewing project as I have been sewing since I was a little girl many years ago and don’t remember but I do know that my first quilt was a log cabin made for a wedding gift in 1996. Thanks, I love Marie Bostwick’s stories and characters. Looking forward to reading this book!
I honestly can not remember the first thing I ever sewed but whatever it was, I sewed it on my mom’s wonderful PINK Singer. She taught me at an early age – so I’m sure it was probably doll clothes.
My first sewing adventure was a dress for Barbie when I was about 5. Granted, it was nothing more than a tube outfit, but it was mine.
My first attempt at sewing was an apron in high school home ec. What a diaster!!
I made a quilt 26 years ago for my daughter and fell in love! Have been quilting ever since.
I learned to sew when I was 12 – my mom taught me & the first thing we made was a simple sundress with spaghetti straps. I love Marie’s books – thanks for the chance to win one.
Wow, that’s a long time ago. I used to sew blankets for my Breyer Molding Company horses because I didn’t like dolls as a kid, so I think those were probably my first sewing projects. Thanks for a great giveaway. 🙂
My first project was in crochet. I am hooked although I have started with quilting.
I have made several quilt tops – can’t call them quilts yet. Still have to master (or at least improve) the quilting skills
My first project was a patchwork cushion cover, all sewn by hand with fabrics found in my Mum dressmaking stash. Different textures and weight…. The cushion still exist somewhere at my Mum’s house but I have (thankfully) progressed since that day! Thanks for the chance to win.
Celine
My very first sewing project was an apron that I made in home ec in grade 7. That started a lifetime of sewing and quilting. I’m eternally grateful for that grumpy demanding teacher who taught reluctant girls to sew and cook.
My first sewing project was in 7th grade home ec. Blue potholders w/ hanging loop, turned and topstitched. Who knows where they are now. I loved making them though. They turned out way better than the cookies the following week. I’ve been hooked on sewing since.
My first sewing project was a table runner that is still being used 12 years later.
I was in junior high, home ec class – we sewed terry cloth beach bags with a draw string. It was in the 60’s, so I remember mine was bright yellow, pink and green. With lots of flower power!
My very first sewing project was in 8 th Grade Home Ec. It was a pink shirt w/a zipper. My mom was a great seamstress and I love sewing too!
In the 7th grade I sewed a cow stuffed animal pillow and gave it to my mom, in home Ec.
The first thing I ever sewed were yo-yo’s that my mom gave me. She made curtains for most of our bedrooms and in the kitchen they had scallops so I got the circles and made yo-yo’s out of them. Geez, this was like 40 yrs ago. Thanks for bringing back my happy memories.
The first thing I ever sewed was a pot holder that I made for my mother when I was four or five. I still have it – ugly little thing that it is…
My clock says that I have 2 minutes left on May 2nd… and the first item that I sewed was a dress for myself, using a very small plaid fabric – maybe not the best choice for a first project, but my lines matched up fairly well!