I was over the moon when I was contacted by Mary to see if I would want to write a review for their newest book, "Back to Charm School". I've been a fan of Country Threads patterns for years. After seeing their newest book, I have been reminded why I'm such a fan.
Any 'second' book that makes me want to run out and buy the first one has to be a good one!! BTW, the first book is called "Country Threads Goes to Charm School; 19 Little Quilts from 5" squares"
One of the things I remember from my childhood is the little saying that went with learning manners. Anybody remember this one? Mabel Mabel strong and able get your elbows off the table! I sure do!
Half the fun of reviewing this book was reading the Charm School etiquette. It's sure to bring a smile to your face as well.
Here's the little quilt I opted to make to test the directions. It's called Never Leave the table Before Other Guests.
A sidebar in the book says" Etiquette notwithstanding, no one will want to leave a table with this little centerpiece on it. They'll be too busy admiring all the little squares..." How sweet!!
The book give basic quilting directions so even a beginner could use this to make their first quilt, start to finish. One thing I was glad to see them include in the cutting directions. "Charm School has really only one rule: Cut charms carefully! Some of the projects use every bit of a charm square, so there's no room for mis-cuts."
I have never bought a 5" charm pack, but to make this quilt I cut 5" squares from scraps. This was one project that used every thread of the 5" squares.
If you like small quilts, scrappy quilts, and charm school, you'll love this book.
Below is a few more projects from the book.
Feb.20~ Maureen moequiltz.blogspot.com
Feb.20~Paulette sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com
Feb. 21~Lori humblequilts.blogspot.com
Feb. 21~Jo joscountryjunction.com
Feb. 22~ Sherri aquiltinglife.blogspot.com
Feb. 22~ Karen selvageblog.blogspot.com
Feb.23~ Julie juliekquilts.blogspot.com
Feb.24~ Sarah confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com
Feb.24~Suzanne coloradolady.blogspot.com
Feb.25~Michelle mychellem.blogspot.com
Feb.25~ Pat silverthimbletalk.blogspot.com
How charming! My mom had lots of good sayings...like "see with your eyes, not with your hands!" (for sticky-fingered preschoolers!)
ReplyDeleteI am sure after I send this I will think of all kinds of sayings but at the moment all that comes to mind that has not already been said is "age before beauty". I was always taught to respect my elders. Would love to get a copy of Charm School.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks like a fun one. Thanks for sharing your review. I remember that we were to speak to all adults as Mr., Mrs. or Miss, never to call them by their first name. That is what my parents refered to as respect for your elders.
ReplyDeleteIt's not really an etiquette saying .. more a behaving thing "Messer, Schere, Feuer, Licht - sind für kleine Kinder nicht" (knives, scissors, fire and light - are not for small children), rhymes nicely in German sounds really bad in English...
ReplyDeleteI got to hear that whenever I was tempted to open a certain drawer in the kitchen.
I, too, love Country Threads. I live in Iowa and have been to their shop and even spent a night there 15 years ago! Looks like a great book!
ReplyDeleteI have some charms but I don't know what to make with them so this book would be great to have.
ReplyDeleteWe were not allowed to talk at the dinner table. And we most definitely could not have our elbows on the table.
Loved reading all the sayings in the comments above...I don't have any new ones to add!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother always told my sister that a little birdy would perch on her pouty lip. No way that I would pout around Grandma. I'd love the book. I saw the prototype at the shop when we were in Iowa for Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteLove the projects in this book.
ReplyDeleteI always heard; no worky, no eaty
I remember my brother being told to, "take his hat off when at the table". The book looks great!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks sweet! What I was always told was "Children should be seen and not heard". Maybe it was just me...
ReplyDeleteThis book look fabulous! I remember always being told to say "please and thank you" and chew with your mouth closed. Thanks for a chance to win! :)
ReplyDeleteHere's what stuck in my mind that my mom always told us: Pretty is as pretty does! I'd love to win the book!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love to make small quilted pieces! One of the things my Mom said was, "Self praise stinks."
ReplyDeletewe had another Line to "Mable". it was
ReplyDeleteThis is not a horses stable,
It's a respectable dining table.
ljdutcher@yahoo.com
Perfect... A book with small projects! I still want to quilt, but have run out of beds to make them for.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember specific sayings, but plenty of etiquette rules - most having to do with behavior at the table. "Don't chew with your mouth open." "No elbows on the table." And of course, the ever popular, "Clean your plate - think of all the starving children in China!" I've been coveting this book for a while - thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete- sunshdws at yahoo dot com
My dad's favorite (since there were nine of us kids) - shut the door - were you born in a barn?
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteI left a comment the other day but forgot to add an etiquette saying. Mine are much that have already been written here plus "don't call people before 9am or after 9pm" which my mother has completely forgotten apparently :-)
Another rule was that girls don't call boys....well, that was back in the 50's.
The book looks very interesting - love all the small quilts.
ReplyDeletecorcoranpat48843@yahoo.com
I have a drawer full of 5" squares! This book is one I need! Thank you for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeleteAs a family of six children, we were often reminded how to behave. I remember once right after my father told us to not reach at the table HE spilled the milk. It took him a long time to clean up the floor under the table because he was trying not let us see him laughing over his embarassment. My mother also used to tell us that we lived in the country because we kids were too loud to live in town. I wish there were both still alive to chuckle with me over these memories. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet little quilts- the book is indeed charming! And little girls should be seen and not heard! How different we are today!
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of charm squares and this book would be very useful! I remember my mom telling me to sit like a lady. :)
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for the chance to win that delightful little book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the waste, when I was cutting off all that fabric I checked three times to be sure.
Well I am making one in red and white and one in pink and brown, the second time I cut using my own measurements with hardly any waste.
Which brings me to "waste not, want not" , I came from a family of seven kids and believe me we did not waste much :0).
Happy Sewing
Fun, fun, fun! I want to win :-) I think I will like the etiquette rules as much as the cute patterns!
ReplyDeleteI think the book looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh...can't think of anything different than what has been said...so:
ReplyDeleteOn top of spaghetti all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed. It rolled off the table and on to the floor and then my poor meatball, it rolled out the door!! (Sing to the tune of On Top of Old Smokey, of course!). Love all of those wonderful quilts! Have a great day....
The one I remember, Thumper's Mom from Bambi taught me, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity to win a copy of this delightful book! I have the first one and I too really enjoyed reading all the guides on etiquette! My father always used to direct us to sit up straight and not sloutch at the table! LOL!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a must have book to me, thanks for the great review. My mom always told us, eat what you are served.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Delighted to find your blog & would love, love, love to win that book! I don't remember a saying, but my mom told a story @ queen victoria and the essence of good manners: she was presiding over an elegant formal tea... Her quests were quite scornful when one who did not know better poured their tea into a saucer & sipped it, the Queen graciously did likewise. We are to be kind, make folk comfortable and bring them into community. Hope i win! But having found your blog is a real treat. Happy stitching. B
ReplyDeleteThe more I see of this book, the more I really want to own it. I would love to win! My mom and dad always taught me to say "yes mam, yes sir, no mam, yes sir"...to always be polite to my elders.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review!! The book looks wonderful!! I am a huge fan of Country Threads!! Please enter my name in your giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteEllen S
Thank you for the pretty pictures. I'd love to win.
ReplyDeleteLucy~!
What cute little quilts. My mom used to always say Chew with your mouth closed to my older brother. I remember my sister and I would always giggle.
ReplyDeleteBeing from the south, I was always being taught my "manners." I grew up hearing "pretty is as pretty does," "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all," and "treat others as you would want to be treated yourself." As a new quilter, who loves small quilts because I don't feel so overwhelmed trying to make a large one, I like that you mentioned you cut your own squares instead of purchasing charms. It's nice to know there's that option and your quilt turned out so pretty.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd love to win. My mom was an encyclopedia of little quotes, but HER very own was "look it up in the Emily Van Buren Manners book"! UGH! Your quilt is inspirational.
ReplyDeleteLucy~