Thursday, September 19, 2013

Review of Sarah Ann Smith's DVD

Welcome to the Blog Hop!  I am honored to have been asked by my artist friend, Sarah Ann Smith to review her DVD "Art Quilt Design from Photo to Threadwork, with Fabric Collage and Machine Quilting" by Interweave.The link to the Interweave store is here, for your viewing pleasure!

What I love about this DVD is that Sarah shares with the viewers all of the wonderful products that she uses in her work, and why they are so great. For, me - this info is invaluable.  From needles, to pencils, to paint, to the fabulous iron for fusing, Mistyfuse, and Transdoodle, and more - there many wonderful things to be learned here.

The DVD is divided up into chapters, so it is very easy to follow. 

She discusses how she selects photographs for a project and what you need to look for in choosing the best one.  She also took the time to show us how she selects the fabrics for a given project, and talks about color and contrast and all of the elements to keep in mind while designing a quilt. 

One of the things that I admire about Sarah, is that she always gives credit to other artists that she has learned a technique from. Gotta love that.

You learn all about using particular paints and pencils to create the look you desire, and tools that help you get where you need to go.  This can apply to any project that you are working on.  She has given us suggestions for terrific tools, to help us on our way!

The section on threat was quite enlightening to me personally, because I only use black thread for free motion machine quilting. She discusses threads in length, and how she selects the colors, and the bobbin thread. All of the pretty colors, like candy, I might add.  What size needle to use, and why she prefers polyester thread for free motion quilting.  As she proceeds to the quilting stage, she touches on how important that the light source is when you are stitching - consider it before adding lighter colors. There is planning afoot, and she shows you what to look for.

I highly recommend Sarah's DVD!  You learn design, choosing the right photograph, transferring to a pattern, design elements, fabric selection, tools, free motion machine quilting and the DVD finishes with the various ways in which to finish your art quilt.  You are ready to GO.

Here is where you go next in the Blog Hop
Sept 21 - Deborah Boschert    http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/
Sept 24 -  Vicki Welsh    http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/
Sept 26 - Leslie Jenison  http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/
Sept 28 - Terry Grant   http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/
Oct 1 - Gloria Hansen    http://www.gloriahansen.com/weblog/
Oct 3 - Diane Perin Hock    http://goingtopieces.blogspot.com/

Oct 5 - Sarah Ann Smith  http://www.sarahannsmith.com/weblog/ 

Give Away Scoop
Post your comments, and choosing on a random scale, one lucky person will receive Sarah Ann Smith's new DVD.  If you live outside of the US, you will receive a free download of the DVD.  Deadline is Sept 21 at 10:00pm Pacific Standard Time.  I will announce the winner on Sunday, September 22.  Beth M. is the winner!  Congratulations!



42 comments:

  1. This was my first visit to your blog... but I'll be back!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another great blog to add to my list.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another great blog to add to my list.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another great blog to add to my list.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is always great to see all those lovely things. And even a giveaway. I hope I will be the lucky one, because I really love the work of Sarah Ann as well. And your work is very colorful. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks like a great book.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like a great book.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good to find your blog, I will be visiting often. I have followed Sarah Ann Smith for several years and have gotten advise from her. She is such a sharing person and has a sparkling personality. I would love to have a copy of her DVD.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous8:14 AM

    The DVD looks great and thanks for your detailed reviews. I enjoy your work. it makes me smile!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I do a lot of thread painting in my work, but I can always learn something new. Looking forward to seeing this DVD. Thanks Jamie for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like what I do now, would love to see the DVD

    ReplyDelete
  12. Would love to see the video. It sounds wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  13. thanks for the review jamie; always helpful to hear what other artists think in reviews, as there is SO much out there to take in

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the very clear review of this DVD. This is a subject I've been curious about for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It sounds like a great way to learn stitch painting, I do well with visuals.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOVE the review! So helpful in wading through so many options. Sounds like a wonderful and exciting DVD! Thanks for offering it in a giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! I can't imagine making my quilts that beautiful just with thread. Thank you so much for the chance

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hope I win! Enjoyed your blog Love your fabric line Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Using a photograph as a starting point intimidates me, so this looks like a great teaching tool. Would love to win it, and congrats on our fabulous fabric line!

    ReplyDelete
  20. and more of the fun has begun....I agree that Light is essential, before and during quilting; hope to win the DVD because I am always interested in why and how others choose the threads that they use...thanks for your review and the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sounds like an excellent program. Off to look around.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This looks like a great dvd to watch. Would love a chance to win a copy!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sounds like a wonderful resource! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love your quilting style and your industrial quilting studio too! Glad to have hops such as this as I get to learn about so many new quilt artists! Ani in NC

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'd love to win!
    LeeAnna Paylor

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Jamie... you are such a busy lady. Thank you so much for adding your thoughts here re: Sarah's new DVD. Knowing that you learned a lot from it makes it that much more desirable and important to all of us! I would love a copy to have for inspiration/direction in stitching.
    Love this blog and you...thanks for the great quilt donated to SAQA and the big $$ it brought in for the exhibitions support.
    Bethany Garner
    SAQA Rep.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great review, Jamie! I have Sarah Ann's freemotion quilting book and would love to learn from the DVD!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. love Sarah Ann's creativeness.. would love the CD> vivianhelena@sti.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Sarah's DVD would be an excellent resource to add to one's library of inspiration and how-tos. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Use of thread is one - perhaps THE - area where my lack of confidence really works against me. Sarah's insights on that and the other subjects would be most valuable. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  31. It would be so nice to hear an accomplished artist thoughts on all those things! Just starting out, I can use all the advice I can get! :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. love to win this
    LeeAnna Paylor

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful review of her dvd. Would love to learn this technique. Thanks for the give a way.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have learnt from you b4 and will do so again!. This review has me all inspired. Living out of the US in South America makes me doubly glad that there are hops like this that introduce me to new people, techniques and materials. If I win the download I can then get my kids buying goodies to send down here for Xmas. Let's see Mistyfuse....:) etc.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Loved finding you on this blog hop, your work is really inspiring. Would love to learn more from the talented Sarah. Fingers crossed for a win!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love the review you wrote. It would be great if I could win the download!

    ReplyDelete
  37. This DVD sounds awesome! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm sure Sarah's DVD is a awesome as yours! Would love to win a copy. Textilerecycler@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would love to win this DVD! I need to take my art quilting to the next level and this sounds like it has the details and visual help to get me there. I love the color choices and different threads!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh my goodness this looks like a wonderful new class to add to my collection.
    Thank you so much for the information and the chance to win a copy

    ReplyDelete
  41. The dvd looks great. Also my first visit to your blog, but I will be following along. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  42. I can't believe I actually won! Sorry about the mix up with my e-mail addy. Sarah got a hold of me ant let me know. This was a great surprise that really brightened up a tough week.
    Thanks for having this drawing.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting my blog. Please leave a comment if you have a chance!