It is with great pleasure that I get to share a new book I just came across. It’s called Contain It! English Paper Pieced Accessories by mother & daughter team Linda and Laura Chaney from Prairie Sewn Studios. First I’ll tell you about it, and then give you a chance to win your own copy!
Now, usually I don’t make 3-D items, but several containers in this fascinating book definitely have me tempted to make one! In reality, I will probably choose one or two and have my mom make them for me – she loves this type of sewing and there are some really great containers in here!
Page from the book showing a gallery of cube containers.
The projects are arranged in order of difficulty including: flatwork practice projects like mug rugs and table mats, cube containers, concave & convex containers, scalloped bowls, heart containers & boxes, star containers and boxes.
Page from the book showing a gallery of star containers.
Linda and Laura are very thorough in their directions and each of the projects includes full sized templates. There’s also a great section in the front of the book that goes over suggested fabrics and needed supplies to successfully make the containers in the book. The containers can be sewn by hand or machine and layout/assembly diagrams (called an “octopus”) are given for each project.
Be sure to check out each of the blogs on the hop this week for more perspectives on Contain It!
- April 13 – Daryl Perry of Patchouli Moon Studio
- April 14 – Debbie Voigt of Around the Strawberry Patch
- April 15 – Christa Watson of Christa Quilts – You are here!
- April 16 – Andrea Taddicken of Knitty Bitties
- April 17 – Terri Schurter of Hexy Lady
- April 18 – Ren Murphy of The Inspired Wren
The Giveaway
For your chance to win a copy of Contain It!, leave a comment below letting me know if you’ve ever made a quilted container before. Entries are open to US residents through this Saturday, April 18th at 6 PM Pacific Time. I’ll email the winner and update this blog post with the winner’s name.
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Christa Quilts 
I have made a few containers before, but not all of them successful! I like that the projects in this book can be hand sewn or sewn using a machine (as I would opt for machine sewing!!).
Huh, I never would have thought to make a hard container like this before. I am making a tote bag now, which is a container but nothing like any of these.
My friend told me about your site. Such fun. Thanks for a chance to win this book.
I just finished an Easter basket for my granddaughter. Such fun! Would love to make the containers in this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
I have only covered boxes already made. I would love this book!
I have made several tote bags but never an actual container. Quite fascinating!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I have never made one before, but I love the star one, especially for Christmas gifts. Thanks for sharing!!
I have done EPP, but never even thought of making a container!! Fascinating!
I have made fabric boxes before. They are quick & easy little projects. The book looks fun. Thanks for the chance to win. (debbie at wowilikethat dot com)
This is the book I need, hehe. I have not made any quilted containers but I have been wanting to. Would love to make several.
Awesome giveaway!
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve made a bowl or two, but never anything this elaborate. Love them
I made a square container with a top. Would love to win this book and try out some new shapes.
I’ve never made a quilted container. It looks intriguing.
I love making containers. It is a good ay to use up lots of craps
Not yet, but there are several on my bucket list.
Thankd
I have never made a container like this….because I didn’t know they existed. I’m your girl…..and willing to give it a try.
I have never made a container, but but I would love to make some for my sewing room.
I am new to paper piecing but so far I am loving it but I have never worked on anything this beautiful! I’m always one that is up for a challenge and with me the more difficult it is the more I’m interested in trying it. I have seen some beautiful projects in just what you have shown us, best of luck to everyone on the draw. Is there a way to purchase a copy if we don’t win?
Yes – you can click any of the book links to order through Amazon. Or look for it at your LQS 🙂
These look like fun. My quilt guild did origami boxes, but that is my only experience with with 3d fabric containers.
Oh, this looks like fun! I haven’t made any quilted containers yet, or epp, and this would be a good way to do both. Thanks for the chance! vickse at gmail dot com
vickise at gmail dot com ( can’t spell today) lol
I have not sewn 3d containers but I love to learn new techniques!!
I haven’t made anything dimensional using paper piecing. I am certainly open to
Trying it as it certainly has a wow factor to it. I actually enjoy doing paper piecing
And at the moment I am working on a paper pieced quilt. Thank you for entering my name in the giveaway.
Diane
I have made several containers, and love them. They are in use throughout my house. Some of these look really interesting, and I’d like to try their techniques
I’ve made lots of containers! Most recently, a quilted One Hour Basket, from the pattern by Kelby Sews.
I have made some soft sided fabric bowls in different sizes in the past, but never any as adorable as these. I look forward to some new creations in my future. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have made small quilted boxes but nothing so nice as the images from this book! WOW – they are very nice!
Oh, I’ve made a little triangle caddy with some Peltex that I didn’t actually quilt, but I am soooo excited about this book! I am obsessed with EPP right now and I love making “quicker” projects, so I have a feeling that I’m gonna love this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
they are on my list
I have tried making containers in the past (years ago) but they paled in comparison to these beauties! I would love to try them again.
HELLO, yes I have made the 4-sided 4″deep boxes with ties at all 4 corners for Christmas Gifts one year! Very neat! Thanks for sharing your inspiration + a great giveaway too!
I haven’t made a quilted container yet, but I absolutely love English Paper Piecing and definitely want to make a bowl or other container that way.
I have made some container before, they were a kit using the stiff stabilizer.. I made a bowl, a jewelry holder and a vase.. I was surprised how cute they were when I finished them.
I always like to try new things,thank you…marta
I haven’t made a quilted container using EPP, but I have made a one hour basket and another square basket. Loved it!
That looks like a cool book! I make fabric baskets (as you know) but mine are very different than the ones from their book, I would love to check out their way.
It’s on my to do list, with about a zillion other projects. 😉 I have wanted to make some baskets to hold scraps and make them color coordinating. I.e. purple scraps go in the purple basket, pink scraps go in the pink basket, you get the idea.
The only container I have made is a hexie pincushion caddy from pennyshands blog. It was a lot of fun to make. I love EPP and would love to try these containers!
I’ve made a box to hold my sewing supplies by my machine. They have pockets inside and out to hold all sorts of items. These in the book appear a bit more elaborate, tho.
I have made some heat moldable bowls covered with fabric. Would like to try a new technique.
Nor have I ever made a container. I think this would be a wonderful project. Not only could I use up some of my fabric “stash” but the containers would certainly be more interesting than my current plastic ones. Thinking ahead, these would make an interesting alternative to gift wrap for holidays, showers, and birthdays.
The book looks very interesting though containers aren’t my thing. I would love to have a copy!
I have made a lot of tote bags and purses. None of them could be called boxes.
WOW! What fun containers! I’m always looking for new ideas for containers to make and give as gifts.
I have never made containers using this method. The book and ideas look fascinating. It would also be a good way to use up some “orphans” that are taking up space in my stash.
I’ve made a thimble holder which was fun and fast. EPP projects are addicting and enjoyable.
I’ve never made a container, but would sure love to learn how to do it. This book looks awesome! Thanks, Christa.
I love making containers, must be a quilt thing – lots of thread catchers, sturdy tall bags for my knitting, and much more.
Have never done paper piecing before. These look like a great way to start. Doesn’t look like you are working with tiny pieces for some of the projects. That black and white container is awesome!
That looks like a fun book! Before I discovered Modern quilting I rarely quilted and professed “I will NEVER be one of those quilting women!” HA! Then I met Modern quilting….and it was all over LOL
Neither have I made anything like these wonderful containers. Sometimes I need a little break from quilting, (as much as I love to quilt) and making one of these would be the perfect “rest”. Thanks!