Welcome everyone, to my stop on the Sister Sampler Quilts blog hop tour! If you are new around here, be sure to sign up for my email newsletter, and get a free PDF quilt pattern. 🙂
Today I get to share my thoughts and sample blocks from AnneMarie Chany’s brand new book, Sister Sampler Quilts.
Sister Sampler Quilts: 3 Modern Sampler Quilts with Paired Sister Blocks
By AnneMarie Chany
Fons & Porter/F+W; $19.99
http://www.sistersamplerquilts.com
So what are sister sampler blocks you ask? They are two of the same block within a quilt that make a visually interesting design when they are arranged within the sampler setting. Each time you make a block, you learn about color and fabric placement, value, tone, scale, etc. By making two of each block, you can play, improve upon your selections, or try out something different.
Here are a few examples from the book:
Sister Sampler Quilts contains 3 samplers of 25 interchangeable blocks given in 2 finished sizes. All sampler blocks are made in pairs so that you make 2 of each block instead of just one. The block pairs can be the same or different, allowing you to explore different ideas within the same block!
My favorite sampler from the book is the modern Vice Versa Sampler shown below. I’m not usually a big fan of traditional sampler quilts which is why Sister Sampler Quilts really appeals to me. All blocks are traditional blocks with fun modern layouts.
My favorite sampler from the book – Vice Versa
I chose to make a pair of Rising Star blocks because I love the inverse design that’s created when you swap the fabric placement. I used some scraps from my Kona designer palette to make my blocks and I loved being able to whip up two blocks at the same time!
9″ finished Rising Star blocks – these were so fun to make!
I simply love the fact that AnneMarie also chose to include plenty of quilting suggestions and closeup details of her machine quilting. I don’t know about you – but I when I spend my money on a book, I want to think about finishing the darn thing, not just making another top, LOL!! This book is a great value because it’s 126 pages long and priced under twenty bucks (or less when you buy it from Amazon).
Win a copy of Sister Sampler Quilts
Have you ever made a sampler quilt? Leave a comment below and tell me all about it. Plus, you can share pics of your sampler quilts, or blocks made from this book in my facebook group: Quilt With Christa. I’d love to see!
Be sure to stop by all of the stops below for additional chances to win a copy of Sister Sampler Quilts. Winners will be chosen at the end of the hop.
Christa Quilts 
Nope, I have not made a sampler quilt, but what I have seen of this book so far makes me wonder if maybe I should give it a try.
dragonfly9716(at)yahoo(dot)com
I haven’t made a sampler quilt yet but I’ve always wanted to. This book looks wonderful!
The first quilt I attempted was a Sampler Quilt. It was from the Learn to Quilt book. It wasn’t my best work, I can tell you that, so need to make another one. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net
My second quilt, which I am still working on, is a 4 block wall hanging. I started it in a class where everything was done by hand. We got to choose either 4-6 blocks. I chose 4–a grandmother’s flower garden block, a monkey wrench block, an appliqued block with 4 hearts, and a drunkard’s path block. We learned to make templates which we used to trace the pieces onto our fabric, add seam allowances and then cut out. We sewed everything together by hand. I am still working on the hand quilting–It is not densely quilted. I outlined all the designs, drew or used a stencil for designs in the larger blank spaces and sashing and borders. I have about half of the borders to finish. Then I will do the binding.
HI, I have not made a sampler quilt>looks neat>must do one! Thanks for sharing a neat giveaway too !
I made all the blocks for Amy Gibson’s Craftsy class but have not put them together.
I’ve made a couple samplers through a LQS. I loved making them, and they’re both cute, but I struggle with more generic, traditional layouts–they often don’t feel very intentional or cohesive to me. I think this book is right up my alley!
I took a quilting class for college credit, and we made a small sampler quilt. I love it, but the teacher was very anti-tech. The quilt top and quilting had to be 90% by hand! I love the result, but it took more time thank reasonable for a 1-credit course!
The first quilt I made was a sampler quilt. It was a class at my local quilt store and had both applique and pieced blocks. I love the idea of Anne Marie’s book and would love to try to make a sister-block sampler quilt.
lin.web.28 at gmail dot com
My one and only sampler quilt was the one when I learned quilting/piecing back in the 70s. Then that was how we were taught basics. We started with the simpler block (log cabin) and worked our way up to the more difficult ones ie. applique and y seams. Then we learned to hand quilt as we went each block at a time.
Looks like a fun new book, packed with #CreativeGoodness. I have made a few sampler quilts, but it has been ages. Looks like time to make another.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
I love the modern layout too! Yourr blocks turned out cute. Yes, I made a Carol Doak paper pieced sampler. I love it.
I made a sampler quilt back in the 1980s…still have it…oh have my color choices changed since then!!! (and my quilting!!)
I’m working on a mystery sampler quilt along this year-my first!
I have made may sampler quilts, as they are my favorites. I get a little bored with making the same block over and over, so samplers are perfect for me. I have made 3 versions of Barbara Brackman’s Grandmother’s Choice Sampler, many blocks from her Civil War Sampler, and many others. Most all of my quilts are samplers, actually.
This book looks fantastic, I would love to win it.
Thanks!
I made a sampler from seasonal blocks exchanged with my mini group. I have another set we exchanged that all contain the same fabric. This book will really help with setting ideas.
have started a sampler..not finished yet??? à
thanks for giving us the opportunity to win such a book
I’ve not yet made a sampler quilt, but it is on my radar. The closest I’ve come is a block of the month club that was all types of baskets…but I’m a star and pointy kind of gal, so I can see doing a sampler of those types of blocks….you should see my downloaded pattern of stars, oh yes, a sampler is in my future.
I have made a sampler quilt in the past using a Thimbleberry’s book. My small quilt group ladies are making a Farmer’s Wife 1930 Sampler Quilt now. I really like the modern layout of the traditional blocks.
I haven’t made a sampler quilt, but I would love to make one this year.
I have not made a sampler quilt but like the idea of a modern version.
Have not made a sampler…. Love to try one of these great layouts!
I have not made a sampler quilt like these, but I am really drawn to them and could get into it!
I’ve made a few sampler quilts but not like these! The placement of the blocks at an angle with the negative space is such a great idea ~ changes how I feel about samplers!
I have been following this blog hop on the Sister’s Blocks. I think this is a keen idea. I already see so many possibilities. Thank you for your review, Christa.
i have not made a sampler quilt yet. would love to this year
I’ve made several samplers, one for myself and thtee to give away. I love the different layouts AnneMarie has used though. Mine have mostly been the more traditional layout with sashing and cornerstones although I did make one in a very untraditional layout. I did learn a lot while making them too which I guess is the point of them!
I’ve wanted to make a sampler quilt for years, but since I’m fairly new to quilting, I was hesitant. At the beginning of this year I decided I’d try to make one this year. I haven’t started yet, and looking at the pictures you posted, encourages me to go ahead and take the leap! 🙂
I really like doing a sampler quilt have done 2 and really enjoyed putting together each of the blocks.
I have not made a sampler quilt but do like the style.
My very first quilt was a sampler lap quilt. I made it in a class for beginners. I tended toward more traditional calicos in browns with hint of color. The instructor urged me to use a bit of those colors for “pop” in some of the blocks and it worked. That quilt is still going strong after some 30 years later.
I haven’t made a sampler quilt. But this looks like the one to start with. So many possibilities!
Dmac5958ataoldotcom
Yes, I have made a sampler quilt. I really loved the pictures & ideas you posted from the book!
I have made a few sampler quilts (only one of which is actually complete!) I enjoy making the different blocks and trying out different fabric combinations.
My first two quilts were sampler quilts, which introduced me to a variety of blocks and skills. I was hooked, and have been quilting ever since. I took over the spare room and filled it with material, projects and other tools of the trade. It never ceases to amaze me how we can use the same block from one quilt to the next and come up with a totally different design.
WOW! I never thought a sampler quilt could look so modern. Can’t wait to try this myself.
30 years ago I took a class at my local quilt shop and learned to quilt by making a sampler quilt. We selected our calico fabrics, made templates for each block, traced and cut each piece with scissors and stitched all together by hand. It remained a UFO for many years but was eventually completed with poly batting and a hodge podge of hand quilting and my early attempts at machine quilting. The process took too many years and I had outgrown the color scheme and the love of calico fabric and any interest in using the quilt. My daughter rescued it from my donation pile and she uses it on her guest bed these days!
I’ve never thought I’d ever make another ‘sampler’ until I saw AnneMarie’s designs. I especially love the inverse blocks and unique layouts in her book. Thanks for taking the time to introduce it to us!
I made a sampler quilt or two when I first started quilting but haven’t made one in many years. Mine were never as fabulous as AnneMarie’s — I like her modern versions!
My first quilting class over 30 years ago (can I be that old?) was a sampler. It gave the students a chance to try many different techniques.
Christa, I also have traditionally not been a huge fan of sampler quilts. However, I recently participated in Amy Gibson’s “free” Block of the month Craftsy class and it was a great experience. I learned a lot of new tips and gained confidence in certain techniques that intimidated me. I would never have attempted English paper piecing without her showing us how easy it can be! After reading your comments, I am convinced that Sister Sampler quilts would be another great experience for me. I often make a block and then wonder how it would look in a different color scheme. Here’s a great chance to take that to the sewing machine and test out contrasting color palettes.
I have never made a sampler quilt, but would sure love to try! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have made a few sampler quilts, Aurifil DOM 2012, 2013 and 2014. Currently I have started #modernhstsampler by Blossom Heart Quilts.
I made a sampler quilt from Annemarie’s first set of sampler blocks…still haven’t quilted it yet, but the book’s publication has lit a fire under me!
I’m working on my first and planning on my second! I cannot wait to see how they end up.
I have never made one, but would like to add one to my quilty wish list. Thanks for showing off this really cool book. Looking forward to reading it in person.
I have not made a sampler quilt as of today. But seeing all these blogs about this book is making me want to start one
I haven’t made a sampler quilt yet, but I have several lined up on my quilty bucket list.
My first quilt was a sampler quilt taught by Amy Gibson on Craftsy bom! I doubled the number of blocks added sashing and two long strips to the side to make it fit my king size bed! Then I used Leah Days quilt as you go technique to finish it! It was a big undertaking and I loved every minute of it!
I made a star sampler quilt for my mother-in-law about 6 years ago when I first started quilting. I chose the blocks from the 501 Quilt Blocks book. It was done in shades of purple, from lavender to purple so dark it was almost black.
I haven’t made a sampler quilt. But I love the ideas in this book and want to try!
I have not made a sampler quilt – but I have fallen in love with them recently! I cannot wait to get started…