This week I started cutting into some of my Cotton + Steel fabric for a new project. Next month I’m going to be participating in a blog hop celebrating Angela Pingel’s new book, A Quilter’s Mixology: Shaking Up Curved Piecing. I thought it would be fun today to show you a bit about her book, as well as the start of my project. You’ll have to wait about 5 weeks to see the finish!

A Quilter’s Mixology is a quilting book of 16 projects centered around the Drunkard’s Path Block. I think every quilter probably has his or her strengths, things that come easiest to them. For me, it’s Foundation Paper Piecing. It’s like second nature and I really find my rhythm when I’m sewing.

Curved piecing is not one of my strengths. I don’t really sew curves often, so when I do I have a bit of anxiety, worry about my cuts, worry about lining everything up properly. Stitch reeeeeaaaaalllly slowly. This is one of the reasons I was so excited to receive Angela’s book. The entire premise is challenging to me.

Angela starts off her book with a bit of history (yay!) on the Drunkard’s Path block (4 pages). She then spends 8 pages going over the important technique stuff – templates, cutting, stitching the curves, and then stitching the blocks together. She also reviews some common problems you may run into when sewing curves and how to fix them. To me, this was a “must read” chapter of the book. Next is 8 pages on color, fabric and thread with lots of really beautiful photo inspiration.

After that Angela jumps into the 16 projects. They range from pillows to 100″+ inch quilts. These patterns are not only beautiful, but have very detailed instructions. In fact, the first time I was flipping through this book, I was really shocked (in a good way!) at the amount of detail put into the directions.

I have some favorites of course!

Orange Twist Quilt by Angela Pingel, A Quilter’s Mixology

Medallion Baby Quilt by Angela Pingel, A Quilter’s Mixology

Arabian Nights Quilt by Angela Pingel, A Quilter’s Mixology

Nine Patch Curves Quilt by Angela Pingel, A Quilter’s Mixology

Quilt by Angela Pingel, A Quilter’s Mixology

I’ve just started working on the pattern above, Angela’s Petal Pusher Quilt. When I first decided to make it, I didn’t really look at the finished size. (Mental note: Always look at the finished quilt size – ha!) It’s huge! 106″ x 106″ Each block is 24″.

I will probably make 4 blocks for my quilt. I’m using Cotton + Steel fabrics with a couple other prints mixed in where needed. Angela’s sample quilt in the pattern used directional prints, so I decided to try my hand at that as well.

These blocks are large but actually very easy to put together. I worked on this for 2 mornings (2 hours each) and 1 afternoon (also 2 hours), and cut out 4 blocks and pieced 2 together.

For the curves, the book comes with a fold out template sheet in the back. I just traced my templates onto some scrap paper – nothing fancy here! Works like a charm.

I can’t wait to share this one with you next month during the blog hop. And I hope you will check out A Quilter’s Mixology and try your hand at some modern interpretations of this classic block.