TRANSPARENDO - The Transparency Sampler Quilt

Hi everyone! I am so excited to share with you something I have been working on for the past FIVE MONTHS! I would like to introduce you to Transparendo - The Transparency Sampler Quilt, 12 Modern Blocks to Create a Masterpiece. This is my first official book with IBSNs. I can't believe it. I finally wrote a book and published it myself. I learned so much in the process too such as creating my own publishing company, being receptive to feedback, learning how to design cover artwork, and marketing my book. Are you curious? 

Would you like to see the book cover?

Here it is! I really had a lot of fun designing the book cover too. At first, I wanted to put photos of the up-close beautiful quilting, but decided this looked like a more professional book cover. Are you interested and want to see more? Read on.

ISBN 978-3-98255760-1

As you might notice, the book is all about transparency. Each block is carefully illustrated with step-by-step instructions walking you through the process of creating transparency. You only need five fabrics plus a background fabric to create all of the stunning blocks in the pattern book. 

How many pages does the book have?

The book has 78 pages and is professionally printed all in color.

What is included?

Cutting charts for each block, quick cutting chart for setting blocks and borders, coloring sheets for blocks and quilt, colorway ideas for your own quilt, three beautiful colorways with fabric requirements for each, beautiful photography and illustrations, three additional bonus blocks, pressing directions, and helpful tips and tricks are included.

What does the sampler look like?

Glad you asked that question. Here it is! This is the sampler featured in the book using the Sunrise colorway with Kona Cotton Solids. All of the fabric names are listed in the book.

Where can you get a copy of the book?

The book is available in my Etsy shop. Click here or on one of the images above to go there. I would be delighted to personally dedicate your book. Just leave your first name when ordering when asked for a dedication.

The book is also available in Germany at einfach bunt Quilts at Verena's online quilt shop. If you live outside of Germany, we are working on digital and print-on-demand editions that will be available in the fall 2023.

If you are a bookstore or patchwork store, feel free to buy wholesale books directly from the publisher. Write to info@easypatchwork.de.

What does the book cost?

The book cost 34,95€ and is protected under the "Buchpreisbindunggesetz." That means, no one is allowed to sell the book in Germany cheaper than the stated price, not even me. This is to protect smaller book and patchwork stores from being undersold by other bookstores. All stores are treated equal.

That is just way too much to pay! I'll sit this one out.

I get you. I really do. A lot of time and effort went into writing this book and that is a lot of money! More than five months went into writing the book. It is professionally printed. It was tested twice by me. The book was published by me which means, I am carrying the entire cost of printing and distributing the book. Let's hope it is a pure success story. 

Additionally, six really amazing talented and professional quilters helped testing and proofing each of the blocks as well as the entire quilt. So, each block has been ceritified including perfect pressing instructions. It really is a true joy to read, look at, and to sew. The instructions are easy and the blocks are fun!

What's in it for you?

And, we have a couple of "treats" lined-up. We, Verena from einfach bunt Quilts, and I will be running a sewalong in the fall. That means, it is probably better to get your book now and start mapping out fabrics and blocks you would like to sew. Check out her online webshop for fabrics listed in the pattern!

How about a sewing day in Germany?

We've got you covered here as well. We have a sewing day planned on October 21, 2023 in Kloster-Roggenburg in Southern Germany! If you are interested, please contact Verena or me (info@easypatchwork.de) with a short email reserving your seat.

We currently have 18 seats available for one fun-filled day starting at 10am until 6pm. 

What awaits you on the sewing day?

Look forward to an awesome day of casual sewing, a full buffet-style lunch, afternoon coffee and cake and unlimted non-alcoholic refreshments. This will be an informal sewing day. If you want help with Transparendo, we will provide our expertise, tips and tricks but will not have an actual course on how to sew each block. It is more important that we are there to help you personally with any questions you may have about quilting and patchwork. The price for all of the fun will be 75€ per individual. An optional shared dinner after the event in the Kloster-Biergarten is not included. 

Seats will fill up soon, so book today. Look forward to seeing you there. 

Thanks for dropping by.

the complete patchwork retreat

Are you looking for a full-catered, patchwork retreat that is well organized and thought out? Do you want to leave your sewing machine at home or need to buy some thread or more fabric while you are there? Not to worry! This retreat has it all such as sewing notions, fabrics, sewing machines on site (if desired), comfortable accommodations, fine food, massage, nail services, hot tub access, expert quilting & patchwork instructors, a diverse program of different quilt projects and quick activities all in the most exquisite of locations - a chalet in the French Alps! This full service, complete retreat is offered through Elita Sharpe (The Busy Needle Quilting) from Geneva, Switzerland. Her very well organized and well thought through quilting retreats in Morzine, France offer everything an international quilter might want at the Patchwork in the Peaks Retreat.

Miss Elita

Elita has been organizing retreats for several years now perfecting the ultimate patchwork retreat experience. She is ever humble in her abilities and knowledge and helps you on your way as a quilter to further develop your skills as well. She neither boasts nor brags and is always reassuring and helpful. Elita has been quilting for over twenty years and runs a long arm quilt service and a small online patchwork shop in Geneva. Being a quilter herself, her passion is to provide a haven for quilters to get together, enjoy their time off quilting and share their experiences with one other.

I was so honored to attend this wonderful retreat (Peaks 6) last weekend where I was not only warmly welcomed by Elita and her group but also instantly accepted by the other quilters who have previously attended. Thank you, Elita, Gina and Crew!

As a group of sixteen quilters with a wide range of experience from the near novice to the professional, there were absolutely no problems with understanding, because the pace was set by your own needs. Both Elita and Gina (her right hand and additional instructor) helped us along with our projects. They always made me feel comfortable - no rush, no worries, no pressure. If I  didn't want to sew, I could just sit out on the terrace and have a glass of wine if I fancied it better. All projects were optional. You could just sew on what you brought with you, if you preferred to.

Early Morning Sewing Views of Morzine, France

Elita introduced us to a Y-seam exercise with the spinning card trick. Most of us were a little challenged with the new Y-seam, and I think I heard a few interesting words thrown into the air, but we all mastered the project in the end. Our projects adorned the wall of fame by dinner time. I too was most definitely challenged by this seam. I try to avoid it at all costs. But I continued on and made the $&§% thing!

Spinning Card Trick - A Hard Day's Work

Most of the projects were organized in the mornings and other activities such as nail services, massage or hot tubbing in the afternoons. A French/English breakfast including porridge and baguette was served for breakfast, a light yet filling noon-time lunch and a very savory dinner & dessert in the evenings. I didn't take a picture of my chocolate croissant bread and butter pudding we had for dessert one night, because it simply disappeared too fast. Delicious! It was a slight change to my typical "German-style" cuisine of breads in the morning and evenings, but I adapted quickly. Thank you very much, Lou!

The Finest of Dining Prepared Fresh Daily

Not to mention the two lovely hosts of our chalet, Karen and Richard who thought of everything to help our visit more enjoyable including shuttle service to and from the airport as well as the most awesome entertainment on the way back. If you are a future guest of the Mountain Lodge Company, don't forget to ask for the Julie Andrews package and tell them "Karen the blogger" mentioned it! Thank you, Richard! I didn't have to be so nervous about catching the plane; you got me there with a good amount of time to go.

View of the Chalet Les 4 Vents Including Ample Parking

This retreat and chalet caters to the English-speaking community which allowed me to feel absolutely comfortable speaking in my native language and opening up to the others around me. Sometimes, I tend to freeze up and shut down when others around me are talking too fast or I don't understand a foreign language as well as I should. Here, I felt like I really belonged especially since I met others who also had very similar life journeys and experiences such as myself. I feel that I made a few more friends on this retreat and look forward to my next visit for another awesome experience. I am very curious to see what type of agenda Elita and Gina have planned for the next retreat coming up in April 2015! Are you?

View from the Wrap-Around Balcony

Did I mention that I have always dreamt about a quilting retreat in the mountains in the fall? As a patchworker reading American quilting magazines, you will find advertisements for ultimate quilting retreats in the ski areas, surrounded by nature - locked in with other patchworkers for a quilting experience away from your families and other distractions. I have been searching and yearning for such a retreat in Europe for years now. And now I have found it, and I don't think there is any way you can improve upon it. Elita has fulfilled all of my expectations and more. There was even perfect 20°C weather with sunny skies every day!! Thank you, again, Elita!

Everyone Deep into their Sewing Projects

And for those of you who joined in the fun for the long four-day weekend, thank you for putting up with my little paper piecing intro. I hope it helped you learn a new technique that you will continue to use and feel confident about.  I truly enjoyed your company and look forward to continuing this new friendship. Most importantly, I look forward to seeing you again at another Peaks Retreat!!

Patchwork in the Peaks 6 Crew

THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Big Hugs!
Karen - the blogger