The Magic Vine Quilt [Spiral-bound] Review

I'm a very novice quilter and I really appreciate how easy it is to follow Eleanor Burns' directions in every one of her books.She very carefully gives step by step instructions which, if followed exactly, will assure beautiful results whether you're a super experienced quilter or an all thumbs beginner like me.

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Product Description:
Grow a flower garden in beautiful fabrics to grace your bed or wall.The patterns for Magic Vine originated in the 1930's in a newspaper guilt column written by Florence LaGanke Harris. As part of a series, LaGanke presented one new pattern each week. In addition to the pattern, the reader was treated to a fictitious story about a quilt group and their leader, Nancy Page. In the group, they shared stories, and decided on what colors to use for their flowers.

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Easy Strip Tulip: Quilt in a Day (Burns, Eleanor. Quilt in a Day Series,) [Paperback] Review

I love this book.It's another one of Eleanor's Easy ways to learn to quilt. She's done a fine job and I'm delighted to add it to my library.

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Product Description:
A classic 1931 tulip quilt pattern by Ruby McKim is taken into the next century with an easy stirp method for three different quilt settings.

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Double Pinwheel Quilt: An Easy Strip Method (Burns, Eleanor. Quilt in a Day Series.) [Paperback] Review

Eleanor Burns' "Quilt in a Day" series quilt books contain clear, easy to follow instructions with good pictures.With Eleanor's method you learn to create pinwheel blocks without ever cutting a single triangle!Yipeee!I had been quilting for 3 years at the time I bought this book and had 5 completed quilts under my belt.Initially, I was "put off" by this quilt pattern because I thought the one on the cover was too busy.However, I saw Eleanor Burns show how to make this quilt on the PBS series "Quilt in a Day" and came to appreciate it and the technique.I ended up buying the book and making a scrappy pinwheel quilt.Then, I made another one (this time with light green floral and med blue tone-on-tone pinwheels on a cream background).For this second quilt, I set the double pinwheel blocks with cream sashing and corner blocks in a coordinating color (Moda Marbles dk green).The finished quilt received rave reviews.As you can see, I approach this (and all) quilt book as a source of tips and tricks and ideas - a jumping off point.Definitely will keep this one in my library.

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Product Description:
The classic "double pinwheel" explained and simplified.

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Quilts Through the Seasons: A Quilt for Each Month of the Year (Quilt in a Day) (Quilt in a Day Series) [Spiral-bound] Review

This is going to be one of my favorites from our friendly laid-back quilting instructor.If you've been longing for something a bit more meaty and advanced from Eleanor, this is the book for you.She will show you how to make things look more advanced than they really are by implementing her clever techniques.

Although I have always learned something new from her prior books (in her elegantly simple manner), I found the older patterns to be too elemental and chunky.There were not enough color changes or pattern varieties, and the blocks always seemed too large and too few; everything had that "very first quilt" look to it. Hence I shied away from her most recent publications and even sold or gave away a few of the old ones.

THIS book, however, is a very pleasant surprise.There are 13 designs, presented in order of the four seasons. You will find blocks based on crazy hearts, "log cabin" pine trees with appliqued cardinals, stars intermingled with 4-patch blocks, fish, flower baskets, and a Twin Sisters block based on a pattern from 1845.I'll save the rest so you can be (pleasantly) surprised!!

In typical fashion, Eleanor uses a range of simple-to-clever techniques: foundations, embellishments, folded borders, curved seams, fusible applique, equilateral finished triangles, and fussy cutting.She also includes her clever method for Flying Geese/Star Points which guarantees a perfect piece, and her fusible applique technique replaces the usual paper-piecing to create a fabulous Lady Liberty circular crown block.

As I mentioned earlier, Eleanor breaks away from her usual huge/chunky block size; most of the blocks are under 9 inches with one as small as 5 inches.She just had to include a block that measures 17 by 22 inches (in a cute fish pattern), but I'll allow her that!

As in her prior books, most projects feature her own fabric lines, but there is a wee bit less emphasis on floral here.And some projects are shown done up in batiks and tone-on-tones, demonstrating how you can personally tailor her simple patterns to your own fabric preferences.Directions are provided for a variety of quilt-top sizes, plus table runners and pillow cases.

Just a few less than positive things to note:The very first design is for a crazy Valentine, and she instructs you to use foundation piecing!!To me, it seems somewhat oxymoronic to call this "crazy" when the exact same foundation is used for every block.When I make this one, I will skip the paper-piecing and do it up in true "crazy quilt" fashion.Also, the publication is in a spiral ring binder; great idea but bad execution for clutzes like me.Once you have spiraled the front or back cover it never seems to go back into place correctly without you having to re-leaf all the pages.Small thing, but a possible minor pain for folks with MS or arthritis.And you will probably find yourself buying yet another rotary ruler (don't we have enough??!!) to take the best advantage of her technique.Finally, I would love to have seen the publisher put a photo of each project on the table of contents page.I've seen this done before and it really saves you from constantly flipping through the pages to find that one design you thought you saw but can't remember where.This would have been especially helpful given that there are 13 different projects here.

Now, so that I can leave on a positive note, let me end by saying there truely is something here for every one, regardless of you preference for fabrics, pattern styles, or block sizes.If you want to add a publication that is sure to become a classic, this is the one to buy!

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Product Description:
Offers a whole year of patterns in various skill levels and quilt sizes. Some patterns are designed to be quick and easy while others offer a challenge as skills develop. Autumn is harvest time with cool, crisp air offering welcome relief from hot summer days. Winter brings to mind a time of gathering with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Spring is a rebirth of barren trees and frozen ground . Summer delivers warm sunshine and dreams of lazy afternoons.

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Egg Money Quilts: 1930's Vintage Samplers [Spiral-bound] Review

This delightful book is a unique keeper.It is a visual treat of reproduction fabric projects.The spiral bound design makes it special and so easy to read as the pages lie flat.The cardboard templates easily punch out and don't need to be cut.My first project will be the 1930's style Etta's apron which also includes a paper pattern.A nice touch is the appropriate quilting design or a chicken or rooster located at the page number.

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Product Description:
An "Eggstravaganza" of thirteen traditional patterns that gained popularity in the 1930's. In addition to two sampler quilt layouts, yardage charts are provided for five patterns in various quilt sizes. And to tempt your creativity, you will find a treasury of projects.

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Quilting for People Who Still Don't Have Time to Quilt (#4183) [Paperback] Review

This book is sure to become a classic among all books on the subject.The instructions are clear and accurate - easy enough for even a first-time quiltmaker to follow.The many color pictures throughout the book will inspire you to want to make a quilt in every single pattern!

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Applique in a Day (Quilt Block Party), Series 6, with 12 pattern inserts [Paperback] Review

This was one of the first machine applique books I ever bought. We get Eleanor Burns TV show "Quilt in a Day" on Saturday mornings on a local PBS station. After watching some of the episodes relating to the "Applique in a Day" book I decided I just had to try it. If you are a hand appliquer and have never tried machine applique, buy this book. If you have never done any applique and the thought scares you to death, you really need to buy this book. Eleanor makes it so fast and simple that you will be wondering why you hesitated.
This book gives you lots of fun and easy to do techniques in the "lessons". It goes into detail about making simple dimensional flowers and machine embroidered stems with pearl cotton. (Tip: Besides embroidery floss and pearl cotton you can try thin ribbon for that stem technique. All of her instructions are step by step as if she were sitting right next to you.
She also shows you lots of ideas for making the finished appliqued quilt blocks into things other than quilts. Some of the things you can use the blocks for are: single and multiple block wall hangings, wedding gifts, tote bags, table runners, and pillow covers. The single block projects are great for those of us who like to finish a project quickly and go on to the next.
Even if you have never done any type of quilting or applique in your life this book will have you making and more importantly FINISHING projects in no time at all. Her directions are clear, with lots of charts, diagrams and pictures. Although the larger, multi-block projects will take longer than "a day" you will still be pleased to see how fast the blocks can be finished.
The highest rating that Amazon.com lists is a five but if I could, I'd have given this book a ten.

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Quick Trip Quilts (Quilt in a Day) [Paperback] Review

A quilt pattern that has been an enigma to some and a complicated mess of little squares to others is now as simple as cutting and sewing strips together!Thanks to Eleanor Burns' methods, the quilts actually can come together in one day.Her "system" is also adaptable to bargello quilts, and any number of other designs.Ms. Burns also provides her simple and fast method for applique using fusible interfacing.The Waterlily Quilt design has been one of my favorites since I first saw it, but I knew I'd never have the talent for the piecework or the applique.Eleanor has again placed a complex design within my reach.This book is great for beginning and experienced quilters of all ages and tastes.Definitely worth adding to your bookshelf.

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Product Description:
Pack up your sewing machine and take a "Quick Trip" with Eleanor! Quick Trip Quilts is a strip pieced pattern with three layouts. The traditional "Quick Trip" is based on a "Trip Around the World" format.A Bargello effect is achieved with the "Quick Quarter" pattern, and for the artist in you, piece a "Water Lily" which adds a bit of applique to a rippling water background. The patterns are easy enough for a beginner but will challenge seasoned quilters to achieve just the perfect effect for an inspiration quilt. Eleanor's technique for this quilt is fun and so easy that it is truly a "Quilt in a Day." Let your personality shine through in your quilt by fabric selection and placement. Yardage and cutting charts are included for all five-quilt sizes with bonus instructions to make table runners from your scraps. The book features sample quilts that symbolize locations from the desert to the sea. Take a trip to your sewing room and create your dream vacation wit!h a Quick Trip Quilt!

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Grandmother's Garden Quilt (Quilt in a Day) [Spiral-bound] Review

I was delighted to find this book.for years I have admired quilts made with 3-D flowers, but feared that they were too difficult of a challenge to take on.Burns and Knoechel have provided me with an easy-to-follow guide to constructing these flowers--and, yes, I have been able to actually make several of them (as samples) in a short time.
Besides the pattern for the main quilt, the book provides detailed instructions for two other projects and photos of others that provide inspiration to use the included patterns as a springboard for original applications of their designs.I found all of the instructions to be very thorough...and very easy to follow.The authors have kindly provided color photographs to "show" as well as "tell" through the applique process.
I would recommend this book to any quilter, from beginner to advanced, for its combination of technical instruction, quilt history and imagination stimulation.

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Product Description:
The authors update a remarkable 1928 Nancy Page design with color photos of old-fashioned flowers in pieced baskets and six pages of instruction per flower.

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Make a Quilt in a Day : Log Cabin Pattern (Quilt in a Day) (Quilt in a Day Series) [Paperback] Review

Need a fast gift for the baby shower or just a fast introduction to patchwork?Eleanor Burns is there for you, with great illustrations, easy to understand instructions, and delicious photos of finished projects.Anadded bonus:detailed info on fabric quantities for various sizes offinished quilt (wall hanging, crib, twin, etc.)You don't have to strugglewith the math!In fact, your only real challenge will be picking colors.She classifies "Log Cabin" as an "easy" project.Don'tbe misled; the finished projects can dazzle, despite the relatively simpleconstruction methods.You can probably turn out that baby shower quilt inabout 2 evenings.A king-size quilt obviously takes longer, but that'sbecause of the time you'll spend wrestling with the greater amount offinished piecework in the machine quilting stage. Although you'll find thebasic instructions for log cabin blocks in any number of quilting books,"Log Cabin Patterns" rates a place on any quilter's bookshelf.

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Product Description:
The Log Cabin design dates back to the time of the pioneers and is one of the most popular quilting patterns today with its traditional red center representing the heart or the hearth of the home and the stripes around the center representing the logs of the cabin.

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