Feathered Friends: 18 Paper-Pieced Blocks for Bird Lovers [Paperback] Review

Paper piecing is not my favorite type of quilting mostly due to my dislike of the fabric waste.However, this book has excellent patterns / projects for birds that I think those who don't like to applique or want a faster way to achieve these designs will truly enjoy.Directions are easily understood and implemented.TIPS:(1) If you are new to paper piecing, try using BATIK fabrics that have no right or wrong side.This helps you to avoid using "Mr. Ripper" when you place your fabric the wrong way against the paper piecing pattern. (2) Use a two-ply thread like Aurifil Mako 50 wt (Aurifil 50 wt Taupe is my color preference for all piecing) and a thinner needle 75/11 or 70/10 sharps.These help eliminate bulk especially with the very small pieces.

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Product Description:
18 beautiful paper-pieced blocks for bird lovers feature chickadees, wrens, woodpeckers, swallows, swans, puffins, gulls, and many others.

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The Quilting Arts Book: Techniques and Inspiration for Creating One-of-a-Kind Quilts [Paperback] Review

I am huge fan and subscriber of Quilting Arts Magazine.I have every issue and re-read them many times which is why I pre-ordered this book when it was announced.After reviewing it last night, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed because the articles and the techniques are the same ones that can be found in the magazine.This book is actually acompilation of all of their best articles and techniques over the past years.I would highly recommend this book if you have not been a subscriber to the magazine.

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Product Description:
Beginners and seasoned crafters alike will find inspiration andinstruction in this definitive quilting resource that combinesfoundational techniques for quilting and fiber art with tips and tricks for creating one-of-a-kind works of art. Showcased here are some of the most popular topics, articles, and artists from past issues of Quilting Arts magazine, as well asnew and freshmethods from today's most respected contemporary quilt artists. Hands-on workshopsintroduce craftersto each facet of theart-quilt trade-from creating abstract, pictorial, and landscape quilts to in-depth techniques on surface design and stitching applications. Each chapter showcases various art-quilting concepts and ends with quick creative exercises and tips guaranteed to get both quilters and mixed-media artists creating with cloth right away.

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Simply Amazing Quilted Photography [Paperback] Review

Simply Amazing Quilted Photography by fashion industry expert and quilting authority Tammie Bowser is a detailed and thoroughly "user friendly" instructional manual for transforming fabric into photographs, and creating wonders and satisfying projects that will bring joy and amazement. Grids, step-by-step instructions, illustrations both in black-and-white and in color, and the occasional quotable quote help make this informative "how-to" guide as easy to follow as possible and is especially recommended for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in quilting and the do-it-yourself craft of making quilted photos.

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Product Description:
In my book you will learn how to transform ordinary fabric scraps in to unbelievably beautiful photographic quilts! The quilts look intricate and difficult to make, but it's easy to do even if you are a beginning sewer. Each quilted photo takes only a few hours to make and you'll learn a simple sewing technique that will reduce your sewing time by 85%. Your friends will gasp in amazement when they realize your quilt is really a photograph! As seen on HGTV's "Simply Quilts"

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Garden-Inspired Quilts: Design Journals for 12 Quilt Projects [Paperback] Review

I anticipated receiving this book because I was drawn to the photo on the cover - a flower represented in half photo, half quilt. I expected the quilts inside to be replicas of nature.Instead there are one or two like this and the rest are not "garden-inspired" at all, as far as I can tell.The first quilt is a basic log cabin quilt.The second is a folk heart type quilt.I was really hoping for more artistic, realistic quilts.The photos are so lovely...I wish the quilts compared!

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Product Description:
Mother-and-daughter team Jean and Valori Wells share beautiful garden photography, quilt patterns, and creative inspiration with these 12 quilt projects and a pillow. Quilters' journals take you step by step through the process of turning photos, memories, and ideas into finished quilts. Readers will also see how to design their own garden-inspired quilts with Jean and Valori right by their side!

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Design Explorations for the Creative Qui: Easy-to-Follow Lessons for Dynamic Art Quilts [Paperback] Review

I take classes from Katie, buy all her books and her dvd, love her work and can tell you this book is the best yet.Chock full of detailed information on how she creates not one, but all methods of her art quilts.Katie takes you from the first step, how to find an idea, to the finished product in detailed explanations and pictures.She explains how to create different type ofart quilts from your own photos,paintings, or sketches.From start to finish she shows, in easyto follow photos, how to design and actually construct the quilt in several methods.A must have primer for the beginning quilter who is ready to branch out, as well as the experienced art quilter who wants to try different techniques.I highly recommend this book as a reference tool that will have you re-reading it over and over for techniques as well as inspiration.

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Product Description:
Bring out your inner artist-explore 10 approaches to designing art quilts. Techniques work for everyone, beginner or advanced.

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The Nursery Rhyme Quilt [Paperback] Review

I received the book very quickly and it was in wonderful condition.The pattern had been removed (which was stated up front) but was all there and in good shape.

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Product Description:
Stitch up a delightful storybook quilt with appliqued nursery-rhyme scenes to share! Choose to make a decorative wall hanging for the nursery or a cuddly blanket for a special child. Create a small one-block quilt featuring a favorite rhyme--or relive childhood memories by making a full-size quilt to keep! The book includes:
* Nine charming blocks, featuring characters such as Little Miss Muffet, Jack and Jill, and Little Bo Peep
* A center block with a merry Mother Goose presiding over her nursery-rhyme stories
* Step-by-step instructions and full-size applique templates for each block

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Quilts from Nature [Paperback] Review

I was thrilled to find Joan Colvin's book, Quilts from Nature, through Amazon.com. It really is a one of a kind book that is no longer being published done by an amazing artist who is now deceased. Joan takes you step by step through her thought processes as well as the construction of these amazing works of art, allowing you to either follow in her footsteps or veer off on your own path.

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Blendable Curves: Stack, Slice & Sew Unique Quilts in a Weekend [Paperback] Review

I just got to talk to Peggy and now I know why I love her book - Blendable Curves.She takes basic blocks that are simple for any quilter - like nine-patches - and cuts them in half with a free form curve.THEN, she has you sew the curved sides back together to complete the block.

I know what you're thinking - I don't sew curves.Well I didn't either, until now - because once you've sewn the curve, the block is re-sized!Nothing has to match - shoot, it's not SUPPOSED to match - so this is the perfect beginner project.You can just have fun with color and design.And while you're at it, you can take all of those blocks that WEREN'T perfect - and transform them into works of art!

Our local guild just hosted a nine-patch exchange.As you know, not all seam allowances are created equal, so the blocks are not all exactly the same size.Peggy has the perfect solution.In "A Leap of Faith" she used the "blended nines" to create a breathtaking backdrop for an applique quilt.

Pleasantville is my favorite quilt in the book because it is very graphic - reds, whites and blacks - or if you are in Buckeye country, we swear it reads as Scarlet and Gray!But, for those of you who cheer for the wrong team, this quilt would work just as well in other school colors.

In this particular quilt, Peggy inserted red piping between the curved sides of the black and white log cabins.It gives the whole quilt an "art deco" look with a very masculine feel - and as a mother of four boys, I love finding a quilt that the men in my life appreciate!

For those of you who loved Piping Hot Curves by Susan Cleveland, this is a natural progression.

Peggy describes this as a transitional book.First, beginning students can learn to make the traditional blocks - half-square triangles, nine-patches, quarter-square triangles, etc.There is no pressure because if their points don't match, they will learn how to "curve them up" in the next class!She has totally eliminated the intimidation factor!

Once the students have learned the basics, they can bring those blocks to a "Blendable Curves" class and let their imagination soar!Now that they have learned the rules - Peggy can promptly show you how to break them - with absolutely stunning results!

And, PLEASE take the time to read her instructions!!! I know it is more fun to skip to the projects, but this woman knows what she is doing.I especially like her explanation about how to press seams.AND, she actually gives instructions - with graphics - on how to bind a quilt the right way!Keep this book by your machine so you can pull it out every time you finish a project - you'll be glad you did!

Once you have explored her techniques, you will want to play with all of those loose blocks in your stash left over from other projects.Remember, the blocks are resized after the sewing is complete so you are free to mix and match to your heart's content! The skies the limit!

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Product Description:
Make curvaceous, one-of-a-kind art quilts from big, easy blocks. 10 projects to stack, slice & sew.

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Fun, Fast Fusies - Love to Quilt [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

I ordered this book after attending a lecture/demo by the author, Frieda Anderson.The book pertains to the art of fusible quilting and the directions are very concise.I would (have) recommended this book to others.

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Product Description:
Fused applique is fun, it's fast, and it's opening the door to a whole new generation of quilters. The fusing techniques are so easy, a beginner does not even need a sewing machine to enjoy creating these appealing wall-sized quilts! Experienced quilters will delight in the bright, colorful projects. The full-sized applique patterns are color-coded to make it easy for quilters to match the pattern pieces to their fabrics. The designs are just the right combination of structure and serendipity: you can trace and reproduce a pattern line for line, or you can trace some pieces, cut some pieces freehand, then use the pattern as a layout guide. The quilting could not be easier: no more basting or shifting layers, and no more stopping, starting, or tying off threads at every turn. The backing, batting, and quilt top are fused together, and the applique pieces are fused and outline-quilted in layers from the bottom up.

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Fuse-and-Tell Journal Quilts: Create Your Story in Cloth [Paperback] Review

Let me tell you everything this book is about, in just one sentence:Instead of sewing art quilts with a needle and thread, you can use fast2fuse or WonderUnder to hot fuse dyed fabric cut-outs onto your base cloth.There, that's it.That is really all this book has to say!

It is very product specific (she uses brand names only, not general temrs) and it's also very short at 63 pages.The author also invents her own cutesey terms like "shape shifting" and "random acts of fusing" when a more explanatory, technical term would have made her instructions much more clear.Since the one and only technique in this book (as I stated in the paragraph above) is quite short and uncomplicated, the rest of the book is full of the author's own fused art quilts and the stories behind them.She also tells you, step by step, how she made them.To me, this is unnessecary because it's obvious how she made them.She cut some shapes out of cloth and fused them onto her base fabric with fusible web...and that's it!That's the only technique explained in this book, and in my opinion you really don't need a book to tell you how to do that.

There isn't even any good info on composition or colors in this book.I'm afraid it was quite disappointing to me.

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Product Description:
Turn your favorite life moments into charming little art quilts.6 quick projects use easy fusing techniques.

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Thread Painting: Simple Techniques to Add Texture and Dimension [Paperback] Review

This book is wonderful!The instructions are so easy to follow.The creative ideas are endless. It definitely takes you to next level with quilting.The best part is, you don't have to be able to draw!!!!! You can feel the author's energy, it's contagious!

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Product Description:
Thread Painting is a wonderful way to add texture, dimension and interest to any quilt or sewing project.This book shows you how anyone can thread paint using any sewing machine, by using paper stabilizer papers and photo transfer fabric that go through a computer printer.No more tracing, drawing or painting onto fabric first.First you will learn free motion sewing; how to use that to do thread sketches, and then how to translate those skills into thread painting.There are lots of projects with easy to follow instructions with full sized patterns and scannable images. This technique is great for traditional quilts, art quilts, clothing, home dec--a wide variety of uses!

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Dream Landscapes: Artful Quilts With Fast-Piece Applique (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

This beautifully illustrated book not only will inspire you to begin your quilt, but it will take you through the steps on how to make your quilt into a fantastic piece of art.The step-by-step instructions are well outlined, and the color photographs are unmatched. This would be a great gift for any of your sewing or quilting friends.

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Product Description:
Stitch up a whimsical world! Fast-Piece Applique makes it easy to sew complex-looking shapes in a jiffy. Whether it s your 1st or your 101st quilt, these imaginative designs will add life
and sparkle to your world.

*Find step-by-step instructions for four colorful wall hangings, plus an inspirational quilt gallery and guidelines for creating your own designs

*Discover the best ways to work with large templates

*Explore fun options for embellishing with fabrics, beads, bangles, and found objects

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Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in the Sun: 20 Designs from Rowan for Patchwork and Quilting [Paperback] Review

This one is the nicest of Kaffe's quilting books yet so far.There are 20 quilt designs for all levels of technical ability and they all use Kaffe's fabrics in spectacular ways.

The photography and printing quality of the book allow this to be one of the most functionally usable quilt books I own.I am again inspired to take up my rotary cutting wheel and start piecing.

The graphics and instructions are clear and well diagrammed.I wouldn't have changed a thing.

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Product Description:
Kaffe Fassett is back. Gloriously photographed against the sun-kissed backdrop of Portugal, this sumptuous gallery boasts dazzling quilt creations from not only the world-famous Fassett himself, but also such elite designers as Liza Prior Lucy, Mary Mashuta, and Amy Butler, a contributing editor for Country Living. Crafted from both time-honored classics and exciting new fabrics from the Rowan collection, each of the 20 quilts are accompanied by a sparkling photograph of the finished piece, complete step-by-step instructions, full-color diagrams and templates, plus a flat shot of the quilt. So pack your passport, needles, and thread and join Kaffe Fassett on this first-class excursion to the pleasures of quilting.

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Inchie Quilts [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

At first I thought buying an "inchie" book was kind of dumb since these things are so small.However, after receiving this book, I must admit that I am not disappointed in my purchase.The author gives some excellent ideas for making inchies and takes it one step farther.She incorporates the inchies in small quilt projects.She has several different quilt layouts (with instructions) with inchies on them.She includes instructions for embellishing your inchies.Good instructions and lots of colored pictures.

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Product Description:
Join the latest trend in quilting and make the tiniest quilts yet only 1 inch x 1 inch square!Learn how to make these exquisite little gems from a master. Quilted and embellished with beads, crystals, fibers, and found objects, each is a miniature work of art. Inchies can be incorporated into traditional, contemporary, and art quilts as an integral part of the quilt design. They add dimension and interest to quilts both large and small. You can even rearrange the Inchies because they are attached with Velcro® tape! This is a mixed technique and pattern book that provides complete instructions for those who like to follow a pattern as well as many ideas that will inspire fabric artists to innovate and adapt the Inchie techniques and concepts to their own quilts in new ways.

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Mosaic Picture Quilts: Turn Favorite Photos into Stunning Quilts (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

The art of tuning your favorite photo into a quilt has become quite popular over the last year or so.MOSAIC PICTURE QUILTS is all about doing this.

Ms. Durbin provides nicely detailed directions on how to get your photo from paper to the quilt.By using a 1" fusible foundation and 1 1/4" fabric squares, you are able to create the graduated colors that a photo shows.But wait, it is easier than you would think because there are no turned under edges.Everything is done in "raw form".The secret is an overlay of tulle fabric!By using this overlay, you can even incorporate 3-D embellishments such as rocks, dried flowers or twigs to add extra punch to the quilt.

These will be beautiful wall hangings but are not something you will make in a weekend.With over 500 pieces in her smallest project to 1200 pieces in her largest, it will take many hours just to cut the fabric.Each project has the photo and the finished quilt shown.Size, number of pieces and skill level are given at the very start of the project so you will know which one you want to do.A materials and cutting list are provided and instructions on building and embellishing and finishing are also given.

Ms. Durbin provides photomaps and transparency forms so you can create these or your own. A four page gallery of quilts she has done show just how detailed these quilts really are.If you have always dreamed of turning your favorite photo into a fabric keepsake, this book will walk you through just how to do it.

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Product Description:
Transform your favorite photos into amazing pieces of quilted art! With fabric as your palette, you can create wall quilts from photos of landscapes, flowers, people--and get results that resemble gorgeous watercolor paintings.
*Learn this easy, square-by-square technique with five step-by-step projects
*Simply print a photo onto paper; then use a transparent grid to lay out your fabrics
*Use raw-edge patchwork for super-simple sewing--plus, you can quilt as you go!

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Quilts from the Selvage Edge [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

This book is worth every penny! The quilts are amazing and they are easy to make. There is a Log Cabin, a Tree-of-Life, Tumbling Blocks, a Pineapple, a Basket Weave, and a Star quilt. Thirteen in all. They look complicated but really aren't! The instructions are clear and simple. You can easily see how these quilts go together just by looking at the step-by-step pictures.

I bought this book a week ago and I finished my first selvage quilt already, a Log Cabin.It came out really well and inspired me to create my own design. What I really like about this book is that you can quickly learn enough to create your own designs.Also, I was glad to see the photo of a selvage quilt after machine washing and drying. It looked fine. So I'm hooked! This is so much fun.

The Foreword by Mark Lipinski (Quilter's Home magazine) is hilarious!

"Quilts from the Selvage Edge" is beautifully done and full of inspiration. Definitely one of my favorites, a 5-star quilting book!

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Product Description:
'Cut off the selvages.' That s often the first thing new quilters learn about fabric in beginning classes. But what do you do with them? Throw them away? Never again! Not after you see the vivid and ingenious creations they can become. Here are quilts that will appeal to every scrapsaver and fabric stash owner. Karen's ingenious use of selvages turns them into fun and imaginative quilts. There are detailed, photo-illustrated instructions on how to make every shape block used in these quilts. Combine the selvage-pieced blocks with complementary fabrics for visually exciting and dramatic quilts. Karen shows you every step of the process for making these scrappiest of scrap quilt blocks.And you thought selvages were only to trim off!

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Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts [Paperback] Review

I received my copy in the mail yesterday.I put it down just long enough to sleep and go to work.My head is still spinning!Rarely do craft books come packed with so much information.I know, because I have lots and lots of them.Rarely are they so detailed and clear. This is not merely a "make this project" kind of book.This is a "here is a new concept and how to use it" book.I love those kind of books!

The book shows you how to make curves using only straight lines.Spirals swirl in, out and around, point to point, and nest inside one another. The quilts in the gazillion and one photos are original works by RaNae and the group of Spiromaniacs who worked alongside her, tested her theories, and put her techniques into practice. All there for you to drool over, then jump up and run to your sewing machine!

The quilts (66 of them!) and their designers/creators truly are Simply Amazing.No pun, no exaggeration.The quilts are individual, inspiring, challenging, and just plain ole' gorgeous.[...]

The book is divided into four sections: Meet the Spirals (20 pgs), Designing with Spirals (52 pgs), Sewing Spirals (26 pgs), and Projects (22 pgs).Each section is lavishly illustrated, making the exciting concepts easier to understand and sink your teeth into.RaNae hands you concepts and tools, then sets you free to express your creative instincts in a totally unexpected and new direction.

There are numerous side-bars of "extra" information that magically answer the question you're just about to ask.The page layout and format is eye-friendly, and sucks you into reading all the juicy bits.My only complaint is that I wanted to read everything all at the same time!My favorite line from a troubleshooting section on p 102 is "Solution: First, scream! Next, take a deep breath." and then calmly walks you through fixing the problem.

Many of the quilts have a very contemporary feel.I personally love very traditional quilts.RaNae has managed to design several that fill my love for traditional and at the same time put me squarely in the 21st century!Some are vibrantly alive with color, a few are calming and comforting.I can't even start to point out my favorites, because I might miss one, there's so many!

To describe this book in just a few words: exciting, innovative, breath-taking, creative, mind-expanding!A must have for the quilter who loves to design and wants to take his or her work to the next level.

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Product Description:
Learn to create six foundation-pieced spiral-based quilts--with no math! This one-of-a-kind technique for spiral quilt design allows you to create fascinating and beautiful art quilts. The bonus CD includes the basic shapes for the spiral patterns and the pattern insert helps you set up the perimeter shape, or draw free-hand irregular shapes without a template.
Choose your technique from any of three methods:

By hand, completely freehand, using only a straight
By hand, precisely, using a ruler to measure increments in each spoke
On the computer -- Electric Quilt works great for all types of spirals

No matter the technique, the results will be simply amazing!

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