Simple Comforts: 12 Cozy Lap Quilts [Paperback] Review

Kim Diehl presents us with one more fine book in her "Simple" series.I already own "Simple Seasons", so I snapped up the new "Simple Comforts" as soon as I saw it.

These "Simple" books tend toward traditional patterns done in strong colorations with just the right mix of color and contrast, and not TOO much applique.Ms. Diehl's style also lends itself very well to scrappyness, and "Simple Comforts" is a wonderful resource to inspire you to finally deal with those scraps.

The Table of Contents page provides thumbnail photos of each of the 12 quilt patterns, which is a most helpful editing technique that I wish all publishers would utilize.You instantly see the full range Diehl's colorful interpretation of traditional patterns.

Of course, you can make these quilts using really modern/mod fabrics, and there is one particular quilt - "Checkerberry Bliss" - that is a great exercise in contrast in black and light greens.My favorite is "Twilight Hopscotch", a really lovely star/chain variation in tone-on-tone greens on neutral; I am thinking of making this one first to use as a shower curtain.

Scattered throughout the book are Diehl's "Pin Points", which are helpful insets which offer handy technique tips.Also worth noting: each pattern includes directional arrows for "proper" seam pressing, which I rely on to help me best-match pieced seams.

I look forward to more "Simple" books from Kim Diehl; whether this is your first of her books or not, I think this one will inspire those of us who prefer colorful yet still largely traditional patterns."Simply" a winner!!

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Product Description:
Add a touch of warmth to your home with these 12 original projects that combine traditional patchwork with charming country-style applique. From best-selling author and award-winning quilt designer, Kim Diehl, comes this fabulous new volume featuring 12 original projects in Kim's signature style. With their combination of traditional patchwork and country-style applique each project is perfect for adding a touch of warmth and comfort to your home - but with such beautiful artistry, they could easily end up on the wall instead.

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Simple Blessings: 14 Quilts to Grace Your Home [Paperback] Review

I love this book! The combination of applique and simple piecing offers the quilter warm,colorful projects to follow. I made one of the wall hangings in my own colors,and intend to make more.Kim Diehl's projects are so doable.The templet patterns are full size-no enlarging! The directions are clear and easy to understand.If you like a country flavor to your quilts,you must buy this book!

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Product Description:
Make every nook and cranny of your home a place for comfort with warm, inviting quilts. These scrappy-style designs will be well-loved and generously used from room to room.
-Choose from bed quilts and lap quilts, plus wall hangings and pillows
-Get a hand-stitched look with an easy invisible machine-applique technique
-Make your stitching simpler than ever with "Pin Point" tips sprinkled throughout the book

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Simple Traditions: 14 Quilts to Warm Your Home (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

Many books of quilt patterns have one particular "mood," and the suitability of the book for your needs depends less on the quality of instruction than on the need of the reader. Kim Diehl's Simple Traditions is a good example. If you like to sew quilts with a lot of applique, in traditional old-fashioned patterns, using primarily scraps -- then you're going to *love* her book. If not... well, this one isn't for you.

I'm in the latter camp, mostly, but the book earns its five stars because it fulfills its promise extremely well.

Let me describe what you get, so that you can make a decision for yourself.

Only three of the fourteen quilts in the book are bed quilts. Most are much smaller: lap quilts and wall quilts. Every one of the quilts uses scraps, often in a multitude of fabrics (which, in my opinion, makes this an unsuitable book for a rank beginner; you simply won't have enough of a stash yet). For instance, one lap quilt uses 2 yards of cranberry, 1 1/8 yards of tan print, then 56 squares, 6.5"x6.5" of assorted homespun plaids and stripes. Oh, and "assorted green plaid scraps for stem and leaf appliques." She doesn't give options for those of us who like the design but would be happy to sew the quilt in, say, cranberry, tan, and *one* homespun plaid.

The quilts are definitely pretty, though! The book cover is an accurate clue to the contents: lots of flowers and baskets in applique, and designs appropriate for small "vintage" prints. Any of them would be suitable for a home decorated in a "country" or traditional style. My home is primarily Mission Style (Arts & Crafts), which may be why few of these make me itch to pull out the rotary cutter. However, I do have my eye on a simple "harvest heart wall quilt" that appears to be a weekend project that'd work for my first stab at applique. (I hope it's the applique being stabbed and not my sewing fingers.)

Diehl's instructions are both easy to understand and encouraging They need to be, because many of these designs are very busy! Beautiful, but busy. She doesn't skimp on teaching how to do applique, either; I think I'll be able to figure it out. Plus, Diehl includes advice about how to quilt the quilt; you aren't left with that vague suggestion, "Quilt as desired."

Overall, Diehl does an excellent job at delivering on the promise of "simple traditions." If you like scrap quilts and applique, you're going to wear out this book.

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Product Description:
Wrap up, cuddle in, and snuggle under-indulge in the best of what quilts bring! In this sequel to Simple Blessings, Kim Diehl is back to share more of her signature style in an all-new collection of charming, comforting quilts.
-Create 14 traditionally inspired quilts in a variety of sizes to warm any room of your home
-Learn Kim's clever technique for achieving a hand-sewn look with machine applique
-Find "Pin Points" tip boxes throughout, filled with helpful hints

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Quilt Revival: Updated Patterns from the 30's [Paperback] Review

This book was first bought to my attention by a fellow quilter. It begins with a short history of quilting in the 30s followed by shorter section on color and prints. There are the usual sections on cutting and assembly aimmed at the beginning quilter. I must admit this is the first time I have seen a section on joining batting so there would be no waste. There are 11 quilts in this book.Each has a history of its block, wheither it was new in the 1930s or an old block revived in the 30s. The author cites where her pattern was obtained from.Each quilt has its own picture of the finished quilt, some in more than one color scheme.Each quilt has its own directions which I found to be very clear.I hope the author comes out with a follow up book with more of the designs from the 1930s.As she stated some of the newspapers published one a week for 10 years. That's 520 1930s designs. These are only 11 of them.

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Product Description:
With the need to "use it up and make it do" during the Great Depression, quilting exploded in popularity. By the mid-1930s, over 400 newspapers printed block patterns on a regular basis. Author Nancy Mahoney has been lucky enough to find scrapbooks filled with clippings of those patterns. She shares her favorites in this rare collection.
-Eleven scrappy quilt patterns include "Chinese Puzzle," "Patriotic Star," and "Treasure Chest"
-Designs feature '30s reproduction fabrics that capture the cheerful colors reminiscent of the era
-Block patterns are updated with quick cutting and piecing techniques-get that old-fashioned look in less time

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