Color Design in Patchwork: With Plastic Templates for 10 Pairs of Blocks (Dover Needlework Series) [Paperback] Review

Just got this book four days ago and can hardly wait to start making puzzle quilts. This book really turned my mind around and pointed my brain in a whole new direction. The patterns are totally simple and clear. The concept is startling. EX: Block #1A is solid triangles. Block#1B is also solid triangles but totally different in appearance due to the use of Light, Medium, and Dark colors. Nothing complicated except the results. This book has changed the way I think.

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Product Description:
Inspirational guidebook offers clearly worded instructions and reusable patterns for 10 pairs of exciting patchwork designs. Beginners and advanced quilters can create such colorful motifs as Cat and Mice, Snail Trail, Air Castle and Broken Dishes simply by repositioning patches of color.


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Kaleidoscope the Smart Way [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

Well set out, clear instructions, but if I had known that 'the smart way' meant a special template was also required to enable me to make the quilts in this book, I would probably have decided not to buy the book.

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Product Description:
Say goodbye to the traditional way of making the Kaleidoscope block. No more cutting all those sharp-angled triangles that geteatenin your machine's throat plate. The smart way of piecing the traditional Kaleidoscope block uses a revolutionary template developed by author Sharon Sebrow. Whether creating a block with corners or without, even a beginner will have the same results an experienced quilter will enjoy when making a Kaleidoscope the Smart Way. Quilters will appreciate having 12 projects with clear instructions for both right and left hand template use. The book uses a number of layouts to demonstrate the versatility of this handy method: side by side, on point, framing fussy cuts, and more. Sharon Sebrow developed a unique template to encourage beginning quilting students to tackle this challenging block. An award-winning quilter, she continues to teach and inspire students of all ages and skill levels from her home in Teaneck, New Jersey. Also available companion templates; #8003 6 inch Kaleidoscope Smart Plate and #8004 12 inch Kaleidoscope Smart Plate.

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Quilt Savvy: One-Patch Scrap Quilts [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

Pat Yamin's new book is a treasure for any quilter who wants to be able to make a quilt with minimal stress.She shows you how to use one template to make a variety of beautiful quilts.

There are lots of color pictures that show traditional patterns made in todays colorful fabrics. Of course, the quilts would be lovely in more traditional fabrics, too. This is a great book for beginners. However, the more advanced quilter will be challenged, too.I can hardly wait to get started on some one-patch quilts of my own.

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Product Description:
Surprise yourself with the amazing variety of one-patch quilts!Scrappyis the style and stunning is the look. With just one or two simple shapes and a stash of fabric, you're on your way to a modern version of a classic quilt. There are three dozen templates to choose from. Bring back the nostalgic experience of sleeping underneath a handmade scrap quilt. Pull scraps from your stash and trade with your friends so that every patch is different. The patterns are arranged by degree of sewing difficulty and include a number from the treasured Kansas City Star series. Bits of quilting history and memorabilia enliven this delightful compilation.

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Kaleidoscopes and Quilts [Paperback] Review

I own alot of traditional quilting books but wasn't really satisfied making traditional quilts. When I first saw Paula Nadelstern's quilts I was awestruck. When I saw the book I knew I had to have it and I have not been disapointed. Nadelstern writes clearly and with just the right touch of humor. Her instructions give you exactly the information that you need to know (but assumes that you have made a quilt or two so she doesn't dwell on the basics). The section on choosing fabrics is very thorough although I have found that I've had to alter the way I look at fabrics now since symmetrical fabric motifs are key to the success of kaleidescopes. Naturally, I was also forced (smile) into buying alot of new fabric for my kaleidescopes. By the way, Nadelstern has designed a line of fabric for Bernartex called Symmetry that is perfect for these quilts--
These are not simple quilts - the biggest change is that you let the fabrics choose the shape of the template - but boy is it a rewarding experience. I also own her book Snowflakes & Quilts which takes the kaleidescope a bit further and turns it into a snowflake. I recommend both books very highly.

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Bella Bella Quilts: Stunning Designs from Italian Mosaics [Bargain Price] [Paperback] Review

Firstly, this book is probably not for the novice quilter--there are some easier designs, and suggestions for simplifying patterns, but the directions do assume a general knowledge of the craft.

However, there's a lot that any quilter can learn from this book; it's filled with beautiful quilts with interesting designs taken from Italian mosaics.In fact, it's also loaded with pictures of the original mosaics that inspired the quiltds, and a short history lesson on the origin of the mosaic patterns.

Aside from the inspiration of just paging through looking at pretty pictures, I found a lot to admire in the thought Norah McMeeking obviously put into this book.Each section begins with a nice photo of the quilt and then some helpful design suggestions--ways to vary the pattern and make it your own.There's also several line drawings of possible design/color variations to help you visualize your options.Then comes a list of fabric requirements and directions, including illustrations of any special/new techniques and lastly, suggestions for quilting methods that would look good.All the templates and foundations are presented in a pullout section at the end of the book, which is so much handier than trying to trace them off of book pages.

All in all, this a well conceived and well executed quilt book.In all likelihood I won't attempt to recreate one of these quilts, but I do see myself using bits and pieces in my own quilts.It's a good book to add to my reference library.

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Product Description:
-Step-by-step directions make it easy to create stunning, unusual quilts
- Photos of Italy's glories add inspiration
Let the beauty of the Italian Renaissance inspire crafters to create eight magnificent quilts based on classic mosaics. There innovative projects use familiar shapes in new combinations-clearly explained with step-by-step directions, photos, and illustrations-for stunning results. Every quilter will want to travel to Renaissance Italy with Bella Bella Quilts.

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Puzzle Quilts: Simple Blocks, Complex Fabrics [Paperback] Review

These quilts look incedibly complicated but are actually very easy. The fun is in arranging your fabric patterns and colours. Lots of shortcuts and tips are included. You only need to create a few simple templates and you can create endless designs.

I was tired of pastels and traditional patterns,finding them boring and predictable. These quilts allow you to use your creative skills, mixing and matching patterns, colour and shades. If you are not feeling so creative you can easily copy the designs in the book.

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Product Description:
-Library Journal calls Paula Nadelstern's quilts "breathtakingly gorgeous"
-The puzzle is in the pairs-identical blocks look amazingly different
Everyone loves Paula Nadelstern's complex quilts, but beginning quilters wondered where to begin. In Puzzle Quilts, the author strips construction down to the bare bones. Quilters focus on fabric selection, then use pairs symmetry, mirroring, and seam blending to create stunning designs. Six basic blocks, once mastered, can create stunning designs. Six basic blocks, once mastered, can create unlimited projects.

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Paula Nadelstern's Kaleidoscope Quilts: An Artist's Journey Continues [Paperback] Review

Don't get me wrong, this is one of the most amazing and beautiful books on quilting I have ever seen. It is also one of the most unusual. If what you are looking for is an art book that is a feast for the eyes, by all means invest in this one.
However, if you think you are going to produce one of these quilts in your lifetime, think again.
Nadelstern should be teaching pure mathematics at some higher university; the fact that she has devoted herself to making these quilts is a true gift to the world of art because these pieces are high art. A quick look at the diagram on the bottom of p. 21 which, by my count, includes 27 odd (and uniquely)shaped pieces in each triangle with 18 triangles required for the quilt...everyone one of which is a different size, you begin to get an idea of the complexity of what she does.

Having said that, there are some valuable ideas here for any quilter. The first of these is her statement (p. 68) that she STARTS with the fabric rather than starting with the design. This is 180 degrees from the normal quilter's decision-making process...and I think a little more attention to what Nadelstern calls "a collaboration between me and my stash" would vastly improve about 60% of the quilts being made today.
Second, Nadelstern dares to use fabric that most quilters would dismiss as useless. And it not only works, it scintillates.PP. 79-87 (and scattered elsewhere throughout the book) you can find excellent advice on how to look at fabrics with a fresh eye.
Third, if you actually want to try this (and I would warn again that deep and broad experience is going to make this more possible), pp.90 - 121 give you step by step directions and two patterns for simple (well, relatively simple) kaleidoscope quilts.
If you want this book as a "how-to," my strong advice is to take the book out of the library or borrow it from a friend and look through it carefully, being brutally honest about your own skills and interests.
If (on the other hand) you want a book that is an inspiration in the purest sense of that word, and one of the most glorious examples of piecing and quilting that you will ever see, buy it NOW.

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Product Description:
Career retrospective of Paula Nadelstern's amazing work is packed with photos, design insights, and gallery of 19 quilts.

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