301 Country Christmas Quilt Blocks [Hardcover] Review

I guess I was looking for something different when I purchased 301 Country Christmas Quilt Blocks. What I was looking for was a quilt block book with Christmas themes. What was included in this book, was a large majority of reworked patterns, that could've suited any time of year except for the coloring. This book relied almost exclusively on appliqué to make the blocks look 'Christmasy.' As someone who likes to machine quilt and not appliqué, this was disappointing.
There were plenty of photos in this book, but the colors of the quilt blocks looked quite drab to me. To achieve the 'country' look they are sewn crookedly. Ughh.. Not my cup of tea. Also, I wanted to see more full-sized items, such as a bedspread or a throw. Most of the quilt examples were of single blocks, with no visual of how they would look in a larger-sized piece. Personally, I don't think they'd look all that great, as anything except a throw pillow. One crooked block is charming... Many crooked blocks = eyestrain.
While you might find some fun ideas in this book, I felt a tad let down by the contents. I've wanted to quilt a full-sized christmas quilt for a while, and nothing in this book caught my eye.

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Product Description:
Christmas offers the most popular themes for gift-giving and family remembrances, so quiltmakers will welcome a collection of all the yuletide projects they'll ever need. Over 300 patterns feature holiday symbols from children's toys to folk art designs to whimsical contemporary looks. Color shots of finished quilt blocks come with instructions for making them, including tips like how to use different colors of green in a tree, and how to create nostalgic or romantic moods.


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Beautiful Blooms: Quilts and Cushions to Applique (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

This is definitely the book for me.I DON'T have a green thumb but I do appliqué.I wish I had found this book last fall rather than now going into summer but the book will still be there come fall.Appliqué is something I love to do in front of the fireplace on a cool/cold night.

The first 25 pages are all about appliqué hot-to's and quilting basics along with choosing colors and fabrics.It is a chapter that very thoroughly covers all these points.

Then there are 10 different flowers to "grow" under your needle.Pillows and wall hangings make up the 10 patterns.While no quilts are shown, there is no reason you couldn't turn the patterns into quilts.

Each project begins with a paragraph about the flower and the finished size of the project.A materials and cutting list follow this.Simple construction directions are given with finishing suggestions.All templates are included.The more complex patterns come with color keys as well.

Grab some scrap fabric (this book will give you a way to use up those scraps you just can't part with), some template plastic, your ruler and cutting mat and this book.When you are done, you will have a "green thumb" to show for it!

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Product Description:
Inspired by walks through the gorgeous gardens that dot the British landscape, this American quiltmaker has turned images of genteel scenery into stunning quilts and pillows.

* Feature applique´d blooms in 10 wall quilts with 10 coordinating cushions ranging from 16" to 20" square, all in a variety of creative color combinations
* Create English roses, Irish shamrocks, Welsh daffodils, and more
* Find instructions for hand and fusible-web applique´, plus helpful tips for choosing a color palette

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Folk-Art Favorites: Quilts from Joined at the Hip (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

THIS BOOK HAS SOME VERY CUTE DOOR HANGER BANNERS,AND OTHER PROJECTS. THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE EASY TO FOLLOW, PRECISE, AND HAD VISUAL PHOTOS ALSO, THA EXPLAINED THE STEPS. MY FRIEND WAS SO INSPIRED, SHE BOUGHT THE BOOK ALSO.

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Product Description:
If you've been waiting for the next collection of quilts from this popular design team, wait no more! With large pieces and easy appliqué shapes, these welcoming designs are appropriate for all skill levels.

*Choose from 12 projects, including a variety of pillows and a sachet

*Add texture and whimsy with fun details and embellishments

*Create a set of four seasonal door banners for celebrating throughout the year

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Candy Cane Lane: Quilts and More to Sweeten the Holidays (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

Melinda Bula, author of Cutting Garden Quilts: Fabulous Fusible Flowers, is known for her stunning floral creations.

With her new book Candy Cane Lane, she departs from the art quilt to create sweet, whimsical holiday designs that can be used in a multitude of ways in addition to making the cute, cute quilt on the cover of the book.

There are adorable felt stockings, a whimsical 'Who down in Whoville' tree, a candy-cane table runner, snowflake pillows, and more.

Melinda encourages quilters to use non-traditional colors to spark up their holiday designs, and as you can see she does it quite effectively.

The book includes basic information on fusible-web and needle-turn appliqué, as well as full-size pull-out templates for all of the appliqué patterns. Sweet!

Kay Mackenzie
Author, Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes

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Product Description:
Add a touch of festive fun to your home with these delightful projects - including quilts, table runners, and festive stockings. If all you want for Christmas is a colourful collection of quilts, then this is the book for you! Packed full of delightful designs that incorporate the fun motifs of the festive season - holly leaves and berries, snowmen, candy canes, and more - this is must-have for those looking to add that personal touch to their home during the winter holidays. Projects include festive stockings, pillowcases, table runners, and wall quilts - all accompanied by step-by-step instructions and full-sized pullout patterns.

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Copy Cat Quilts (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

I was excited when I found COPY CAT QUILTS.As a cat lover, I couldn't wait to see all the patterns for cat quilts Ms. Navarro put in her book.Alas, I was disappointed.There were really only two patterns.True, there are six different projects but only the two different cat patterns.I don't need a book to tell me that I can take four blocks and make a pillow instead of a quilt or decrease the size of the "cat" to make a smaller quilt.

With that said, I do LOVE the cat pattern that she has designed.It even comes with a stuffed ball at the feet of each cat.I would be "lazy" and stuff a yo-yo rather than go through the trouble of sewing two circles, turning and stuffing.After all, the opening of the yo-yo will be placed faced down and the ball sewn around to attach it to the quilt.

I am glad to see the cat is all pieced, not paper pieced and while there are a lot of pieces to make each cat, he does turn out very cute.Embroidery is used to complete his face so you can make your cats happy, sad or mischievous.The projects all have material and cutting lists and instructions on how to put the blocks together.Ms. Covey has left the quilting pattern to finish the quilt up to you.

The Feline Dolls cat has the template included in the book which is the second pattern I referred to earlier.If you are a quilter that thinks "outside the box", then this book might be a bit disappointing. But if you are the type of quilter that needs detailed instructions to make each and every item you quilt, then this book will give you six wonderful projects to work on.

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Product Description:
Love cats? Then you're the perfect candidate for making Copy Cat quilts! First published in the 1980s, this award-winning pattern has been updated with contemporary quilting techniques. * Feature kitties in a bed quilt, a wall hanging, and pillows, and cuddle up with a furry feline doll
* Find tips on working with textured fabrics like Minkee and chenille
* Learn techniques for making purrfect quilts

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Little Quilts : All Through the House [Paperback] Review

This was the first quilt book I ever bought and dozens of books later, I still think it is one of the best I own. The authors make quilting fun, not intimidating, and provide instructions so clear and simple that a childcould follow them. Better yet, their style is very distinctive--elegantlysimple, with beautiful color choices, and lots of pictures showing how touse the quilts to decorate your home. If you long to see what quilting isabout, but don't quite trust your skills or taste, try "LittleQuilts." You will learn confidence as well as skills...and everyonewill love your quilt.

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Product Description:
If you have a passion for traditionally inspired quilts, you'll love what the ladies of Little Quilts have to offer! Their appealing quilts are recognized by collectors worldwide. Decorate every room in your home with these delightful, tiny traditional quilts.
- Choose from 18 quick-to-assemble miniature quilt projects and companion pillows
- Includes shortcut techniques for quick piecing and full-size templates
- Find hints for using "magic" fabrics to create quilts with an antique look

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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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