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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Liberated Quiltmaking II [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

My copy arrived today and I love it. I have been a fan of Gwen Marston for a long time. She is a master quilter with a sense of humor. Whether you are a new or experienced quilter, you will find something here to love. Gwen is an excellent teacher who shows you useful techniques for piecing "by eye," and she answers many practical questions that will enable you to confidently design and make your own unique quilts. If you want to move beyond following patterns, this is the book for you! I have been a quilter since 1966 and I'm loving all the inspiration in this book. It makes me want to start a new quilt right now.

Here are some examples of her advice: "You don't need to choose all the colors before you start sewing." "It's harder to make a mistake than you think." "It's easier to err by playing it too safe: over-coordination can lead to the "color by number" look and a monotonous quilt." Her approach will loosen you up to have more fun making quilts.

The photos are beautiful. There are string quilts, basket quilts, star quilts, housetop/log cabin quilts, medallion quilts, some applique, traditional but liberated flying geese, and more. I particularly like the liberated chair quilt on page 122. This book is fun to read and she makes me laugh. It's the next best thing to attending one of Gwen's retreats. You can dive in at any point in the book.

This book will energize your quilting. I highly recommend it; you won't be disappointed.

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Product Description:
At long last! Gwen Marston has updated her signature Liberated Quiltmaking! The fascination with Gwen's Liberated Quiltmaking has generated a demand for more, more, more! Introduced in 1996, her distinctive methods for creating original quilts are expanded in this new volume including Liberated Square Within-a-Square, Liberated Medallion, and Recut Blocks and Sashing. Gwen presents nine Liberated Quiltmaking processes and each is clearly illustrated with step-by-step instructions, pieced samples, and loads of example quilts. Multiple techniques and variations are given. Liberated Quiltmaking II provides a way of working without using templates or set patterns. Truly original quilts result that engage the quilter's intuition and emotion as well as technical skills.

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Magical Four-Patch and Nine-Patch Quilts [Paperback] Review

Though I love her work, I am disappointed in Porcella's new book.Not only do the projects lack her work's usual vibrancy, but the diagrams and directions contain inaccuracies--for example, a drawing showsa strip of seven 2-inch squares as being the same length as a 20-inch strip.
It's too bad--I really looked forward to receiving the book. Oh well, maybe taht will teach me not to buy pre-pub.

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Product Description:
Noted fiber artist Yvonne Porcella turns her talents to the most basic quilt block patterns, Four-Patches and Nine-Patches, and she will turn your world upside down! Join her on the journey to creating your own innovative quilts. 10 incredible quilting projects Quilts are constructed using simple strip piecing and foundation piecing Yvonne's "Magical Numbering System" makes choosing fabrics practically painless Suggestions for personalizing your work to make it yours alone

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Mandala Quilt Designs (Dover Needlework Series) [Paperback] Review

If you want a bit of magic in your quilting knowledge to date,this is a "best to be owned" type of book.Ms.Pasquini introduced certaintechiniques in quiltmaking in this book that I thought the quilt police would come and lock up me upfor having too much fun and relaxation while tryingmore challenging techniques...
I am a fan of this lady's books,she introduces certain new concepts in cutting out fabrics,and how to utilze angles into circular motifs.The other nifty thing is that the circle quilts can easily have corners added to them, or project outwards for a non traditional wallhanging.With some of the newer "pellan" products available online,an odd shaped quilt can be hung,and still keep it's shape.It is my favorite of two books of Ms. Pasquini's that I own.

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Product Description:
The mandala, an ancient symbol meaning "universe" or "wholeness", is a circular design comprised of equal sections that rotate around a common center. Quilter, teacher, and lecturer Katie Pasquini has adapted this intriguing motif and shows how to create beautiful whole-cloth or piece mandala quilts. 27 full-color illustrations. 220 b&w line illustrations.

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Design and Make Your Own Contemporary Sampler Quilt (Dover Needlework Series) [Paperback] Review

I make large quilts based on single block themes,something about which this book talks about.I learned alot of pointers,and I have to say if I wrote a "how to" book,I would aspire to write something clear and uncomplicated as this author manages to descibe her techniques and ideas.
Its a smart purchase,if you want direct, yet a different understanding of how to design your own work.Even measurements for fabrics are simple to understand,and very easilly understood for someone who wants to try designing their own work.The Author gives many examples of how certain 4,5,9 patch designs can be elaborated into a lage bed spread.Very nice diagrams too!On the whole,I would say to another quilter,if you have made 4 or 5 quilts,and are looking for a next step up in your techniques,this book might be enough to keep you happy in your work for another couple of years.I wish I wrote it.

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Product Description:
With over 130 different block plans, with templates for cutting out patterns, this unique, how-to guidebook provides expert advice on how to design and puttogether a contemporary sampler quilt.

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Stunning AnglePlay(tm) Quilts: 6 Projects 42 Exciting Blocks Easy, No-Math Piecing [Paperback] Review

Gorgeous looking quilts! Great eye candy! I have read briefly through this book and WOW, so many possiblities. Margaret Miller has the various templates printed on pages in this book and you need to use them to make these stunning quilts. You can also order her plastic templates through her website, which it would be easier to make these quilts using plastic templates. I have not attempted to make a quilt yet, so I can't tell you how easy or difficult it might be. I do own other books written by Margaret Miller and I do know that as an author and quilter she is very good at explaining how to make quilts.

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Product Description:
6 eye-catching quilts, 42 dazzling blocks with easy-to-use cutting charts, piecing illustrations, and full-size patterns.

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Pretty Little Mini Quilts (Pretty Little Series) [Hardcover] Review

"Pretty Little Mini Quilts" is the latest Lark Book from the "Pretty Little..." line. These books are always little treasures that contain an eclectic assortment of whatever the "Little Book" is covering. The book itself is a comfortable to hold size of 8.24 inches X 8.25 inches (20.955cm X 20.955cm). The book's description "...more than two dozen talented designers create 31 mini quilts that look to the past as they rush forward to a fresh future...". An apt description since the books contains the best of traditional, what I like to call 'traditional with a twist, and whimsical art quilts. There really is something for everyone in this lovely little book!None of these small art works is larger than 36 inches (91.4 cm) in length or height.

The basics pages covers everything that you might need or want to know about how to create your own mini masterpiece. Covering what basic sewing tools you will require (measuring tape, scissors,pins, tailor's chalk, rotary cutter and mat etc etc. All types of quilting materials (cottons, linen, fleece felts, interfacings, fusible webs) are covered as is a really comprehensive section on quilting techniques that covers both machine and hand stitching and how to build a quilt; piecing, attaching borders, appliqueing, embroidering etc. A jam packed how to section that is condensed yet very thorough.

Each quilt pattern relates the things that are needed to make the quilt, the finished size, and detailed instructions for each step of the quilt journey!This is a small book that packs a lot of enjoyment between its pages. You will find yourself returning to it often for a fresh idea or a new technique. I think it would make a welcome addition to any fiber, quilt and/or textile enthusiast!

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Product Description:

Pretty Little + Mini Quilts = ONE BIG SUCCESS! Right from the start, crafters embraced Lark's Pretty Little series-and they'll love this exciting new entry, too. Acknowledging the widespread popularity of quilting today, Pretty Little Mini Quilts focuses specifically on this hot trend in stitchery.Mini quilts are no larger than three feet in length or height, making them perfect for quilters in the mood for a smaller, quicker project. These wonderful, modern designs-suitable for beginners and intermediates-are the creations of 25 leading artists, many of whom have a prominent online presence. The featured techniques, all explained in the Basics section, include machine and hand quilting, piecing, embroidery, fusing, embellishing with beads and other materials, and trapunto.



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Whip Up Mini Quilts: Patterns and How-to for 26 Contemporary Small Quilts [Hardcover] Review

Making quilts has kept me entertained for more than 30 years, and this book full of fresh, fun and improvisational quilts is a welcome addition to my library. It has a wonderful and extensive introduction - basic tools and techniques are covered as well as more advanced topics such as embellishing and even fabric dyeing. There is a great glossary of quilting terms, a resource listing for books and for supply sources and a designer bio section. The format is very useful: the wire binding allows the book to lie flat and there is a handy pocket inside the front cover for the pattern sheets.
And the quilts! These little pieces really inspire me to try something new - not just to copy someone else's design and fabric choices, but to actually create my own work. The small size of these joyful works is just right to send me to my fabric stash to try a out a new idea. There are a wealth of creative techniques, including some - take a look at the Concentric Circles, for instance - that I haven't seen before and can't wait to use. There are works by some of my favorite quilt artists (thanks Victoria and Kellie!) as well as by people I'm not familiar with but will be following in the future.
Whether you are new to quilting or have been enjoying it for years, I'm pretty sure you'll find something here that will have your fingers itching to stitch up a new project - and isn't that what we all really want, no matter how many works we already have in progress? Happy quilting!

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Product Description:
Kathreen Ricketson, founder of the internationally popular Web site WhipUp.net, presents 20 contemporary quilts from across the globe in this charming, easy-to-follow guide. From the lovely English Garden Quilt to the playful Road Transport Pillow, the projects collected in Whip Up Mini Quilts cover all sorts of themes and looks. With plenty of step-by-step instructions and helpful how-to illustrations, this book showcases an artful approach to design basics while outlining the fundamentals of quilting techniques. Best of all, it all comes in a user-friendly format with lay-flat binding and pattern sheets tucked into the front pocket.

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