Stitched with Love: A Mother's Quilting Legacy; with CD-ROM [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

Here are some excerpts from my review of this book. You can see the complete review on the Quilter's Review website.
"...'Stitched With Love' includes clear how-to instructions and recipes. Not only do you see photos of quilts, you see these cute quilts in rooms showing the other projects included in this book. The beautiful double-page photos by Mark Packo make you think you are looking at a decorating magazine instead of a quilting book...."
"Robyn's easy applique patterns look real nice in her vintage fabrics, but I would like to make the quilts in bright colors for baby shower gifts. She anticipated this by including a nursery brights palette along with a country colors palette and a contemporary fabrics palette.
"There's also a teaching video on the CD-ROM, in which Robyn shows her method of needle-turn applique step by step. The best part of this video is that each step is a separate mini-video, making it easy to repeatedly watch just the pieces on which you need clarification...."

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Product Description:
A designer shares her love of handwork and the traditions that have passed from grandmother and mother to daughter and granddaughter in this endearing family collection of country-style needlecraft projects.Gifts to make for weddings, babies, children, and holidays include quilts, pillows, and tablecloths. Bringing the collection right up to date, a CD-ROM is packaged with the book, offering printable patterns that can be customized easily to resize or recolor on a computer screen-plus a virtual step-by-step appliqu class given by the author.

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Quilts Among the Plain People (People's Place Booklet No. 4)) [Paperback] Review

No color, no patterns, no quilt specifics.Just general Amish-info.Mostly talks about present-day quilting for sales to tourists, polester batts and poly-cotton fabrics, as though more traditional quilts are just history.
If you're a quilter, spend a few dollars more to own intriguing and satisfying books --e.g, *****Amish Crib Quilts from the Midwest: 90 color photos which clearly show every great color combination and quilting pattern + dimension, date, fabric info, etc. Any quilt pictured can go straight to big-bed size w/ application of a little arithmetic.Also gives us a new appreciation of cotton chambrays & simple warm baby quilts.

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Product Description:
Discover why so many Amish and Mennonites, committed to a simple life, make beautiful quilts. This book looks at quilting in plain communities and the possible origins of quilt patterns popular among the Amish and Mennonites.

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Kaye Wood's Strip-Cut Quilts [Paperback] Review

Kaye Wood's Strip-Cut Quilts is a 96-page, full-color compendium of easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for 30 fund and different quilt projects, as well as 23 quilt block techniques. Specifically designed to accommodate quilters ranging from beginner to advanced, Kaye Wood's Strip-Cut Quilts is a very highly recommended and totally "user friendly" instruction manual enhanced with more than 20 photos and dozens of illustrations showcasing these superlative quilting projects.

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Product Description:
Kaye Wood, host of TV's 'Kaye's Quilting Friends,' and 'Strip Quilting,' presents her latest book exploring the many uses for her Starmaker® 8 Master Template. Quilters of all skill levels will learn strip-cutting techniques that significantly reduce piecing time and ensure accuracy. The book explores the triangle shape, cut from horizontal strips, vertical strips, fussy-cuts, flying geese, trees and more.
Directions are included for 23 quilt blocks and more than 25 projects that can be assembled from these blocks. Projects include quilts, wall hangings, table runners, table covers and more. Detailed diagrams and helpful tips guide the reader through all the steps needed to master the cutting methods and assemble quilt blocks with the Starmaker® 8.
Kaye has simplified the cutting and piecing process, making quilting more fun and more suited to today's fast-paced lifestyle.
- Timesaving techniques that cut piecing time and ensure accuracy
- Helpful diagrams and tips for trouble-free cutting and quilting
- Projects for both beginning and advanced quilters

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Strips & Strings: 16 Sparkling Quilts (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

This book is the best! I can't wait to make at least 3 of the quilts in this book. I like the fact that most of the quilts are in a size that I like to make(large lap size). Great way to use up the scraps or for those who just like the scrappy look. Strips are cut different widths, so you don't have to have any particular size of strip. Even a tiny piece will work! Seams don't line up, so this is great of beginners.
You will not be sorry, if you invest in this book!

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Product Description:
Can't bear to throw out your scraps? Give this old-time technique an all-new twist! These string-piecing shortcuts stretch the method way beyond its traditional uses.
- Sixteen patterns include fun baby quilts, plus gorgeous throws and bed quilts.
- Simply sew "strings" of fabric together, and then cut from the patchwork fabric to make finished blocks.
- Get fabulous results with this cinch of a technique--and there's no need for a foundation!

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Rolling Along: Easy Quilts from 2 1/2" Strips : Jelly Roll Friendly [Paperback] Review

This book has a number of good designs, but I think it's misleading to call it Jelly Roll friendly.Very few of the designs would make efficient use of the number of strips contained in a Jelly Roll -- you'd either need more strips, or additional fabric (FQs or something) or you'll end up with strips left over.A much better book, with designs which use the Jelly Rolls more efficiently, is Jelly Roll Quilts by the Lintotts, mother and daughter.I can't remember the mother's first name, but the daughter's is Nicky.It's available here on Amazon.

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Product Description:
Grab a bundle of the latest fabric goodies Jelly Rolls! and join designer Nancy J. Martin for a batch of quilted treats. Jelly Rolls are made up of assorted 2½" strips, all rolled up and ready to go. Discover Nancy s special tips for making the most of these creative cuts.

*Use prepackaged strips in 12 traditional designs or simply cut your own strips!

*Make quilts three ways use strips only, combine strips with scraps, or salvage leftover strips from past projects

*Rely on Nancy s easy cutting, sewing, and construction methods for quick quilts from start to finish

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Time to Quilt: Fun Quilts and Retreat Ideas for 1 or 101 (That Patchwork Place) [Bargain Price] [Paperback] Review

Time to Quilt not only shows you how to plan a quilt retreat with your quilting friends, but offers resourceful solutions to make more time to quilt at home without feeling guilty. I followed the books advise and scheduled time for my quilting by putting it on the calendar, planning ahead to have the kids and husband busy with their own activities out of the house. Then I indulged on my pleasurable project in good conscience.
Time to Quilt has a wide variety of quilt designs and projects from large to small, with suggestions on what to do with leftover blocks too! My favorite is the playful ice skate table runner as the quilting makes a "figure 8". Can't wait to make the footwarmer soon.
Everything about the book is beautiful: the photography, graphics, friendly writing style. The book has a positive, open feeling to it. Really clear and easy to follow instructions with good illustrations. Terrific tips on basic skills as well as how to put a group quilt together when blocks are not quite the same size.
The book has recipes peppered throughtout. My favorites are the mix-in cookies and Scrapsoup. For the Pollo con Salsa recipe, you don't even need to defrost the chicken. It was so easy, it gave me more time to quilt!

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Product Description:
Picture a place where phone calls, emails, dishwashers, and family vans seem a million miles away. A room fills with the hum of sewing machines and the conversation of quilting friends. With this book, you'll find easy and practical ways to plan and host a modern quilting bee.
- Packed with ideas for retreats of any size and for any budget, from full-fledged group getaways to a special afternoon of quilting at home
- Beautiful make-it-in-a-weekend projects include seven quilts, plus table runners and creative gifts
- Find tips for choosing locations, coordinating quilt groups, planning meals, organizing charity projects, and much more--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Strip-Easy Quilts [Paperback] Review

STRIP EASY makes cutting patchwork squares as easy as can be.You simply sew strips of fabric together and then cut the patches required for the quilt.Ms. Meunier shows us nine different quilts that can be created with this technique.

A page of general directions is included and a page on how to piece the Drunkard's Path block is also given.For those of us not used to doing anything but straight lines, this page is especially helpful.While I am not a particular fan of the colors used in the quilts as they are show. I can certainly see the wonderful patterns and will be sure to make them using my own color style.

Each pattern has a materials list, cutting instructions and directions.The book doesn't have all the instructions in one place.That is, the layout artist is still thinking in the "above the fold" newspaper mentality of 20 years ago and uses the "continued on" direction instead of putting all the instructions for one quilt continuously. People don't want to have to hunt for the "rest of the story".It was most likely done this way so that each facing page would show a full-size quilt photo and the beginning instructions. Using another colorway would prevent this, as well as using smaller photos and placing the templates with the instructions rather than putting these things on a page farther back in the book.

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Product Description:
Streamline the cutting and piecing process while making these 9 stunning quilts using the surprisingly easy Strip-Piecing technique.The real beauty of this piecing technique is that great results do not rely on your scrutinizing every measurement allowing you the freedom to be expressive.

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Jelly Roll Quilts & More [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

This book offers a different approach than many of those currently out there on the market, and I found it to be a refreshing change. It reads a little bit like a blog & goes in a similar (but not identical) personal/chatty direction that a famously exuberant male quilter used in his magazine. But it's all Kimberly Einmo. Her unique voice comes across loud and clear. There are tons of us out here who really respond to that. Even my totally nonquilter, non-artistic-in-any-way-shape-or-form sister was impressed. She said that looking through the book gave her more of a sense of what I go through to assemble a quilt, but in a way that made sense even to her. And she liked the recipe for Nuts & Bolts!

I think many quilters are looking for this type of approach to quilting, and Ms. Einmo is "a right person at the right time" to help the process along. If I were a brand new quilter (I'm probably "intermediate"), I would not be intimidated by the book. I'd be encouraged to try some of the quilts, feeling that, as the author says in her introduction, that I had a friend who knew what she was doing right by my side as I worked.

The book appeals to more experienced quilters as well. I'd be willing to bet those quilters will love the quilt designs and be able to find tips that will make their quilting life easier and their quilty outlook refreshed. The fact that the quilt designs don't look "dumbed down" because they employ pre-cuts is huge. I can see an experienced quilter enjoying the simplicity of using pre-cuts, but also enjoying the fact that the resulting quilts don't LOOK simplistic.

Although you don't need to use the tools recommended by the author (a triangle/flying geese ruler and a ruler designed especially for pre-cuts), they are very helpful, making the subcuts so much easier.One of the other many thoughtful touches is that directions are also provided for those who want to use fabric from their stash instead of (or in addition to) the pre-cuts.

Useful book, fresh approach, great tips, very nice designs and impeccable, well thought out directions.Buy it and enjoy!

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Product Description:
Turn those enticing fabric bundles into a baker's dozen of fun, fast, fabulous quilts! Love the quilts but don't have just the right precut fabric pack? Kimberly provides alternate yardage requirements for every quilt. Beginner's paradise! Kimberly cleverly combines basic units to create one-of-a-kind designs that may look complex but are easy to assemble. These dynamic quilts are perfect for quilters of all skill levels and are easily adaptable for weekend projects. As your very own personal quilting coach, Kimberly's signature 'Try This!' sections offer creative ideas, design suggestions, humorous stories, anecdotes, and tasty recipes. She'll share all sorts of fast and efficient piecing techniques guaranteed to improve your accuracy while saving you time and fabric!

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Layer Cake, Jelly Roll & Charm Quilts [Paperback] Review

I just got the book in the mail, sat down and went through it and I love almost every pattern!! The patterns are origial, bright, and most of them are easy to intermediate. I have the first book and while I like it, I can see already that this book will get used more. If aready started on the flower quilt made with two charm packs.

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Product Description:
Jelly Roll, Layer Cake and Charm Quilts provides seventeen beautiful projects that show you how to get the most from pre-cut fabric bundles. The projects range from smaller lap quilts to full-sized bed quilts and each is made from one jelly roll, layer cake or charm pack (or a combination), making the quilts quick and economical. Using the latest fabrics, the authors provide a main quilt and an alternative color way for added versatility. Simple step-by-step instructions and illustrations make creating quilts from bundles fun and easy, regardless of your skill level.

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Jelly Roll Quilts [Paperback] Review

I'm an experienced quilter, and teach new quilters, so I'm always on the lookout for a book I can confidently recommend.The patterns are easy to follow, but unless you know what you are doing, you're going to run into trouble.So far, I've only tried the Garden Trellis pattern.I followed the instructions to sew the tube, and came to the point where I had to cut the triangles.The instructions were very explicit on lining the template up on the seams, but did not point out that the triangle template needed to be lined up 1/4" down the tube, not at the end or your blocks would come out too small....something I should have known to do, but totally missed it my first time around.Also something a beginner would have no clue about.

None of the patterns give fabric requirements for backing fabric. Unless you know how to calculate the yardage for the backing, and how to piece a backing, a beginner will be extremely frustrated.Backing is totally missing from the General Techniques section in the back of the book.

My recommendation.....Go for it!....but be very mindful of the minute details, and DON'T FORGET TO BUY THE BACKING!!!

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Product Description:
Jelly rolls are the new fat quarter bundle! They consist of 2 ½ inch strips of color-coordinated fabric, rolled up to create a solid disk and tied with a ribbon. Jelly Roll Quilts is the first book to show quilters the best ways to use these desirable, laborsaving fabric packs. The author shows how to make 15 quilts; each perfectly suited to the color-coordinated jelly rolls and includes variations in color, style and size for each project. Jelly roll quilts are suitable for quilters of all skill levels, especially those quilters with a passion for a variety of fabrics. With names like Bars of Gold and Blue Lagoon, the quilts demonstrated in Jelly Roll Quilts are on the cutting edge of the craft.

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