Your First Quilt Book (or it should be!) [Paperback] Review

You too can read this book and feel like a quilting bee! I love this book because Carol Doak explains every stupid little detail you need to know inorder not to screw up big time withquilts. It's not easy to sew all thoselittle pieces together and have them come out symetrical. If you wack offthe excess with a rotary cutter, (which seems pretty fun at the time), theblock is the wrong size. Carol has a gentle and humorous voice and thisbook must be written at about the third grade level because even Iunderstand it. I like the black and white shaded diagrams because it'seasier to keep your colors straight if you use different color combinationsfor the same quilt. Best of all, there are simple projects in this bookthat are beautiful and truly suitable for a beginner. I made a variation ofthe simple stars quilt for my Mom for Christmas and she loves me again. Mydaughter has been whining for one of her own ever since she saw Grandma's.I ironed on wonderful antique photos of four generations of mothers anddaughters in the star centers--which made the quilt an instant family hit.As a result, Mom loves me second best of all the kids again, although sheprobably still loves my brother the best because he bought her the weedwacker she wanted for Christmas and she always liked him better anyway.

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Warm Welcome: Cozy Quilts for Baby (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

I need 36 hours in one day to work on all the quilts in this book that I want to make.Oh where do I start?With 17 quilts, it will be hard to pick one to start with.

A 16-page section on the basics of quilting begins the book.Things like what foot to use, how to do appliqué, binding and tags are among the hints and how-to's you will find here.Each project begins with a paragraph about the quilts followed by a material and cutting list.A page is devoted to a photo of the finished quilt and the block and finished quilt size are also given.

Making the blocks is explained next and graphics help to show what is being sewn.Finishing the quilts is pretty much left up to your individual tastes and desires but the area in the basics sections on preparing to quilt gives a fair overview of what to do.

Between the dominoes, tents, airplanes, kittens, shoes and rainbows - to name a few - I will be in 7th Heaven making quilts for the next few months!There is even a basket pattern that is made from strips so no curves to deal with.Plus the rest are made with strips and triangles - no difficult or odd pieces unless you count appliqué figures.

Either way, these quilts are perfect for beginners or a guild making charity quilts.I will be sure to take my copy to my guild.

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Product Description:
This is an enchanting collection of cosy and colourful quilts for babies. In this beautifully illustrated book, world-class quilter Mary Hickey presents a collection of 17 charming and colourful quilts - perfect for wrapping up baby. Featuring full-colour photographs and step-by-step instructions, this is a must-have new volume for quilters of all levels looking to make something special for the little one in their life.

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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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The Art of the Handmade Quilt [Hardcover] Review

I ordered this book on a whim and really like it (though I haven't made any of the projects yet). It's a blend of historical quilts that the author has figured out patterns for and new quilts. There's also a large range of techniques used, so there's something here for everyone. The book is very inspiring and I would recommend it to anyone interested in hand-stitching or quilting.

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Product Description:
Sewing machines are speedier-but, increasingly, quilters are discovering that working by hand provides even more pleasure and superior results. And world-renowned quilt maker, teacher, author, and show judge Nancy Brenan Daniel has created an inspiring guide just for them, with ideas for 18 varied and beautiful hand-sewn quilts. Her detailed instructions cover it all, from making the blocks and stitching them together to adding borders and binding. Many of the designs come straight from Nancy's own antique collection, and they're pieced, appliqued, and even stenciled. Several traditional and much loved patterns-including the Courthouse Log Cabin, Shoo-fly, Prickly Pear, and Windblown Daisy-are accompanied by a contemporary applique quilt and a small hand-embroidered wall hanging.

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Cut-Loose Quilts: Stack, Slice, Switch, and Sew [Paperback] Review

This is a very good book. Her explanations are clear, and she goes step by step. You can see that if you could just think as creatively/out of the box/sideways as she does that you could make this stuff as easily as she does. I can't. So I am greatful to have something to refer to over and over as I try to make something that I really like, but can not begin to create on my own. If you need a little push to make something unusual and beautiful then this is a good book for you. I have made most of the blocks that she shows for practice so I can attest that they are all pretty easy...if you can just get your mind away from sewing 90 degree squares.
Buy it.

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Product Description:
8 1/2 x 11 480 color and 87 black-and-white illustrations crafts
Stack, slice, switch, and sew your way to pure, "pointless"delight!Cut-Loose Quilts features 18 fun, colorful projects based ontraditional quilt-block patterns, but without math to calculate orpoints to match. Easy enough for beginners, yet challenging enough forexperienced quilters, this fabulous resource features Jan's "ish"factor for super-simple cutting and piecing, as well as hands-on,step-by-step instructions. Cut loose from the rigidity of quiltmakingand let creativity soar with this hands-on guide!

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Delightfu Quilts in Bloom [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

This is an attractive book, but, in my opinion, not a great value. Potential buyers should be advised that this book only contains patterns for one full sized quilt, plus a small project.Also, all the block patterns must be vastly enlarged before they may be used.When I pay this much for a book, I expect full size patterns. It is not convenient, or inexpensive, for me to get to a proper copy machine.For what it's worth, I returned my copy as soon as I saw it's format.

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Product Description:
Easy enough for a novice yet appealing enough for the expert, these fanciful baskets and flowers will entice all applique lovers! Complete patterns are provided for a full-sized, twelve-block quilt including lattice sashing, a meandering vine border, and quilting design suggestions. Perfectly suited to the block-of-the-month format, these flower-filled patterns can also be used individually or in smaller groupings. Instructions on applique basics and a no-fail miter ensure wonderful results. Directions for several small projects are given including a pillowcase, pillows, table runners, and wallhangings. In addition to the delightfully drawn baskets, containers such as a watering can, birdhouse, barrel, picket fence, coal bucket, and butter churn all are waiting to be filled with colorful bouquets.

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Magic Stack-n-whack Quilts [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

As a beginning quilter, I found this book to be an excellent guide for easily making kaleidoscope quilts without mirrors or extensive measuring and cutting. As a paper crafter as well, I found the technique great forcollages.
The book starts out by explaining how to choose fabric and pickcolors. It's a great plus that almost any fabric that has a repeat patterncan be used. Then, there are lots of great tips on rotary cutting, machinepiecing & pressing.
Next, the stack-n-whack process is demonstratedin detail with step-by-step instructions and full-color photos. Fourteendifferent quilt projects, in 7 different styles follow. Illustrations areused instead of photos for these.
The quilts themselves are beautiful.There are large color photos of each one. In the back there are guides andpatterns for all the projects as well as lesson plans for classes.

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