5 comments about Red & Green: An Applique Tradition.

1. Once in a while I pick up a book and actually feel afterward that I got every penny's worth. This is one of those. Jeana has combined the best features of great books on traditional applique forms - history, numerous quality photos of antique quilts, modern tradition-based creations, and patterns. If you haven't caught the traditional, red and green bug - fasten your seat belt because this book will leave you hungry to learn more. Thanks to Jeana for a really USEFUL contribution.



2. Although I appreciate applique, I didn't used to be a huge fan of doing it myself. I had always appreciated the instant gratification of rotary-cut strip-pieced quilts. Kimball's "Red and Green: An Applique Tradition" has helped change that.

   "R&G" focuses on red-and-green applique quilts from the mid-19th century, but also includes photographs of earlier whole-cloth and medallion, to show the progression of quilt-making styles, and several modern quilts that beautifully reproduce this traditional look. Most fascinating to me was Kimball's discussion about how red and green became popular colors for these applique quilts: Around 1850, aniline dye produced more colorfast cloth. Green was produced by overdying yellow with blue. The green fabrics almost always changed color, since the two dyes did not have the same degree of colorfastness, but quilt makers found the resulting colors pleasing. At about the same time, "Turkey red"--using a dye that was much more colorfast than other reds--became fashionable--and commanded three times the price of ordinary calico.

   A red and green applique quilts usually was a woman's "best quilt," Kimball explains, and a woman generally made one of these labor-intensive quilts either just before her marriage as part of her trousseau or later in life, after her children were grown.

   "R&G" contains many stories about the making and use of these applique quilts. My favorite is about a circuit-riding preacher whose young wife defied tradition by joining her husband on all his overnight trips, instead of only on special occasions. Her repeated presence presented problems in the southern communities he served since a visit from a preacher's wife dictated that the hostess must thoroughly clean the house, wear her second-best dress and a white apron, and use her best quilt on the guest bed. If the preacher were staying over, food and bed were sufficient. After a while, the frustrated women on the circuit decided to stop putting out their best appliqued quilts on the guest bed when the preacher's wife came to visit. "She was pretty headstrong, that girl, but even she couldn't ignore what the absence of the best quilt signified," Kimball quotes from an earlier work on quilts.

   For quiltmakers interested in reproducing one of these traditional quilts, Kimball provides two dozen full-size patterns as well as ideas for other designs. Her instructions for how to assemble these blocks seem very easy to follow. What I liked best was that she doesn't just give instructions for one or two "cookie cutter" quilts, but instead emphasizes that quiltmakers should follow their own inspiration, using the design elements and ideas from the depicted quilts. "R&G" contains plenty of inspiration, from the historic quilts and biographies of their makers in the front section, to the numerous rose, tulip, fruits and berry patterns in the middle, to the gallery of historic and reproduction quilts at the end.

   Even if you aren't a fan of making applique quilts, "R&G" is interesting reading, and it might entice you to try a project.




3. As a beginner in the art of applique, I found this book clear and easy to follow. This have also sent my senses into overdrive thinking of the quilts I can do in the future.



4. Packed for the price, this book has easy to follow directions and fabulous applique designs typical of the red and green antique quilts from the 1800's. If you have a passion for antique quilts, applique, or red and green, this book is for you or any quilter - beginner or seasoned. ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY aspects about this book is that Ms. Kimball has taken the time to not only provide a large pattern for a particular block, but provides SCORES of drawings of particular blocks with changes to the designs so that one is not confined to the pattern offered. An example of this would be for instance, the popular Single Rose Wreath. Ms. Kimball provides the layout and applique patterns for a 16" x16" block; then offers 16 OTHER rose sketches (not enlarged, however) to give varitey. The smaller sketches are even documented designs (or spin-offs) from other quilts in books and musemums.

   The book has poignant information about antique quilts and the quilters themselves, history of Red and Green Quilts and the patterns. Ms. Kimball includes a gallery of photos which includes antique and modern reproduction quilts, one of which is her own; a stunning Hexagon Rose Wreath quilt.

   The book even goes so far as to give instructions for making an impromptu light box! This is a perfect book for the beginner who wants to learn how to applique because directions are in the book. It is fitting for a seasoned quilter who wants to expand her/his knowledge of American quilt heritage and reproduce an heirloom. A very valued publication in my libray. Thank you.




5. After seeing and being totally impressed with the quilt on the front cover of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine's March 2004 issue I had to purchase this book! The quilt on the cover of QNM is designed based off of the patterns in this book, only it is not red and green--it is pink, magenta, teal, purple, and blue (beautiful!). One of the most important things that I look for in a pattern is versitality. This book has many patterns in it and though the book is about red and green quilts, these patterns are very versitale and could be made from any color pallett.

   Traditional quilts are very beautiful and Ms. Kimball guides you thru the meanings and histories behind each symbol in each block. The book is very well written with a lot of color pictures for examples. Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was that Ms. Kimball, unlike many other authors, wants you, as a quilter, to use your own creativity and imagination. She even tells you to use her blocks as starting points and encourages you to expand on them. She also includes numerous small diagrams of quilt blocks with the same name but different layouts. Examples of this are the Rose of Sharron, Pineapple, and American Beauty Rose to name a few.

   This book is an extremely worth while investment! A+ all the way!

2 comments about Contemporary Hawaiian Quilting.

1. This is a lovely book of pictures of Hawaiian Quilts, I though I was purchasing a book with patterns on how to make the quilts. There is a good explantion of the history of Hawaiian quilts.



2. If you are looking for a book to inspire your quilter's creativity, you've found it. The many illustrations of unique quilts inspired by the native Hawaiians' original quilt style are colorful, vibrant, and unique.
   If you are looking for a step-by-step instruction guide, this is not for you. I found this book to be a wonderful display of innovative accomplishment.

4 comments about Mimi Dietrich's Favorite Applique Quilts (That Patchwork Place).

1. The usual for quilt books would be one or two of the patterns are winners; not so with this book. The market for this book will be traditional quilters as the patterns are not artsy. All the patterns are creative, beautiful, warm and very doable. It's a shame the publisher does not include pictures. You will find all the patterns will fall on your "to do" list of quilts to make. The applique is not undully complicated or difficult and the quilts can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.



2. A Baker's Dozen of appliqué quilts is what you will find in this book. It is a compilation of quilts from other books she has written. In this one, she takes her favorites and combines them all in one place.
   
   Each project shows the original book it was published in and provides a paragraph about it, along with a color photo of the completed quilt. Then the materials and cutting lists are given. Appliqué and embroidering instructions are found next. Directions for assembling the quilt are clear and have graphics to help explain what the written word says. Finishing suggestions are also provided in each pattern. While templates are provided, some need to be enlarged.
   
   The final pattern is not a pattern as such. Ms. Dietrich talks about the quilt and gives the block size and tells you where the appliqué parts are found in the book. The rest is up to you. This becomes your inspiration quilt.
   
   There are twelve pages of quilting techniques with embroider tips and bias making instructions for flower stems among other things. I never have just one use for a book and Ms. Dietrich's FAVORITY APPLIQUE QUILTS is no exception. I notice that the appliqués are just right for painting with any type of painting medium you like.
   
   The final page has a short paragraph about the designer. If you are an appliqué quilt maker or want to learn how to appliqué, this book will provide you with lots of inspiration from the quilts Ms. Dietrich provides and from the one that will be your own inspiration.



3. Mimi Dietrich has built a 20-year career as an applique artist, and here shares some favorite quilts both new and old. 13 of her quilt designs are updated with new fabrics, colors and settings and provide fine patterns perfect for beginners as well as experienced quilters. From classic applique to new methods, Mimi's title will attract any library strong in either quilt or applique needlework references, packing bright color examples with easy step-by-step instruction.



4. After purchasing other Mimi Dietrich books, I was extremely disappointed in this one....seems like a compilation without too much depth.

No comments about Stitch Spritz & Sew: Curved Piecing As Easy As 1-2-3.

1 comments about Wow! Wool-On-Wool Folk Art Quilts.

1. The revised, expanded edition of the classic quilter's guide to quilting with wool is a real winner: thirteen projects focus on folk-art motifs, designs are made for penny rugs, petal rugs and more, and directions include both hooking and appliquéing, even down to dyeing wool. With all the techniques at your fingertips for using wool material effectively, Wow! Wool-on-Wool Folk-Art Quilts is a lovely winner.

2 comments about Butterfly Iron-on Transfer Patterns.

1. it's Awsome ! I would recommend u 2 try it like I did .. :) Have fun :)



2. If you are interested in embroidering, painting or appliqueing butterflies, this little book is perfect and great value, especially as the transfers (86 in varying sizes) are all iron on. There are plainer and fussier butterflies, butterflies on plants and flowers and clear instructions on transferring to fabric, dark fabrics and wood. Highly recommended!

3 comments about Classic Four-Block Applique Quilts: A Back-To-Basics Approach.

1. The author emphasizes that applique uniformity doesn't have to be perfect from block-to-block. I liked the section with directions on how to design your own applique patterns from foldling and cutting paper. The author often uses just her eye to place pattern pieces with beautiful results.



2. if you like making 19th-century style applique, this is the book for you. even if you aren't interested in the 19th century style, there is a lot of good information on creating applique.
   
   the author has analyzed the elements that give 19th century applique its charm and character. she offers many designs, her own and those of others, all of which are inspirational. there are almost(!) enough pictures of antique quilts.
   
   her writing is enjoyable, and her suggestions and advice are based on a great deal of study and experience.
   
   the photographs are excellent, and best of all, there are no 'decorator' views of the quilts--the kind that drape and arrange a quilt until you can't tell what the design is. the gallery is wonderful.
   
   there are templates for the applique designs, but not for quilting patterns. the author offers a short paragraph on quilting and leaves the rest to the quilter. i think this is a plus, since it leaves more of the book for applique, which is what i wanted. i only wish space had not been wasted on a superficial quide to quilting. those pages could have been given to another wonderful pattern or more photos of quilts, and more complete instruction is available in the many fine books on the market for beginners.
   
   definitely belongs in any quilter's library.



3. If your taste in quilting leans toward applique, particularly toward historically accurate or primitive applique, I highly recommend this book. The author has learned at the knee of many traditional quilters. She carefully studied old quilts in order to discover the techniques that were used. Without our modern tools, quilters of old often had to make do. They folded the fabric and cut it with scissors to make flowers, leaves and stars. They positioned the appliques using their hands and fingers to measure, not washout marking pens and fancy grid rulers. Their quilts are less than perfect.
   
   This book contains patterns, with yardages and applique templates, but the shining gem is the extensive instruction on how to work the applique in the old style. The author does all her applique and quilting by hand, and all instruction is geared toward that, but there is no reason a person could not use these same concepts with invisible machine applique. There are other books that go into more detail about needle turn applique, hand quilting, etc. This book is about getting that "less than perfect" look. This informal, improvisational way of working has caused me to loosen up and be more creative with my applique and even my hand quilting.

2 comments about A Bridge to Landscape Quilts.

1. This is a clear and concise book.A good choice if you ever wanted to learn to do landscape quilts. The instructions and pictures make it very easy to understand. Her method for making and attaching bindings is worth having the book besides all the other useful information.



2. I'm just starting to try to develop my own quilts. This was very informative on material types. Would recommend.

No comments about Faux Applique.

2 comments about Penny Haren's Pieced Applique: Introducing Innovative Techniques for C Perfect Blocks for Successful Projects.

1. This book really sucks. Vague and hard to follow instructions, ambiguous starting points and patterns that don't even begin to line up properly. (it wasn't my copier either)
   Author should recall all of these books and burn them! What a waste of my time and money.



2. I found the instructions and pictures easy to follow and clear. It is a fascinating technique and a very addicting new method of piecing. Our local quilt shop did run a class to get us started. I had to trace the templates from the book as my copier distorted the templates from the website. The patterns do require accuracy in every aspect, but the results are worth it.