5 comments about Better Homes and Gardens 501 Quilt Blocks: A Treasury of Patterns for Patchwork & Applique.

1. This book is a must have for any quilter. There are so many blocks that the cost is unbelieveable if you figure what you would pay for that many patterns elsewhere. My mother even bought this book after she saw mine...and she doesn't even quilt (yet). My 4 year old calls it mommy's best coloring book. I can't think of a better gift for anyone that sews.



2. Any pattern you are looking for is there. The patterns are easy to enlarge, or downsize even further for you mini-quilters. It has projects to complete. I have used the projects as spring boards for my own creativity. It contains seasonal, children's, holiday, floral, sports, and regular patch work patterns.



3. If you are into 4" blocks it is a treasury of patterns if you are an expert at applique this is for you. But if you are a beginner you might find this book a little lite on directions, for coping the block difficult. It is an excellant reference book for later ideas.



4. This is a good book to get inspired. Wonderfull just to look at all the patterns, some are difficult to make. I also use it when somebody mentions a block and I don't what they mean.



5. This book gives diagrams for 501 4 inch blocks and a few examples of how to make these into quilts. The 4 inch blocks cover traditional designs such as sawtooth, friendship star and attic windows, a wide variety of floral designs, sunbonnets, block for each month of the year, holiday themes, hearts, Christmas, Easter, Santas, Halloween, trees and leaves, birds and butterflies, building blocks, ships and planes, stars, baskets, alphabet, numerals, juvenile, cats, sewing and southwest inspired blocks.Simple instructions are provided. Many blocks lend themselves to foundation piecing.

5 comments about The Best of Baltimore Beauties: 95 Patterns for Album Blocks and Borders.

1. Defenately NOT a book for beginner appliquers!Patterns are given in divisions of four, although a black and white picture of the complete block is given at the top corner.If you have made Baltimore Album quilts already,then this is a wonderful supplement to you library.If you are a beginner and courageous,then charge ahead and buy this book.



2. Highly recommend this pattern book. As with all of Elly's books, this is a great reference book.



3. I am new to Baltimore Album Blocks and was disappointed that there were no sample color blocks provided in the book at all. I would recommend this book only to those well versed in Baltimore Album blocks who don't need to see pictures of blocks for guidance on color selection.



4. The patterns are great, but refer to other books for instructions. If you do not have the other books, you can still do the project, but on your own to some extent.



5. A true classic for anyone who loves Baltimore Quilts and Applique'. I was really fortunate to get this one as its now out of print. Keep an eye out for it as its truely a beautiful book. One of the best available.

5 comments about Block Magic, Too!: Over 50 New Blocks from Squares and Rectangles.

1. Had I been able to preview this book before I bought it, I wouldn't have purchased it. I'm sure it will very much suit other people, tho - its just not to MY personal taste.

   There is a wide variety of patterns included - 58 in all - mostly juvenile/cutesy. All patterns are pictured in full color (4 different pictures per pattern). 4 sizes are calculated for each block. The block directions consist of a chart outlining size/color of pieces to cut and then pictures of how the pieces assemble into a block (very few written directions). Most of the blocks require MANY pieces: Rudolph/40 pieces, apple/20 pieces, Misty the dog/32 pieces, percolator/26 pieces - just to name a few. Many of these pieces are TINY - the 6" rag doll block requires 3/4" squares!!!

   At the end of the book are 10 "Quilt Maps" - a full color picture shows the project with blocks from the book, and the instructions make the block choices interchangeable, so the designs can be made MANY ways. (This was probably my favorite part of the book).

   I would recommend the projects for people who have *some* sewing experience. You really would need a rotary cutter/mat/printed ruler(s) for accurate cutting of the many small pieces. Personally, I think the patterns are better suited to PAPER piecing than to piecing - and thats how I'm planning on doing them myself.




2. I decided to purchase this book since I liked the first Block Magic. I thought it may be too much of a duplication to the first, so I planned to give this book to my sister. Well, I just ordered another book to keep. The blocks are different and I am very pleased with color choices in the pictures. I have a hard time selecting colors for quilts and then putting the blocks into a pleasing quilt presentation. This book has more good ideas. Another wonderfull addition to my quilt book library. My sister and I are planning to trade finished blocks thru the mail, so much fun!



3. directions are easy to follow. Makes interesting shapes and especially good for children's projects.



4. This book gives you so many options, good instructions, well worth the money.



5. I have used both of the Block Magic books on several row quilts. The directions are clear and you can choose the block size you want from 4" through 12". The quilt layouts she suggests make lovely gifts or a wall hanging for yourself. Enjoy

2 comments about Nature's Beauty in Redwork.

1. I am a Redwork lover (or bluework or greenwork or any other same color work). It is easy in that you don't have to worry about whether the next line to embroider is a different color and it let's me work and watch TV at the same time without worrying about color changes. It is also the first craft I learned as a small child when I stitched my embroidery work to my skirt! And even with this mistake, I still enjoy embroidery today.
   
   Debra Feece found an antique quilt at an outdoor flea market and grabbed it up. She shares 25 of the 72 patterns in this book. Maybe we can talk her into sharing the rest in another couple of books so that way we too can recreate this wonderful antique quilt.
   
   The patterns range from flowers, of course as what antique quilt is complete without a flower or two, to birds and animals. Debra provides a page of general embroidery instructions and there is even a photo of a throw pillow as a suggestion of other ways to use the patterns.
   
   If you are a craft teacher or a lover of embroidery, take a look at NATURE'S BEAUTH IN REDWORK. You won't be disappointed.



2. I can't wait to get started on the redwork designs in this book. They are gorgeous! The only thing that I would have liked to have had different is a cd to go with it so I could choose the size of the patterns.

5 comments about Quilted Bags in a Weekend.

1. Great bags, easy to make and wonderful design. Gets the creative juices flowing.



2. I got this book as a gift from my husband! I was shocked that he would figure out this is a book I would want! So, the receiving it aside, let me get down to the review.
   First off, this book looks very similar to "Quilted Bags in a Weekend : 25 Patchwork Purses, Totes and Bags" by Emma Hardy. The purses on the front of that book are in the book I have. So don't get both of these books.
   Second, there are some really odd styles in this book. While the pictures are beautiful, they can be a bit misleading. I tried making the silk and velvet tote, but it was WAY TOO big. The dimensions given didn't seem to go with the picture. I cut the bag down and it was much better. Many of the bags have an odd shape that isn't always appealing like a pyramid or oblong, or pointed corners and tiny handles.
   Third, while I have appreciated the variety of techniques outlined in this book only pages of instructions are given for each bag. Every bag only has 8 steps to make it. Those 8 steps are not always the easiest to follow and are often cryptic when coming to difficult steps.
   I have learned some new techniques like folding the lining outside the bag to give it an interesting border and I do get inspiration from the pictures.
   If I were browsing in a bookstore, I would probably pass this one up for something with more descriptive directions and less oddly shaped bags.



3. I had trouble choosing which bag to make first. I am really keen to finish the first so that I can start on another.
   I am very much a beginner....but this is great.



4. This is a marvelous book. As I leafed through the pages, I wanted to make every bag project in the book. The projects are explained and illustrated in a very clear and easy manner. I've only been sewing for two years but I felt quite competent about completing any of the bags proposed in this book.



5. I love this book; it's great fun.
   
   I'm not an expert at sewing, but I'm proficient enough to enjoy myself and I do have fun making quilts. This book looked like it would spark ideas when I wasn't in the mood for a big project. I was right.
   
   I don't understand why another poster felt the instructions are "misleading" since the satin/velvet tote gives the size on the first page: 22" x 15.25". After all, it is a tote and not a purse, so it's meant to have room inside. But as you can see from this photo of mom modeling it, it's not that large for a tote! Photo: http://www.mousetrax.com/dian/crafts/tote04.jpg
   
   I made it for my daughter in a few hours. (Better detailed photo of my finished project: http://www.mousetrax.com/dian/crafts/tote05.jpg) She dances and picked it out of the book as something that would be pretty for carrying around her dance accessories. I used her preferential earth tones of greens, golds and browns. It came out beautifully...even if trying to sew velvet can be a challenge! I did feel that this design missed the mark by not adding a big button to allow for closing it, so I added that feature myself.
   
   I love the fact that there ARE unusual designs in the book. I like small bags that I can sling over a shoulder to carry just a few essentials, but many friends like larger bags/totes. This book gives a nice variety and I have lots of post-its on pages for future projects I want to make. The instructions are simple because the processes to make these bags are fairly basic, but interesting and fun and the finished projects make great gifts.
   
   I can't wait to get time to make more bags. In fact, I just ordered another, similar book so I can get even more ideas.

2 comments about New Ideas For Lap Quilting.

1. I haven't tried any of the projects yet, but there's a lot of variety here! Album quilts, bargello birds, pieceing, patchwork, classic and modern ideas, simple and complicated. Something for almost everyone!



2. I am just starting to quilt and this book has lots of information besides lap quilting. In addition to the templates, there is valuable information about yardage and how to bind quilts. It shows how to add ruffles and how to do saw-toothed and scalloped edges. I especially liked the information on how to make continuous binding rather than buying ready made.

5 comments about Comfort and Joy: 14 Quilts for Christmas (That Patchwork Place).

1. The book has a variety of quilting projects and the directions appear to be easy to understand. I like their choice of projects and plan to make a couple of them.



2. Ms. Hickey has written a quilt book for quilters of all levels. While I consider myself an experienced quilter, I enjoyed her tips on how-to pick fabrics and why to pre-wash them. She takes you through all the steps on how to make q quilt right up o adding the label.
   
   The first section has all kinds of helpful sewing and cutting tips which is a great place for a beginner to start. And, like me, even the more experienced can learn/refresh their knowledge with a tip or trick such as using a battery operated mustache trimmer to rip seams FAST!
   
   The next section has 14 patterns from quilts to table toppers to wall hangings to table runners. Each project comes with a materials list and cutting directions. How to assemble the blocks, the quilts and finishing suggestions are given. There are plenty of graphics to go with the directions and, of course a color photo of the finished project. The projects range from simple piecing, simple appliqué, fusible appliqué and finally 3 D appliqué. A final page tells a bit about the author.
   
   COMFORT AND JOY is a book that will be used to make wonderful Christmas presents for many years to come. I will use it when I teach my granddaughter to quilt her first quilt because the instructions are written in simple, straight forward language. With these time-honored patterns, it will be a book to keep and hand down for generations to come.



3. Mary gives us another great book of quilts that are easy to make even for beginners, but they make you look like a pro! Her little comments and stories are entertaining, and the photography and settings with all the sweet little wooden ornaments make this book fun to look at over and over. I would highly recommend any quilt book by Mary Hickey.



4. Mary Hickey's COMFORT AND JOY: 14 QUILTS FOR CHRISTMAS offers up pieced and appliqued projects featuring angels, snowmen, and stars. There are lap quilt, table runners and more in this holiday collection, which features traditional designs and lovely seasonal presentations.



5. Thhis book is one I purchased as a gift for an online secret quilting sister and she just loved it! Lots of ideas and wasy to change these so that they are great for any season and not just the Christmas holidays. Directions are simple and easy to follow.

4 comments about Great Sets: 7 Roadmaps to Spectacular Quilts.

1. This book impressed me for several reasons. Bascially, the book empowers you to take very simple blocks an make fantastic quilts. Think of the stacks of blocks that you have from block of the months, experimenting, or from UFO that you may never finish. This book will give you so many ideas as to how you can create your own masterpiece from your blocks.
   
   When you flip through the book, you see that it is well organized into chapters that give you Sharon's different roadmaps. I am so looking forward to going back and studying each chapter to determine what I want to do with my blocks.
   
   One theme throughout the book shows how you can take the same plain sawtooth blocks and create totally different layouts. These illustrations really opened my minds to the endless possibilities (I know this phase is over done, but it does fit here).
   
   Throughout the book, she takes you through the process step by step. Also, in the back of the book, the author includes many tables to assist with the math in making your ideas a reality.
   
   I am very impressed with this book! It gave me so many ideas that I had trouble sleeping last night!!



2. I was very dissapointed that Ms. Craig didn't include the pattern for the quilt on the cover but after many tries I figured it out for myself. You buy a book on line by its cover.



3. This book is terrific for design ideas, or figuring out what to do with blocks from a swap or blocks you've made, but don't want to put into a standard straight or diagonal setting. Almost any setting from this book will enhance your blocks - Sharyn's ideas are all so wonderful, you'll be scrounging up old blocks to play with, and give them new life in the process.



4. There is some overlap between this book and the author's earlier title, Setting Solutions. If you are only going to purchase one of the two, this one is more structured and the ideas are more fully developed. That said, there is enough original material in each book that if you love one of the titles, you will likely love the other as well!
   
   This book contains surprisingly successful solutions to the following setting challenges:
   - a set of BOM blocks that vary in size - sometimes by 1" or more
   - an incomplete set of blocks for a quilt that no longer interests you
   - a collection of mis-matched orphan blocks of various sizes (yes, there are solutions in this book for these blocks!)
   - a set of blocks in a color scheme that you do not care for (yes, you can set the blocks so as to "lose" the original color scheme!)
   and so on.
   
   Some of these solutions involve setting your blocks inside another, larger block such as wind-blown square. This is very inspiring. Just think - you could do this with churn dash, lady of the lake or any other blocks that have a large central square.
   
   This book is not only inspiring it is very PRACTICAL. Sharon shows various ways to overcome size discrepancies - including "invisible" methods that truly are nearly invisible - at first glance you would not know the blocks were not all the same size.
   
   The settings that "lose" the original color scheme are simply amazing. I would never have believed that such designs could look good but they do!
   
   If you feel guilty about your orphans, ufo's or unused block of the month collections, this book will help you make wonderful completed quilts from them.

3 comments about Quilts of the Southwest.

1. This book has concise and easy to follow, step by step cutting instructions, something I enjoy. J. Michelle is known for her uncomplicated directions to complicated patterns whether teaching classes or in her books. This book is no exception. I made the Eye Dazzler pattern in this book and found it went smoothly from start to finish. I was amazed at how fast it went together! The variety of patterns will give you plenty of options to choose from. I also enjoyed reading how she discovered patterns for her quilts and the pictures of her inspirations.



2. I found the book to be extremely easy. I consider myself still a beginner and had no trouble following the instructions. The author gave great sources since on the east coast it is impossible to find southwestern style fabrics. I could not wait to get started.
   
   Awesome book!!!!!!!!!!!



3. The pictures are lovely and do get the creative juices flowing. I didn't find anything too spectacular or unusual about the actual quilts them- selves altho they are lovely. If you enjoy quilt books and the Southwest, you will enjoy the book. I have found one quilt I will make but may do no more than enjoy the book otherwise.

5 comments about Quilts from Grandmother's Garden: A Fresh Look at English Paper Piecing.

1. The book was in excellent condition. It was a lot better than I expected. The shipping was a lot faster than I anticipated. I am very pleased with my experience and will continue order from Amazon's site.



2. This book has some delightful English paper piceing quilt patterns made from tiny hexagons. I saw one of these little quilts made up and was fasinated. I am currently making the one the cover. The book is well written and the directions are easily understood.



3. I was through reading this book in two minutes. A waste of money. The only good section was the illustration on how to do English paper piecing. The remainder of the book was boring and geared toward making tiny, trite little pictures. It missed the wonderful scope of haxagonal English paper-piecing. I was looking for just such a book, and was sorely disappointed. I really wish I could get my money back.



4. A really helpful quide to paper piecing in quilting!..A thin book but full of both helpful and interesting paper piecing quilting ideas.



5. If you love hexagons, you will adore this book. Wonderful patterns and great ideas for changes.