Country Elegance: Cotton and Wool Projects from the Quilted Crow Girls
Leonie Bateman and Deirdre Bond-Abel
Martingale; $26.99

Today, just about anything goes when it comes to the fabrics you choose to go in a quilt. Australian shop owners Leonie Bateman and Deirdre Bond-Abel specialize in combining felted wool and reproduction fabrics in their work. I loved the extra dimension that the appliquéd wool pieces added to the work. You will find 12 projects in a variety of sizes for all skill levels. They also include a tutorial for an easy way to cut and appliqué a dogtooth border. I particularly liked “Rhubarb and Custard” with its positive/negative image and the pillow “A Little Bird Told Me” with its bird and flower appliqué on top of a half-square triangle background.

Look for the book at your favorite quilt or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

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Morna McEver is the founder and CEO of the International Association of Creative Arts Professionals where creative arts entrepreneurs craft business success. Her weekly e-zine offers tips, techniques and inspiration to help you craft business success from your creative arts passion. You can sign up for a FREE subscription at http://www.creativeartsprofessional.com.

Remarkable Rectangle
Robert DeCarli
Martingale; $26.99

I love when seemingly complex designs can be made easily, and that’s what Robert DeCarli, a former math professor, has done in this collection. He was taken with a classic overshot weaving pattern and sought to create the pattern in a quilt. Using just strip sets (rectangles), he created that first pattern. What struck him was the sense of motion in the designs as well as their complexity. In this book, he shares 15 different quilts. Since the quilts are made of blocks, Robert also offers some ideas for twisting and turning the blocks to create new designs, something that cannot be done with a woven coverlet. You will find a number of striking designs in the book, and while most appear traditional, your fabric choice could make yours more modern.

You can look for the book at your favorite quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Celebrate Christmas With That Patchwork Place®
That Patchwork Place
Martingale; $26.99

It’s Christmas in July time! Lots of shops hold Christmas workshops to get everyone started making holiday gifts, and this selection of 22 designs has arrived just in time. You’ll find full-size quilts, table runners, mantel covers, stockings, an advent calendar and much more from a variety of designers. You’ll even find a Festival of Lights table runner to celebrate Hanukkah. I particularly liked the ruffled Christmas Cookie Apron by Mary Burns and Ode to the Grinch Quilt by Jenny Wilding Cardon. I’m sure you’ll be charmed by several of the designs.
 

Patchwork Loves Embroidery
Gail Pan
Martingale; $24.99

I have noticed an increasing trend toward handwork, perhaps as a social activity, perhaps as a meditative exercise, perhaps just to relax. I think you will enjoy these delightful designs from Australian Gail Pan. You will find 15 patchwork and hand-embroidery projects ranging from wall hangings to table runners, from totes to several charming journal covers. You can mix and match the patterns and designs to end up with an endless collection of projects. I’m looking forward to starting one of the small pincushions.

If you are interested, you can find the book on Amazon.com; I would love to hear what project choice would be yours. Tell me below.

Beyond Neutral: Quilts Inspired by Nature’s Elements 
John Q. Adams
Martingale; $24.99

For long-time quilters, neutral meant muslin, off-white, cream or white fabric. Maybe you might venture to a light gray. At some point, quilters used black as a background. Neutral did not mean a color. In Beyond Neutral, John Q. Adams created 16 original quilt where he used the colors of nature as his inspiration for his neutral – no cream or white here. He organized his quilts around the themes of wind; earth; water; leaves and grass; and lava, coral, and stone. I loved the movement and freshness of his quilts. Some of my favorites: Canyonlands, inspired by a flock of starlings in flight with a peachy tan as a neutral; Katmai, which had its roots in a traditional block that kept growing; and Pacific Crest, with its image of flying birds on a navy background. You’ll find lots of inspiration in the book and you will look at neutrals differently, whether that is in using John’s patterns or your own creation. 

Stack, Shuffle and Slide
Karla Alexander
Martingale; $24.95

In her latest book utilizing her “stack-cut-and-shuffle”plan, Karla Alexander introduces the “Slip ‘n’ Slide.” This technique gives you more control over different values and colors in each block. While you are free to set off on your own creative adventure with Karla’s technique, she includes patterns for 15 quilts, which appeal to both modern and traditional quilters. I was particularly taken with Shattered and its mosaic feel and Paint Chips, which is featured on the cover. I love Karla’s suggestion of a WRAP when you’ve finished a project: “wonder” about how the quilt might have been different; “reflect” on what you have learned; “appreciate” what you have accomplished; and “plan” your next step.

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Uncommonly Courdudoy
Stephanie Dunphy
Martingale; $27.99

Many of us think of using something besides quilting cottons in our work, but have you thought about corduroy? I hadn’t, so I was surprised when this book crossed my desk. After all, we mix cotton and wool, or heavier decorator weights with dressmaker weight, so why not corduroy? Stephanie Dunphy includes 17 different projects ranging from bags and a scarf to quilts in varying sizes. The projects use corduroy alone or combines it with quilting cottons, cotton flannels, or wool. I loved the polka dotted corduroy.

Sweet and Simple Sewing Jessi Jung, Carrie Jung, and Lauren Jung
Martingale; $24.99

Jessi Jung and daughters Carrie and Lauren teamed up to present this collection of fresh sewing and quilting patterns. The collection includes 13 projects, perfect for gift giving or keeping. It was nice to see designs I hadn’t seen before, and I appreciated the hand-sewn and hand-bound journal. 

Look for the book at your local quilt shop or book retailer. Here’s a link toAmazon if you would like to learn more about the book.