Simplify With Camille Roskelley Camille Roskelley Stash Books; $21.95
Celebrating fabric arts for a handmade lifestyle, Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, released this book of eight quilt projects and 4 pillow patterns. The author, Camille Roskelley is a young pattern designer, who has designed three fabric lines for Moda with her mom, Bonnie Olaveson. Simplify is designed to build quiltmaking skills with easy-to-make and fun projects that feature pre-cut strips or fat quarters. The text is friendly and fun to read, the projects are cheerful and bright, and the book is sprinkled with Camille’s practical “Keeping it Simple” tips.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
The Rose of Sharon Block Book Sharon Pederson Martingale & Co.; $24.99
Since I wrote about charitable donations earlier, a review of this book seemed perfect. In the Spring of 2008, Sharon Pederson’s business partner, Elizabeth Phillips, suggested a number of ways that Sharon could promote her newest book, Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter. Before Sharon knew what hit her, she had a bright orange template for her Rose of Sharon quilt that led to the block challenge. Along the way she and Elizabeth worked with Electric Quilt to make the block shapes available on its website, designed a die for the AccuQuilt machine, worked with Island Batik to provide fabric for the blocks and worked with Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design (OESD) to have the blocks digitized. The bonus was supporting a charity in the process, and they choose Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative. Sharon’s challenge drew 850-plus blocks which were narrowed down to 12. The final 12, plus a block from Sharon and Elizabeth, were made into a finished quilt. This book includes not only this quilt and its 13 blocks with instructions, it also showcases an additional 70 blocks. If you don’t want to make a large quilt, you can use any of the blocks to make the three-block wallhanging or pillow patterned in the book.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
Sew Into Sports: Quilts for the Fans in Your Life By Barbara Brackman
Kansas City Star Books; $19.95
Quilt historian Barbara Brackman is not a sportswoman, but that doesn’t stop her from making sports-themed quilts for charities and for her nieces and nephews. She points out that the raffle quilts that brought in the most funds were autographed sports quilts, noting that combining the sports fans and quilt fans really multiplies your audience. One potential problem for quiltmakers is the sports fabrics, and here Barbara says to “think defense” and manage “your players.” She includes eight projects suitable for the sports fans in your life. And, if you are interested in a charitable project, she’s included tips for gathering signatures. I loved the “Slam Dunk Show Quilt” with its hightop basketball shoes and autographed soles.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
By Barb Adams and Alma Allen
Kansas City Star; $26.95
Barb Adams and Alma Allen of Blackbird Designs began imagining a country inn, complete with handmade quilts on all the beds, a delicious breakfast made by Alice, the cook, and the lovely grounds tended by Henry, the gardener. They took the feelings their vision inspired and translated it into this book, complete with a beautiful floral appliqué quilt in two colorways. Eleven other projects include four additional quilts, a monogrammed pillowcase, tea lights and lavender sachets. Nine breakfast recipes include Swedish pancakes, Belgian waffles and strawberry jam. I enjoyed how they wove a cast of characters throughout the book.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
Simply Dynamic Sampler Quilts By Marianne Hatton
American Quilter’s Society; $26.95
Those of us who have been quilting a long time usually started by making several quilt blocks to learn a variety of techniques and then moved onto a sampler quilt. Samplers had a standard look: blocks set straight with sashing and cornerstones. Marianne Hatton introduces what she calls the “next generation” sampler without the sashing. One of the keys to Marianne’s method is her GridMap® technique where you create a map to follow to ensure your success. Includes instructions for basics of quiltmaking, including straight, curved and set-in seams, appliqué, borders and quilting. If you work with newer quilters or like teaching a sampler method, you’ll pick up some tips for your toolbox. Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
‘Tis the Season, Quilts and Other Comforts
By Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks
Martingale & Co.; $24.99
Christmas is just around the corner and it’s never to early to get a start on holiday projects. Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks, owners of the Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, enjoy cold and snow for five months a year, and that weather inspires them to make and use quilts. This book features 10 projects for winter or holiday use along with additional instructions for incorporating wool and embroidery in your project. As shop owners, they know lots of tips for success and these are sprinkled throughout the book. Their designs are whimsical and simple, and I found several I wanted to make right away.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library: http://tinyurl.com/Tis-the-Season-Quilts.
By Maxine Rosenthal & Joy Pelzmann
C&T Publishing; $22.95
Following up on the success of their earlier One-Block Wonder books, Maxine Rosenthal and Joy Pelzmann tackle adding graphic elements to their hexagon blocks. The previous books showcased techniques for hexagonal and octagonal kaleidoscope blocks from a single fabric and then adding cubes as a design element and additional fabrics. In this book, you’ll add triangles, including interlocking ad hollow triangles, and you’ll create illusions and add appliqué. The book includes 10 projects to reinforce the techniques. I loved the chapter on what to do with the leftover kaleidoscopes from your projects. One-Block Wonders fans enjoy. Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
I made some bargello quilts back in the 1990s. My favorite now hangs in my cousin’s home. Most of the bargello quilts made during that time, while stunning, were fairly simple. Not so with Eileen Wright’s quilts. She takes the bargello technique and creates waves, twists and curves to end up with wonderful motion. If you are unfamiliar with the bargello technique, Eileen offers simple instructions to choose and organize your fabric and to create strip sets. She includes directions to complete 11 designs. With each she has a complete chart to follow so you can put the fabric strips in the correct order. If you are new to bargello, the last four projects in the book are suitable for learning the basic technique of sewing fabric strips into loops and then opening the seam between the correct rows to create the design. A gallery is included. Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
Tile Quilt Revival: Reinventing a Forgotten Form Carol Gilham Jones & Bobbi Finley
C&T Publishing; $23.95
Tile quilts are a rather obscure form of appliqué quilts, according to Carol Gilham Jones and Bobbi Finley, who are reintroducing the art form. This type of quilt is constructed by appliquéing small cotton pieces in a random fashion onto a white background. The pieces are sewn leaving a narrow space between them creating a “grout,” as between tiles. Very little documentation on the limited number of known tile quilts is available. Many seem to be done in blocks and are reminiscent of crazy quilts. The book includes instructions for designing and creating a tile quilt, six projects and a gallery of contemporary tile quilts. I found the history fascinating, and I like the bright look of the light background.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
Subtitled “Easy Quilts From Fabulous Fabrics,” this is a collection of 11 simple, fun quilts done in contemporary fabrics and colors. The patterns take advantage of charm packs, jelly rolls and layer cakes, though you can always cut your own pieces. This is a great book for the younger, novice quilter searching for a newer look. It still offers ideas for more experienced quilters. I loved the use of rickrack and the “Birthday Bash” quilt with its stack of wonky layered cakes. Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
