Sew The Perfect Bag Sew News Martingale & Co.; $22.99
Who hasn’t sewn a bag? I have a theory about why women have so many bags, as well as shoes. They always fit! And if you are looking for another bag to add to your collection, Sew The Perfect Bag has some great patterns, 25 to be exact. The patterns, which originally appeared in the pages of Sew News, include a lovely sashimi stitched silk duping clutch, a messenger bag that’s full of pockets and an insulated wine or beverage carrier. You’ll also find a diaper bag with an attached vinyl changing pad and side pockets big enough for two full-size bottles. And if you’ve ever accidentally washed a wool sweater, you’ll find instructions for creating a felted tote. This is a versatile collection and you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
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.
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.
Many quilts include some form of “stitch-in-the-ditch” quilting, and Sue Patten has offered 45 designs she created to do more than that. In many cases her patterns let her do her ditch work and designs at the same time. She offers designs for sashing, cornerstones, triangles and squares. Many of the designs are accompanied by step-by-step diagrams so you can see how to recreate the design. Her “Tips and Tricks” section includes tips for altering and combining the designs. I loved the quilted pieces in her “Spines with Designs” section done in rainbow thread on a dark fabric, as they help you picture these designs on your quilt. The patterns can be easily enlarged or reduced and you have more than 100 options, whether you use the designs for longarm quilting, as Sue does, or for quilting by hand or with your domestic sewing machine. This is a great addition to your quilting design library. Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
This collection of 23 easy, pieced contemporary quilts, table runners and placemats is designed to make a dent in your stash. The blocks, all squares and strips, feature quick rotary cutting and straight-line piecing, perfect for the beginning quilter. While the blocks are really simple, the results do look more complicated and have a wonderful visual impact. The color palettes used also would be great if you are looking for a project for a man. I plan to hit my stash and piece a couple of tops.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
Pretty Little Mini Quilts
ed. Ray Hemachandra
Lark Books; $17.95
Part of Lark’s Pretty Little series, Pretty Little Mini Quilts features 31 projects made by 25 artists. (You’ll recognize lots of the names, including Sarah Ann Smith, Jamie Fingal and Andi Stern.) The projects range from machine and hand quilting to embroidery and trapunto to fusing and embellishment to piecing and painted surfaces. You’ll find traditional and contemporary pieces, none larger than three feet. I like books that introduce a variety of techniques, and you’re sure to find a new technique to add to your toolbox.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
I’ve always liked circles. A favorite family story is the time I attacked my father’s business papers with the hole punch. And, of course, polka dots make me smile. So did the circle quilts in Leigh McDonald’s book. Leigh’s success with circles comes from cutting them with the Olfa circle cutter and using either a fusible-web or freezer-paper qppliqué technique. Her designs could be adapted to other construction methods; she just prefers those. In addition to basic technique instructions, the book includes eight different circle quilt projects and several pages of fanciful quilting designs to complete the quilt. I found her designs a lot of fun.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
A Bird in Hand: Folk Art Projects
Inspired by Our Feathered Friends
Renée Plains
Kansas City Star Quilts; $26.95
This book title caught my eye since I will be in Bird in Hand, Pa., teaching this weekend. Renée has put together a varied collection of folk art projects all featuring birds. You’ll find nine quilts varying from lap size to wall pieces; eight sewing “needfuls,” such as pinkeeps and roll-ups for small projects on the go; and four accent pieces, including a pillow, hooked rug and notebook cover. My favorite accent piece is the pair of jeans that became a tote accented by a bird on a vine with leaves and berries. The book is also filled with fun quotes, such as the following Chinese proverb: “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
Greetings from Tucsadelphia:
Travel-Inspired Projects from Lizzie B Cre8ive
Liz and Beth Hawkins
Kansas City Star Quilts; $26.95
Liz and Beth Hawkins, the duo behind the design team Lizzie B Cre8ive, have put together a fun collection of whimsical travel-inspired projects. (For those not familiar with Liz and Beth, they are sisters-in-law and share the same name, Elizabeth Hawkins, as well as a passion for quilting.) The books title plays homage to Tuscadelphia, a special place they they created for themselves; in reality Liz lives outside Philadelphia and Beth lives in Tucson. The book features stories of travel adventures of Liz and Beth along with 10 quilts and projects, ranging from luggage tags and a travel pillow to a backpack and a quilt inspired by travel postcards. The book is filled with personality, and fans of Lizzie B Cre8ive won’t be disappointed.
Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.
