The Best of Sew Simple Magazine: Over 50 Quick Projects
Leisure Arts; $18.95

I don’t know about you, but I often pick up Sew Simple on the newsstand. It either has a project I want to try or something that I think would be good for my nieces who are relatively new to sewing and quilting. This book includes projects ranging from totes to quilts to home dec with a few fun things included. I think the fabric drink umbrellas will be perfect for next summer’s barbeque, the funky pillowcase will be great for several on my holiday gift list, and the java jacket is bound to find its way into a stocking or two. If you’re looking for some quick and fun projects, this is a good source. And, a bonus for those new to sewing is the supplies and techniques section.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

In the current issue of The Professional Quilter, Scott Murkin discussed the need for quilt judges to maintain currency as quilters add new surface techniques to their work. Here is an excerpt from that article:

An increasing number of formally trained artists have moved into quilting and textiles as their primary medium. At the same time a large number of quilters who started in a more traditional vein are exploring new techniques in their work. Because of these trends, quilt show judges are faced with a wide and varied selection of surface design techniques that they must evaluate on the judging floor. Learning the fundamentals of these techniques and how they are assessed has become one of the ever-expanding tools in the quilt show judge’s toolbox.

Surface design refers to anything the artist does to change the fabric either before or after the quilt is constructed, but is also sometimes expanded to include things added onto the surface, such as threadwork, couched fibers and sewn-on objects. Each of these will be addressed in turn.

A variety of paints can be applied to fabric with nearly infinite techniques and widely differing results, depending on decisions made by the artist. There are paints made specifically for textiles, but many traditional artists’ paints, such as acrylics and oil paint sticks, can be successfully adapted for use on fabric. While not technically paints, even the pigments from crayons can be transferred to fabric and made permanent. Paint can be brushed on, splashed on, applied through a stencil, stamped on with commercial or home-made stamps or found objects, or applied by screen-printing, among other techniques. Many artists are also using inks and thickened dyes in many of the same ways that paints are used. Paint can be applied to fabric before any sewing begins; it can be applied to a pieced or appliquéd quilt top; or it can be applied to the finished quilt, often exaggerating the effect of the texture of the quilting stitches.

When judging the painted quilt surface, the judge is primarily considering issues of design, deciding if the artist has used the paint as an effective accent or the primary design element. The formal principles of design, such as unity, variety, balance, contrast, proportion, scale and rhythm are evaluated, as well as the emotional impact of the image.

You can read Scott’s complete article in Issue 108 of The Professional Quilter. If your subscription is not current and you need to renew, or you want to start a new subscription, here’s a link to our order page

Quilt Challenge
Sharyn Craig and Pamela Mostek
Martingale & Co.; $21.95

Everyone loves a challenge, and that’s the premise that started Sharyn Craig and Pam Mostek on this book. Pam made a set of Wonky Log Cabin blocks and challenged Sharyn to see what she could do. And, the magic began. From there they set up eight challenges and each completed a block with specific design and color guidelines. They were joined by other quilters in each challenge. Some of the challenges include Black, White, and Red Allover, which uses black, white and red as the color and the basic Nine Patch as the block; and The Color Purple, which uses the same purple fabric in all the quilts and the Rail Fence block. The variety of quilts is wonderful. Pam and Sharyn also include tips and techniques.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

Storm at Sea Quilts
Wendy Mathson
C&T Publishing; $24.95

I’ve always been drawn to the Storm at Sea block and the optical illusion of waves it creates. While the traditional coloration is most often blue, the block lends itself to endless design possibilities. Wendy Mathson offers her unique piecing technique to produce accurate units for the three pieced units used to create the Storm at Sea block: a diamond-in-a-rectangle unit; a large square-in-a-square unit and a small square-in-a-square unit. Wendy calls the square-in-a-square units Big SIS and Little SIS and has created a set of acrylic tools called Quilters’ TRIMplates (short for trimming templates) to accurately cut the units. While it is possible to cut and sew the units without using the templates, they offer advantages for producing accurate block units. The book includes six Storm at Sea projects, a gallery of inspiring quilts, options for border treatments and design grids to copy to work on your own designs. You’ll have fun creating your own designs.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

Simple Stained Glass Quilts
Daphne Greig and Susan Purney Mark
Krause; $24.95

Daphne Greig and Susan Purney Mark began creating their Too Easy Stained Glass patterns in 2003, and they wrote this book as a result of customers wanting more of the duo’s stained glass quilts. Their concept is “too easy,” since you create the leading from a single piece of fabric and fusible web rather than creating yards of bias. The book includes 20 projects ranging from pillows to wall hangings to full-size bed quilts and includes full-size patterns for the leading. I was intrigued by many of the designs, particularly one that leaded half a tree and the Hillside House projects where the leading was the framing of a house.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

Quilted One Block Marvels
Carolyn Sullivan
American Quilters’ Society; $22.95

The book’s title does not do justice to the actual marvels inside. Australian Carolyn Sullivan teaches you how to design your own block from elements in architecture or nature and then turn repeats of that block into quilts. She focuses on three types of symmetry – repetitions, rotations and reflections – to create the seemingly endless quilt design variations. Once you understand the concepts, you are free to make your own quilt or make one of the 12 that the book includes.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

Pat Sloan
Leisure Arts; $14.95

Are you looking for a project to celebrate the change of seasons in a couple of weeks? Look no further. Pat Sloan has 14 joyful table runners, wall hangings, lap quilts and bed quilts to inspire you. She shares her inspiration for each design and includes both appliqué and pieced quilts. For June she offers her “Scrappy Heart Quilt” and for July her “Ocean Waves Quilt.” And I love that the July project is done in Independence Day colors. Since I’m off to the ocean in a few weeks, I might have to take along one of the these to do.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

Cynthia Tomaszewski
Martingale & Co.; $24.95

Are you looking for a whimsical quilt to make for the child in your life? Cynthia Tomaszewski offers patterns for seven pieced and/or appliqued quilts. The bright quilts with their fun motifs will delight you. I loved the mermaids swimming amidst the seaweed and the rabbit popping out of a top hat surrounded by stars. Let’s Pretend includes basic quiltmaking instructions and an introduction to appliqué as well as tips for fine hand appliqué.

If you’d like to add this book to you quilt library, here’s a link.

Ann Hazelwood
American Quilters Society; $12.95

This terrific little collection of tips is broken into sections for the quilter as a student, tools, designing and working styles, stash savvy, techniques, quilting, finishing touches and show etiquette. You’ll find something to use or pass along. But the best advice, as Zena Thorp says, is “remember that it is YOUR quilt.”  Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.

StrataVarious Quilts

 Barbara Persing and Mary Hoover
C&T Publishing; 21.95

Longarm quilter Barbara Persing and her sister Mary Hoover, a shop owner, found that making strata (panels of various width fabric strips sewn together in a random manner) was the solution to designing with the large collection of fabric they wanted to use. The unique blended strata they create are then cut into squares and half-square triangles and reassembled into a dynamic quilt. The book includes directions for nine quilts, three of which incorporate appliqué. It’s a fun addition to your tecnhnique toolbox.