Editorial Review

Challenging herself to find a way to incorporate into a new quilt a paisley design that had all the right colors but whose pattern was too pretty to obscure, noted quilter and teacher Jinny Beyer was inspired to invent the unusual and striking soft-edge piecing technique. Resembling the kaleidoscope quilt, this innovative approach allows the quilter to add a unique dimension to more traditional patchwork by adapting portions of the block to accommodate the geometry of elegant and colorful prints. By utilizing bold border prints and fabrics with strongly hued allover patterns, Beyer lets the pattern of each material dictate the boundaries of the pieced design. This beautifully presented book explains the method clearly, and the photos do justice to Beyer's exquisite sense of color and wonderful design abilities--her fabrics speak eloquently. The intricate appearance of the finished product belies the basic simplicity of the technique; somewhat more difficult may be the ability to look at fabrics in this new way to invent fresh design possibilities. But a general acquaintance with quilting and piecing techniques combined with the help of this terrific book should be enough to produce a truly dynamic quilt. Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful book for any quilter!
Those who are familiar with Jinny's books know how well-written and clear her instructions are.This book is no exception.Jinny's pioneering foray into a new technique is presented in a beautifully illustrated,easy-to-understand book that any quilter would love to own.Along withmany photos of stunning quilts showcasing the soft-edge piecing technique,Jinny takes you step-by-step through the process.I was never a fan ofapplique until I purchased this title and fell in love with the effects ofsoft-edge piecing.I was also fortunate enough to take the class taught byJinny herself on this technique, and I can personally vouch for the factthat reading this book is like having Jinny giving you a private lesson, inyour own home, at your own pace.I highly recommend this book to anyquilter, applique fan or not! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patchwork    7. Patterns    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Sewing    11. Patchwork & applique    12. Quiltmaking    13. Textile arts   

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Chenille    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Decoration and ornament    7. Fusible materials in sewing    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Machine quilting    10. Quilt Making    11. Quilts & Quilting    12. Patchwork & applique   

Reviews (22)

Color Me
This book explained things I never did know about colors and served a a tool when creating my web site.The author take you through the history and usage of colors.It is truely a worthty purchase.

Web Developers with no sense of color look no further...
As a web developer I spend most of my day writing code and worrying about the code working on all browsers, etc. Up until recently I had no desire to learn about color and the feelings behind it. If you are in a similar situation look no more. This book has made a permanent position on my desk and will continue to help me with the design and development of my future projects. Hats off to the authors.... Excellent tie-in to pantone colors
Easy and quick to read and understand.Ties into the Pantone Color Guides very well.Combine this books, the Textile Guide, and ColorCue TX for a real lock on the color issues of interior design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Painting    8. Psychology    9. Art / Color    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. Interior design   

Reviews (4)

Twenty Little Log Cabin Quilts
A good introduction to making miniature quilts.I love log cabin, so this book helped me to make a tiny one.

Very Easy but Beautiful Designs!
I love this book! I made the block in a block pattern and it turned out beautifully. All directions are easy to follow especially for beginners and the patterns are on heavy cardstock in the middle of the book so there is no need to trace anything. Best of all, the seam allowances have been included so you just cut and sew! Hope you like it! Erin Pennington, Carmi, IL

Excellent!
... I love it. Each quilt has easy to follow directions and diagrams. Also, the templates are included in the center of the book on heavy cardstock paper. Every quilt is depicted in a full color picture. Plus, I made an Amish square in a square quilt in one Saturday afternoon. Just in case you are wondering, the templates ARE FULL SIZE fo you do not have to add a seam allowance to machine piece these. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Log cabin quilts    5. Miniature quilts    6. Patchwork    7. Patterns    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting    10. Patchwork & applique    11. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (5)

Wells Quilting
Like her mother, Valerie shows her quilting and artistic prowess in this book with several inspiring quilts to whet your sewing appetite.Bountiful colors and intriguing designs.If you are in a rut of patchwork, or you are looking to expand your quilting talents, give this book a try for inspiration!

Exquisitely lovely, but lightweight
Valori Wells' lavish photography alone is worth the price of this book:her lush, colorful garden imagery will be a very comforting re-read on adreary winter's day here in New England. The quilt patterns, however, are aserious disappointment. There are surprisingly few quilts to be found amongthe exquisite portraits of rippling lavender fields and dewy pansies; andof the tiny handful of patterns included in this book, there are only twowhich I like well enough to attempt.

Beautiful book, good inspiration.
Through the Garden Gate is a great looking book.I enjoyed it for the descriptions of the quilters and their inspirations, as well as to see their innovative quilt designs.It includes glossy pages of photos of boththe quilts and the gardens that inspired them.The quilt designs are freshand different.It is obvious that many of the designs tell a lot about thedesigners.But don't buy this book if you're looking for any quantity ofquilt designs.Buy for inspiration from nature.There are only 11patterns included from 9 quilters.Clear, concise illustrated instructionsgood enough for beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Garden Design    6. Gardens in art    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Patchwork    9. Patterns    10. Quilting    11. Quilts & Quilting    12. Gardens (descriptions, history etc)    13. Patchwork & applique    14. Quiltmaking   

Subjects:  1. Album quilts    2. Applique    3. Appliquâe    4. Baltimore    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Crafts / Hobbies    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Maryland    9. Needlework - General    10. Patchwork    11. Patterns    12. Patchwork & applique   

Reviews (1)

If you like applique......
If you like applique, you will like this book.The applique projects are complemented by Ms Armstrong's orginal hand quilting patterns; the quilting seems to continue the pictures painted by the qpplique.In addition to "blooms and butterflies", there are also frogs, turtles, moths of many kinds, bees, ect.This is not a beginner's book.Some needle turn experience will be helpful. Detail work is completed with simple embroidry stiches. All the projects are small, meant for wall hanging.A lovely book that will inspire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Insects in art    7. Patterns    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Wildflowers in art    11. Patchwork & applique    12. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (5)

Little Brown Bird
The book is a wonderfully designed pattern for hand applique. The entire book is devoted to the creation of one design masterpiece featuring many squares of wreaths, flowers, half square borders and birds. The overall border is exquisite and intricate.The author's patterns and directions are excellent and easy to follow. She includes a chapter on how to select fabrics to create the shadings of flowers and birds without ever being a bird or flower fabric. She teaches what to look for. The only changes I comtemplate making are redesigning some of the birds.

Applique Masterpiece Little Brown Bird
I am participating in an applique class in which most of the class members are using the patterns in this book to complete their quilts.Margaret's quilt is a masterpiece and an inspiration due to both her beautiful color choices and attention to detail.Many quilt books lack appeal as the finished projects pictured in the books are unattractive due to poor color combinations.The individual block pictures are fabulous.This book provides detailed information to assist the sewer in selecting appropriate fabrics and in techniques to complete a beautiful quilt. Miniature masterpieces.
I found this book to be an absolute delight. The illustrations are exquisite and Margaret Doherty's conversational style is easy to read and understand. I learned a lot of new techniques, for instance, using parts of a large scale fabric to piece a very small bird. In one instance, she used a cobblestone fabric for the birds breast.Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patterns    7. Quilting    8. Quilts    9. Quilts & Quilting   

Reviews (4)

NOT a fabric floral applique, alot ribbon embellishments
I had thought the book would contain much more on appliqued fabrics for flowers, birds etc.What was given was many forms of appliqued hearts, and a few other background applique projects to show off ribbon applique/embroidery.In that, I was very disapointed, by ordered online.
So-So
More embellishment then Applique. Beautiful illustrations

Disappointing
A long awaited book proves disappointing.Compared to the "Baltimore" series of books by this author, Fancy Applique fails to make the grade.the style illustrated is more applicable toembellishment technique than applique.However, The pictures in this bookdo inspire and help to salvage this purchase from a total loss. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album quilts    2. Applique    3. Appliquâe    4. Art Needlework    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Crafts / Hobbies    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Patterns    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Patchwork & applique    11. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (3)

A Gotta Have if you want Cute Patchwork
I just received this book as a gift and I have to say its one of the best I've seen.Not only does it have several quilting projects but its also filled with several clothing patterns and gift ideas.The projects really does scream of Kari Pearson and her love of bright, cute, fun loving designs.Another thing I like about it is that its a hardback with a nice dust jacket.So many times these days you pay good money for paperbacks.There are also a ton of pictures and full size applique patterns .Its just the best present and I can't wait to do some of these projects!!

Playful Patchwork Projects
Besides the inviting cover design, this book is easy to read with inviting, colorful pages of instruction, and great color photos of the projects. A great addition to your quilting library!
If quilting is your passion, if your pastime and relaxation is this timeless craft, you will really enjoy this patchwork project book. Graphics, combined with photos of projects,make you go back and forththrough the pages. So many attractive and playful projects, it's reallyhard to decide on which to start with. The book is divided into threeparts: Quilts in different sizes, from wall quilts to pillows. Part twoconsists of wearables like vests and jumpers for adults and children.Partthree brings you 5 Christmas projects. A section with all the appliqu�patterns full size makes it easy to jump start with your project. Only onesmall detail: The wearable patterns have to be enlarged on grid paper. Although they are for fairly simple clothing, I would have loved to havepatterns printed full size as an extra bonus to the book. Nevertheless,butterflies, insects, sunflowers and santas make it as I said, a very niceaddition to the quilting section in your library or studio. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Quilts & Quilting    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Patchwork    7. Patchwork & applique    8. SCI FI/FANTASY - FANTASY TRD HC   

Reviews (1)

Beautifully photographed quilts and explanations.
This book was bought at full purchase price, but I'd do it again.The photography isoutstanding.The examples of the whole quilts excite and dare you to try your hand at creating your own.I do plan on it! I want to find more of Debra Wagner's books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Machine quilting    5. Patchwork    6. Patchwork quilts    7. Patterns    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Patchwork & applique    11. Quiltmaking   

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hawaii    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Patterns    9. Quilting    10. Quilts    11. Quilts & Quilting    12. Cats    13. Hawaiian quilts    14. Patchwork   

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Handicraft    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Quilts & Quilting    7. Seasonal    8. Sewing    9. Synthetic fabrics    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (4)

Wonderful tales featuring quilts in the Civil War
Ramsey and Waldvogel begin "Southern Quilts" with a discussion about the tradition and techniques of quilt making in the antebellum South, and then a review of how these efforts changed during the Civil War.The core of the book, however, is the oral history behind the varied and absolutely gorgeous quilts depicted in the book.

Beautiful history and photographs
Very interesting history of particular quilts during the Civil War.Many color photos of each quilt.Worth buying just for the beautiful photographs.After seeing the photos, the history of each quilt was justicing on the cake.Many of the quilts that were stolen or sold are tracedto the original maker.Viewing what these Southern ladies made hasinspired me to put more effort in my quilts! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Military - General    7. Quilts    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Southern States    10. United States - Civil War    11. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    12. Civil war    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Quilts & Quilting    14. Patchwork & applique    15. Quiltmaking    16. USA   

Editorial Review

Alex Anderson, host of HGTV's Read more

Reviews (20)

Beginners Should Start Here
This is an excellent book for beginners.The author walks you through each simple project with clear and concise direction.Color diagrams explain each step in the progress.The book features six small wall quilts comprising of basic patterns: rail fence, log cabin, nine patch, friendship star, flying geese, and a sampler.A color photograph of each completed quilt is shown at the start of every project.The beginning of the book covers the nine required tools, fabric basics (grain, color and pattern, and preparation), rotary cutting, piecing, and quilting.Everything is addressed in easy to understand terms.
Best beginner quilt book ever
Clear, simple, removes the intimidation factor. My 8 year old "designed" one of the simple starter designs and I executed it successfully, our first try. We were complimented by an expert quilter, that it did not look like a "beginner" quilt. Highly recommended for beginners, and as a reference.

Alex Anderson"s 6 Projects for 1st Timers Ok but ...
I love watching Alex Anderson's show: Simply Quilts. I enjoyed reading the book but found some spots a bit harder to crasp the concepts than I would have liked. I figure I will try to read it again soon and with more quilting under my belt, the information will make more sense to me. I enjoyed learning more about a quilting. I have not done as much quilting as I want to. So a beginners book is a great tool for me.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilting    7. Quilts & Quilting    8. Patchwork & applique    9. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (2)

Great Book!
I was really surprised with this book, it's loaded with all kinds of patterns to be used for making dollhouse items.I think this is a must have for any one making dollhouse items.

Delightful and Imaginative Designs
Miniature Iron-On Transfer Patterns for Dollhouses, Dolls and Small Projects is full of imaginative, playful designs for tiny rugs, curtains and bedspreads that will enhance any dollhouse. In addition, the patternscan be applied to many other projects: I have used the delicate baby animalmotifs to embellish baby clothes and the many attractive decorative bordersare ideal for embroidering collars, belts, bookmarks, and table linen.Thetransfers are easy to work with.The designs can be used by needleworkersof all skill levels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Embroidery    4. Iron-on transfers    5. Miniature craft    6. Needlework - General    7. Patterns    8. Toymaking - General    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Toymaking    10. Toys, teddy bears & dolls   

Reviews (2)

Absolutely breathtaking
I bought this book while visiting Williamsburg with a friend.It so captured my attention that I had to read some of the stories to my companion.We were both quickly enthralled.I brought it back with me and introduced my quilting group to it.Several more copies sold the next day.The stories are heart warming.The photographs are incredible. Humane & understanding
This book is superb & worth the extra effort to special order it. The author interviews women (and a few men) of Southern Appalachia, where quilting as a mainstay of life has never really gone out of fashion --hence they've never had a quilting "revival" either. Photographsare gorgeous, and the stories about the people make you feel rooted to theland. One of the more intriguing stories is the "HangingElephant" quilt, which shows an applique block of an elephant beinghung for the crime of killing a Tennessee man in 1916. The book is printedon heavy, high quality paper. Quilt history buffs and anthropologists willlove this book. As for hobbyists, it's not a how-to book, but thephotographs will furnish much inspiration and food for thought. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. General    5. Quilts & Quilting    6. Textiles & Costume    7. Folk art    8. Patchwork & applique    9. Quiltmaking    10. Textile arts   

Reviews (2)

Great Technique
As a machine quilter on a home machine this book is the answer to my prayers.By taking the quilt to the machine in pieces, a Cal King quilt will be a breeze.

Nice, but not outstanding
While this is definitely a good book, I didn't find any new information in it.If you have purchased any other quilt-as-you-go books in the past, don't bother to buy it.Better to spend your money on some of the other great quilting books available at Amazon, I think.If quilt as you go is new to you, this book is as good as any other, so buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Patchwork    6. Quilting    7. Quilts & Quilting   

Reviews (1)

Great instructions!
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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patchwork    7. Patterns    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Southwestern States   

Reviews (1)

more great stuff from piece o'cake
I love pretty much everything Piece O'Cake has ever done and this book is a good reference for applique.Even though I've done lots of applique and tried many different techniques, I still learned a few things from this book.Each block in the sampler quilt presented teaches a different skill, and builds on the previous blocks.The project is not too large and therefore is not too daunting.Some instructions are also given for machine applique, but the emphasis is on hand applique.If you've ever wanted to try hand applique, this is a great book to get you started. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Quilts & Quilting    6. Patchwork & applique