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NTQG LIBRARY

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Book Reviews

by Yvonne Stiefel, NTQG Librarian

Growing Up Modern

By Allison Harris

Published 2013

127 pages

When I looked at the title of the book, I expected to see lots of white space in the quilt projects for the detailed quilting that you see in most “modern” quilts and/or asymmetrical designs. I liked the look of the quilt on the cover, so I decided to take a closer look.

The first chapter titled “Making The Quilt Top,” has excellent information for the beginner level quilter. Reading this information will help you be successful with any of the projects shown. If you are not a beginner level quilter, this first chapter will be a helpful review for you.

There are sixteen quilt projects to make for babies and kids, so you will see baby, crib, and twin-size quilt projects. Pattern names include: Tumble, Breezy, Jack & Jill, Blocks, and Tagged to name just a few. Those project names made me want to see the photographs of the finished quilts. Directions for a book pillow and a quillow are also included in the book. There are color photographs of each completed project. I liked the step by step written directions with then shaded diagrams so that you could see exactly what you need to cut and/or trim with each step.

There is a fabric chart for each quilt is excellent and easy to understand. These details make it easy to create the quilts shown.

If you need a baby, crib, or twin-size quilt (or it could be a lap quilt), I think you would enjoy this book. The colorful fabrics chosen for the quilt projects also are a plus.

Heirloom Quilts from Old Tops

By Patricia J. Morris & Jeannette T. Muir

Published 2001

127 pages

If you have seen old quilt tops at quilt shows or antique shops and admired them and wondered if it would be worthwhile to finish them, then this is a book that would be very useful. The table of contents is very specific so that you can find the information you need. One of the most helpful chapters is “Frequent Technical Problems and Their Solutions.” So, when you see puckers, some open seams, or a quilt top that is not flat you have a starting point to fix the problems so you can finish and have a beautiful quilt for yourself.

There are color photographs showing the old quilt tops and the finished results. There are fifteen finished quilts shown. The book includes directions, and templates where needed, so that if you are inspired by the quilts shown and want to create the quilt for yourself from start to finish you have the needed information to do so.

I was impressed with the amount of information included in the book and the details given for working on old quilt tops. It is a book that is worth more than just a quick scan. Each time I looked I found more helpful information. This would be a valuable resource for you if you are interested in completing those vintage quilt tops.

A Quilter's Christmas

By Marti Michell

Published 1993

262 pages

In the introduction Marti tells you that a wide variety of subjects, styles, and techniques are included for the projects in this book. She says, “It is my hope that many of these projects will inspire you to action.” With the Christmas theme, you will see lots of red and green, but these patterns/projects could be made with other colors.

The chapter titles make it easy for you to choose a category you are comfortable with. The categories include: User-Friendly Quilts, Strip Technique Quilts, Pieced Quilts Using Triangles, Applique Quilts, Patterns That Bear Repeating, All Through The House, Sew or No-Sew Miniatures, West By Southwest, Dad's Christmas Ties Revisited, and Quilting Bag of Tricks. The color photographs in the book make it easy to scan to find something you may like.

I like the book and it is worthwhile to take the time to look at the different projects. With just a quick scan you may think, “Oh, that's nice.” But when you take time to read the tips and hints with each project you will find helpful information to make the projects shown.

Review by Yvonne Stiefel

NTQG Librarian

Small Scale Quiltmaking

By Sally Collins

Published 1996

109 Pages

The book introduction includes three sections including: How, What, and Why, Ingredients for Success, and Tools and Equipment. Reading this information is designed to help you be successful/happy with the projects explained in the book. The details about color and fabrics are essential. When working with a small scale quilt projects you must have good contrasts with the quilt blocks, backgrounds, and borders.

There are nine quilt projects in the book. They are listed from the easiest to the most challenging. The directions for each project are very detailed and the diagrams show you step by step how to complete each block and how to complete the quilt top. There is a color photo of each completed quilt which is helpful.

I especially liked the information about how to display the completed quilt. Several of the quilt projects are framed and not just a simple wall hanging. The framed quilts are very impressive.

If you like small scale quiltmaking, this is a book you will enjoy.

String Quilt Revival

A Fresh Approach for 13 Classic Designs

by Virginia Baker and Barbara Sanders

Published 2011

125 pages

The book begins with a definition of string quilts as well as an explanation of materials and tools needed and techniques to use. The table of contents includes the name of each quilt. I really liked the color photographs showing how to piece each of the blocks shown as well as a “Creative Suggestion” with each quilt. The color photographs of each completed quilt let you see exactly what your finished quilt will be if you use the colors/fabrics shown with each project. Some of the quilts shown are: It’s Lemon I Think, Diamonds are Forever, I Got the Blues, All Boxed In, Sack Beauty, and Starry Burst. From these names you can see that these authors were creative in naming their quilts and a variety of colors and fabrics are used in the different projects.

This is an enjoyable book with lots of ideas to motivate you if you are interested in string quilts. I ordered a copy of this book for myself from abebooks.com because this web site offers used books that are often out of print and/or hard to find because of older publishing dates.

Two-Hour Mini Quilt Projects

By McKenzie Kate

Published 1997

128 pages

Four different designers contributed patterns for the mini quilt projects shown in this book. The full title indicates a total of over 111 appliqued and pieced deigns. The quilt projects are mostly small wall hangings that could also be mug rugs. There are some patterns for pillows and a Christmas stocking also. The projects have a “country” look to them that were popular at that time. (Look at the publishing date.)

I enjoyed looking at the different projects which were shown in full color. There is a nice variety so I think you could find something you like. One thing I did not like was that you will need to use a copy machine to print out all your pattern pieces. Information about what scale to use to get your pieces the size needed is included. I was interested in the book because of the title. To complete a small project in two hours sounds good when planning for gifts to make for Christmas, birthdays, showers, etc. If you are using a machine applique technique you could complete the projects in two hours if you are experienced with machine applique. If you are using hand applique for these projects it will take a lot longer, but it will be worthwhile when you look at the overall designs. A small wall hanging completed with handwork for yourself would be a treasure.

Book Review by Yvonne Stiefel

NTQG Librarian

101 Full-size Quilt Blocks and Borders

By Better Homes and Gardens

Published 1998

215 pages

This book has a spiral binding so you can lay it flat when you are working on the patterns. The back of the book has a detailed “Quilting Basics” section that would be especially helpful to a new quilter—or a helpful review for the experienced quilter.

Chapter titles are: Floral Fancies, Country Classics, Americana, Just for Fun, and All the Borders. Because this book was published in 1998 you will not see directions for rotary cutting. You have full size drawings to make templates. Because of the full size drawings it would be manageable to measure to determine rotary cutting for blocks where applicable. With the full-size drawings, I would say this book will appeal more to the quilter who likes applique. We’ve been spoiled with rotary cutting and not having the sizes shown to rotary cut means more time is needed to plan out the blocks. There are directions for how to piece each block shown as well as the number of blocks needed to make a bed size quilt. Additional information is given to sew a variety of projects including: pillows, table toppers, a jacket, wall hangings, chair cushions, etc.

I liked the All the Borders chapter the best. Borders can be pieced, applique, or a combination of both. Sizes are given so you know the width of the border and the repeat so you can make adjustments depending on the size of your quilt. If you have only added strips to make a simple border for your quilts you may want to look at the ideas shown. These pieced borders are for more experienced pieces (in my opinion.)

Easy Stash Quilts

Easy Stash Quilts by Carol Doak

Published 1999

111 pages

When you look at this book you need to start with the table of contents even if you are familiar with how to paper piece. If this is new to you, her introduction explains tools and supplies, a comparison of pieced blocks with paper pieced blocks, rotary cutting, and block assembly. I especially liked reading about choosing colors with the color wheel so that your blocks are spectacular! The add-a-quarter ruler is shown so you can minimize fabric waste as well as cutting your pieces to the size(s) needed.

When you first look at the projects you may be overwhelmed with the number of pieces and how small the pieces are in the projects. These are not bed size quilts. You are sewing small projects that can be wall hangings, table toppers, or even gorgeous mug rugs.

The chapter to explain assembly and finishing clearly illustrates joining the blocks, adding borders, backing, and binding your project. Block patterns (foundations) are printed with one per page and pieces are numbered. You would need to copy the foundations on lightweight paper for your quilt project.

I would not consider these quilt projects “easy” unless you are familiar with how to paper piece. But the blocks in the book are gorgeous and worth considering if you want to try paper piecing something beautiful for yourself or as a gift to a quilting friend who would appreciate your work.

Review by Yvonne Stiefel

NTQG Librarian

Egg Money Quilts

Egg Money Quilts by Eleanor Burns

Published 2005

240 pages

The cover of the book also says “1930’s Vintage Samplers” and you might be thinking “Oh, I don’t make sampler quilts,” or “1930’s fabrics/styles are not something I like.” You still need to look at what this book has to offer.

The contents make it very easy to find the information you need. Fabric selection, Supplies, Sewing and Pressing Techniques, and Cutting your Quilt are the chapter titles. There are thirteen different quilt projects listed. Quilts are shown in lap, twin, and queen sizes with additional details about adding borders. You do not have to make a sampler quilt. Directions are also given if you like a particular block and wish to make a quilt using just that block. You can also make tote bags, pillows, or add quilted details to a sweatshirt, or sew table toppers with the block patterns shown in the book. Directions for cutting block pieces with the rotary cutter are given as well as details about squaring up the blocks. Templates are included for the blocks that need templates. The heavy cardstock templates can be punched out or you could trace them with template plastic. The plastic templates would be helpful if you want to “fussy cut” your fabrics. Directions for all the quilt blocks are detailed with excellent illustrations.

One of the things I especially liked about the book was the detailed information about the quilt blocks. Quilt blocks often have several different names, and it was interesting to me to see the different names and read a little quilt history.

Review by Yvonne Stiefel

NTQG Librarian

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