British Patchwork & Quilting
This unusual book has forty quilt blocks and five samplers, made by twenty modern designers. They have all taken a modern look at traditional blocks and made them their own using the FreeSpirit fabrics. All blocks are 12" square finished.
The first part is making the sample blocks using basic patchwork, foundation piecing or applique. The second part shows the five projects that you can make with the finished blocks and gives them a modern twist.
Every quilt block has clear instructions, mostly full size. Patterns are also available online as a pdf file.
A really good book for anyone just beginning patchwork.
It is my book of the month.
www.karenplatt.co.uk
Take a bunch of modern quilt designers to design 40 quilt blocks and 5 samplers for the best kind of block party. The sampler quilts are pretty but quite ordinary in layout but with 40 quilt blocks, you can make lots of sampler quilts of your own design and perhaps come up with some blocks of your own to individualise your designs. This books is all about inspiration and possibilities. All the blocks measure 12 inches and assembly is given for each one. Techniques vary from foundation paper-piecing to simple patchwork or applique. Free Spirit fabrics are used but you could substitute. The templates are available in the book but also downloadable as printable pdfs. The 40 blocks are based on classics such as Log Cabin, Windmill or Orange Peel. I like the selection of blocks. You will see the block finished in fabric and as a colour line drawing with written instructions including materials needed, technique, cutting and construction. I would actually substitute fabrics on some of these as the block does not work well in the chosen fabrics for me and lack definition. The blocks will work better with other fabrics. The Sampler Quilts have great quilting, simple arrangement of blocks. They are suitable from beginners upwards. At the back of the book you will find a techniques section including half square triangles, foundation paper piecing and needle-turn applique.
