A “Royal” Occasion

For those of you who don’t know, I live in the Kansas City area.  The Kansas City Royals have been batting to make it into the World Series.  And, tomorrow night they play the San Francisco Giants – of course, I am hoping for another “Royal” win.  For whatever reason, this quilt made me think of the Royals.

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Okay, maybe it’s really a “pitch” for the Pittsburg Steelers (different team, different game, and on the other side of the country), but it’s cool nonetheless.  If for no other reason than it is blue – cool color, but also the color of the Kansas City Royals.  😀

Nancy always tells me to quilt what ever I like, but I knew she wanted a piano key border.  I should have just stayed with the piano key but felt compelled to embellish it somehow, so the piano key became a bead-board with lace.  I think I would have been more precise with a simple piano key border.

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I could have quilted feathers all over this, but I work at adding variety to quilting.  And, since she wanted straight-line quilting in the borders, I needed to think of something else to compliment the borders.  So, I came up with this for the insides of the blocks.  It looks kind of regal, don’t you think?

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I love Nancy’s choices of colors for her quilts.  This one is no less stunning than any of her others.  The different shades of blues, yellows, and whites really pop on this quilt.

Garden Path

I recently quilted this quilt for Margaret, which she named “Garden Path.”

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If you look closely, you will find delightful colors and patterns of Japanese fabrics, many of them cut into strips and sewn together to create a harmonious path, of sorts, around the quilt top. I really like how she combined the colors of blue, taupe, purple and green and then set a back-and-forth pattern into this quilt.  She also chose the perfect thread for this quilt,  variegated blue and green.

Not wanting to detract from the quilt design, we decided that it would be best to quilt an allover, edge-to-edge design on this quilt.  I could have done some really cool custom quilting with Japanese symbols, etc., but it would have gotten lost in the quilt.  So, we went with a smooth “water-look” design.

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It was close-knit quilting, but Margaret is planning on hanging this piece on the wall in her living room.  The extra stitching may stiffen it up a bit, but it will also stabilize the quilt blocks that are set diagonally.

Here’s a look at the back.

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Urban and Amish

Urban and Amish; Classic Quilts and Modern Updates is written by Myra Harder.

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

Myra takes Amish quilts and shows you how to make them and than also offers a different, more modern approach to making the same kinds of blocks for each Amish block.  For example, she starts with the traditional “Pineapple” Block in traditional Amish colors.

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

Then she offers its more modern counterpart in large scale prints  and lighter colored backgrounds to give it a totally new look.

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

“Lone Star” as the Amish quilt…

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

And “Urban Ohio” as its modern counterpart…

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

“Trip Around the World” as the Amish quilt…

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

And, “Trip to New York” as its modern counterpart.  “Trip Around the World” is made by cutting strips and sewing them back together.  “Trip to New York” is made the same way (with strips), but in this quilt you see a more “urban” and modern quilt.

Martingale - Urban and Amish (Print version + eBook bundle)

All in all, I found this to be a very interesting book and enjoyed it very much.  It is well thought out and the instructions are clear-cut and easy to follow.  I think if you look into this book, it will spark your creativity in surprising ways.  To find out more about this book, go to Martingale’s website here.

Take 5 Fat Quarters

This book review is for all of those quilters who collect Fat Quarters and other Pre-Cuts.  “Take 5 Fat Quarters” is written by Kathy Brown.  Gather up your scraps and get ready to “roll” your rotary cutters.

Martingale - Take 5 Fat Quarters (Print version + eBook bundle)

The above quilt on the book cover is a larger quilt using 2 sets of 5 fat quarters plus background fabric, so don’t be afraid that all the quilts in this book are small.  Also included in this book are detailed instructions on quilt making for the newer quilter, so this would be a good book for a newbie or a gift to a newbie quilter.

Martingale - Take 5 Fat Quarters (Print version + eBook bundle)

This next quilt would make a great starter quilt for a newbie, but I’m not a newbie quilter and I love it for its simplicity and cheerful colors.

Martingale - Take 5 Fat Quarters (Print version + eBook bundle)

Here’s a table runner that looks like it has log cabin blocks, but the author shows you a time-saving short-cut for creating this look.

Martingale - Take 5 Fat Quarters (Print version + eBook bundle)

Another simple design…

Martingale - Take 5 Fat Quarters (Print version + eBook bundle)

But, I think this next one is my favorite. Given the name of the quilt pattern (T-Ball), I believe it’s supposed to look like T-shirts but my imagination says it also looks like kimonos.  Either way, it’s cute.

Martingale - Take 5 Fat Quarters (Print version + eBook bundle)

The patterns in this book use 5 fat quarters for quick and easy quilts, but many of them can also be made with Jelly Roll strips, so it’s a pretty handy book to have.  You can find out more about this book at Martingale’s website.

The New Hexagon

Written by Katja Marek, “The New Hexagon” was just released through Martingale Press.  Katja Marek takes hexagons, which have been all the rave,  a step farther by breaking them down into individual designs within each hexagon block.

Martingale - The New Hexagon (Print version + eBook bundle)

One thing I want you to notice in this Table of Contents is that, although there may be a lot of different blocks, Katja has devoted the first 20 pages, or so, to instructions and information all about English Paper Piecing from which kind of paper to use to stitching the pieces together.

Martingale - The New Hexagon (Print version + eBook bundle)

Each of the blocks includes a finished hexagon block and a full-size pattern to make your own.

Martingale - The New Hexagon (Print version + eBook bundle)

You can go simple and put just a few hexagons into a quilt.

Martingale - The New Hexagon (Print version + eBook bundle)

Or you can make a lot of blocks and make them into a larger quilt.  Notice in the following quilt the secondary design element created with the 6-pointed stars between the hexagons.

Martingale - The New Hexagon (Print version + eBook bundle)

Many thanks to Martingale Press for providing this book for review.

If you think you might be interested in more information on this book, check out Martingale’s website here.

Baby Says Sew

If you are looking for simple and practical baby gifts, look no farther than in the book “Baby Says Sew” by Rebecca Danger.

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

A look at the Table of Contents will show a variety of toys, clothing, blankets and other useful items to make for babies.

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

I think my favorite project in the book is for making this baby carrier.  What a nice gift this would make for a new mom or dad…

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

I also thought this diaper bag and changing mat combo was another good idea to make for a gift.

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

You can make a cover for a changing table mat and an organizer for toys of other useful items.

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

This hooded towel would be SOOO easy and quick to make!

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

Here’s a quick and easy hat and a toy to throw together.

Martingale - Baby Says Sew

You will find more toys and other baby items in the book, which you can find here.

Fabric Play

Fabric Play written by Deanne Moore is the perfect book for a beginning quilt-maker.

Martingale - Fabric Play (Print version + eBook bundle)

In her book, Deanne gives you a mock-up drawing of the entire quilt for you to play with different fabrics in creating your own quilt.

Martingale - Fabric Play (Print version + eBook bundle)

She also gives suggestions for using different fabrics with each quilt.

Martingale - Fabric Play (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Fabric Play (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Fabric Play (Print version + eBook bundle)

Many thanks to Martingale Press and their photographer for providing the eBooks for these reviews.  You can find more information on this book here.

 

Country Elegance

Don’t let the title fool you.  I know you may be thinking modern quilting is in; country quilting is out.  However, I think the applique patterns inside this book are more Jacobean than country.  Could it be that because the authors, Leonie Bateman and Dierdre Bond-Abel are from Australia and I am from the U.S. that we think a little differently and so my take on this book is a little different from theirs?  Perhaps!

Martingale - Country Elegance (Print version + eBook bundle)

In this book you will find lap quilts, table runners, a pillow, framed applique, a wall hanging and more.  I have yet to try wool applique, and I think this book has finally talked me into trying it.  Instructions are clear-cut and easy to follow, to include reverse applique.

So what do you think of the following design?  This is my favorite project in the book.

Martingale - Country Elegance (Print version + eBook bundle)

Here’s something small to start with.  See the reverse applique in the flowers of the following 2 designs?

Martingale - Country Elegance (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Country Elegance (Print version + eBook bundle)

How about this one?  I like the simplicity of this one with basically 2 colors/hues.

Martingale - Country Elegance (Print version + eBook bundle)

You can find more about this book at Martingale’s website here.

Table Toppers

Just in time for the season of giving, this book includes quick and easy projects, perfect for gift-giving.  Projects are from Fons & Porter’s “Love of Quilting” magazine and include patterns from Terry Albers, Debbie Beaves, Jodie Davis, Marianne Fons, Sandy Gervais, Sue Marsh, Kelly Mueller, Debbie Mumm, Wendy Sheppard, Edyta Sitar, Betsy Smith, and Karen Witt.  I found the projects to be colorful and cute with clear written instructions  for foundation piecing, machine appliqué, wool appliqué, etc.  Being a machine quilter, I also really liked that this book has suggestions for quilting after you have stitched the table topper together.

Martingale - Table Toppers (Print version + eBook bundle)

Just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving…

Martingale - Table Toppers (Print version + eBook bundle)

Cute for Christmas…

Martingale - Table Toppers (Print version + eBook bundle)

Springtime…

Martingale - Table Toppers (Print version + eBook bundle)

Or just because…

Martingale - Table Toppers (Print version + eBook bundle)

There is something for everyone in this book.  Check it out at Martingale’s site here.

Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics

Martingale - Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics (Print version + eBook bundle)

Written by…Cassie Barden, Audrie Bidwell, Kim Brackett, Mary J. Burns, Lesley Chaisson, Jodi Crowell, Sara Diepersloot, Susan Teegarden Dissmore, Victoria L. Eapen, Amy Ellis, Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene, Krista Fleckenstein, Cornelia Gauger, Regina Girard, Mary Green, Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson, Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks, Nancy J. Martin, Terry Martin, Carrie Nelson, Susan Pfau, Claudia Plett and Le Ann Weaver, Rebecca Silbaugh, Adrienne Smitke, Karen Costello Solty and the staff at That Patchwork Place®.

This book makes great use of fat quarters, fat eighths, 5″ (charm squares) and 10″ squares (layer cakes), and 2 1/2″ strips (jelly rolls) and is packed with 64 projects organized by the cut of fabric.  In fact, the book is 258 pages long, so you are really getting your money’s worth with this book!  One of the things I liked about this book is that it is broken up into sections according to the cut of fabric.  For example, Part One is Layer Cakes, and you will find written at the bottom of many of the even pages “Layer Cake” so if you flip through the pages and light upon a quilt that peaks your interest, you can easily see which cut of fabric is used for that quilt.  If it’s not at the bottom of the page, it’s listed at the top left side at the beginning of the pattern.  Of course, you can always use your scraps if you don’t have that particular cut of fabric.  I have to admit that since I collect jelly rolls and charm squares (my quilt guild has charm square exchanges every month), that I zoomed through the pages looking for the jelly roll and charm square sections.  I was not disappointed!  LOTS and LOTS of eye candy!

Here is just a sampling of what is in the book.  If you can’t afford to buy it right now, you’ve got to at least try to check it out from your local library.  You won’t regret it.

Martingale - Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Perfect Quilts for Precut Fabrics (Print version + eBook bundle)

You can find more information at Martingale’s website here.