Category: Book Review

Vintage Vibe

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Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

I loved the quilts in this book by Amber Johnson.  They have the traditional look, but the colors are fresh and up-to-date.  She starts out the book by talking about fabric, fabric sizes, and how to build your fabric stash… great for beginners and others as well.  At the end of the book she gives you quilting basics, and in between the beginning and the end is filled with wonderful quilts and projects to make.

Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - Vintage Vibe (Print version + eBook bundle)

I think you will find something you like from the 14 patterns in this book.  If you’d like to find out more about this book, you can visit Martingale’s website here.  Many thanks to them for providing the book for this review and also to their photographer, Brent Kane, for providing the pictures!

Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners – And Those Who Think They Can’t

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Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners – And Those Who Think They Can’t by Molly Hanson is a great book for those of you who are still afraid you can’t quilt, because you can!  You just have to believe in yourself.  It takes practice, and you won’t be as good as you’d like when you start, but the more you do it, the better you will be.

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle)

One of the things suggested to give you practice is to do some sketching.  It helps develop the muscles that will also do the quilting.

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle) In this book, Molly starts you out with basic meander and then some writing.  You will also find patterns for the projects she uses for the quilting in this book.

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle) She moves on to circles.

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle) And geometric designs…

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle)

Paisleys, which look nice on this bag…

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle)

Wood grain…

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle) And swirly designs…

Martingale - Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Print version + eBook bundle)

I like that the author has so many different quilting designs in this book – there’s something for every quilting style.   So, what do you think?  Are you ready to give quilting a try?  You can do it, with the help of this book!

*Note: Many thanks to Martingale Press and their photographer, Brent Kane, for providing the book and the pictures for this review!

A Flair for Fabric

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Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

I was excited to do this book review, because the very talented Linda Lum DeBono is the one who compiled the projects from 15 different fabric designers with Henry Glass Fabrics that are in this book.  If you know of any of these designers, you will want to get your hands on this book: Leanne Anderson; Dana Brooks; Linda Lum DeBono; Kim Diehl; Anni Downs; Jill Finley; Amy Hamberlin; Liz Hawkins and Beth Hawkins of Lizzie B Cre8ive; Margot Languedoc; Janet Nesbitt and Pam Soliday of Buggy Barn; Vicki Oehlke; Heather Mulder Peterson; Jacquelynne Steves; and Mary Ellen Von Holt, Alice Berg, and Sylvia Johnson of Little Quilts.  Not only do they share their secrets for designing fabric lines, but they also show you how to mix and match your leftover fabrics with secondary fabrics for other projects.  An added bonus, if you choose to buy this book, is that the designers are donating the royalties from the sale of this book to the Red Cross; a notable good cause.

So, let’s take a looks inside at some of the information and projects.

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

And, last, but not least, a quilting caddy for hauling your quilting tools on outings…

Martingale - A Flair for Fabric (Print version + eBook bundle)

As you can see, there is a lot of variety in this book; variety of styles and projects.  It would make a great gift for yourself or for a fellow quilter!

Many thanks to Martingale Press and their photographer, Brent Kane for providing this book and the pictures for this review!

Urban and Amish

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.