Customer Reviews

American Jane's Quilts for All Seasons: and Some for No Reason

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Sandy Klopp's free-spirited mix of colors, as well as her vintage style. She offers up a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects to appeal to a range of quilters' abilities. And while I would love to have the quilt that's featured on the cover, I plan to start with some of the easy applique projects: the adorable Scottie quilt and the heart quilt.

In collecting fabrics for my projects, I'm already wishing that her directions for fabric amounts were easier for a beginner to cope with. For example, directions to assemble 3 yards total of assorted fabrics doesn't really tell you what size of cut to get. A quilter with intermediate or advanced skills, of course, can certainly figure it out by measuring the size of the templates. Someone just starting out might not think of it.

Overall, however, the book is appealing from start to finish. Whether you actually make any of the projects or not, it's great eye-candy for armchair enjoyment.

I've been a fan of Sandy Klop and her quilting patterns for years and this new book is a gem. I've had the pleasure of taking quilting classes from her and always learn so much. Her teaching methods along with her kindness, patience and enthusiasm for quilting are reflected in these pages. The quilts are not only delightful but each offers great tips and tricks that any quilter can benefit from (like her tip for making pieced diamonds - Sandy makes it simple!). The patterns are great for stash busting or any variety of color ways. It only touches the surface of the many quilts she has available at[...] and truly reflects her fresh style of traditional quilt making. These are quilts that just make you want to smile. I can't wait to start my next one!

I received my copy of this beautiful book this weekend and could not put it down. My first project from this book will be the "Dancing Ladies", I love the fabrics used in the quilt, I wish I had access to the French fabrics like the sample in the book. The patterns are easy to follow, I can't wait to make some of quilts in book.

Sandy Klop's book, Quilts for all Seasons and Some for no Reason is consistent with her look as a quilter which features traditional quilts with a vintage flair and a color palate that is upbeat and happy. This book includes 14 quilts which offer a range of skill levels, both pieced and applique. The quilts Star Diamond and All Stars play with stars and are a good example of Sandy's overall work with stars in her quilts. Fiesta Wear and Apple Crisp use concentrated colors with stunning results. Chickens, Cherries and Checks and Puppy Parade use classic animal themes in a fun way and would make a great addition to a kitchen or playroom. Bee Mine and Dancing Ladies use applique to accomplish a tender Valentine look and quaint French theme with ladies dancing around a center of color. Folk Art Christmas is a perfect addition to your Christmas collection. Whirligigs and Tessellation play with angles and are fun quilts to make. Magic Carpet is reminiscent of Persian Carpets and Snowy Peaks uses a small triangle to get a big look. Daisy Dew is for advanced quilters and includes 5 intriguing borders. Sandy's book can satisfy every kind of a quilter.

This book contains fourteen quilt patterns with an retro look. It begins with a five page basics overview, just in case you need to refresh yourself on a particular item. Then it jumps right into the patterns.

Each pattern gives a skill level and the finished block and quilt size. A materials and cutting list is next with tips on seam allowances and strip length. A full color photo of the quilt with a paragraph about it is next, followed by detailed directions on creating the blocks. Lots of graphics help to understand the written words. Borders and finishing suggestions are the last of the written pattern.

Tips are given through out the book and are found in colored boxes with wavy tops. Any templates that are needed to complete a quilt are given at full size. This is very nice as you don't have to run out to the copy shop to get enlargements. Eight of the fourteen quilts are done in piece work only; the other six have appliqués on them.

The last page has a photo of the author and a four paragraph bio. If you like retro quilts, this will give you 14 reasons to make one. And you have the option of doing either pieced quilts or appliquéd ones!

Sandy Klop's AMERICAN JANE'S QUILTS FOR ALL SEASONS... AND SOME FOR NO REASON comes from a designer/quilter who provides some 14 quilts with vintage American roots to them. From remakes of classic folk art and traditional designs to fun simple quilts and themes, piecing and applique techniques alike are combined with patterns and color photos to make for an outstanding presentation. Both books are top picks for quilters seeking innovations on themes and approaches.

I've thumbed through several quilt books, but this is the most delicious assortment of patterns I've ever seen. More than a dozen quilts from this book are calling my name and I imagine I'll be using it for years to come.

I have to admit I haven't made any of the quilts, but there are some real beauties in here. I love Sandy's use of colors and fabrics. I don't know how easy the directions are to follow, but just looking at the diagram I love the easy way she's pieced the Fiesta Ware quilt full of little squares. I would have been piecing those squares into looong rows so it's great to see a better way to do it.

This book contains many different patterns. It is a good reference book.

I enjoy piecing the hexagons.