Customer Reviews

Applique Takes Wing: Exquisite Designs for Birds, Butterflies, and More (That Patchwork Place)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Jane Townsick. She is an amazing quilt teacher. I've been lucky enough to be
able to go to the Applique Academy and experience her class. Before that I had two
of her books. She has truly distilled the essence of her classes into book form.
Even if you are a beginner and you take it slow - you can do it. It's essential to read
the book a couple of times before even choosing fabric. But once you get to that
point, you can truly create magic with your fabric, needle, thread and the assistance
of Jane's wonderful book. If you are close to Oley, PA I think that she teaches year
round there too. It's worth the trip to go to Ladyfingers Fabric store and spend one
day with her expertise if you can't make it to the Applique Academy.
Yummy photos and clear explanations along with examples of her students work make this book a definite buy for any quilters library. It is truly inspiring.

Have you ever said: "I will never do that!" That is just what I said about appliqué. "Oh, it is so beautiful but I will never do that! It is just too involved". OK, so now I have to take back what I said. I have been gathering different instruction books on appliqué techniques and APPLIQUÉ TAKES WING provides new techniques for me to learn.

The book is about some of my favorite subjects: birds, moths, butterflies and dragonflies. It contains six pages of basic hand-appliqué techniques, six pages of special techniques such as those for making flower stems and a page on color blending. There is a 20 page gallery of quilts and wall hangings to peruse over before you choose which one you will start. (Of course, you will make all of them but you have to start somewhere!). The final pages are the how-to's of making the twelve different patterns.--- six birds and six butterflies and moths (the dragonfly falls into this category).

The fabrics used in this book will make me stretch as I have only used 100% cotton up to now. The moths and dragonfly uses metallic sheer and metallic mesh fabric for wings. Each set of instructions for each block has a fabric and supply list followed by the instructions for putting it all together. There are plenty of graphics and photos so you won't get lost. Each block also lists the techniques that are used to create that particular block. The final page contains a resource list as no craft book is complete without this page.

I think I now have all of Townswick's books. Her design and hand applique work is stunning, and her directions are excellent. A great choice for anyone who wants to take applique to the next level

An excellent book, exquisite designs indeed, easy directions, am excited to start. For those who want to express their artistic side.

I was looking through the books at a sewing expo, and there it was. I had never seen the book before, and I was instantly amazed. Her work is exquisite. It has patterns for birds and moths and butterflys. They are not your typical patterns of stiff little animals. They flow and sing to you. They are done with mostly batiks and hand dyed fabrics that blend with each other. She even uses metalic and lames to give the birds and bugs more shimmer. The book I'm sure doesn't show just how beautiful it really is, and believe me they are beautiful even so. I have seen alot of applique books, but hers are the best. After I got home, I thought her name sounded vaguely familiar, and sure enough I already owned her book on balitmore album quilts. I am presently working on two quilts with these patterns, mixed with a few of my own designs.
She also has in this book her students quilts, that they did with these bird designs to give you some good ideas on how to set these blocks into quilts Some are pretty good. These are advanced designs, quite small peices, but a talented beginner could master them. You would do better to start on her baltimore blocks to get started.

Great book many many great ideas in it am glad i got it

This book was a gift, but it was well received therefore I think that it was beneficial to the recipient.

I really like this book, wonderful applique patterns. I would recommend it to anyone.