The Block Book [Paperback]

Judy Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 9, 1998

Judy Martin has designed more original quilt and block patterns than anyone in history. The Block Book has 156 blocks, 107 of which are brand new Judy Martin originals. The rest are traditional blocks or favorites from Judy's earlier books.

Each block is presented with a color photo, a clear piecing diagram, precise rotary cutting dimensions, accurate full-size templates and piecing tips and quilt suggestions.

66 of the blocks are in the popular 12" size. The rest are in a variety of sizes, including 18 Grand Blocks that are 17" or larger, perfect for medallion centers and wall quilts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Your head will be swimming with quilt ideas while you peruse this book. Judy designed more than 100 of the 156 skill-rated block patterns. Most of the blocks are offered in 10-1/4" or 12" sizes and each is accompanied by a shaded drawing, a piecing diagram, and a patch list. This patch list enables you to find the cutting instructions for either rotary or traditional template cutting, depending on your preference. The rotary cutting guide includes cutting instructions for a wide variety of shapes, from trapezoids and half-prisms to kite shapes. Many patterns show a nine-block arrangement to help you visualize a multi-block quilt. There are 18 blocks that are called "Grand Blocks" because they're complex and large enough (between 17-1/2" and 32") to use alone in a wallhanging or as the center for medalliona quilts. Best of all, every block is pictured in color and uses today's exciting fabrics. Instructions for twin- to king-size samplers allow you to give in to that urge and use the blocks together in a striking quilt. -- Nancy Roberts, Quilting Today

About the Author

Judy Martin is the internationally known and respected author of 12 popular quilting books, including such classics as Scrap Quilts, Judy Martin's Ultimate Book of Quilt Block Patterns, and Taking the Math Out of Making Patchwork Quilts (with Bonnie Leman.)

She has been making quilts since 1969. From 1979 to 1987 Judy worked at Quilter's Newsletter Magazine and its sister publication, Quiltmaker. She was Senior Editor by the time she left to start her own publishing company, Crosley-Griffith, with her husband. Crosley-Griffith has published her 6 most recent titles, in addition to producing her line of rotary rulers.

Judy Martin's reputation is built on beautiful and sensible designs that go together easily. She is legendary for her accuracy. Judy is special among today's quilt designers in that she combines an artist's vision with an engineer's precision to make the beautiful possible. She comes by this naturally, having artists up and down both sides of her family tree and a father who was an engineer. Judy graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Crosley-Griffith Pub Co Inc (April 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092958905X
• ISBN-13: 978-0929589053
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of ideas..., May 3, 2002

By 

Ana Muhandis - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Block Book (Paperback)

Enjoy this book for the myriad of ideas for blocks. I bought it so that I could practice making different types of blocks, and it's fantastic for that. It includes both rotary cutting instructions and templates, so you can choose either method. I prefer different color schemes than the author uses, so I've been drawing the blocks in the EQ4 quilt-drawing software and re-coloring them the way I prefer; it's great fun. I would not call it a beginner's book...maybe intermediate to advanced. It's not meant to be your only quilting book (but then who can resist having more then one quilting book?).

Disadvantages to this book: Each block includes a list of the shapes to be used, but you have to count the number of times each shape is used in the block to know how many to make. I imagine that's because you're likely to be making more than one of each block, but it would be much easier if there were another column containing the number of each shape to be made for one block. Then the reader could just multiply that number by the number of blocks to be made. Also, be aware that the book often refers to one of the author's previous books for additional details. Not having that book has not seemed to be a problem so far.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Book, July 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Block Book (Paperback)

This a great book for those who prefer not to make their quilts by a prescribed pattern. Blocks are arranged according to size and difficulty. There are even a few large, intricate designs that would work beautifully as a medallion for the center of a quilt. There are lots of traditional patterns along with many that were designed by the author. A nice addition to any quilter's bookshelf.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Quilting Book, December 16, 2008

By 

Carol A. Reed - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Block Book (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. I have one and purchased this one as a Christmas gift for my best friend. She will love it as she is using mine right now. Can't wait to get mine back (which I also purchased at Amazon.com)