Customer Reviews

Block Magic: Over 50 Fun and Easy Blocks Made from Squares and Rectangles

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nancy Johnson-Srebro's Block Magic provides over 50 blocks in four sizes, using rotary-cut shapes and simple piecing to make their construction very easy. An excellent, recommended quilter's guide.

Unfortunately, I purchased both "Block Magic" and "Block Magic, Too" over the internet. Had I seen the books ahead of time, I would not have purchased them at all.

First off, most of these blocks are more suited to foundation (or paper) piecing, particulary for the small 6" blocks. Many of the blocks require very small pieces of fabric, and if you are like me, these are not easy to work with and get accurate.

Secondly, there are duplicates between the books. For example, the "Pinwheel Flowers" (book I, page 21) and the Fancy Petunias (book II, page 34) are the same flower, with the stems/leaves adjusted so that in one version, the flowers are on the same level and in the 2nd version, they are on different levels.

Third, there isn't enough variety. I grouped all the blocks by how I would most likely use them, and found, to my dismay, most of them were Christmas/Winter oriented:

(note some elements are suitable for more than one category)

Angels (2)

Noah's Ark (1) and 5 animals/birds which might be used, though not the usual animals expected
Birds/houses (5)
Birthday (2)
Car/Truck (2)
Christmas (20)
City/Town (6)
Easter (2)
Fall/Autumn/Halloween (7)
Farm (13)
Flowers/Baskets/Watering Can (9)
Aviation (3)
Fruit (5)
Hearts (3)
Insects/Bugs (3)
Kitchen (8)
Ocean/Sea (9)
Patriotic (6)
Pets (6): Cats (4), Dogs (2)
School (10)
Stars (2)
Toys (9)
Train (1) engine only
Woods (5)

Fortunately for me, I find I'm able to convert them to foundation blocks using EQ5 -- but it's going to take me a long time.

I really like this book. Just looking at the pictures is fun! I've made 2 of the teddy bear blocks in the 12 inch size..she gives about 4 different sizes of each block and shows at least 4 differnt fabric combinations and at the end gives 'maps' ideas for layouts of samplers. There are lots of different pictures...ballerina, teddy bear, santa claus, frog, beach house, tree, boy, girl, patchwork cow, toy horse, flowers, barn and some animals, fish....lots of stuff. I'm buying the second book pretty soon just to have.

I was sorry to see some of the low ratings on this book. It came in handy for me when I needed ideas for blocks in a quilting swap on the internet. Several of us swapped 12" Halloween Blocks and Christmas blocks this year and both themes made wonderful quilts. I am a beginner quilter and the book shows clearly how to construct blocks. The larger size blocks are easy to work with and for more of a challenge you can try smaller sizes. I guess all quilt books cannot be all things for all quilters, but this book is a good addition to any quilting library. JMHO

The idea behind this book is superb. Ms Johnson-Srebro is a gifted technician but unfortunately some of the designs lose in the colour inspiration category & I think that detracts from her original and very inspired ideas.
The premise of the book is simple. Use rectangles and squares to make a block which can then be used for pillows, oven mitts, tree ornaments, wall hangings or part of a large quilt. To this end Ms J-S gives different sizes for the finished quilt (6-15 inches are typical) so you don't have to worry about making the alterations.
At the end are Quilt Maps where Ms J-S shows you how to use the blocks as part of a larger quilt. Here, outside of the teacup and pot quilt the book is rather plebian and typical. There really isn't much variation of using the different blocks into a full pictograph. That's the pity but for a willing worker it could be done.
Also, some of the blocks, like the cat and teapot, have blocks too large & ungainly. They could easily broken up to get more colour shading and variation in though this too would be easy to modify because of her technique by simply using strips instead of a large block.
All in all the execution does not live up to the idea but it could be a great springboard for further development. A superb intro to piecework for all ages and allot of easy fun.

Oh how I wish I had known about this book in 2001 when it was first published!!! I have struggled to make those pieces that come together in points (on the diagonal) and not been happy with my results. This book, BLOCK MAGIC, solves that problem for me.

The book contains 70 patterns to make using only rectangles and squares. The patterns range from animals, to flowers to people to houses. There are themes such as Christmas, Easter and Back to School. In the introduction, there is a "how-to" so you can read the charts provided with each block and the blocks range in size from 6" to 15" depending on which one you choose to create.

The colors chosen for each block shown and the tips that are also included provide a wealth of creativity for a quilter. Most quilters have a scrap bag that they just cannot part with. BLCOK MAGIC gives many squares that will use up those precious scraps. If this were not enough in one book, there are 20 quilt maps. These are suggestions on which squares would go together to make a quilt or wall hanging.

As a quilting teacher, BLOCK MAGIC will be one book I incorporate in my classes. A beginner or a seasoned quilter will find that the instructions are easy to follow will inspire the students to come up with their own fabric and color ideas and combinations.

Buy a copy of this book and you will be creating you own quilts/wall hangings for many days to come.

As already stated there are over 50 fun and easy blocks, 70 to be exact. There is an extra 28 pages with ideas of quilts to make combining the blocks. As for the blocks, 10 of them are animals, the remainder range from flowers, houses, Holloween, Christmas and more. I found the blocks to be very cute and can't wait to make some.

I really like this book. Just looking at the pictures is fun! I've made 2 of the teddy bear blocks in the 12 inch size..she gives about 4 different sizes of each block and shows at least 4 differnt fabric combinations and at the end gives 'maps' ideas for layouts of samplers. There are lots of different pictures...ballerina, teddy bear, santa claus, frog, beach house, tree, boy, girl, patchwork cow, toy horse, flowers, barn and some animals, fish....lots of stuff. I'm buying the second book pretty soon just to have.

I can used the patten in every design, and so welcomed by children.

I have been checking this book out from the library repeatly, because I love using it. I finally decided I just had to have it. I love the easy piecing instructions and the cute blocks. I've made three wall hangings using the teacup. I also used the crayon block for a internet swap I did. The only word of caution I have is to be very careful with your 1/4 " seams if your blocks have to be exactly a certin size. The book is well worth the investment.