Customer Reviews

Color Shuffle: New Quilts from Karla Alexander (That Patchwork Place)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love the quilts, as always. You can see them on the quilt show with Alex Anderson (episode 603) . You can also see them in her gallery at Saginaw Street Quilts . She uses wild colors --which I love--but I have seen her quilts in soft florals and structured Asians. The quilts are all rotary cut and pieced as apposed to applique or paper pieced . There are 16 quilts in the book.

There are so many different construction techniques--the wavy half squares and semi-applique of Somersault, the curved piecing in Blue Moon , the calming geometric Plaid Passion and Quilters Weave . I am part way through 2 of these and her directions are so precise they help a perpetual intermediate like me figure it all out. Most $25 or $30 books are variations on one or 2 quilts , this a true explosion of creativity coupled with the ability to explain how to do it. A bargain to be sure . Its actually fun and I gain the confidence , as I have with her prior books to do it my way however strange that may be, enlarging, transferring techniques, shrinking or growing the squares,using fabric with frogs or cars or almost-naked hikers or shades of blue or black and white . My 20 something kids love the quilts, my 80 something MIL likes them in softer fabrics and I love them just as they are.

All of the quilts are do-able . None of them are the uncoordinated mash of bright colors and big prints that I think of as "fabric in a blender". One of my two kids loves that look. Let her make her own quilt, I say. Karla uses a million pieces of fabric , but there is structure and consequently movement in each quilt. She's an artist not just a seamstress .

No, I am not her sister or best friend. I am eagerly awaiting a 2012 book.

This book is more of Karla's great ideas. Even if you struggle to be creative (as I do), her methods can make everyone (including yourself) believe you really are creative! And if you are already creative, you will go crazy using her patterns and methods. It is great fun - once you make one of Karla's patterns, you'll have to do more. They are easy, beautiful, and open ended for adaptations. Don't miss out!

Scraps, scraps and more scraps. What to do with all the scraps? Well this book may just help even though it isn't touted as a quilt book for using scraps.

It begins with the usual eight pages of basic quilting techniques. Throughout the book, there are tips given and set off in colored boxes. Each project shows a full color page of the finished quilt and also tells the finished quilt and block size. The materials list tells how much yardage you need but if you look at the various quilts, you will easily notice that many of them can be done with scraps you have left from other quilts OR those fat quarters you just couldn't resist buying. The quilt named SIDEWAYS is a perfect example of this. And some are perfect with scraps if you pick a background fabric in the required yardage. ELECTRIC FENCE is an example of this. AND best of all, the author even provides a quilt that is specifically for scraps - CRITICAL (STASH) MASS.

The patterns continue with a cutting list and lots of graphics for following the written instructions. As with most quilting books, the instructions for quilting are listed "as desired". Templates are included and are full sized so no copying needed.

With 16 quilts, many perfect for scraps, you can use up your bits and pieces and make beautiful quilts too. Even if you don't have scraps, just following the directions will give you a wonderful quilt to snuggle under come winter.

Karla Alexander's COLOR SHUFFLE provides new quilts from designer Karla Alexander, who explains how to blend her stacking and shuffling methods with more new techniques. Some 16 projects provide a range of colors and style options in a top pick for any quilting library.

I have Karla Alexander's two previous books and this one is just as wonderful as the others. I've found several patterns that I'm really anxious to get started. Her color choices and directions are very helpful. Thanks, Karla, and keep up the good work!

The designs in this book are very dynamic and give you lots of license to play with prints and colors. The "stack the deck" method makes mixing up your prints a snap!
The one drawback for the book is that there are several patterns which use Y-seams and curved piecing, which can be a bit daunting for the inexperienced quilter. But once you get past it, the patterns are fabulous and turn out great!

As a Quilter, I am always looking for something to inspire and this book, has a lot of inspiration. Great instruction and pictures are beautiful.

Carla's techniques are really easy. You don't need to use batiks but they sure make up beautifully. She makes complicated quilts go together easily. There will be companion rulers for this book end of May--I just took a class with her. She's a doll!

Karla Alexander not only is a great designer of quilts, but she's a master at color. The book is a feast of eye candy. She chooses intense colors that photograph beautifully. As soon as I bought the book, I identified several pieces that I wanted to do. I finished the first one last night. She had created the quilt in Amy Butler soft blues and greens. I chose to do mine in Kaffe fabrics in more intense greens, blues, and pinks. Her directions are extremely clear. I am ready to quilt my new top and start another of her fabulous designs. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for some exciting, contemporary designs!

Lively and colorful quilts, very well explained technique, well photographed, you can read this and use it as a jumping off point to design your own quilts. A lot of fun, especially when you get to that point.