Customer Reviews

Crazy Shortcut Quilts

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have already made two quilts with this method, when I took a class from one of the authors. When you get done, it's already quilted! The authors give good directions on how to cut and sew, and many block ideas to make a variety of quilts, each with clear instructions. It's also a fun way to use pretty threads and all of the embroidery patterns on your machine. And it's perfect for fat quarters. Mind you, this is a shortcut method, so don't expect it to teach you how to do exquisite, hand quilted and embroidered crazy quilts. If you want to do that, you need to check out Judith Montano's books. I'm glad the authors wrote this book, because I needed refreshing on how to do it. But I got more than that; it's full of new ideas!

The mother/daughter team of Marguerita McManus and Sarah Raffuse have created "Crazy Shortcut Quilts - Quilt as You Go in Half the Time!". But after reading the book, there is much more to it than that! Their techniques can be incorporated into any project - and there are times they should be embraced by every quilter - you just may not know it yet!

Many of us are involved in organizations that are making quilts for kids, babies, soldiers, cancer patients, etc. These are wonderful programs that make us proud to be quilters. But, they also can become expensive. Most of us are quite willing to donate fabric and sew, but few of us have the ability to machine quilt these donations. Paying for the machine quilting has become a problem. Not anymore!

Marguerita and Sarah show you how to piece blocks - quilt them - and THEN sew the quilted blocks together to complete your quilt. Since the quilting follows the seams of the pieced blocks, anyone can do it - no meandering required!

It is the perfect opportunity to use up all of those scraps of batting. And then there is the decorative stitching! Many of us have paid way too much for a sewing machine that had all of the bells and whistles - but don't quite remember what we were planning on doing with all of those stitches! No more! Marguerita and Sarah use these decorative stitches to machine quilt their projects and enhance their quilts. And, as an added bonus, any imperfections are disguised if you stray from the seam line.

The threads can be changed on every seam so you may actually use up THAT stash as well!

Since the blocks are quilted individually - and then sewn together - it is possible for anyone to quilt even a queen sized quilt the very first time! After the initial machine quilting - which is done in manageable sizes - the blocks are sewn together with straight seams. You just roll up the rows and stitch!

This book contains a crazy quilting technique that is fast, simple, so easy to follow. The quilt-as-you-go block joining method is one of the most precise I've ever seen. The instructions aren't the least bit complicated so anyone can do this, even first-time quilters. The joining and quilting techniques make it easy for quilters to quilt a whole quilt without the bulkiness of one that is pre-assembled. I'd highly recommend it.

This book is the bomb!!! Yes, Sarah Raffuse and Marguerita McManus have finally put to pen to paper, needles to fabric and created a wonderful guide to helping all of us discover the wonderful shortcut technique of quilting-as-you-go with an equally wonderful method for modern-day crazy quilting, utilizing the 21st century technology of our precision sewing & embroidery machines. They have given us the perfect book to learn how to do it ourselves by breaking down the steps of all the processes and given us beautiful examples to jump-start our own creativity; with the added bonus solution of what to do with all of those fat quarters you have been collecting! I highly recommend this book for every quilter of every skill level. I can't wait for the sequel!!!

I started machine quilting many years ago when it was considered taboo. I did a lot of experimenting on my own and have bought a lot of quilt-as-you-go books as the method has became more and more acceptable. So, I have tried about every method out there and have made some very nice quilts. The difference with the method in this book is in the carefree cutting of the blocks and the actual quilt construction. The piecing and the quilting with the fancy stitches, I have done, I just didn't think to write a book about it, but the construction method is fantastic and easier than anything I have ever thought to try. The quilts in the book are just examples of what the authors have done, leaving a whole world of possibilities to explore with the process. This method is actually fun to do. I made a sample piece with a few blocks and showed it to my 92 year old mother, who would never never ever quilt on a sewing machine, and she loved it. Wants me to make a big quilt for her. This would be great fun to do with a group of carefree quilters. Buy the book and have some fun.

The quilted blanket and bedspread are American icons and have proved to be enduringly popular with American families for more than two hundred years. Indeed, some of the them are to be found on display in American museums and galleries as works of art. Most are handed down from generation to generation as prized family heirlooms. "Crazy Shortcut Quilts: Quilt As You Go And Finish In Half The Time" is the collaborative work of quilt-making expert Marguerita McManus and quilting enthusiast Sarah Raffuse who show aspiring needlecrafters how they can make crazy quilts in a matter of hours instead of the months it took their grandmothers to accomplish. Clear, easy-to-follow, step-by-step, illustrated instructions are provided for fifteen crazy quilt projects that include wall art, pillows, a queen-size quilt, fabric valances, and accent throws. Enhanced with practical advice on selecting the proper fabrics and choosing the right colors, "Crazy Shortcut Quilts" is also enhanced with useful ideas and tips for utilizing decorative stitches. Combining layers of a quilt in small manageable sections requiring no precise measuring or cutting, "Crazy Shortcut Quilts" is especially appropriate for novice quilt makers and a truly welcome addition to personal and community library Needlecraft reference collections.

I started sewing when I was 12, had classes in J high, had a feather weight in my 20's. Had a 1/2 million dollar sewing business in my 30's. The only thing I liked to sew was quilts. My mom and I made lots of "kansas basic depression quilts". This is the first detailed quilt book I have followed.
Returing to sewing, I have a Singer 99k ,1941, cousin to the featherweight, tougher cousin. I am using garage sale material for first quilt and it looks great.

Pros... I fell in love with the book, I hate detailed sewing,, this is very manageable. For the non precise quilt sewer this is a dream come true.
When I was confused by poor book directions about sashing, the writers sent me y tube videos that helped a lot. THIS SAVED THE DAY!!!

Very pretty book with great ideas and pics, great work for machines to do the machine quilting as you go. Works like a dream on my old basic singer 99k. You have a better machine, then it will look even better.
I loved how easy it was to drop the project and pick back up, I love now knowing how to design my own quilt.

Thank you writers for including standard measurements in the design chapter.
The local quilt store owner loved it and is getting a copy, and is having fantasy's of me teaching a class(when pigs fly).

Cons
I had to go the local quilt shop to learn to use a cutter, mat and square the blocks. Did not use the book system.
*** page 20, the pin goes in the upper right side of the fabric, cutting is done on the right side**** not clear, had to mail the writers.

***Sashing in the book is confusing, write to the authors from the webpage and they can send a y tube vidoe that is good, and really helps clarify the steps.
*** I did a lot more pressing than the book talks about, old sewing habits, it really helped.

The last sashing section in the book neglects to tell you to line up the horizontal strips, not the edges!!!! blew my quilt apart/
The binding section is could use better pictures, look at quilting academy vol 1.

I really love this system, my 16 sweet quilt, made with a three cut block system looks great. I had to change some instructions to make it work, the final pieces had to be done one at a time to fit my machine head, and I have no decotive stiches on my machine! I still looks great and feels tough. I was worried that the blocks would not be tight toghter and last.

The only part of the book that really annoyed me, was "quick, easy peasy" nonsense. My mom and I had quilts that lasted thirty years, so why be in a weekend rush! I took my time,really took my time over three weeks to get mine worked out. I did love being able to drop the project fast and pick it up fast.

That said after a month of work , I love my quilt and will fix all the mistakes in my next one. My book is written all over! to keep me straight on the next one, and I am working getting material So write in your learning curve and enjoy!!!
Love the book, shoot the editor, email the writers for help.
quilt on !

This book has allowed me to quilt again. I have severe arthritis in my hands and had to stop traditional quilting due to hand pain. The bulky weight of a full size quilt was impossible for me to handle. By quilting in sections I can make a beautiful quilt and remain pain free. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to handle the "banding" required to join my quilted squares into a double queen quilt but the technique of using ironing boards to help support the quilt was a WINNER. I am so happy with this book.

This book takes all the anxiety out of the process of creating beautiful quilts, especially for beginners. The instructions are well organized, clear and concise. The illustrations are in the form of color photographs which are as beautiful as they are informative.

Fabulous book with a new, easy way to do crazy quilting. Great projects with easy to follow instructions. Highly recommend this book to all quilters!