Customer Reviews

Dare to Be Square Quilting: A Block-by-Block Guide to Making Patchwork and Quilts

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Awesome book. Great for beginners of the younger generation who want to make hip quilts. Also for the more advance quilters for ideas to add to their skills. I was very impressed with the modern art approach of making everyday designs with strips. Each quilt tells a story. Good color combinations. Easy to understand directions.
The owl is quite wise I will make him first.

I have never quilted before, but when I saw the video for this book on vimeo, I had to have it. The quilts are super cool, and her instructions are VERY detailed. Be sure to read the introduction. She has a lot of detail there that will help you out, especially if you are a beginner. I am beginning my first quilt--the blue robot--and everything I need to know is in the book.

Ok, so I know you're not stupid, but I totally was about quilting! I tried watching videos online, reading tutorials and asking for advice and everything was just so confusing, then I bought this book and I can make a quilt. Seriously! Boo makes it so easy to understand by using not just print but diagrams as well. She also throws in a tiny bit of humor to keep you interested. I completely understood her instructions even when reading with a fever...and I'm pretty brain dead when I'm sick. Make sure to read the book from beginning to end! She gives so much helpful advice and many unconventional, but inspired ideas about construction. The quilts themselves are pretty awesome, as are the patchwork projects provided. I love the fact that Boo isn't some stuffy 60 year old trying to force us to make an art piece to be admired, not touched; she is all about using and loving your quilt until it falls to pieces in 150 years. I also LOVE her simple, user-friendly binding method. It's simplistic and totally modern and in the now. I was DYING to know what kinds of quilt designs were in this book and didn't like the mystery...I HATE surprises, but a complete list wasn't available. I'll try to label them as best as I can. These are NOT the given names of the quilt, just what they are in layman's terms:

Owl Quilt
Robot Quilt
Key Quilt
Tree Quilt (this one is a little weird because it's all squares, but cute anyway)
Alarm clock Quilt
Wiener Dog Baby Quilt
Deer/Stag Quilt
Skull Quilt
And 3 Modern Blocked Patterned Quilts

There are also "how-to's" on pot holders, an apron, a scarf, place mats, a table runner and MORE! BUY THIS BOOK! You won't be disappointed, I promise!

I started sewing years ago, but was always turned off by quilting--probably because I subconsciously decided it was an old lady sport. A while back I came across an article in the New York Times about Boo Davis' quilts, and I was hooked from that moment on. Her quilts are fun and they made me laugh, and they weren't for old ladies. I purchased her book this Christmas, and have already completed one quilt. It took a lot of time, and some of the steps were tedious, but it was also a ton of fun. And it turned out looking great. Her projects are relatively simple, so you don't get hung up on tricky details. Her explanations are thorough and clear, eliminating much of the frustrations inherent in any sewing project. And she encourages you to explore your own creativity, not do it exactly as she did. If you're interested in sewing or quilting, I highly recommend this book. If you're still not sure, check out Boo Davis' website and look at some of her quilts. If nothing else, they'll make you smile.

I am fairly new to quilting and enjoy collecting quilting books for the pattern and all the different techniques experience quilters use. I found this book to be a good on both fronts.

The technique section geared to someone with basic sewing knowledge and very little to no quilting knowledge. If you have never sewn I would recommend Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns for a good book on sewing basics. I used the technique section to help me finish up a quilt from an other book that I was working on. She has a small section about the ratio of solids and different types of prints fabrics, which I found to be very helpful. Patchwork consisting of only squares and rectangle help you focus on the foundations of quilt making (like 1/4" seam, pressing and so one).

I really enjoyed the small section she added for each quilt that talks about the traditional technique that was modified for each particular quilt, for example hootenanny (on the front cover) is a modified version of log cabin. I found the quilts and projects are fun and refreshing, but I can see how it would not be appealing to everyone.

I bought this for my mother, who is an avid quilter, but had to read through it first. I really enjoyed the photos and it was a fun read. I'd recommend to anyone interested in quilting, especially beginners.

I'm a pretty amateur quilt maker, having started only a year ago when I couldn't find a crib set that I both liked and could afford. $400 for a machine made quilt, bumper and crib skirt? I don't think so. So I decided to make my own. I love the whole concept. I'm not really into traditional quilt designs and they are really complicated to make. This book is all about straight stitching, using nothing but squares and rectangles. The directions are so simple to understand, there are diagrams to help. It made it so easy to figure out how to peace together a small or huge quilt. The projects are modern, easy and super cute! They can be made any way you like, just change the material. It also talks about how to choose fabrics and how to "quilt" without any special equipment what so every. Plus handy tricks. I wish I would have had this book when I made my first quilt for my son. I think I might make him another using the patterns in this book. I can't wait for her to come out with another. I'm going to buy this for any of my friends that decide to take up sewing.

This is my new favorite book! There are so many great projects in it. So far I've only made the placemats but I intend on making at least 2 more things from it this year. The instructions are very clear and easy for anyone to understand. I would highly recommend this book.

This book is the 2nd book that I have bought that I can honestly see myself wanting to make every project!! Normally you just see a few projects in a book and forget about the rest...not so here!! The author did a fantastic job coming up with quilts that are based off of traditional aspects but done in a completely modern squared way. At 28, I am the opposite from a traditional patchwork quilter and this book doesn't disappoint!! For $13 I now have enough projects for the next year at least!!!

I really like this book! The patterns are fresh and fun, the information is laid out well, and even a newbie sewist could follow it and make a quilt if they wanted to. I am not a newbie, but I really enjoyed Boo Davis and the part of her story she shares in the book. It also has lots of great tips thrown throughout the book to help all of us with sewing/quilting. I can't wait to get started on some of these quilts. And the rabbit toy is too cute! Dare to Be Square Quilting: A Block-by-Block Guide to Making Patchwork and Quilts