Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback]

Kay Mackenzie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 2009 | Series: That Patchwork Place

Here is a jam-packed block book just for applique lovers! "Easy Applique Blocks" features 50 designs in traditional, modern, and whimsical styles with large, easy-to-stitch pieces. It provides a free bonus CD that includes all the blocks, in five different sizes (from 6 inches to 12 inches), and in reverse for fusible applique, giving endless variety and inspiration. This is a superb collection of easy applique block designs for endless inspiration and variety.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The computer age meets applique -- and you will be thrilled with the results! Kay Mackenzie has combined 50 shapes in a variety of sizes that you will refer to again and again. Put away those coloring books, girls. You won't need them any more! These shapes make applique fun again. Let the fabrics speak for a change. Add a buttonhole stitch in pearl cotton as an embellishment. It's that easy to add the ahhh factor to any project. Just follow one of the methods of applique covered in the book -- or use your favorite. I'm sure Kay won t mind -- she just wants you to enjoy the process again! And, she chose a wide variety of designs that will translate into all of your projects. Choose a variety of vase or bowl shapes, add your choice of flowers and fruits, and embellish to your hearts content! But what if you need a country rooster...a scottie.....a bird.....a cat or even a fish.......they are all here too. There are hearts and stars -- well, enough to make your heart sing! Who could ask for anything more! --Checker Distributor Catalog, April 2009

About the Author

Kay Mackenzie is an avid applique enthusiast who has been quilting for nearly 15 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: That Patchwork Place; Pap/Cdr edition (March 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564778851
• ISBN-13: 978-1564778857
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a quilter who writes or a writer who quilts. Either way you look at it, I live in Santa Cruz, California with my husband, science journalist Dana Mackenzie, and our tuxedo cat Maxwell Smart.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for beginners and other appliquérs who want a library of simple blocks, March 28, 2009

By 

Susan Brubaker Knapp (Mooresville, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes (That Patchwork Place) (Paperback)

Appliquér Kay Mackenzie's new book, "Easy Applique Blocks," features 50 darling applique designs to mix and match, each in 5 different sizes. All the blocks are on a CD that comes with the book (PC and Mac compatible), so it is easy to find the size you need and print it out from your computer.

Here are some of the things I like best about Kay's book:

1. The blocks are very simple, so they are perfect for beginners. I am a quilt pattern designer and quilting teacher, and I tell my beginning applique classes about this book when I teach. The pieces are big, and the shapes are easy, so it's the perfect way to learn (and learn to love) appliqué.

2. Kay shares her techniques in a reassuring, friendly writing style.

3. There are both hand- and machine-appliqué methods described in detail. Want to do maching appliqué? Choose from a raw-edge machine appliqué or a method using paper-backed fusible web. Want to do hand applique? Try either the freezer-paper-on-top technique or back basting. (I've never done either of these hand methods ... yet!)

4. Lots of cute, cute, CUTE blocks - baskets, birds, flowers, hearts, cats, dogs, teapots, chickens - that can be used on lots of things, like wall quilts, aprons, dresser runners, sweatshirts, and totes.

5. These are versatile designs to have on hand if you belong to a guild that does block raffles or swaps with a theme. You're sure to find a design you can use and whip up in a jiffy.

6. Kay offers tons of tips on the importance of addressing vision issues ("Gentle quilter, it's time to go the drugstore and get some of those groovy granny glasses"), lighting, fabric selection and preparation, tools and notions, and ways to add fine details with embroidery, beading or buttons.

7. Her hand applique instructions are concise and have detailed diagrams on stitching pointy points and smooth curves.

8. The CD makes it easy to print out the blocks you need, and to scale them to the size you want. And the book also includes line drawings you can enlarge on a photocopier, if you don't have a computer.

But I think my favorite part is the "Little Gallery of Ideas" at the end. Here, Kay showcases darling little quilts made by mixing and matching blocks from the book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for All Appliqué and Quilt Lovers & Wannabes Too!, March 14, 2009

By 

Quilts for Sale - Maria Michaels Designs "Qui... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes (That Patchwork Place) (Paperback)

Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes (That Patchwork Place)

Kay's appliqué designs are a real treat! This book is excellently done and beautifully illustrated. Quilters will love the bonus CD that comes with the book. It not only provides the patterns for printing all 50 blocks, but gives the option of printing them in 5 different sizes along with their mirror images! What a time saver that is and how very handy! Kay also includes basic instructions and tips for both hand-stitched appliqué and fusible appliqué. I highly recommend adding this book to your quilt block and appliqué library! You're sure to love it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have to any applique quilter, November 9, 2009

By 

Barbara Rhoades "Jackie of all Trades" (O'Fallon, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes (That Patchwork Place) (Paperback)

The very first thing that caught my eye was the CD that comes with EASY APPLIQUÉ BLOCKS. How wonderful that I can print out my templates to any size I want. Yes, the book says 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 inch blocks but that doesn't mean I can't make a 7 inch size if I want. That's what creativity is all about! So not only do you have 50 designs in 5 sizes you have 50 designs in ANY size you want.

The book begins with how to print from the CD. This is very nice for anyone needing help with a computer. For those of use that are computer savvy on our own, it gives us extra tips which are always helpful. You can always learn something new.

The block library pages show the block in a black and white outline as well as a full color print sitting side-by-side. Of course, you can always use fabrics of your choice but for those of use that need a boost on color suggestions, this is a huge help. The appliqués are simplistic in that there are not a lot of intricate details. Simple and clean designs make beautiful quilts IMHO.

The appliqué tips section has two suggestions that I have never seen before but makes perfect sense to me. First, if you need glasses, get and use them. If you can't see what you are doing, it won't look good when it is done. Second, be sure to have good light. Again, if you can't see, you won't make good blocks. And don't forget to read the extra tips contained in colored boxes scattered throughout the book.

How to make appliqués are given in the next section. Of course, as the author says, only a couple of ways are given. There are many more ways to do appliqué. Use what works best for you but if you haven't ever done appliqué, the suggestions given are a perfect way to start.

Two more sections contain information on how to hand stitch and machine stitch the appliqués. Be sure to read through them for any tips/help you might need. And the final two sections are a gallery of ideas on how to use the appliqués and a bio on the author. This is one book that will remain in my library to use over and over again.