Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
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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.

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!

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.

This book is fantastic and very easy to use. The great thing is you can print out your applique blocks in several different sizes. I have already made about 20 of the blocks and love the finished product. There are also a lot of helpful tips/hints.

Kay Mackenzie was destined to be an appliqué person. You will know why when you see her book. With over 50 designs in 5 different sizes, and a disc included as well, this book is all the inspiration you will need to create some interesting quilts. You need a coffee pot, she has one, cups, tea pots, flowers and purses, cats, mice, chicks, she has it all.. You will be hard pressed not to be excited at her collection.

Kay Mackenzie's EASY APPLIQUE BLOCKS: 50 DESIGNS IN 5 SIZES packs in a block book for applique lovers and includes a bonus CD with all the blocks in five different sizes. Each design is featured in a line drawing and stitched in fabric and comes with basic instructions for hand-stitched and fusible applique, making it a fine survey for any needlework collection.

I found this books to have a great selection of cute appliques for skills levels ranging from beginners to advanced. Not only that but the CD makes printing out patterns as easy as 1-2-3. Highly recommend.

I love this book! I downloaded the bonus CD on my Windows 7 and within 5 minutes I was printing out the patterns that I wanted to appliqué and that included the time it took to size them to fit my pattern blocks - As the Title Says, "Easy" - it was!!

The book also has very easy directions and detailed information for those of us new to appliqué.

This is a great book with lots of applique patterns. Having five sizes available is so handy and the cd is easy even for me!!!

I like how this book came with a cd to print off the templates. Also the blocks are available in different sizes so that you can select what size template you need based on the size of quilt you want to make.

The blocks are basic designs that you can create whatever you want.

It's a great book.