Customer Reviews

Flower Show Quilts: Stunning Applique on a Patchwork Canvas (That Patchwork Place)

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Seriously, I applique only when I absolutely have to. (Love the look, but hate the process.) And foundation piecing? I'd rather go paperless. Yet I bought Lynn Ann Majidimehr's Flower Show Quilts knowing it involved both techniques. Why? I took a few good looks online (using Amazon's "See All Product Images") and clicked "Add To Cart" within seconds.

The quilts are beautiful, not only because of the lovely layered applique, but also for their richly pieced backgrounds, which vary from a basic checkerboard ("Summer Floral Tablerunner") to one with Courthouse Steps blocks ("Pink Dahlias").

What you can't see so well online is the amazing detail in the quilting itself. Not only are the backgrounds quilted in imaginative ways, but the appliques themselves are extensively quilted, adding more depth and contour. Nothing flat going on here! Crazy quilting stitches, embroidery, and beading make these quilts even more spectacular.

About the applique:

The author uses both fusible applique (she prefers Mistyfuse for its thinness) and freezer-paper/glue-based applique (for larger designs). Each project is clearly identified by which of the two applique methods it employs, and ample instructions and illustrative photos are provided. The results reveal layers of detail, rich without being fussy or complicated.

About the foundation piecing:

Only one project (the Asymmetrical Clematis) uses foundation piecing. Even the author admits to not liking certain aspects of traditional paper-piecing; she prefers the freezer-paper method because it eliminates the need to pick out all those pesky little bits of paper. She explains very well how this is done, and I am looking forward (gasp!) to trying this method.

About the projects:

There are 10 applique projects, all of which feature show-stopping florals: spider mums, orchids, poppies, lilies, 2 different clematis variations, iris, dahlias, and 2 summer medleys .

Some projects feature just a single appliqued set, while others use repeated blocks of appliqued flowers. Finished block sizes run from 12x12 to 18x18. Finished quilt sizes vary from one table runner (shown in 3 colorations) to wall-hangings (all around 36x36) to lap-size (the largest is 51x68.5). These are sizes that can be easily quilted on any domestic-arm sewing machine.

About The Author:

The author writes that she uses a computer to generate her designs and fuel her creativity; honestly, I am impressed that a computer could yield such organic and beautifully layered projects. Clearly, the author is underselling her own innate artistic talents here.

Ms. Majidimehr also has a website [...], which has more ideas and gallery shots. I was pleased to see it is not a hard-sell for the book (though it has every right to be!) and I have a sense that there is a lot more to this author than what we get to see in her book.

I happened to discover that the author is very accessible; I had a question about something I read in the book, so I emailed the address on the website. She responded to me in less than 18 hours, with a very friendly and detailed response. I don't often get a chance to make contact with authors, and in this case I particularly like knowing there really is someone behind a book I am enjoying so much.

Ms. Majidimehr is causing me to happily reconsider my previous dislike for the methods of both applique and foundation piecing. If I could make a quilt even half as lovely as what she offers in Flower Show Quilts, I might also find happiness turning under all those edges. Seriously!

The subtitle of this book is "Stunning Appliqué on a Patchwork Canvas." What a great idea! I always think that a combination of patchwork and appliqué makes the most appealing quilts.

The front matter of Flower Show Quilts is a treasure trove of information. The author starts with quiltmaking basics, ranging from sewing supplies to presser feet to needles to fabric choice and preparation.

Then, there's a fantastic photo tutorial on a method of foundation piecing where you don't sew through the foundation. No tearing paper away!

Then we move to the appliqué information. Lynn takes us through two methods. First, there's a tutorial on using fusible web that has no paper backing. This method always confounds me, so it was great to have it laid out before me step by step. Second, there's a new take on freezer-paper, glue-basted appliqué.

Quiltmaking basics continue with assembling the quilt top, borders with mitered corners, layering and basting, and a fantastic section on machine quilting. This is not your "quilt as desired" type of thing; Lynn includes tons of great information and photo examples of quilting by machine. There's even specific, illustrated information on binding and adding a sleeve! Very comprehensive!

Then the author presents a collection of beautiful floral appliqué projects, all on patchwork backgrounds. Beautiful.

Kay Mackenzie
Author, Inspired by Tradition: 50 Applique Blocks in 5 Sizes

This is a great book for quilters interested in applique. Lynn gives wonderful pointers and instruction on her techniques. The quilts are beautiful. She includes a variety of sizes too. I saw the quilts in person and they were even lovelier than the photos.

Flower Show Quilts is an extraordinary publication for extraordinary quilters. This is by no means a book for the beginner appliqué artist. It is certainly eye candy and full of inspirational pictures and graphics, but I do think the beginner quilter might struggle with some of the techniques.

That said, this is a fantastic book for the appliqué artist who is looking to move further through the challenges of appliqué work and likes to be pushed a little out of their comfort zone. I believe that there are not enough books on the market at the present time, that offers true challenges to the more advanced quilter. I appreciate that often the instructions can be highly complicated and the need for specific graphics can be high. It takes a lot of time and effort to create a publication that satisfies the creative need for the advanced quilter and I commend Lynn Ann Majidimehr for her efforts.

Lynn Ann Majidimehr has really put her heart and soul into this publication and has given a great deal of thought to the layout of the instructions. It really shows. I certainly like the way Lynn has presented the WHOLE concept of this appliqué technique, by including some handy machine quilting ideas. So many publications give you instructions for making the project, but forget to include techniques for finishing off. Lynn has realised that machine quilting is an integral part of her appliqué technique and techniques for both should be delivered in tandem.

I also like the way time has been taken to discuss foundation piecing of the backgrounds, together with the somewhat time consuming preparation for the appliqué. Time consuming it may be, but extremely effective wow factor outcomes are delivered.

The templates for the appliqués are presented in life size, so no fiddling with photocopiers or scanner required.
Throughout the book Lynn pops in suggestions that would enhance the projects that are presented, or offer an alternate setting or quilting idea. These suggestions can be transferred to other genres of patchwork and quilting and are extremely helpful.

I could not recommend this book for the beginner appliqué artist, but I happily recommend it as a great challenge for the more advanced appliqué quilter.

You do not have to wait for summer to view floral blooms; Lynn Ann Majidimehr has a sweet and colorful assortment of stunning appliqué quilts for you to choose from this book of floral appliqués. Her "Crepe-Paper Poppies" which adorns this cover will take your breath away with their boldness and crisp color. Another one that screams summer is her "Summer Blooms" Sunflower. Three, fresh, bold sunflowers that would greet you every morning and fill your kitchen with sunshine. And if you like dahlias you will not be able to pass on her " Pink Dahlia's" pattern, choose, soft pink petals from your batik collection and you too will be blossoming from your delicate choice.

Lynn An Majidimehr's FLOWER SHOW QUILTS provides a collection of applique on patchwork canvas, showing how unusual flowers may be created from pieced backgrounds. 10 projects blend patchwork with floral applique techniques and show how to create different flower motifs in projects ranging from small wall hangings to lap quilts.

This is a wonderful new book and a very talented author. The pictures are stunning and there are so many patterns I have a hard time knowing where to begin. Flower Show Quilts: Stunning Applique on a Patchwork Canvas (That Patchwork Place)

When this book arrived I showed it to my grand daughter. She wanted me to keep it for us but I know I can borrow it when needed. My friend was very happy with this gift.

All in all a beautiful book. Backgrounds for the machine appliqued flowers add interest and the flowers are bright and beautiful.

I LOVE applique, even though my hands rebel alittle these days, its still my favourite technique in quilting. Lynn shows fusible applique and freezer paper method. I LOVE flowers, that is why this book was on my WANT LIST.

Lynn has 10 projects in the book, each one has you make a different background and I LOVE the flower patterns, which I can adapt to my own personal projects. The projects range from wallhanging, and table runner to lap size quilts. Lynn covers basic quilting methods including the quilting, bindings and the hanging sleeves. The photos in the book are FABULOUS and Lynn's instructions are very thorough.