Review
Kay Mackenzie barely took a moment to catch her breath after the release of her first book Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes before she started work on her second book. While the first book was geared toward fun designs in a variety of styles from offbeat and modern to whimsical and traditional, her latest offering focuses on the traditional. Kay was so attracted to traditional blocks that she went on to create a library of 50 blocks, all inspired from the past. These blocks are now available in her new book Inspired By Tradition: 50 Applique Blocks in 5 Sizes. The blocks in Inspired By Tradition are reminiscent of old-time vintage flavor and feel, but are simplified for the modern quilter. There are baskets, flowers, wreaths, vines, birds, berries and more all included on a CD you can reach for at any time to create your own projects.
The CD is easy to access and navigate. The "Block Index" page allows you to either click on a thumbnail rendering of the block in color or use the names of the blocks to link to the pattern. Once you click on your desired block, you are taken to a pattern page with a color photo of the block finished in fabric, as well as the outline of the pattern. You have the option of printing the block out in 5 different sizes: 6", 8", 9", 10" and 12". Once you determine the correct pattern orientation for your applique method, you are asked to choose either the "Regular" or "Reversed" format. Use the "Regular" option for freezer-paper-on-top hand applique and positioning patterns for fusible-web machine applique. Use the "Reversed" format for back-basting hand applique and fusible-web machine applique. If you choose to work on the large size formatted blocks, never fear--they are formatted to nicely split over several pages. Just trim and attach them together.
With the popularity of smaller-sized applique blocks it is so nice to be able to print full size 6" and 8" patterns right from your own computer, and also print as many patterns as you need. Kay's preferred method of hand applique is the back-basting method and she includes clearly illustrated instructions to get you started. The applique stitch is also covered for beginners. The "Raw Edge Machine Applique" section will be a big help to all those trying to master that technique. Fusible-web management pages contain useful information for keeping your fusible product under control. Congratulations, Kay, on another terrific book. --Patti Ives, The Applique Society
The CD is easy to access and navigate. The "Block Index" page allows you to either click on a thumbnail rendering of the block in color or use the names of the blocks to link to the pattern. Once you click on your desired block, you are taken to a pattern page with a color photo of the block finished in fabric, as well as the outline of the pattern. You have the option of printing the block out in 5 different sizes: 6", 8", 9", 10" and 12". Once you determine the correct pattern orientation for your applique method, you are asked to choose either the "Regular" or "Reversed" format. Use the "Regular" option for freezer-paper-on-top hand applique and positioning patterns for fusible-web machine applique. Use the "Reversed" format for back-basting hand applique and fusible-web machine applique. If you choose to work on the large size formatted blocks, never fear--they are formatted to nicely split over several pages. Just trim and attach them together.
With the popularity of smaller-sized applique blocks it is so nice to be able to print full size 6" and 8" patterns right from your own computer, and also print as many patterns as you need. Kay's preferred method of hand applique is the back-basting method and she includes clearly illustrated instructions to get you started. The applique stitch is also covered for beginners. The "Raw Edge Machine Applique" section will be a big help to all those trying to master that technique. Fusible-web management pages contain useful information for keeping your fusible product under control. Congratulations, Kay, on another terrific book. --Patti Ives, The Applique Society
About the Author
While living in central Ohio as a newlywed, Kay took one class and became an instant quilter. She was an appliqué enthusiast from the get-go!
A few years later, fortune took the Mackenzies to Santa Cruz, California, where Kay now lives with her husband of more than two decades, science journalist Dana Mackenzie.
Classes in digital media at the local college introduced Kay to computer illustration, and again it was love at first try. Appliqué design and computer drawing--what a great combo platter! Combine them with a writerly bent and, according to Kay, you've got the best job in the world!
