Customer Reviews

Pieced Flowers

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Ruth McDowell provides samples and directions for making multiple variations of 10 beautifully pieced flowers. Each has options in multiple techniques and skill levels. These are some of the most beautiful and realistic pieced flowers I have ever seen. Each flower has options for making it with straight seams or curved seams. Some have options with inset seams. Some have options with 3-dimensional, two-sided "flaps" that are sewn into the seams to create more realism.

The straight seamed (template) versions of the flowers could all be pieced (or paper-pieced) by an adventurous beginner (like myself) although paper-piecing instructions are NOT provided, suggested, or recommended. The author gives her reasons for discouraging paper-piecing with these patterns. The patterns with curved or inset seams are more intricate and a goal for beginners to work toward. Each pattern has a description of the level of difficulty. For example on the asymmetrical version of the straight seamed Campanula the author says, "These blocks have been designed to be easy to piece on the sewing machine. There are no matching seams in either the block or along the edges where the blocks join." For the curved-seam version of the Campanula she says "Its gentle curves are time-consuming, but produce a graceful design."

One potential detraction is that most of the patterns require enlargement. While the recommended percentage of enlargement is specified, if you don't have access to a copier able to enlarge by percentages, this could be a frustrating delay in putting needle to fabric.

In addition to the patterns, Ruth McDowell uses fabric prints and colors in unique ways, both in the flowers themselves, and also in her background fabrics. Just studying her use of fabric is inspiring and educational as well.

My goal is the curved seam, 3-dimensional full-bloom Rose. It is magnificent. There are also patterns for Campanula, Columbine, Cosmos, Daisy, Day Lily (to die for) Hollyhock, Iris, Morning Glory, and Sweet Pea.

This book does not give detailed piecing instructions that might be required by brand-new quilters or beginners with little confidence. But there are tips, hints, and instructions enough to guide intermediate quilters or adventurous beginners.

I have been quilting less than a year and the straight seamed patterns don't daunt me, the curved and inset seamed patterns are tempting rather than intimidating.

This is a beautiful addition to your quilting library.

I would have found it helpful to know that this book is meant as a companion to the author's previous book "Piecing: Expanding the Basics," and assumes that you're already familiar with all the piecing techniques. The Appendix in "Pieced Flowers" has a brief overview on how to piece curved seams, inset seams, "Z" seams, "Y" seams, puzzle seams and flaps, but it's a very small part of the book. Most of the flowers have 20 pieces or more per block, while the more detailed ones (like Rose) have over 50 sections. Also, you have to enlarge the patterns on a copier before you can get started.

What I found most inspiring about the book is the way the author presents a number of blocks featuring the same flower, but with quite different results. The variations use straight seams, curved seams, or inset seams depending on the look you want and your piecing skill level. The fabric choices and block settings are creative and unusual too.

This book is an absolutely must-have if you are into pictorial quilts and if you are experimenting with paper piecing techniques. If you are like me and love to flip through pages of quilting books for information and inspiration - you will never regret your purchase.
All the blocks in this book are for medium to hard level of experience: complicated and time consuming, but the end product is very rewarding!

If you are trying to find a book that will help you learn the paper piecing technique, this book is not for you. Try Easy Machine Paper Piecing

I recently took a class at Quilting on the Green from Lea Hardy. She recommended this book for the class. the ones of us in the class that had the book were leaps and bounds ahead of the students that did not. It is a great book! And my Iris turned out wonderful!!

great product, fast delivery, I say the book given to a friend, and I thought that it was special, so I purchased the book to do the same thing

Received item in great time...shipped and received as promised. Item was a little more used than I had hoped but it is in fair to good condition so I guess that is okay.