The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker [Paperback]

Elizabeth Hartman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2010

Quilting Basics with Modern Flair

 

• 12 quilt projects for beginners, confident beginners, and intermediates

• Explore different options for each project-make it with just two colors or scrappy, make it vintage or mod, make it soft or playful.

• Alternate colorways included with each project show you how swapping out fabrics can change the look of the same block.

• Learn how to cut, piece, appliqué, machine quilt, bind, and finish.

• Pick up helpful tips and tricks to stay organized and master the methods.

 

Try a fresh, relaxed approach to making quilts with this new "go-to" book. The bright aesthetic and clear, simple instructions guide beginners and intermediates alike through the entire process of creating fun and useful quilts that they'll be proud to call their own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Ms. Hartman is a very prolific quilter and designer, and this book has lots to offer quilters of all stages. The instructions begin with the basics, how to sandwich a quilt, what kind of stitching to use while quilting, basic color theory, etc. Personally, I am quite a novice quilter. I have made them, but my interest lies primarily in fashion sewing. I was introduced to all sorts of interesting things through this book. These binding clips, which look like hair clips (but will snag your curly locks so beware) are an innovation that was new to me. Also, adding this tiny flap before binding makes a quilt easy to hang on a wall. Genius. Now to the designs - These quilts are clean, modern and range in difficulty from Beginner, through Confident Beginner to Intermediate. The best part of the designs is this: for every design, she shows her blocks in two more permutations, so you could take the quilt in your own direction either with color, or shape of pieces. It's so exciting when a designer will hand the reins over, and encourage you to use your own design sensibilities. While we're discussion quilting, I wanted to call your attention to our Beginning Quilting class coming up in March. Come join Melissa as she guides you through the basics of quilt-making from choosing fabrics to assembly and and binding." --treadle yard goods (2/6/11)

"Elizabeth Hartman, the brainchild behind the popular quilt blog, Oh, Fransson!, has debuted her first book, The practical Guide To Patchwork: New Basics For The Modern Quilt Maker. The Practical Guide toTo Patchwork is a great book for beginning to intermediate quilters, covering everything from basic supplies and planning your quilt, to free-motion quilting and binding, all pesented with a bright aesthetic and clear, simple instructions. Twelve beautiful and brightly colored projects are accompanied by numerous step-by-step photographs, perfect for the visual learner. Each project includes ideas for alternate colorways that show you how swapping out fabrics can completely change the look of your quilt. The Practical Guide To Patchwork would make a great starter book for a young person who wants to learn how to make fun and functional quilts." -- Quilters World

"Here's a 'How-to-quilt' book from the fresh and appealing Stash Books. With its open layout, lots of simple diagrams and 'lifestyle' photography, The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker by Elizabeth Hartman (Stash Books) will be the new essential guide for all new quilters. There are 12 projects from 'beginner' to 'intermediate' with just enough, but not too much instruction. The appeal is immediately evident — order a lot!" -- Quilters Newsletter

Quilt maker and quilting blogger Hartman introduces the basics of patchwork quilting, including color theory, tools tips, and techniques, then follows up with a variety of patchwork projects. Each projects includes full directions, as well as alternate fabric options and pattern modification ideas. Patchwork is very traditional, and Hartman's color and pattern choices make the quilts look fresh and modern rather than fussy and old-fashioned. Her occasional use of precut fabrics in the patterns make several projects accessible to novices. 

In my opinion, the author Elizabeth Hartman hits the nail on the head when she recommends “…choosing a first project that doesn’t have a deadline attached to it (such as a baby shower or birthday”. The Practical Guide to Patchwork starts out with basics from selecting cotton fabric, elements of a quilt, common fabric cuts, and tips for planning a quilt. The section on choosing fabrics was especially helpful to me. With all the great cotton prints available in quilts shops and my stash of home decor fabrics, sometimes I struggle with selecting the “right” combination of fabrics. You’ll find a breakdown of basic supplies, piecing techniques, machine-quilting tips, as well as tips for making and attaching binding.

The book includes step-by-step instructions and diagrams for 12 modern quilt projects. Each project is made in two alternate colorways to demonstrate the impact that color choices have on each quilt design. As a new member of a modern quilt guild, I’m inspired to dig through my stash of bright fabrics and start sewing

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing; Original edition (November 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1607050080
• ISBN-13: 978-1607050087
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

135 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Quilting Book for Modern Quilters, October 25, 2010

By 

Sarah Moon (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker (Paperback)

I happened upon Elizabeth Hartman's first book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork, through my work and was beyond thrilled with it. This book is perfect for folks who are interested in quilting, but who have a hard time finding books that appeal to contemporary tastes (I'm in my 30s and most quilting books seem to be designed for an older (or traditional) aesthetic--I don't mean that in a negative way, it's just that people in their 20s/30s/40s often have different tastes than those in their 50s/60s/70s).

There are a number of things that stand out to me with this book:

1. I love the intro chapters on the basics of quilt-making. They're very thorough and don't make assumptions about understanding terms and techniques. This makes this book a great one for folks who are interested in quilting for the first time. The publisher has done a nice job of photographing the important steps as well, which is HUGE for people like me who need to see how things are done.

2. I love, love, love that the author has details for creating a distinctive backing for each quilt design. I forgot that there are so many ways to make a backing look unique and fun. I totally forget about backing by the time I'm done piecing a quilt and these suggestions and instructions for making the back as special as the top are wonderful.

3. The instructions for changing up fabrics to create a different look for each quilt was very helpful to me--again, the photos that demonstrate how the look can change was fantastic for a visual person like me.

4. The fabric choices in the quilt projects made a big difference for me in terms of making the designs appealing. They're contemporary prints that you'll recognize if you spend a lot of time in fabric stores, which helps even the simplest patterns in the beginning of the book feel fresh.

5. The quilts themselves are absolutely beautiful. My favorite is probably the simple leaf applique quilt, but they're all lovely.

The only thing I'd change is having detachable pattern pieces for the leaf applique, rather than images to trace or copy from the book. That's one of my pet peeves for craft books, but certainly not a deal breaker. I'd also love it if the book were spiral bound, so it would lie flat on a table. But, again, not a deal breaker.

Be forewarned: While I love this book, it is definitely contemporary or modern, and the designs are relatively simple. This style appeals to me because I'm super busy and I like contemporary. However, if you're a long-time quilter who wants more complex piecing, this isn't the book for you. If you're on the fence, and want to get a feel for the author's style, her blog is Oh Fransson, and the quilts there are very representative of what is in the Practical Guide to Patchwork.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I <3 Elizabeth Hartman, October 29, 2010

By 

Rebecca Shute Gillespie "Rebecca" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker (Paperback)

This book is fantastic! Elizabeth Hartman's blog and patterns got me into quilting 2 years ago. I was thrilled to find out she wrote a book. This is the best *modern* quilt book I've read to date. I never leave reviews for anything at amazon- but this book is totally worth the 5 stars and the review. The patterns are gorgeous. Her thoughts on fabric and pairing colors is great. Buy this book- you won't regret it! I can't wait to reference it far into the future. :)

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, October 28, 2010

By 

JH in NC - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker (Paperback)

I'm a devoted Oh, Fransson! blog reader and couldn't have been more excited to get her book! I've been stalking my mailbox for days! She has such a gift with her quilting and her unique ability to make it feel truly within reach for every single person who has the desire to quilt. It is an excellent book with a fantastic overview of fabrics, basics, and of course, gorgeous quilts!