Customer Reviews

The Rose of Sharon Block Book: Winning Designs from the EQ6 Challenge (That Patchwork Place)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have always loved the look of the Rose of Sharon block but thought all the hand applique was too much to do. In reading this book, I find that Sharon Pederson shows a way to do applique by machine. You could, of course, do hand applique but if you are like me, this book will make the applique process a bit easier.

Using a SMALL needle and monofilament thread, you simply zigzag around the edge. This block is also a quilt as you go block and Ms. Pederson tells you how to add ANY SIZE sashing. I may never quilt a whole quilt again!

Using fusible web and only three shapes of various sizes, you can create the blocks shown in this book. A ten-page how-to section describes the fusing, cutting and sewing process. The actual pattern gives the materials you will need and what to cut out of it. The steps for cutting the side and end triangles are also listed and graphics show how the quilt should be laid out. The templates are included and do NOT have to be enlarged. The only enlargement needed is IF you want a guide to place the pieces exactly as shown.

The rest of the book is dedicated to one block per page shown on ¾ of the page. Cutting and stitching order take up the other quarter of the page. AND be sure to look at the back of the quilt. Variegated thread was used and it gives you the look of another quilt all by itself. There are also note cards available with the blocks on them. Nicely sized at 5" x 5" and blank so you can send whatever message you want, they only cost $11.99 for a dozen.

First of all, I love the rich yet contemporary designs and this book really inspires me to break out my applique tools but...it is very frustrating to purchase a book specifically for the patterns and then find they all have to be enlarged 200 percent. I don't have the capability at home and the nearest copy store is 45 miles away. Not to mention the added costs.
All of the patterns are symetrical so it would have been simple to have quarter block, full-sized patterns,right in the book. Much easier to reproduce at home.

The Rose of Sharon Block Book offers a fine collection of winning quilter's design from the EQ6 Challenge, presenting the winners chosen by several judges. These 12 blocks come with complete instructions for assembly, with over 60 additional blocks from the Rose of Sharon challenge entries included for additional quilter's reference. Quilters with any familiarity with the Rose of Sharon will find this an outstanding gathering of designs.

The quilt itself is beautiful, photos show each of the blocks in the quilt in detail.

However, the ONLY way to make a "pattern" to appliqué the blocks is to enlarge the photo of a FINISHED block.

This means that the pattern you will be trying to make your block from is no longer exact and crisp. If you are a fanatic for precision, it is impossible to use the blown up copies of a photo of a finished block to get a crisp pattern for appliqué placement. After several attempts, I will have to re-draft each block so that I can make a block that is symmetrical, and not distorted by piecing and quilting and embellishing.

It's a real shame that the author did NOT put in either drawn patterns of the quilt blocks or the Electric Quilt blocks that would have been accurate. There are drawings of Electric Quilt blocks in the book for many additional blocks, so it would have been SO EASY to do the same for the blocks that were actually used in the quilt. (Since I don't own Electric Quilt software, I can't download copies that are available on the site)

The photos are lovely and inspirational. The direction and guidance on appliqué are great, but I am left with a book that requires far more work than I would like on my part to just get an acceptable pattern.

My fabric stash has been in storage and I am just getting to it and gathering my fabrics. My daughters already have dibs on it. We can't wait to get started. The directions look really easy to understand and the patterns are clear.

Since I am a dedicated appliquer and quilter, I get excited about new books with patterns for such. "Rose of Sharon" teaches me a new way to put fabric on fabric. The end result makes a beautiful quilt.
This book is new and has been purchased by fellow quilters. I was so happy to find it on Amazon for good price.
It is very nice and it was exciting to have it arrive in a very short time. Amazon is where I now look for these types of books.

I fell in love with this book the first time I saw it! It's a great book to have! Think of all the quilts you can make with just this one book!!!

I am really pleased with the book I received and what's more it didn't take very long too reach me.

Quilt designer, author, and teacher Sharon Pederson issued a challenge to appliquérs worldwide to design a block using a special fabric collection and just three shapes... the classic eight-lobed scalloped blossom, center circle, and symmetrical leaf that are found in traditional Rose of Sharon blocks. The challenge was a wonderful collaboration among companies: the book from That Patchwork Place, a DVD from Sharon's company Nine Patch Media, project files and templates available on the Electric Quilt website for anyone who owns the program, shape-cutting dies from Accuquilt, a CD of embroidery designs from Oklahoma Embroidery, and the fabric collection from Island Batik. The very cool thing about this whole event is that it supports a truly worthy cause in the process... the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.

Sharon received over 850 blocks, from which judges Alex Andersen and Ricky Tims selected 12 winners. Sharon designed a thirteenth block and assembled them into the beautiful quilt that is seen on the cover of the book.

In all, 83 blocks are included in the book for your appliqué pleasure. You can make the cover quilt or you can design your own as you please. You can also use any appliqué method. The author gives information on her own method of machine appliqué but invites quilters to use whatever they prefer. Sharon is known for her method of quilting and joining block-by-block to break the chore down into smaller, more manageable bites, and gives the information in a "Quilting 101" section, but again encourages quilters to use any method of finishing they like.

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

The Rose of Sharon blocks are beautiful and the possibilities endless. If you enjoy applique, you'll enjoy this book.