Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts [Paperback]

Ranae Merrill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2008

Learn to create five foundation-pieced spiral-based quilts with no math!

This one-of-a-kind technique for spiral quilt design allows you to create fascinating and beautiful art quilts. The bonus CD includes the basic shapes for the spiral patterns. Choose your technique for any of three methods:

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  By hand, completely freehand, using only a straight edge
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  By hand, precisely, using a ruler to measure increments in each spoke
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  On the computer, Electric Quilt works great for all types of spirals, but is not required

No matter the technique, the results will be simply amazing!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

RaNae Merrill has developed the techniques for designing and sewing spiral-based quilts that are new and unique and she is constantly exploring and expanding the possibilities of the spiral quilt design. As an experienced and enthusiastic quilter, RaNae also designs fabrics for Blank Quilting Fabrics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; Pap/Cdr edition (October 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896896536
• ISBN-13: 978-0896896536
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Needs editing, December 21, 2008

By 

Carol LaPorte - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts (Paperback)

I would not be able to recommend this book since it is so poorly edited. It is full of errors which the author addresses on her web site. Had I not gone to her site, I would have been totally unaware of the multitude of problems. Because this is a book of rather precise instructions, I think it is essential that the editing is correct. Too bad... it looked interesting but highly unreliable.

76 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Cow Girlfriend! That's one fantabulous book!, October 22, 2008

By 

AnnieLou-who (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts (Paperback)

I received my copy in the mail yesterday. I put it down just long enough to sleep and go to work. My head is still spinning! Rarely do craft books come packed with so much information. I know, because I have lots and lots of them. Rarely are they so detailed and clear. This is not merely a "make this project" kind of book. This is a "here is a new concept and how to use it" book. I love those kind of books!

The book shows you how to make curves using only straight lines. Spirals swirl in, out and around, point to point, and nest inside one another. The quilts in the gazillion and one photos are original works by RaNae and the group of Spiromaniacs who worked alongside her, tested her theories, and put her techniques into practice. All there for you to drool over, then jump up and run to your sewing machine!

The quilts (66 of them!) and their designers/creators truly are Simply Amazing. No pun, no exaggeration. The quilts are individual, inspiring, challenging, and just plain ole' gorgeous. [...]

The book is divided into four sections: Meet the Spirals (20 pgs), Designing with Spirals (52 pgs), Sewing Spirals (26 pgs), and Projects (22 pgs). Each section is lavishly illustrated, making the exciting concepts easier to understand and sink your teeth into. RaNae hands you concepts and tools, then sets you free to express your creative instincts in a totally unexpected and new direction.

There are numerous side-bars of "extra" information that magically answer the question you're just about to ask. The page layout and format is eye-friendly, and sucks you into reading all the juicy bits. My only complaint is that I wanted to read everything all at the same time! My favorite line from a troubleshooting section on p 102 is "Solution: First, scream! Next, take a deep breath." and then calmly walks you through fixing the problem.

Many of the quilts have a very contemporary feel. I personally love very traditional quilts. RaNae has managed to design several that fill my love for traditional and at the same time put me squarely in the 21st century! Some are vibrantly alive with color, a few are calming and comforting. I can't even start to point out my favorites, because I might miss one, there's so many!

To describe this book in just a few words: exciting, innovative, breath-taking, creative, mind-expanding! A must have for the quilter who loves to design and wants to take his or her work to the next level.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Shocking Errors, January 16, 2009

By 

Penny Fitzgerald (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply Amazing Spiral Quilts (Paperback)

Wandering over to her web site I saw a link to corrections for book? I looked at it and printed the corrections. It took almost 45 min to edit my book. I was shocked at the amount of errors. Some are just pages mixed up, but some are true directions. It is a very hard concept in its self, let alone having errors in the directions. Be very careful if you buy this without the corrections.

The CD is great. Lots and lots of spirals. If you know spirals, buy the book just for the CD.