Customer Reviews

Super Simple Fat Quarter Quilts

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

 

 

After seeing several quilts from this book in quilt stores, I had to have it. Quilts can be beautiful without spending months piecing little blocks. If you need a quilt fast, this book is for you.

Once again these two authors have made a real, easy, fun book for quilters! Five stars.....

I bought this book b/c I fell in love with the "confetti" 42"x54" bright colored quilt hanging up at a local quilting store. It has haphazard triangles in wonderful bright colors. I didn't buy it for the other few patterns it has. I think it's overpriced, but my daughter loved the confetti quilt enough that I bought the book for her. This book has 12 quilt patterns in it, from the very simplistic to the more involved. I strongly disagree with the books statement of NOT prewashing fabrics!!!! The book states in capital letters that they don't recommend prewashing fatquarters (b/c it may make them too small to use in these patterns.) I've been sewing for many, many years; worked at a fabric store in the past as well....and it is always recommended to pre-wash fabrics. Not just because they need to be preshrunk, but also because you don't want the colors to bleed either. 100% cotton shrinks the most. I've used sewing patterns for many years as well, and this is what I've noted btw....craft patterns frequently have inaccuracies. I always buy more fabric then the quilting/craft pattern says to. If it asks for 5/8 of a yard...I'll get a yard. This works well for me b/c I do alot of sewing and like having the extra scraps anyway. My daughter has been buying fat quarters to make the "confetti" quilt. I've been buying larger pieces, it's just what I do. When we actually cut all the pieces out and sew it together, I'll come back and update this review. I don't foresee any problems just b/c I'll have extra materials that I can improvise a bit if need be.

I'm always in search of new patterns, especially those that use pre-cut fabric. However, what these patterns have going for them is their ease in construction. Unfortunately, in my opinion, sparkle and pizazz seem to be missing. I hoped for more from these two veteran quilters.

I realize quilters are enthusiastic, but this is NOT a 5 star book by any measure. Quilters who work from a stash or who mix fabrics from different manufacturers will sooner or later see differential shrinkage in fabric. That is, the fabrics will not shrink uniformly, but will shrink at different rates. Moreover, fabric does not necessarily shrink in straight lines. This results in warping and puckering. The authors say pre-washing may leave you short of fabric. Specify more, trim any warping. Avoid the headache and/or the ruined quilt.

The book does include a range of styles, including applique. Beginners and veterans can find projects. Illustrations are clear.