Customer Reviews

Thimbleberries Big Book of Quilt Blocks

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a hard one to evaluate. If you're interested in a certain kind of quilting, it's a 5-star book without question. If you're looking for something different, it's somewhat disappointing.

Thimbleberries Big Book of Quilt Blocks shows you, step-by-step, how to make five quilts. They're all full size quilts: 62x78 inches, 88x96, 81x98, 92x112. However, they are all also *sampler* quilts; that is, you make 12 (or whatever) different blocks, using the same fabrics for each block, and then you sew them together into a larger quilt top. For example, the first quilt encourages you to make one quilt block for each month (which implies "make one each month," even though you could make 'em in one busy week I suppose).

The book does an excellent job of explaining the fabrics to use, and how much you'll need for the entire quilt. The "Pansy Park" quilt, for example, uses 1 1/8 yard of a small green leaf print for the whole quilt; that green is an accent in each of the blocks. (The quilt uses 18 other fabrics as well; plan to spend some time at the fabric store!) If you like to make a quilt that matches the picture, you'll appreciate how he book doesn't just say "small green leaf print;" it shows you a thumbnail image of the fabric. You can acquire a matching one (you can buy the Thimbleberries fabric, which is designed for RJR Fabrics) or pick something similar from your nearby quilting store.

Another thing I appreciate about the book is the thoroughness of the instructions. The construction of each block -- and there are LOTS of pretty blocks! -- is explained in detail. Each block is approached as a standalone project (including "at this point, the block should measure 14.5 inches square"), making it a good choice for those with limited time to work on a quilt. You _could_ get lost, but you'd have to work pretty hard to do so.

There are two downsides that keep me from loving this book. First is that it's all sampler quilts. I'm just not that fond of them, because it means a new setup for each block, and I don't personally care for the style. Of course, there's nothing to keep me from making an entire quilt using just one or two of the blocks they suggest (some of them are really gorgeous and the instructions are not intimidating, even for this "practicing beginner"), but I'd have to guess at the amount of fabric needed. I don't trust my math that much yet!

My second objection is to the fabric choices. All of the examples are in a very "country" style: little flowers on fabrics that, though not exactly calico, make me think of calico. They're mostly small-scale prints, too, with few designs suited for the big focus fabrics I prefer. ("Where can I fit that great purple bird fabric in THIS quilt?" I wonder.) And while there's a range of values, they aren't particularly bright. Obviously, I can pick my own colors... but the designs have lots of small squares and triangles. Few of them would work with my stash.

However, the last few paragraphs are entirely personal to my needs. Your idea of a great quilt is likely to be far different from mine. (Heck, I'm still proud of myself if my points line up right.) I don't expect you to agree with my taste. All I can do is give you my own look inside the book, and hope that its description is helpful.

If you like country sampler quilts, this book will be exactly what you'd hoped for -- it's a very well designed book, and probably a great one for someone who wants to try lots of different things.

Since it is not possible to browse inside the book before ordering it, the buyer should be warned that the book is in fact a compilation of patterns already published.
Otherwise the book is good, user friendly, with appropriate pictures and explanations.

If you are a fan of antique quilts, country quilts, or Thimbleberries quilts, this book is for you, unless you already own the first five Thimbleberries block of the month series. For everyone else, this beautiful book is a superb collection of five quilts, containing 60 different blocks.
And it is a beautiful book. I have many quilt books - I wish they were all designed so well. The quilts, blocks, and instructions are laid out with clarity and simplicity. Images, both photos and diagrams, are large and uncluttered.
Each quilt is shown in a lovely country setting with an interesting description of the quilt and the blocks. Many quilt books stop there, but this book also includes a photograph of the entire quilt and a large photo of each quilt block. The fabric list also shows a photo of each suggested fabric. I love the photos.
The directions for each block are illustrated with handy diagrams that show block construction.
The quilts were designed to be non-intimidating, completed a block per month. And the quilt blocks get more complex further into the book. They serve as a fine quilting course, with a little help from a how to quilt book. There are quilt directions included, but a complete beginner may need more help.
The first quilt is called "Month by Month." Each block represents a different month of the year. I think a pillow made from the block for their birth month would be a thoughtful gift for just about anyone. The blocks would also be nice as slipcovers for living room throw pillows to change out each month or season.
Me, I like villages. I collect them, and fill my knick-knack shelves with little houses. The second quilt, "Thimbleberries Village," is perfect for me. With blocks like "Main Street Manor," and "Log Cabin Lane," that I can cap off with "Sunlight" and "Apple Orchard," how can I resist?
I have several friends and relatives who feed the birds (and squirrels) year-round. The third quilt, "Safe Haven," is full of birdhouses in a vertical style.
Next, you can stitch pieced blocks of tulips, bleeding heart, lilies, and daisies in the fourth quilt, "A Quilter's Garden." It's remarkable how these five quilts are so alike in style but differ in execution and design. The garden quilt is set on point, the birdhouse quilt blocks are vertical blocks, while the village quilt has an asymmetrical layout.
"Pansy Park," the fifth quilt, has blocks on point in a dramatic setting. The description calls it an important quilt and an heirloom quilt. The formal layout and lavish borders suit it very well.
For traditional-style quilters, this book deserves a place in your library. I enjoyed it thoroughly - great quilts presented very well.

This book is not only a great value, it is a must have for any Thimbleberries fan and a great block resource book for all quilters. It features five of Lynette Jensen's block of the month collections, the latest being Pansy Park. Each and every block is uniquely appealing in both color and design. Many quilting websites still feature the pattern packets of some of these collections and, believe me, they are priced way above the cost of this book for a single collection!

Thimbleberries Big Book Of Quilt Blocks is a compendium of 60 of the most beloved and popular block quilt designs, each created for a different quilt-making style. The author, Lynette Jensen, is the founder of Thimbleberries Design Studio, which has brought about more than 850 Thimbleberries Quilt Clubs devoted to her original designs. Featuring color combinations that herald classic quilts, a range of projects from casual to formal, and streamlined techniques such as rotary-cutting and quick-piecing that save time while producing quality results, Thimbleberries Big Book Of Quilt Blocks is a collection of patterns, color diagrams and straightforward piecing instructions ideal for intermediate to experienced quilters.

This book is a wonderful collection of some of Thimbleberries best patterns. The cutting instructions and assembly instructions are also very good.

I still have not recived the book,that I order on 4/25/11. I have wrote 3 emails about it and still have not recived one answer back. The person I order it from was Connie SCHERTZER. I HAVE ASKED HER TO please CHECK UP AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. but NO ANSWER. Have paid for it also.
So last week reorder it again... But from a different person this time. may be this time I will get it.I hope. I still want the one from Connie Schertzer also as it also been paid for and I have daughter waiting on it.
I have order other books from Amazon with no problems. I just hope this is a one time thing.

It is a great book and does rate 5 stars. But as of now not the seller.

A nice selection of blocks. Purchased the book to participate in a BOM for a quilting club. Don't know which quilt was selected by the instructor, but I'm ready to get started. Some of the blocks lend to using up the fabric in your stash! The blocks can also be used in small wall hangings or totes. Let your creative juices flow.

This is the 2nd Thimbleberries Quilt Book that i have purchased. I purchased it for my Mother and now i am going to have to order one for myself!!Beautiful quilts and great and easy-to-understand directions on how to put together each block for whatever quilt in the book you are making. The price of this book is fantastic - i saved my Mother about $12 by buying it from Amazon.com

The book was new and in great shape. It arrived quickly. Very pleased with my purchase.