Katy JonesFat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters: 60 Blocks + a Dozen Quilts and Projects!

I found out that I am not too fond of smaller piecing quilt blocks. I will try to embrace the small. Lots of good ideas for blocks. I am sure that there is something i will learn in the process.

I just love it when I order something from Amazon and have it in 2 days. Yesterday, I received my copy of Shape Workshop for Quilters*. I have to admit I was a little thrown by the title, but when I saw this book I immediately wanted to make almost every block and quilt inside of it.I love the block, X Marks the Spot, designed by Brioni. I can see myself adapting this pattern to use a jelly roll. How fun and easy is that?Then there is the adorable quilt designed by Tacha, sweet and simple. I think this might be the birthday quilt I need to make for my granddaughter's second birthday.This quilt, designed by John Adams Quilt Dad, just might be the quilt to encourage me to break out the rotary cutter on my Flea Market Fancy.There are so many fabulous blocks and quilt patterns in this book. I think I will be referring to it for a long time.Katy Jones I'm a Ginger Monkey, has designed a manly, two-sided quilt.There are so many projects in this book, I could work my way through it for a year and I would never be able to make everything I love in it.The instructions are clear and consise and the photography in the book not only helps with the construction of the quilts but it makes you want to make everything in the book.

The authors provide wonderful block patterns, but the real thrust of this book is to stimulate ideas around shape as one develops blocks. For those who enjoy piecing more than the actual act of quilting (and for those who like to quilt interesting blocks), this is a marvelous read for evoking ideas. Photos are clear and easy to follow. Cutting directions are very straightforward (in both inches and centimeters). There are 60 blocks offered, many of which are take-offs on familiar designs, but manipulated in new or different ways to create attractive and interesting blocks. The book is photographed well, with most of the model quilts being shown full enough to give one a good idea of the finished product. All blocks in the book are calculated for 12" finished, so that even new quilters won't be faced with tiny pieces and a lap quilt can be easily made in short time. The back of the book contains both good tips for newcomers to piecing and templates for some of the wonkier blocks. All in all, a good addition to a quilt-book collection.

I love the projects in this book. I bought it after seeing "His Hope Chest" in the "Look Inside" review. I give it 4/5 stars because there does seem to be a lack of thorough instruction in the book. This isn't a huge factor for me as I tend to dissect patterns to remake in different sizes anyway, but it's worth noting for those that are looking for complete instructions. There are a lot of blocks included that I haven't run across before. Those shown on the left side of the cover are just a sampling. The patterns are a nice twist, too; there are some that are very simple, some that are more complex, and none that I've seen in other books. This is a great book for any quilter's collection, even if it's just for inspiration.

Fat Quarterly, the online magazine, has gained a loyal following of quilters who want a fresh modern look for their quilts. Their new book, Shape Workshop for Quilters falls right into step with the E-zine's vision. This book is organized in a very unique way. Each chapter is broken down into a traditional shape, squares and rectangles, triangles, circles etc. and then each of the authors provide projects which utilize that shape. As we have come to expect, the projects range from easy to more challenging, but with excellent tutorial style instructions even the most challenging projects will be achievable for an ambitious beginner and will hold the attention of any advanced quilter.The sheer volume of projects in this book is really quite amazing given the price paid. You should buy it. Right now! You really really should!

Love this book from the group at the Fat Quarterly e-zine that I subscribe to. There's a wonderful variety of quilting projects to pick from that look great in brighter colors but could be made in any fabrics. And quilters of many levels should be able to make these with the clear pattern instructions and photos. I particularly like Tacha's Fast Forward/Rewind quilt and Brioni's Saw Blade Quilt and the Joseph's Coat block which I have been wanting to make for a while. (Circular patterns are so appealing to me.) And if you like orange as much as I do, you'll love Katy's Orange Soda Quilt. John's Dream Garden Diamonds Quilt is a great pattern for showcasing fabrics you love but just can't imagine cutting up into smaller pieces. Highly recommend this book!

The book is good for ideas, I found three blocks that I liked in the book. It's possible that the book will grow on me and inspire new projects as my technical skills improve, but the instructions are only so-so; good enough for an intermediate-advanced sewer, not so easy to follow for a beginning sewer. So I guess what I am saying is don't rely on the book to help improve your skills as you try new things - more in-depth tutorials might be required for that.The first block I tried was the Flickering Stars block by John Adams. I think (someone can double-check the math) that the cutting instructions are wrong. The pattern says you need 12 print squares 4.5 inches, but actually you need 20: 4 for the centers of the stars, and 16 for the flickering points.

What I most liked about this book was the fact that the contributing artists' blocks were less dependent on the modern fabrics and more about fresh color juxtaposition, innovative use of white, and clever mixing of prints with solids. A great help for people like me, with large stashes of older fabrics. Now I'm inspired to produce modern cloth out of traditional yardage. There are several really gorgeous projects which I plan to make, and I will definitely use many of the block ideas to make pieced fabrics for handbags, totes and the like.

I love this book because it offers small projects as well as larger one. There is a simple step by step for each block and each technique. I am completing one of projects as we speak.I am not a very experienced quilter so I would have liked more tips on how to handle seams at the back and suggestions for quilting but most books don't provide this information...I would still recommend the book if you want ideas to create modern, colourful quilts.

Where to start - the book is organised by shapes and variations on each shape are then clearly explained. Each chapter then has two full sized projects using the techniques. Love this as there is plenty of scope to adapt and rescale each block according to the individual.

A really useful book that will appeal to both beginners and more adventurous quilters. The four authors have contributed a good mix of blocks: new takes on traditional blocks and inventive modern blocks. The projects are approached in the same way. Never liked Dresden Blocks? See the clever version in the Nordic Star Quilt and you'll want to try one.

Good book for techniques

Lovely book good information clear pictures easy to follow. A beginner to Patchwork would find it useful. Fast delivery Always perfect books. 5 Star *****