Raevenfea

Maker of various fabric things

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To be a bit cliché, this shoemaker is a professional Web Developer and her child is this blog, but it was past time to launch what I have of a new design. All the content is still here, everything else is a work in progress (kind of like most of my sewing projects)!

Book Review: The Practical Guide to Patchwork

Posted in Reviewing

  • Books
  • Giveaways

During the Spring QAL, Melanie or Chris suggested to use Elizabeth Hartman’s quilt sandwich tutorial, and I was hooked on her tutorials. When I finally had money to spend on books (and had a great coupon, of course), I picked up her relatively recent release, The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker (Stash Books/C & T Publishing), figuring if I loved one of her methods that much, I wanted to see what other knowledge she had to impart. I even want to share—don’t miss the giveaway at the bottom!

She didn’t disappoint. This is a great resource for any beginning or self-taught pseudo-beginner quilter (I figure I’m one of the latter, for the most part). It’s probably even a decent refresher for the more experienced among you.

I think the strongest point of this book is her presentation of different fabric/color options for the quilt projects. She provides ideas for ways to change the look of the quilt completely by using scraps, swapping in (or out) solids, fussy-cutting, etc. Two alternate-style details are shown for each project. This is in addition to the very informative description on alternatives for fabric cutting (yardage, different pre-cuts, etc).

One question I see beginners ask quite often is how to set up the back of the quilt. Elizabeth provides detailed cutting and piecing instructions for all backs in the book so that there’s no mysterious “add backing, quilt and bind” instructions like you see in many books and patterns.

She provides the most descriptive, clear overview of color theory I’ve ever seen outside of graphic design books (and a better one than in some of those!), which is invaluable for beginners who are scared of selecting their own fabrics or playing with color. Her discussion of fabrics and prints is on par with others I’ve seen, but one interesting bit is her pictorial comparison of the “crinkling” of a natural-fiber batting quilt after it has been washed compared to the unwashed quilt.

Because no good book lets you walk away without inspiration, I’ll share my two “oh wow, that will make my life easier, it seems so straight-forward, how come I never thought about that before” tips:

  1. If your ruler isn’t wide enough, use a second one and butt them against each other.
  2. Check the back of your quilt regularly while quilting to make sure tension is okay there, too. (I have definitely been quilting along thinking all is well because the front looks fine, only to see a mass of huge loops on the back from horrible tension.)

Her patterns are pretty typical fare for modern quilting, but her instructions are clear and those alternate color/fabric options really do inspire you to view them as strong building blocks for your own ideas. I know that a Batch of Brownies-based quilt is definitely in my sewing future.

In addition to cutting, piecing, and quilting instructions, she gives basic instructions for paper or foundation piecing, machine applique, and making rosettes (or yo-yos, depending on your region). Her instructions for those won’t take the place of dedicated books/articles on the subject, but they are a solid introduction to the methods.

The only thing I can say I don’t like about the book is her instructions for quarter-square triangles. She has you cut all the pieces, then sew them together individually. I prefer making half-square units, then cutting them in half twice/sewing those pieces together to form the QSTs. In the scheme of things, this is definitely a minor dislike.

Your chance to win

This giveaway has closed.

Because this book is a great resource, I’m giving away a copy to one of you.

To have a chance to win, leave a comment on this post. Make sure to provide a valid email address in the appropriate field so that I can get in touch if you win.

Want more chances to win? Who am I kidding, of course you do! Here are three extra ways you can win:

  1. Follow my blog—either by RSS, Email (use the form in the footer) or Google Friend Connect (also in the footer).
  2. Tweet or blog about it. If you Tweet, make sure to include my Twitter name (“Win a copy of The Practical Guide to Patchwork from @raevenfea!”) and if you blog, link back to this post, of course.
  3. Leave a comment about what you would like to see more of on my blog, or a product or book you are interested in hearing a review about.

Do any of the above things and leave a comment about it. That is, leave one comment per extra entry in addition to your initial comment (up to a total of four comments).

Comments will close at 11pm EST on Friday, Aug. 19. I’ll draw for winners on August 20 (which also happens to be my two year blogiversary!).

This giveaway has closed.

This book was acquired with my own resources. No money or goods were exchanged for this review—it is my opinion, not that of the author, publisher or any other entity. The associated giveaway is also in no way related to the author or publisher of the book.

August 16th, 2011

 A Custom Medallion for the 1812 Quilt
Simple Curves with Quiltsmart Become an Ironing Mat  

26 Responses to “Book Review: The Practical Guide to Patchwork”

  1. Jeanne

    8:11 am | 08/17/11

    The book looks perfect for me. Although I have quilted for years, there is always something new, shortcut, tip, twist and turn that comes along that teaches the old dog new tricks. Thanks for the chance.

  2. Jeanne

    8:13 am | 08/17/11

    I tweeted your giveaway @jeannegwin

  3. Jeanne

    8:15 am | 08/17/11

    At the moment I can’t think of anything other then more on Civil War quilts I am enthralled with history. Thanks

  4. Jeanne

    8:16 am | 08/17/11

    I follow your blog via RSS google feed. 🙂

  5. Lynette

    8:22 am | 08/17/11

    Hello, we’d love the chance to win a copy of this book – we would add it to our small but growing quilt reference library at the Seaway Trail. Adore your blog! Your thoughts on making a custom designed center medallion were brilliant!

  6. Ellie - Craft Sew Create

    9:44 am | 08/17/11

    I’ve had this book on my “to get” list, just haven’t gotten it yet!

  7. Alyce B

    10:04 am | 08/17/11

    Oh my, I’m definitely a self-taught beginner and have been looking for some good books to start on collection. This book sounds great!

  8. Alyce B

    10:13 am | 08/17/11

    Tweeted from @Blossheartblog

  9. Alyce B

    10:15 am | 08/17/11

    Have also added you to my Google Reader!

  10. Alyce B

    10:18 am | 08/17/11

    Being a beginner, I’m totally addicted to tutorials! Currently trying to find a good one on foundation piecing.

    • Rachael Arnold

      10:28 am | 08/17/11

      If you find one, let me know! That is something I still need to learn too. This book discusses it a little, so that you can make a string quilt. It seems pretty simple… but I’ve seen some very intricate stuff.

  11. Susan Brooks

    4:06 pm | 08/17/11

    This is a great book. I would love to win! Thanks

  12. Karyn Ashley-Smith

    4:23 pm | 08/17/11

    This looks like a great resource to have. Thank you for the opportunity!

  13. Karyn Ashley-Smith

    4:25 pm | 08/17/11

    I am your first Google friend….and I followed by email, just in case *grin*

  14. Nancy M.

    5:12 pm | 08/17/11

    There is always something that new eyes can teach us about quilting.

  15. quiltmom anna

    5:33 pm | 08/17/11

    Thanks for the chance to win such a terrific looking book.
    Regards,
    Anna

  16. quiltmom anna

    5:36 pm | 08/17/11

    I think that I have managed to follow you with Google Reader.
    Thanks for the chance to win such an interesting looking book.
    Regards from Western Canada,
    Anna

  17. Sharon

    3:14 pm | 08/18/11

    This book looks great! Thanks for the chance to win it.

  18. Sharon

    3:16 pm | 08/18/11

    I follow your blog 🙂

  19. Sharon

    3:18 pm | 08/18/11

    I tweeted and blogged about this.
    @shapernes
    http://craizeecorner.blogspot.com/p/blog-friends-giveaways.html

  20. Sharon

    3:20 pm | 08/18/11

    I would love to see even more book reviews. There’s so many great quilting books out there.

  21. Thomas

    1:04 pm | 08/19/11

    Great review Rachel. Yay you!!!

  22. Jean

    1:16 pm | 08/19/11

    An awesome addition to anyone’s quilt library. Thanks for this opportunity!

  23. Jean

    1:19 pm | 08/19/11

    Just subscribed to your blog! Thanks to the quilting community for promoting each other & making it easy to find each other!

  24. Missy Merriman

    6:55 pm | 08/19/11

    I love your description of this book, it sounds wonderful even for seasoned quilters! It’s great to have reviews of books before you invest in them!

  25. Missy Merriman

    6:56 pm | 08/19/11

    I added it to my blogger before I even saw your comment at the bottom about an extra chance! I thought it was a great review!

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