Love Patchwork: Simple Projects & Ideas for Colorful Quilts, Cute Cushions, Fresh Home Style & Quick Gifts (Design Originals) Inspiration, Insight, and 11 Step-by-Step Projects for Rugs, Bags, & More
Welcome to the wonderful world of color, pattern, and sheer gorgeousness that is patchwork! If you want to get the patchwork look into your home but don't know where to start, then you've come to the right place! Once you start examining your space, you'll find lots of areas of your life that could benefit from a touch of mix 'n' match fabric. There's nothing nicer than watching the kids snuggling up under a cozy handmade throw on the sofa, or creating instant heirlooms using recycled and scrap fabrics. Inside Love Patchwork , you'll learn how your own home can be a source of inspiration and materials, while the thrifty ideas for upcycling worn clothes into brand-new accessories will have you creating one-off gifts in no time! Find quick and clever ways of introducing the vibrant colors and patterns of patchwork into your home, plus 11 complete patchwork projects for every skill level, with step-by-step instructions and advice for choosing colors and cutting fabric. Throughout the book are tips to make patchwork fun and easy, whether you're a stitching newbie, or already sewing machine royalty! Browse the projects, features, and inspiration, and before you know it, you'll truly Love patchwork !
I went to the state fair and saw many beautiful quilts plus participated in a hands-on quilting activity in which I created a block in the "grandmother's garden" pattern. It was the highlight of the fair for me. So when I got home I looked for a book that would have some little projects in it that I could make. I don't really want to make an entire quilt - at least not without some more practice.
Searching for books on quilting seemed to get me just books of patterns for quilts so I tried searching for books on patchwork. I found this one and ordered it sight unseen. Had I seen it I would have known it was not for me. My aesthetic is very different - I found almost everything in the book hideous. They look nothing like what I saw at the fair. But that is just a matter of taste and you may find the projects in the book prettier than I did.
Here's what's in the book:
General ideas about picking fabrics and supplies. Nothing really impressive. Techniques for preparing and cutting fabric. Some helpful info there. Sewing pieces together by machine. Basic but a good reminder. Quilting including mitred corners. I didn't think this was very clear or got as much space as it should have.
My Life with Patchwork. This section contains the photos I find most attractive but its just photos with captions, no instructions.
Projects. There are 11 project s and it looks like they all come from other books. They include a rug, cushions, place mats, a tote bag, a message board, a chair cover, and some different sizes of quilts . I didn't find any of them attractive and wouldn't make any of them. I love tote bags but the one here is just squares and doesn't look very interesting or cute.
An interview with Jane Rocket. I have no idea why.
Gallery and Ideas For Gifts. More pictures of other peoples projects with no instructions for making any of them but some of which you can buy. Why?
So overall where this book fell short for me is in a lack of info on hand piecing and the number and attractiveness of the projects.