May 13
'Quilting on the go!' is a superb book and a lot of thought has been put into how the book is organised so that you can progress with your own quilt designs. If you love the idea of sewing on the train or bus to work or in the canteen when you get there then this book is for you. Jessica shows you exactly what you need to get a travel pack together so you can hand stitch patchwork on the go. There are 18 pages of help in the 'Getting ready' section including advice on how to collate a fabric collection from thrift/charity shops, online, through fabric swaps etc, 16 pages on 'Starting to sew' with advice on tacking, what to do with the borders when you sew hexagons together and where to get the backing material. There are 42 pages in the third section, which includes ten projects: a tiny sewing kit, a hexagon cushion, a pincushion, a shoulder bag, a small pouch, a laptop bag, a falling stars baby quilt, a tanuki stripe throw, a photo frame and a travel quilt which is in the photo above. Section four contains 20 pages with features on the different designs you can sew - such as equilateral triangles and squares, half hexagons and 60-degree diamonds with interlocking background. There are then ten pages of graph paper with different patchwork shapes and designs already drawn on so you can colour in and see what works best. There are two pages of templates, one page of which features actual size templates, the other ones you will need to enlarge on a photocopier. The graphs at the back of the book and the neat organisational feel of the book are what impressed me the most. I loved the look of the book as soon as I saw it and the details inside are so exhaustive. I think you get a lot of advice for your money with this book as it's slightly thicker than average. Jessica is extremely talented and you can follow her blog 'Life Under Quilts'.
* sewingisforgirls.blogspot.com *
June 13
For those who don't like to be stuck in front of the sewing machine day in day out (and I'm one of them), here is a book that shows you how to quilt on the go. You can take your quilting wherever you go when do English paper piecing. Patchwork wherever you are. Carry your tool kit with you, the book shows you what you will need with you. Ideas for scrap fabric and lovely projects are included. All the techniques you need are explained in full with great photos and step by step, detailed explanations. The projects are treated in the same way and I really appreciate the excellent photos and easy to follow instructions. I love the tiny sewing kit and this is going to be my first project because I am always losing needles. Other makes include a hexagon cushion, pincushion, shoulder bag, make up bag or pouch, laptop bag, baby quilt, striped throw, photo frame and travel quilt. Lots to keep you going. At the back of the book, there are useful patterns for English paper piecing and with these you can start to make and design your own projects. It includes hexagons, interlocking backgrounds, half hexagons and squares and diamonds in different dimensions. This is a great book for all skill levels.
* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *
