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3 Reviews
Quick & Easy Quiltmaking
Quick & Easy Quiltmaking by Marsha McCloskey, Mary Hickey, Nancy J. Martin, Sara Nephew (1993, Hardcover)
The designers at That Patchwork Place were some of the early innovators of perfecting quilt designs using only squares and rectangles to create quilt designs. Many rotary quilting techniques that are common today were first in the late 1980's and early 1990's. This book is from 1993 and at the height of innovating new ways to use the rotary cutter to eliminate cutting and piecing triangles. Instead, designers explored the use of using squares and rectangles. Four author/designers are highlighted in this book with detailed explanations of the techniques they innovated and sample quilt patterns to make. Nancy Martin perfected the technique of half-square triangles with her specialized "Bias Square" acrylic template ruler. She and Marsha McCloskey together have several of their quilt patterns in this book using the "Bias Square" ruler which is easily obtainable. Mary Hickey invented the "Birangle" acrylic template for piecing the stype of long thin triangles seen in the "Storm at Sea" quilt designs. The down side to this book is the section on Mary Hickey's quilts. A "Birangle ruler" is the only way how these triangles are made in her quilts. And unfortunately, the ruler is no longer made; I have not seen it on Ebay. Ebay is the only place it could probably show up, so doing periodic searches for it is the only way I know of to find it. The "Bias Square" ruler is still available and in 2 sizes. Sara Nephew perfected a way to make hexagon quilts without any of those "y" set-in seams. A few of her quilt designs are featured in this book. Her "Equilater Triangle" ruler is necessary to make these quilts, but it is still readily available for sale. I do recommend looking for more of her books, because her designs are stunning and best of all - all straight seams!
I rated the book good because of the section and limitations on Mary Hickey's quilts. The rest of the book has a good assortment of quilt patterns from interpretations of traditional quilt patterns to original designs (Sara Nephew's sailboat and tulip quilts for example). If you don't mind buying the 2 necessary acrylic quilt rulers to make the quilts, then this is a very good quilt book. For those who would prefer not to invest in the rulers, this is not a book to buy.
And do check out Sara Nephew's other quilt books: she has also published some really great & unique quilt designs in her other books. Besides her hexagon, cubes & triangle quilts, she has published books on Halloween, Christmas and other designs. Read my review of her "Quilted Adventures" book and also look for "Patchwork Zoo (Quick Picture Quilts)" (on my wish list to get).
Happy quilting!!Read full review...
Quick & Easy Quiltmaking by Marsha McCloskey
I purchased this book on Ebay with the intention of giving it to my Mom who is an avid quilter. I was so taken with the patterns that I had to order another one for Mom, as I'm keeping this copy for myself! Marsha's directions and patterns are easy enough for an infrequent quilter, but lovely enough for an experienced quilter to be inspired!Read full review...
Finding the rare books on e-bay
As described, good to find this book whhich is not
easy to find. I have found so many things I never
thought I'd find.