AnneMarie Chany

I picked this book up from the library because I am working on a four-square sampler quilt and was trying to get ideas for my last square. I liked the idea of variations on similar/same blocks, especially the promise of the middle chapter about changing the color layouts. I think I was spoiled by super modern quilt blogs and instagrammers, though, because i was disappointed in the very traditional patterns and color usage throughout the book.

Most of the squares are variations of nine-patch (sometimes stretched or unequal) with heavy emphasis on half-square triangles. To be honest, I really don't like that structure, and the squares that I found most interesting in the book do tend to be based on other structures or disguise the nine-patch form.

I also found that the variations on color used to create the "sister" blocks is minimal and not worth much. Of the three chapters/quilt schemes, only the second one ("Vice Versa Sampler") really played with color or fabric, and only by reversing the white vs. colored sections of the square. The first ("Sisters' Ten Sampler") has nearly identical blocks and the last ("Bonfire Sampler") incorporates string piecing that creates some interesting variation but is otherwise identical blocks as well.

For people who like more traditionally-styled quilts and want a step-by-step how-to, this would be great, but it's just not to my taste. I found the instructions to be very clear and easy to follow. Where a pattern guide is needed, there are shapes printed to trace.

Where I do find the book valuable is the tutorial guides.All the quilt building blocks are shown - triangles, geese, curves, strings - as well as how to set your needle and presser foot and how to make a binding. There are also many suggestions for the final quilting and how quilting patterns can complement the blocks. I always like having these things in a book, because it's sometimes hard to wade through everything on the internet.… (more)