Lifestyle Book Reviews

Book Review: Blue Ribbon Quilts

By Sandy Amazeen Aug 11, 2008, 2:46 GMT

These 14 quilts are all award winners! They’ve taken the blue ribbon from large county fairs, small local quilt shows, and quilt challenges. And now quilters can recreate every one of these spectacular designs, thanks to the full-size patterns and instructions presented in this inspiring collection. Choose from classic as well as contemporary quilts: three use curve piecing while others feature traditional and fusible appliqué. An Oriental-themed design includes a ...more

This eye-popping collection of fourteen award winning quilts culled from assorted county fairs, shows and competitions are now easy to recreate for yourself. The techniques including traditional piecework, appliqué, foundation piecing and embroidery are carefully explained. Full sized patterns, close-up color photography and comprehensive instructions allow even the beginner to produce beautiful quilts.

Ocean Paradise and You’ve Got Mail created by Betty Alofs are two spectacular wall quilts that lend themselves to a variety of personal interpretations so each rendition can be an original. Ada LeClaire’s Cottage Door makes clever use of a simple grid design that forms the background for a riot of flower and leaf embellishments. The classic Double Wedding Ring design takes on a fresh perspective when worked in bright, rainbow colors using foundation piecing while Easy Road uses strip patchwork to nice advantage in a lovely watercolor palette.

Artist profiles add a warm touch as readers learn how each woman became a quilter, their sources of inspiration and the awards their quilts have garnered. The designs range from traditional to pop art making this an appealing collection for quilters looking for fresh ideas.