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Title: Pieced Flowers by Ruth B. McDowell ISBN: 1571200916 Publisher: C & T Pub Pub. Date: 15 April, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4
Rating: 3
Summary: Beautiful & inspiring, but the blocks are challenging!
Comment: I would have found it helpful to know that this book is meant as a companion to the author's previous book "Piecing: Expanding the Basics," and assumes that you're already familiar with all the piecing techniques. The Appendix in "Pieced Flowers" has a brief overview on how to piece curved seams, inset seams, "Z" seams, "Y" seams, puzzle seams and flaps, but it's a very small part of the book. Most of the flowers have 20 pieces or more per block, while the more detailed ones (like Rose) have over 50 sections. Also, you have to enlarge the patterns on a copier before you can get started.
What I found most inspiring about the book is the way the author presents a number of blocks featuring the same flower, but with quite different results. The variations use straight seams, curved seams, or inset seams depending on the look you want and your piecing skill level. The fabric choices and block settings are creative and unusual too.
Rating: 5
Summary: Exquisite and Varied Quilter's Garden
Comment: Ruth McDowell provides samples and directions for making multiple variations of 10 beautifully pieced flowers. Each has options in multiple techniques and skill levels. These are some of the most beautiful and realistic pieced flowers I have ever seen. Each flower has options for making it with straight seams or curved seams. Some have options with inset seams. Some have options with 3-dimensional, two-sided "flaps" that are sewn into the seams to create more realism.
The straight seamed (template) versions of the flowers could all be pieced (or paper-pieced) by an adventurous beginner (like myself) although paper-piecing instructions are NOT provided, suggested, or recommended. The author gives her reasons for discouraging paper-piecing with these patterns. The patterns with curved or inset seams are more intricate and a goal for beginners to work toward. Each pattern has a description of the level of difficulty. For example on the asymmetrical version of the straight seamed Campanula the author says, "These blocks have been designed to be easy to piece on the sewing machine. There are no matching seams in either the block or along the edges where the blocks join." For the curved-seam version of the Campanula she says "Its gentle curves are time-consuming, but produce a graceful design."
One potential detraction is that most of the patterns require enlargement. While the recommended percentage of enlargement is specified, if you don't have access to a copier able to enlarge by percentages, this could be a frustrating delay in putting needle to fabric.
In addition to the patterns, Ruth McDowell uses fabric prints and colors in unique ways, both in the flowers themselves, and also in her background fabrics. Just studying her use of fabric is inspiring and educational as well.
My goal is the curved seam, 3-dimensional full-bloom Rose. It is magnificent. There are also patterns for Campanula, Columbine, Cosmos, Daisy, Day Lily (to die for) Hollyhock, Iris, Morning Glory, and Sweet Pea.
This book does not give detailed piecing instructions that might be required by brand-new quilters or beginners with little confidence. But there are tips, hints, and instructions enough to guide intermediate quilters or adventurous beginners.
I have been quilting less than a year and the straight seamed patterns don't daunt me, the curved and inset seamed patterns are tempting rather than intimidating.
This is a beautiful addition to your quilting library.
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Title: Piecing: Expanding the Basics by Ruth B. McDowell, Kandy Petersen, Sally Lanzarotti ISBN: 157120041X Publisher: C & T Pub Pub. Date: April, 1998 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Pieced Vegetables by Ruth B. McDowell ISBN: 1571201408 Publisher: C & T Pub Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Free-Style Quilts: A "No Rules" Approach by Susan E. Carlson ISBN: 1571201025 Publisher: C & T Pub Pub. Date: 01 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: A Workshop With Velda Newman: Adding Dimension to Your Quilts by Velda Newman ISBN: 1571201858 Publisher: C & T Pub Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Ghost Layers & Color Washes: Three Steps to Spectacular Quilts by Katie Pasquini Masopust, Katie Pasquini Masopust ISBN: 1571201505 Publisher: C & T Pub Pub. Date: March, 2001 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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