By Val Bourque
Happy New Year 2016! How many new projects will we start this year? There are so many new quilt books it’s hard to choose. Are we ready for a new technique or a new twist to an old pattern? Let’s look at both!
IN THE PINES, a Forest of Paper-Pieced Quilts, by Carolyn Cullinan McCormick has 12 distinct tree quilt patterns, and her technique for paper piecing is simple, elegant and once you get going, it moves along quickly. When first looking at the projects in this book, with the many small triangles you might think this will be difficult to tedious. I found it surprisingly easy, once you get the technique down. The directions are clearly stated and have the colored key representations as well. The technique uses strips of varying sizes so you are not dealing with tiny little pieces. The Dakota Farm Tree which originally posted in 1927 Kansas City Star, makes a 10” block. Using this paper pieced strip technique, it remakes the block so easy that even a novice can follow the pattern. Paper piecing helps insure the most accurate results. Each block makes a 10” square and she tells of the origin of each block. Living in the mountains when it’s cold and snowy outside, this makes a perfect project which decorate your home décor.
NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S LOG CABIN, 2ND Edition, by Sara Nephew and Marci Baker. This book takes the traditional Log Cabin and really changes it to something entirely different. Using her Clearview designed rulers, it makes these designs look anything but traditional log cabin. If you do not have the author’s rulers, there are templates for you to make your own. The Blue Bird pattern which shows lots of movement, is made up of 2 blocks. The simplicity of using only two blocks made into this beautiful mesmerizing quilt. The directions are clear and easy to follow. There are designs to challenge the most experienced quilter yet many the novice can follow because of the way each block is broken down.
Be sure to check out these books next time you are in your local quilt store.
For your free holiday pattern contact Val at : quilterspiece@gmail.com Val Bourque, former District Sales Manager for Bernina of America and past President of Chester Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild.
