Book Review: 500 Quilt Blocks

Yesterday I taught a beginners patchwork workshop at the New Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester.

I love teaching at the New Brewery Arts Centre, it is such an inspiring place with lots of lovely artist all in one place!

As always I was planning my session and knew I needed a demonstration piece to show the learners - nothing worse than not knowing where you are going on your learning journey! A sample of where everyone should be aiming is a great teaching tool and provide inspiration.

So sat in my studio watching the rain fall I was trying to think which block would suit beginners, include some cutting but not too much and be manageable in 6 hours...

This is where the wonderful book 500 Quilt Blocks by Lynne Goldsworthy and Kerry Green comes in.

Image Courtesy of Lynne Goldsworthy

This fabulous book contains a huge amount of patchwork knowledge - don't be fooled by it's small size, it is jam packed with great blocks!

I love skimming the book and finding blocks that I would like to make, but as a teacher it takes a lot of the stress out of workshop planning because the measurements are all written clearly. It means I don't have to work all the maths out as well everything else a lesson plan needs. 

Image Courtesy of Lynne Goldsworthy

The book even has a few variations for each block - differentiation for my learners readily available!

Image Courtesy of Lynne Goldsworthy

The book also has some items to make with the blocks they have made.

Image Courtesy of Lynne Goldsworthy

This book is a fabulous addiction to any quilters bookshelf, but it is particularly useful for beginners starting on their patchwork wanting to explore different blocks.

You can of course get your copy from a certain International book selling website, but do considering visiting your fabulous Indie Bookshop to get your copy- you get a smile when you shop with them! I spend so much in my local shop, the Yellow Lighted Bookshop, I occasionally get a bacon bap and a mug of tea whilst browsing books!

The Modern Quilting Bee

Following on from yesterdays start of my first Quilt Along, I thought I would a new book I found.

Block Party: the Modern Quilting Bee by Alissa Haight Carlton and Kristen Lejnieks is a book all about the journey of 12 women who met on the Internet and started a modern, international quilting bee.

The book tells the story of the 12 quilts they made - one each month. Each member of the bee sent out the fabrics they wanted using and a description of the blocks they wanted made. The result is a fascinating look at the art of modern quilts with traditional blocks given a modern twist.

I love the finished quilts because each block is made slightly differently, so there is something new to find every time you look at the book...

Each quilt comes with instructions on how make the blocks:

The instructions are clear and well laid out with great pictures and hints for colours.

The best bit of the book is meeting the quilters involved. Each of the 12 members tell their story. I love meeting people with the same passion as me, I love sharing the stories of the quilts... (maybe I am just very nosey!)

I would love to start a project with other quilters from around the world. Would you like to join me?

I know you know that you can buy this book from Amazon, but I am passionate about supporting local indie bookshops, so if possible please get your copy from one of the amazing independent book sellers near to you.

I support The Yellow Lighted Bookshop as much as possible, so you can of course get a copy from there! They take orders by phone and will send to anywhere!

Details: Block Party: the Modern Quilting Bee by Alissa Haight Carlton and Kristen Lejnieks
Publisher: Stash Books
ISBN: 987-1-60705-197-8