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Review: 3 Innovative Quilting Books

© Marion

If you've heard about fabric origami, but never been convinced, then take a look at Fantastic Fabric Folding in which Rebecca Wat showcases her eight innovative fabric origami designs in 22 projects for quilts, waistcoats (vests), and pillows. And yes, the quilts are washable (the author suggests you tack down the origami edges so you don't have to repress them so carefully after washing).

The origami designs are called Stars, Diamond Variations, Inside-Out Flowers, Folded Roses, Twirled Roses (my favourite!), Pinwheels, Polygon Flowers, and Kimonos. Each design is used in at least two projects. Each chapter starts with step-by-step folding instructions for that origami design, each step illustrated with a remarkably clear colour photograph. The colours of the fabrics have been very well chosen as you can clearly see the fold marks at each step. Occasionally, drawings showing a pair of hands folding the fabric have been added to help you.

Following the origami instructions are the projects using that design. There is a materials list, cutting, folding and construction instructions, construction diagrams, photos of the finished project (details as well as full item), block and piecing diagrams (where needed), as well as instructions on where to tack down the edges of the origami if you intend to wash the quilt.

Laid out in a fresh and uncluttered style that makes the book a joy to read, these designs will have you itching to add a 3-D element to your work before you've finished reading the whole book.

If you love log cabins but find the careful measuring tedious or inhibiting, then Stitch 'n Flip Quilts by Valori Wells will set you free! The technique sounds too simple to lead to anything great - basically, take a central shape (square, triangle), add a piece of fabric on one side, flip it over, finger-press the seam, trim it free-hand to the width you require, then add more pieces until you've about the size you of block you want, then trim. But this book'll show the you possibilities. And while the projects do give you widths for the various strips, and templates, my bet is you'll soon discard these and go it alone.

Anyone who enjoyed Roberta Horton's The Fabric Makes the Quilt will love Free-Style Quilts by Susan Carlson which takes the concept even further. Out go pins and piecing, in comes fabric collage, using glue and raw-edge applique. This no-rules, everything-goes book shows you have to "paint" with fabric, taking you places piecing can't (unless you're Ruth McDowell who seems to be able to piece anything!).

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