Book reviews: Christmas and Photo-Transfer Quilts

It is really a new Christmas quilt if all that makes the design festive is the use of seasonal fabrics? If you think it isn't, then that eliminates six of the designs in this book. The question then is, are the other eight designs worth buying this book for? And my answer to that is yes, these are lovely Christmas designs: a friendly snowman, a Xmas stocking wallhanging, poinsettias, a 'stained-glass' candle and poinsettia, two red cardinals, a winter snow scene, holly leaves scrap quilt, and my favourite, holly wreaths.

As you'd expect from That Patchwork Place, there are clear, detailed instructions and diagrams for making each quilt, and a good colour photograph of the finished item. There's also a chapter on quiltmaking basics, so you needn't worry that you're going to be unable to make something because it uses a technique you're not familiar with. If you're thinking of making a Christmas quilt, you should have a look at this book.

Quilting More Memories isn't the first book on making a quilt using image transfers, nor will it be the last. But what it does have are some of the most stylish image-transfer quilts I've seen. Too often image-transfer quilts end up a real hodgepodge, too busy to be an attractive quilt or photo album for my tastes. But here are some great fresh designs: my favourites are The Ties That Bind Us by Kathy Staley, which has a US flag in the middle and around the edges black-and-white photos of her ancestors (including her great-great-great-grandparents), and Roxie's Laughter by Rosetta Greek which has images from her daughter's favourite book (used with permission).

There's one quilt in particular which you should give a closer look: at first glance doesn't appear to be an image-transfer quilt, but then you'll realise that what appears to be complex blocks are far to small to have been pieced. And they're not, they're transfers of photos of other quilts by the author! What a lovely -- and fitting -- way to make a record of your work.

Quilting More Memories is divided into three sections. The first covers all the essential techniques: transferring photos to fabric, using a laser color copier to make photo transfers, getting started, designing your quilt and finishing it. The second is a gallery for inspiration, and the third is 10 step-by-step projects. If you've been tempted to make an image-transfer quilt but were unsure of where to start and how to go about it, you'll find the answers and inspiration in this book.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic