Animal Quilts

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  Circles of the East : Quilt Designs from Ancient Japanese Family Crests
by Kumiko Sudo
review by Jenny
This book details the history of ancient Japanese Family Crests. Each Crest's story begins with the original design and traces it through the ages. The author has designed a quilt from each Crest, interpreting it in contemporary fabrics. Clear, easy instructions enable you to duplicate her work, or use it as inspiration for your own designs.
There is no better way to understand a culture, or to experience history, than to craft its unique arts with your own hands. This book will inspire you as it teaches.
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  Star Spangled Sampler Quilts : The Art of the States
by M Leman-Austin and A Segal; illustrated by T Eisinger; edited by Bonnie Leman
review by L.
This book contains patterns for fifty different star blocks, and elaborate instructions on how to construct them. There are 10 quilts shown in full color, to give an idea of how one might wish to use them. The pattern pieces given are full size. The problem with it, however, is that the pattern pieces are numbered and bunched together. For example, there are ten different diamond patterns shown on one page, so one has to be careful when picking the pieces of the patterns, to choose the one you intended to cut.
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  Mariner's Compass: An American Quilt Classic
by Judy Mathieson
review by L.
This is an excellent book of instructions for one of the most difficult of all quilting patterns. It gives full-size pattern pieces for eight Mariner's Compass variations. There are several color illustrations of various quilts using these patterns, including the spectacular "Nautical Stars" which shows a huge Compass in a Compass, surrounded by five circular rows of Flying Geese embroidered by multiple Mariner's Compass variations. This is a book that belongs in the library of those who aspire to this ultimate form of quiltmaking.
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  Treasury of Patchwork Borders : Full-Size Patterns for 76 Designs
by Elizabeth F. Nyhan
review by L.
This black-and-white text gives 40 pieced borders, plus instructions for rotary cutting. The back of the book includes paper patterns in numbered block pieces.
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  Fans Galore for Modern Quilters
by Betty Boyink
review by L.
Whatever happened to Grandmother's Fan? Well, it leaped into the twentieth century. There are variations on the Fan pattern itself, and many interesting ways to set the Fans. One fascinating quilt combines the Virginia Reel pattern (Snail's Trail pattern) for an unusual quilt. Fans can even be set into hearts and do a passably good takeoff on the Drunkard's Path. All in all, there are more than twenty different Fan blocks, including variations. One block is a 1930s style Sunbonnet with a Fan for a skirt. Then there is the butterfly with Fans for wings. Many novel and interesting ideas for people who like the Fan pattern.
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  Houses, Cottages, and Cabins Patchwork Quilts : With Full-Size Patterns (Dover Needlework Series)
by Nancy J. Martin
review by L.
As with all of That Patchwork Place's books, the full-size patterns are absolutely charming. Instructions are very well-written and easy to follow. Illustrates some interesting ideas for incorporating the patterns into quilts in full-color. Rotary cutting instructions are given when appropriate. Projects include full-size quilts, table runner, pot holder, placemats, totebags, a purse with quilted flap, a book cover, bib apron, pinafore, magazine holder.
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