So we’ve put all of this time into our latest quilt top only to get to the outer regions and then we’re lost. Well, GenQ and Martingale & Company are here to rescue your pretties from dullness. Don’t let your plain ol’ borders box you in. Grab one of these new books from Martingale (aka That Patchwork Place) and break out of your same ol’ thing. If money or paper is an issue, note that each of these comes in an eBook version. And remember: almost nothing makes a quilt sing better than an awesome and original border!
Just Around the Corner: Quilts with Easy Mitered Borders
Kari M. Carr
Martingale & Company, 2011
Softcover, 80 pages, $24.99
E-book, PDF, $19.99
Kari’s technique is cool and different. And it ain’t all that complicated either. In a nutshell, Kari builds a perfectly mitered frame for a quilt from two strips of fabric. The frame is two-sided and by turning and tacking up the underside of the strips are regular intervals, a pretty scallop is created. Of course you don’t have to scallop up your quilt’s border with this, but it’s a viable option for working outside of the box.
You do want to read the directions carefully. You’re working with bias strips and any time that’s the circumstance, distortion can factor into your work. (Bias strips are lengths of fabric cut on the diagonal grain that create cut edges that are less stable, but more flexible.) But the effect of the scalloped border (which for years has caused tremors of anxiety in even the most seasoned stitcher) is well worth your effort.
If you’re looking to beef up your skill set, this is a fun technique to have in your toolbox.
Perfect Fit Pieced Borders
Sheila Sinclair Snyder
Martingale & Company, 2011
Softcover, 80 pages, $24.99
E-book, PDF, $19.99
We freely confess. When we’re working up an original design, or even adapting someone else’s brilliance for cloth, we hardly ever think about what’s going on the border until we get there. Face it, it’s easier to just slap on some coordinating strips and call it a day. Well, here’s our duh moment: Plan your borders when you plan your quilt and then make it from blocks. Yep. That’s it. And from these two q-design points you’ve got a whole new approach to design and one that takes the border from being the uncredited extra of your quilt to the Oscar-worthy supporting actor.
Sheila offers a dozen quilt projects, each with different borders. But you must first read the “A Few Words about Pieced Borders” chapter. A mere three pages of light bulb popping moments abound in her simple approach. Then dive into your own design ideas. But in case you just wanna ease your way through the day’s stitching, some of her designs are just fabulous! We love Harmony for its simplicity, Stargazing for its funk factor and Spinal Cord because it’s brilliant.
Yes, buy it now. You’ll go back to it often for inspiration.
Jelly Babies: Adorable Quilts from 2 ½” Strips
from the staff at That Patchwork Place
Martingale & Company, 2011
Softcover, 96 pages, $24.99
E-book, PDF, $19.99
So we’re talking about borders and while this sweet book may not be focused on borders per se, many of the designs offered here hand out that extra boost of border genius needed to make these 14 baby quilt designs (all made from jelly rolls) giggle out loud. Some faves include Diamond Double Play with the added Flying Geese on the outside to Cherries and Cream which breaks up the almost-uptight feel of the two-color traditional patchwork quilt with free-floating squares dancing along the borders. Another thing to think about as you scan for inspiration here is that the book’s design includes baby pictures of the staff centered on some of the quilts. When we looked at them we found ourselves inspired by these design possibilities: The quilt’s main section became the photos’ frames. Remember that we’re talking about borders.
We’ve seen some awesome designs out of the Martingale staff in the past, so we were anxious to peel open the covers of this new book. And, we really wanna know how you all up there in Washington find the time to design and make quilts while also birthing some great books? (BTW, we just love Baby Waves.)
It’s a worthy book for your shelf because it covers several Q-bie interests: Baby quilts, jelly rolls and (unintentional maybe) borders and settings.
Says us: Yep. Many of our reviews are positive in tone, but that’s because we get a ton of quilt and sewing books sent in for review! We can afford to be picky. But here’s our promise to you: When we slog through not-so-top quality craft books on your behalf, you’ll read snarkier reviews. That’s because we’ve got your back, people, and want you to spend your q-money wisely. You need honest reviews to do that.
And, attention, authors! If you have a book you’d like us to review, especially if you’re self-published, send it our way. Just give us a shout, and we’ll hand out the address.
Fall/Winter 2016 (Issue 22)
Summer 2016 (Issue 21)
Spring 2016 (Issue 20)
November-December 2015 (Issue 19)
September-October 2015 (Issue 18)
$9.99
July-August 2015 (Issue 17)
© 2015 Generation Q Magazine. Site by Spunmonkey.
COMMENT #1
I may just have to make some additions to my amazon wish list now.
Thanks for the info!
COMMENT #2
Love their books, I have Positively Postcards Quilted Keepsakes to Save or Send. It’s been fun to use 🙂
COMMENT #3
that would require “finding” the book case first….lol. i have probably made more quilts from 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks. i just pick what i want to make, and then design a quilt from there. it was one of the first book i bought when i started quilting.
COMMENT #4
Would love to win one of these books. My favorite Martingale book is Red and Green, An Applique Tradition by Jeana Kimball. One of the best resources on red and green applique.
Thanks.
COMMENT #5
You wanted to know favorite Martingale books – I like “Artful Applique”, an oldie but goodie!
COMMENT #6
I’m glad you reviewed borders books. Creative borders can take a simple quilt and make it great, and take a great quilt and make it spectacular.
I’ve bought a lot of Martingale books for my guild’s library. (I’m the librarian and yes, I readily admit to being a book slut.) It would be hard to pick a favorite title from their publications. 40 Fabulous Quick-Cut Quilts by Evelyn Sloppy is a great one. Her books are well done plus I like the fact that you MUST pronounce her name with a long O because her designs and workmanship are not sloppy. (I’m a wordplay slut, too.)
If I lived closer to Martingale I would be on their doorstep every day begging for the fun of working there!
Bert in Rice, WA
COMMENT #7
I have 2. The first is “Once Upon a Quilt” by Bonnie Kaster and Virginia Athney. The second “A Quilter’s Ark” by Margaret Rolfe.
COMMENT #8
My favorite Martingale book? Wow, that’s too hard! I think I’d have to say Celtic Quilts: A New Look for Ancient Designs by my friend Beth Ann Williams. I’ve made more quilts out of that book than any other quilt book I’ve owned. BTW, if I win, do I get to choose the book I’d like? I’d love to have “Just Around the Corner”. I met Kari at Spring Quilt Market and her technique really intrigued me.
COMMENT #9
I have several Martingale books, but my favorite is Bits and Pieces – 18 Small Quilts from Scraps and Fat Quarters.
COMMENT #10
I agree with Bert. My favorite is 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts by Evelyn Sloppy also.