Scraps - by Judy Martin

I learned to quilt in 1985 and Judy's Scrap Quilts was one of the first quilt books I purchased. Not in my wildest dreams did I guess that twenty-one years later I would be writing a review for Judy's second wonderful book on scrap quilts!

Scraps includes 16 completely new, beautifully photographed, quilt patterns. Each quilt has the yardage requirements for 3 sizes plus a choice of using actual sized templates or rotary cutting methods, both of which are real bonuses for quilters!

The book is filled with colour and some of the quilts have been photographed in different colours and styles. Each pattern is rated in a unique way so that quilters will know when rotary cutting involves simple, basic shapes, and when additional shapes must be cut. There are 3 degrees for skill levels plus degrees for organizational skills for block arrangements.

Judy includes a 2 page introduction to scraps, 8 pages on how to work with scraps and 11 pages on how to make a quilt, making this book perfect for both beginning
and more experienced quilters.

There are easy to read charts for the yardage, dimensions, numbers of blocks and cutting requirements for each quilt. The diagrams are colourful and complete - in fact, they are so well done you may not need to read the detailed instructions!

To preview 4 of the outstanding quilts in the book and to purchase it, click here. You will quickly see why Judy is known as the Queen of Scrap Quilts!

To learn more about Judy, her books, her CDs, and her fabric lines, be sure to visit her website.

This book is the answer to one of the most frequently asked questions by all quilters - "What can I do with all of my scraps?" Judy beautifully illustrates the reason that scrap quilts have been so loved by generations of quilters.

This is Jenifer's first quilt book and it is one of which she can be immensely proud!
It is a heartwarming legacy of love as well as a special tribute to her grandmother, Dena L. Goosman Bockelman (1900-1977).

Jenifer shares that legacy in 6 very interesting pages in which she describes her grandmother's quilts and her collection of quilt patterns, many of which she found in the Kansas City Star beginning in the 1920's. Included in the book are 11 photos of her grandmother's lovely quilts.

Jenifer presents us with 14 of these beautiful quilt patterns in a variety of sizes including a couch quilt and a table runner. All have been beautifully photographed and the directions include both machine quilting and hand quilting suggestions - something not always found in quilt books and patterns! The appliqué and templates are all full-sized.

I especially enjoyed discovering the origins for the book title, the special memories that accompany some of the patterns and the intriguing names of the quilts, such as:

Bubblegum in the Pantry
Eggplant and Okra - which was juried into the 2006 AQS Show and Contest in Paducah, Kentucky
Box of Scraps
Grandmother's Last Kiss
Black Walnut Cake and Gooseberry Pie
Lawrence Welk is Alive and Well and Living in Syndication.

Grapefruit Juice and Sugar is sure to become a treasured addition to your collection of quilt books.

Jenifer is a teacher and winner of several quilting awards. She now working on her second quilt book.
You can purchase Grapefruit Juice and Sugar at the Kansas City Star's website.

Questions and Answers

Q: I was at the Chicago and Paducah quilt shows and I saw two quilt patterns in a booth named LaPierre Studio from Naples, Florida. My name was put on a list in order to contact me when the two patterns became available. I called and left a couple of messages with no return. One quilt had round cut out circles and the other one had similar sized circles that were a different fabric sewn in. They looked like they were trapunto and I really want those patterns. I did a google search and your site came up. Please let me know because, I really loved both of them. I am a longarm quilter and love piecing quilts when I get the time. - Gloria

A: My newsletter pages turned up in your web search because I included Pat's name in reference to her very handy quilt tool, the Free Motion Slider. Pat's website is www.freemotionslider.com. You will find her email address there.

Q: We have two beautiful inherited quilts from the 1800s and are thinking of asking $200 each for them. Both are lined in red cotton and their tops and linings are in excellent condition. They do not have one stitch of repair and their backings are in perfect condition, too. There are handwritten notes attached to the quilts. We no longer have the space for them nor are we able to drive around to find an appraiser, so if you have some idea, we would appreciate your help. - Bee

Free Pattern Winners!

April's winner is: sks280@.....................

May's winner is: mczerneda@................

June's winner is: maureen_mcmurray@................

Congratulations! You may choose one of our two new patterns or any pattern on our site which is available in PDF format.

Please email me to verify your email address and claim your free pattern. Patterns can be claimed up to the time the next issue is published.

*Please note:
Winners are chosen by a randomly generated computer program.
Winners will need the latest free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader - version 7 - to print their patterns.

Humour

Some real groaners!

Dr. Haim Ginott - teacher, child psychologist

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