Don’t let the winter blahs get you down. Indulge in some garden craft projects. Here are reviews of some books with delightful garden quilt projects.


Flower Show Quilts-Stunning Appliqué on a Patchwork Canvas

By Lynn Ann Majidimehr, this inspiring title was released by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. Impress friends and family with these easy to make art quilts. If I could only have one flower quilt book, I would definitely choose this one.

This book will have special appeal to gardeners. These flower projects will brighten the dreary days of winter. This title features ten delightful projects in a range of sizes from wall hangings and throws to table runners. The techniques include ordinary patchwork, foundation piecing, and fusible appliqué.

The lush flowers come alive in these projects. Each imaginative quilt features a different kind of blossom. There are dahlias, poppies, irises, orchids, and two kinds of clematis. One project features exotic looking spider mums. One design contains a mix of summer flowers, including sunflowers. There’s also a beautiful vase of lilies.

The beginning chapter presents all of the basics on quilting. This chapter has color illustrated, step by step directions from beginning to end.

For each flower quilt project, this has a list of materials and supplies, color layouts, and complete directions for cutting the fabric, appliquéing and sewing the blocks, and completing the quilt. Most of the appliqué templates are full size and ready to use. In some cases, the appliquéd flowers have embroidery that adds special true-to-life details. The pieced backgrounds offer the perfect settings for these remarkable blossoms.


Dual Image Appliqué

By Dilys Fronks, this was released by the American Quilter’s Society. It features ten wonderful projects that will bring beauty to one’s home and life. The projects include full size bed quilts, wall hangings in various sizes, throws, pillows, table runners, and tote bags. One of the projects is a vibrant floral quilt for Christmas. Several of the projects include optional items, such as a matching pillow or table runner.

This in-depth title takes the mystery out of appliqué. The dual image technique allows you to create both a positive and negative motif from each fused appliqué pattern. Nearly all of the projects feature motifs that will appeal to gardeners. These include various kinds of flowers, vines, and foliage, such as roses and fall foliage.

The author presents everything that beginners need to know about appliqué. Readers can also learn about the various sewing aids and supplies that will be needed. Throughout the book, there are boxes with quick tips. This has an inspiring gallery that offers additional creative appliqué ideas.

For each project, this has a list of fabrics and supplies, a cutting chart, color layouts, and color illustrated, easy to follow directions from beginning to the end. There are templates for the appliqué, most of which need to be enlarged before using.

At the end of the book is a gallery presenting the designs in different colors and sizes.

For disclosure purposes, I received review copies of these books from the publishers.