Karen Platt- yarnsandfabrics.co.uk
Ideas for using your stash to make unique gifts and home accessories. There are 30 great projects in this book all made using jelly roll scraps. They include 15 quilts using different methods; 15 gifts from cushions to toys. The quilts are small wall quilts not bed quilt sizes. All the designs for quilts and home makes are attractive. I love the log cabin mat, the hot water bottle cover, the covered folder and bluebirds to name a few. All the essential techniques are covered and the book includes clear instructions. Templates are given in the book but they are not actual size, so you will have to enlarge them. The book is ideal for beginners up, but there is also a wide variety of skills and techniques to inspire intermediate quilters.
Library Journal, USA
May 2015
Jelly rolls are collections of 2.5 inch strips of fabric, often from the same collection, and are a popular precut fabric used by quilters. Numerous patterns have been written that incorporate jelly roll strips, but what about the scraps left over from these projects? Forster (Sew Jelly Roll Quilts & Gifts) suggests mini quilts, which can be used as crib quilts, doll quilts, or decorative wall hangings. Mini quilts also allow quilters to test out new techniques or audition a quilt block for a larger-scale project. Most of the quilts are based off of traditional blocks that will be familiar to experienced quilters, and though the piecing is small in scale, theres nothing overly complex about any of the designs. A second section includes patterns for a variety of small gifts, including a huggable stuffed octopus and a log-cabin style place mat that uses a folded technique that provides dimension without the use of batting. Though the patterns are written for jelly roll scraps, Forster provides instructions for cutting your own strips, and any 2.5 inchwide scrap will do. VERDICT Mini quilts are increasingly popularInstagram is full of mini-quilt swapsand quilters always welcome new ways to use scraps.
Popular Patchwork
Bag Special 2015
Carolyn Forster's quilting books are very popular, and it's easy to see why. This pleasing collection of small but wonderfully designed projects is personable, simple to follow and incredibly rewarding. The author's extensive experience of teaching is apparent, as she communicates her enthusiasm and knowledge in a very easygoing manner that breathes life into the quilts and accessories in the book. Carolyn is a master at finding uses for those little left over bits and bobs. Be warned, though - if you've already succumbed to the addiction of buying Jelly Rolls, this book might just be your undoing! A quick flick through and you'll be dying to experiment with as many fabrics as you can. We can't mention all the projects we love in here, but we must point out just how wonderful the Lavender Ravioli are; a simple but brilliant idea with a great name. Thoroughly recommended.
East Kent Embroiderer's Guild
April 2015
This delightful book has the answer to every sewers dilemma of what to do with small fabric scraps. Carolyn presents thirty exciting projects utilising scraps from jelly-rolls, fat-quarters and the tiniest snippet of favourite fabric. In full-colour throughout, detailed instructions plus templates and patterns make this an essential book for all who sew.
Love to Make
March 2015
This book shows you how to transform fabric scraps into stunning little quilts and gorgeous gifts. Its packed with colourful and inventive projects, and all techniques needed to create them, plus an abundance of guidance and inspiration for quilters and patchworkers of all abilities. Broken down into two sections: Little quilts and Gifts, the book contains comprehensive instructions, clear photography and helpful illustrations throughout.
