This little book (it's about 6-1/4" square!) is like a quilter's dream reference guide. It provides step-by-step instructions for all the blocks as well as photo examples, variations, and materials.
The photography is so pretty and the paper the book is printed on is beautiful. The chapters are divided into blocks for everyone, simple blocks, and intermediate blocks. Plus there are star, circle, curves, and flower blocks. The introduction covers basic quilt-making steps from start to finish as well as many more advanced and varied techniques and block-making methods.
For the most part, up to this point, I have created quilts by following someone else's pattern exactly. I haven't really taken the next step of designing my own quilt, although I have a ton of ideas and projects in mind. I think this book will expand on what I already know and allow me to start fabricating an original quilt using whichever blocks I desire. Regardless of future creations, 500 Quilt Blocks is a super compendium of so many inspiring ideas I'll probably reference it over and over for years to come. It's an awesome book and should probably be in every quilter's library.
I have a similar book but I find it very tough to figure out how to make the more difficult blocks. I guess paper piecing... but I know that some people draft the blocks and make them regular style. Laura Nownes' lesson on drafting was helpful for a simple block, but I need help for the intermediate/ advanced blocks.
Posted by: Maureen | March 25, 2014 at 09:16 AM