CLEARANCE

The Practical Guide to Patchwork

by Elizabeth Hartman

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I am a big fan of Elizabeth's blog, Oh Fransson!, so I pounced on a copy of her first book as soon as it came out. The book is all about introducing modern sewists to the world of quilting, and it features a large, detailed section explaining every aspect of quilt making. Normally I skip past such sections, but I found myself sucked in to this one. Elizabeth isn't afraid to depart from convention and recommend a different way of doing things (for example, she advocates pressing seams open instead of to one side). Elizabeth's "modern basics" are wonderful lessons for new quilters, but they could also be inspiring for seasoned quilters who feel they are in a quilting rut.

In the instructional section and throughout the projects in the book there are hundreds of beautiful full color photos that are packed with information. Not even the smallest detail is left out--I found myself gleaning wonderful tips on subjects that are usually skimmed over, like making the quilt sandwich and backing.

Of course, the book is packed with beautiful quilt projects, divided into three chapters based on skill level. My personal favorite is Valentine, a string quilt. I think it will have to be my first venture into foundation paper piecing.