I have another book from CICO Books to share with you today. CICO is an imprint of Ryland, Peters & Small, Ltd., based in London, and they have asked me to occasionally review one of their books for you.
Today I’m reviewing Hand Quilted with Love by Sarah Fielke. I have long been a fan of Sarah’s work. One of my favorite books in my personal quilting book library is Material Obsession: Contemporary Quilt Design by Sarah and Kathy Doughty. Sarah is based in Sydney, Australia. She tells us in the Introduction that, unlike her previous books which had a theme, this is a collection of quilts that she had ‘been wanting to make for ages.’
There are 16 quilt designs in the books, beautifully photographed from various angles. They range in difficulty from easy to advanced. There’s something for everyone here.
Paint by Numbers (photo courtesy of the publisher)
I love Sarah’s use of color and contrast. Everything, from her designs to the choice of fabric for bindings, is a feast for the eyes. These quilts make you smile.
Made in Cherry (photo courtesy of the publisher)
See what I mean? Lovers of red, this one is for you.
Or how about this one?
Bangles (photo courtesy of the publisher)
What I love: I have lots of quilting books. So I know what I want and need when following a pattern. As always with a CICO book, the layout is clean, crisp and eye-catching. The directions are easy to read.
The material requirements are listed in both inches and centimeters. The cutting directions are precise and clearly laid out.
Each quilt is photographed from a distance as well as up close.
And glory be, there are instructions for changing the quilt size for every quilt design in the book. Rather than counting, measuring and hoping that I’ve figured it out correctly, there it is, right on the page. Yay!
There are helpful hints throughout the book – tips that will help any quilter; novice or seasoned pro.
Millefiori (photo courtesy of the publisher)
There are also sections on choosing fabrics, sewing techniques, appliqué, constructing your quilt, quilting, and binding. There is a helpful glossary and a wonderful introduction by the author.
And the quilts are simply wonderful.
This is one of my personal favorites – Rosewater. I love the simple but powerful graphic design. I find the horizontal placement of strips very striking. Can you tell I want to make it?
Sarah is passionate about making quilts and it shows on every page of this beautiful book. CICO really excels at this kind of book; they know how to make it as user-friendly as possible, all the while providing us with lots of eye candy.
I’ll close with my favorite part of Sarah’s introduction:
“One more thing. Try new things, be adventurous, and crack your own quilting code. Don’t be hung up on whether something is right or wrong, or on whether you are a “modern quilter”, a “traditional quilter”, or even an “art quilter”: just be a QUILTER, be creative and love what you do. It’s what I do every day – and I can tell you, I’m a happy girl because of it.”
What a breath of fresh air! Just what I needed to hear.
If you love quilting, this book will be a wonderful gift to yourself.
Hand Quilted with Love is published by Cico Books for £19.99/$27.99 and is available through CICO Books. It is also available stateside at your local bookstore and through Amazon.com. (I am not affiliated with any of these links. I receive no money. Just trying to be helpful!)
I’m off to dream a little about future quilting projects!
Happy Monday.
All the quilts in this book are lovely – but, like you – Rosewater is calling my name. Thanks for the thoughtful book review –and a peek inside Sarah’s new book. I think the Rosewater quilt would be a great way to use fabric scraps – our own or from a swap. My sewing group ‘Stitchers’ did a swap of 2.5 inch strips last year and then each member made a Jelly Roll Race Quilt. Lots of fun swapping and then seeing all the colorful quilts that were created. I just love quilting !!
PS: Thanks again for sharing your world with us !
I’m thinking I need to make Rosewater!
in a million years, I’d never pick that lime green fabric on my own yet I love that quilt with that color as background fabric!
I know – I love her sense of color.
I love the quilts..I have a family member who quilts in her sleep..FYI
I no longer get emails that you have posted things..I had to get into your blog thru FB !!!
Hmm. I don’t know why that’s happening. But Feedburner can be strange. I don’t really have any control over its ups and downs, unfortunately. Sorry!
PS..I just resigned up to get your posts by email..Good…I was going to miss them.
That red quilt made my heart go pitter pat! I will have to look for that book!!
xo Kris
Beautiful, isn’t it?
What gorgeous photos. I want every one of those quilts :)
Laura
Me too, Laura!
What a beautiful book! I love quilts!
hugs,
Linda
It is indeed a beautiful book, Linda.
Beautiful quilts. I think they are all very nice. Labors of love. I like the red one . xoxo,Susie
There’s something about a red quilt, isn’t there, Susie?
Thank you for this! I just pulled my sewing machine off of the shelf (where it’s been sitting for two years) and fixed it. Now I am working on finishing projects that have been on the to-craft list for a while and I am looking for more. I love the photos in this book – so bright and colorful! I will definitely keep an eye out for this book! Thank you for the helpful review, Claudia!
You are very welcome. Enjoy your projects!
Thanks for reviewing this book. I went online and our local library has it available at another branch. So put in a request and will wait for them to call me. I would love to learn to quilt, problem is I have NO sewing ability…But maybe now that I am retired…just maybe……
I’m not the best sewer in the world, Cindy. Truthfully, I have trouble sewing a straight line. You can do it!
I’ve had this book in my hands four or five times and I’m destined to buy it (as soon as I have another coupon). Love the quilts!
I really think you’ll like it, Mary Ann.
Love the quilts! And truly enjoyed the interview.
Brenda
Aw, thanks, Brenda!
Looks like a lovely book – full of such colorful quilts. Pretty, pretty, pretty!
Judy
I am loving colorful, vivid quilts, Judy.
I bought this book when it first hit the shops here in New Zealand and I just love it!
Yay! I can’t wait to make something from it.