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All-In-One Quilter’s Reference Tool by Harriet
Hargrave/Sharyn Craig/Alex Anderson/Liz Aneloski What a great idea! Why didn’t I think of it? I don’t know about the rest of you quilters, but I frequently find myself searching through my quilting books for a specific piece of information, or consulting one of the many notes that I carry in my pocketbook. Well, here we have an all in one compact book; the essential information that is required by quilters over and over again. The All-In-One Quilter’s Reference Tool is presented on glossy, heavy cardstock that will withstand much use, and is enclosed in a protective plastic sleeve. It can even be wiped off. The spiral, wire binding enables the reader to stand the book up, opened to a specific page for repeated reference while working. Charts are included for computing various quilt sizes with and without a drop or tuck, yardage requirements, quilt sizes in inches for 6 inch and 12 inch straight set and diagonal set blocks, yardage requirements for sashing, borders and bindings, etc. Clear diagrams are provided for various techniques, such as cutting bias, binding, Y-seam construction, curved seam construction, mitered border corner construction and seaming binding ends and much, much more. Each of the authors has previously been published and is an acknowledged expert in some aspect of quilting; i.e. construction, fabric selection, designing sets and rotary cutting. Each author has contributed the essential information pertaining to her specialty, and the result is what I consider to be one of the first purchases a new quilter should make. My copy will be stored in my glove box. That way I’ll be sure to have it with me when I visit fabric stores, and it will still be accessible when I’m at home. I cannot recommend this condensed quilter’s library highly enough. Whether you are excited or intimidated by the prospect of selecting beads for a project, this is the book for you. For those who find color combinations a mystery, this book will start you on the road to mastery by explaining color theory and examining each of the primary and secondary colors in depth. If you already have an intuitive sense of color, the book will add to your ability to combine colors and to use color to its fullest extent to convey the idea that you visualize. Each color has its unique characteristics and emotional associations. Furthermore, this changes with saturation and value. Each discussion of a color includes its emotional impact, how it looks in association with other colors and its properties; i.e. intensity, values and temperature. Vibrant photos illustrate each chapter with pertinent beaded examples. A nice feature is the suggested palettes for each color, including selections of specific delica beads identified by number. The chapter on color and seed beads is of particular interest to beaders. Comparing seed beads to pixels on a computer, Margie offers clear advice on how to combine beads for maximum impact; giving consideration to the surface finishes, bead size and transitions from one color to another. The photo examples in this section are particularly edifying. “Octopus” by Rebecca Brown-Thompson must be seen to be believed. This piece demonstrates mastery of each of the bead characteristics discussed. The author addresses some topics related to color that we have heard of before, but expands upon the concepts and makes them pertinent to working with beads. Her discussion, for example, of colors of the seasons, takes the old, simplistic concept of seasonal color combinations and breaks each season into very exciting subgroups. Combined with a discussion of energy, emotional connotations and surface finishes, the thorough exploration of seasonal combinations is truly inspired. Additionally, she discusses the familiar theory-based color schemes; such as, analogous, complementary, split-complementary, etc. With each of these, she includes a beading pattern that exemplifies the particular combination. A book about color would not be complete without a discussion of color symbology and emotionalism. This portion is replete with examples of palettes representing western cultures color interpretation, including additional beading patterns. The inspirational photos in the gallery are wonderful. The book concludes with a bonus, beading basics. The reader is encouraged to use the techniques to expand her mastery and to find her voice through color. What a wonderful book! What exciting goals to aspire to! The book successfully meets the author’s goal: to demonstrate that the “history of color is fluid, flexible, and yes, fascinating." Review by Diana Norris |
