Fearless with Fabric - Fearless Quilts from Traditional Blocks

by Sarah J. Maxwell

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Fresh Modern Quilts from Traditional Blocks is a quilting tutorial and project book by Sarah J. Maxwell. Released 1st March 2020 from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 160 pages and available in paperback format.

This is a refreshing and expert take on color use in traditional pieced blocks to create an entirely new look. The colors the author/artist uses are very bright, often primary colors which pop and create optical illusions and secondary patterns. Most of the blocks are very well known old patterns like flying squares and periwinkle stars (my go-to baby quilt block) but done in such a way, enlarged, broken up, and contrast colored that the effect is -really- entirely new. The author also emphasizes block size and placement to completely change the effect of the finished quilt.

Projects have tips and takeaway advice in highlighted sidebars, a project description with finished size and materials used, and step by step instructions. Templates (with marked seam allowances) are included in each pattern, and are likely worth the price of the book on their own merits even if readers want to stay more traditional in their quilts. The instructions, and the tutelage throughout the book are accessible, supportive, and encouraging. I strongly suspect the author is a gifted teacher and that shines through in the text.

This book is a great resource for quilters (like me) who wind up going again and again to their default projects which "work". This will be super for when my projects are feeling a little bit stale. I personally tend to stay with the same colors and combinations and this book is full of good advice for pushing outside of our comfort envelope with specific tips and tricks to make good choices and explore color and pattern and contrast. The author also features a number of batik prints which I am really great at *buying* and which I love to *look* at, but am always afraid to *use* in my quilt tops. Extra note: her choice of fabrics and colorwork on the drunkard's path quilt in this collection (templates included) are truly exceptional.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.