Saturday, November 6, 2010

Book Review - Country Threads goes to Charm School

Well, I did promise you another review of a "country" book and today I'm looking at Country Threads goes to Charm School: 19 Little Quilts from 5" Squares by Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene. It's a long title and includes a long list of little projects - 19 in total. 


If you find yourself addicted to these little projects after completing all the ones in the book, you can sign up for the Charm School club at Country Threads and receive a different charm pack and pattern each month.


I think the first thing I liked about this book was how the projects were named. "Don't Interrupt!", "No White Shoes After Labor Day" and "Wipe Your Feet" are just a few examples of the projects you'll find in this book. These ladies definitely share my sense of humour! 


Most of the quilts are wall hanging or table topper size, making for quick and easy projects. These are great little quilts to whip up for gifts and for learning a new technique, such as machine appliqué. They do use charm packs, and while I usually shy away from these projects since I never seem to have enough charm packs to complete a pattern, this is not the case with this book. These projects use a charm pack - not 2 or 3, but 1. You will need extra coordinating fabric for borders and backing, but only 1 charm pack. I like that! Also, should you not have a charm pack, each pattern gives alternate fabric requirements in a "Still Charming" sidebar. I really like that! 


I had a hard time deciding on favourites in this book: I liked Wipe Your Feet, with its little trees and also Don't Break Bread into Your Soup, using half-square triangles to form a pattern. But then there was also Walk - Don't Run, with its lattice look and Say "Please" with its appliquéd circles in 2 sizes...


The best part about these small projects - I could have two of these completed in the time it would take to usually make one bigger project so I don't have to choose just one of them!


This book would appeal to the quilter who likes to make up small projects which are simple, yet effective.



2 comments:

free indeed said...

nice review! Makes me want to go out and buy the book! I do like that it uses ONE charm pack too; I don't typically buy charm packs but I do like to win them online! So, I do have a couple hanging around waiting for the perfect project....
Thanks!

Chatterbox Quilts said...

If you do get this book, you may have to start buying charm packs so you can whip up some of these little projects! Lots of variety in this book and they are quick to do.