Andrea Tinkler
Love this book. I am new to patchwork so needed a book that was easy to read and understand. I found the pictures and instructions very easy to understand and feel that the patterns are great for learners like myself. I love the fact there is a difficulty level for each project so you can determine if your capable of the project. Thankfully not all cushion projects and i liked the variety of things you could make. My first attempt is going to be the cutlery roll, or maybe the shopping bag. Great pictures, easy instructions and great templates. 10/10 for a beginner like me
Jess Hook
Extremely easy to understand sewing patterns for total beginners like myself. Lovely designs to make or to use as inspiration. I've always enjoyed making things and this is brilliant to get you into a different genre of art and craft. Definitely recommend if you want to get into it but aren't very confident!
Naomi Clarke
This book is a fantastic book for all patchwork and quilters whatever your ability. The projects all include detailed step-by-step instructions alongside accompanying photos (which are beautiful in themselves!)
Julie Patridge
Quick and easy patchwork, by Claudia Schmidt. it is what it states, a good instructional book for people interested in starting in patchwork with little or no knowledge. its well illustrated and colourful with step by step guides, with basic sewing techniques if you are a raw beginner to help your project look more professional when sewn and finished. there are templates at the back of the book to trace to make the projects in the book.
Empress Fibres
I am always on the lookout for new and interesting books in the sewing field and this one did not disappoint. Quick and Easy Patchwork by Claudia Schmidt is well designed with hundreds of simple, clear illustrations and well presented tutorials.
Although this book is aimed at more of a beginner level I would recommend it for people of all abilities. Each project is designated a difficulty level from quick and easy to more challenging. What sets it aside from other sewing books is that there is not an abundance of cushion and pillow covers, but other useful items such as a make-up bag, a wall-tidy and even a beautiful cutlery roll. Each project has a materials list and a cutting guide list making cutting out the pieces nice and simple. My favourite pattern is the e-reader cover and I have fabric already cut out and ready to sew. Most of these patterns have been designed for the machine sewer in mind, but there is no reason why they cannot be hand-sewn. . This book would be a colourful, useful addition to any crafters bookshelf. 10/10 for the lovely, full-colour photographs and ease of instructions. It is a very sweet book and very colourful, so I would recommend it to anyone just starting out in sewing, or anyone interested in doing something a bit different.
Full review and images: https://empress27.wordpress.com/2016/04/22/quick-and-easy-patchwork-by-claudia-schmidt-book-review/
Popular Patchwork
May 2016
The Love to Sew series from Search Press is well know for providing crafters with good quality books at a budget friendly price. Themes already covered include teddy bears, children's sun hats and mug rugs, so this book sits within the range well. It opens with an overview of the basic techniques and then moves onto the ten patterns, which include cushions, a cutlery roll and wall tidy. The instructions are presented in a clear and attractive way, which when teamed with the full size templates flags it as ideal for beginners. The projects all look easy to make and so i would not hesitate in recommending it to someone who wants to dip their toe into the world of patchwork. Speed is also a plus for beginners as it is always confidence boosting to make and more importantly finish a project, and so makes such as the coffee cosy would be a good little warm up to learning the skills needed in quilt making, without embarking on a six-month long project. As an experienced patchworker I did wonder whether I would find enough in this book to want to have it on my shelf, but all the designs are ones I would make for friends birthdays or for an end of term gift for a teacher, so it would be handy to have and refer to. Especially on those Saturday mornings when I want to make a quick gift to take to a party that evening!
