Gardeners who quilt will find there are many quilt books that will be of interest. Here are reviews of several 2011 releases that featuring gorgeous garden quilts.


Farm Girl Quilts-Celebrating the Country Life

By Tammy Johnson and Avis Shirer, this was released by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. In addition to bed quilts, this also has projects for wall hangings and lap quilts. A gorgeous sunflower table runner depicts vases full of the flowers. Most of these quilts feature a flower or garden-related theme that gardeners will love. Some projects combine appliqué and patchwork. Several of the garden quilts depict specific flowers, such as tulips. One quilt depicts goldenrod at night, while another features a field of red clover.

For each quilt, this has a list of materials and supplies, cutting charts, simple and easy, color illustrated, step by step instructions for making the quilt blocks, assembling the quilt top, and completing the quilt. There are also color layouts and full size, ready to use templates for the appliqués. At the beginning of the book, the authors include complete, color illustrated, step by step directions for all of the basic techniques that are used in making quilts. Throughout the book are photos and stories about farm life in Iowa where the two authors grew up.


Quilting Those Flirty 30s

By Cynthia Tomaszewski, this was released by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. Very suitable for beginners, this features eleven wonderful appliquéd projects that will interest gardeners. Almost all feature appliquéd flowers along the borders. One of the quilts is a lovely seasonal design for spring featuring rows of tulips. Another quilt called Sweet Pea’s Garden has appliquéd flower blocks among the pieced ones. Among the other garden quilts is the Poet’s Garden as well as Into the Garden.

This title features quilts in a variety of sizes, including a set of four wonderful little flower wall hangings that could be used throughout the house. Gardeners will also love the complete kitchen ensemble featuring different kinds of blossoms. The projects include an apron, sets of pot holders, a table runner, and tea cozy.

For each project, this has a list of materials and supplies, cutting charts, and step by step, color illustrated instructions for making the quilt top and finishing the quilt. This has color layouts and full size, ready to use appliqué templates. This also covers all of the appliqué and basic quilting techniques. The author also includes eleven scrumptious cookie recipes.


Flowers Hearts and Garlands Quilt

By Liz Jones, this is part of the Appliqué Masterpiece Series from the American Quilter’s Society. It features 26 flower blocks as well as six garland blocks and 42 flower-related quilting designs for doing the quilt stitching. The back cover shows a flower album quilt made from all of the flower block patterns. This title is suitable for all skill levels. The author presents her simple and easy method of machine appliqué.

This title devotes a section to each step or technique. One section deals with the various types of suitable machine stitches, including free motion stitching and satin stitching along with the quilting methods that are used.

Another entire section is devoted to doing the appliqué, and shows how to do this step by step. There is also a section on joining the quilt blocks and completing the quilt top. The final section explains how to do the quilting and complete the quilt. This title also explains the various kinds of equipment, needles, and threads that will be needed. For each of the appliqué patterns, this includes templates in several different sizes and placement charts showing how each individual piece fits into place.

At the end of the book there are quilting patterns with various sizes of templates that can be used for the quilt stitching. These can be enlarged as needed.