Review: Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

Barbara Brackman is to be commended for her work in the compilation of this encyclopedia. What a daunting task she took on when creating this work begun before the Personal Computers were common and affordable.

The 552 page book contains over 4,000 block patterns. Twenty-five different pattern categories group the blocks together. Simplest blocks in the category are shown at the section beginning followed by those of increasing complexity. Instruction is provided for how to locate any specific block.

The table of contents is indexed by category, type of block, major seam division each category having its own "Key". Two indexes round out this major work: an alphabetical Pattern Name Index and a Pattern Category Index. Resource references are noted for those wanting more information.

I could (and have) spend hours leafing through this book. Looking at the visual block representations. Reading all the different names for the same block. Comparing differences in blocks with the same name. Imagining what kind of overall pattern can be created by combining different blocks.

I highly recommend this book for your personal quilting library. Think of it as inspiration at your fingertips.

Switching Gears from Quilting to ?

Although I've been working on the Winter Picnic quilted wall hanging, I'm not very happy with the way it is looking. I'm using an outline stitch on the holly leaves, but the back of the work isn't looking like my embroidery usually does (mostly the same on the back as the front). The regular quilting looks great. I haven't quite decided which direction I'm going to go. As I see it there are two options: rip it out and start over OR embroider the holly leaves on the back using embroidery floss. I'm leaning toward option 2. 

In the meantime, several other projects are calling out to me.

I've been working on a crochet baby blanket from The Ultimate Book of Baby Afghans. This pattern is called Lavender and Lace. Caron Simple Soft in Orchid is the yarn shown in this photo. It has a nice reflective sheen that works up pretty. The pattern itself is your basic 3-row repeat; easy to follow along. I only have about eighteen inches finished. I pick it up; crochet a few rows; put it down. The hook size is what's taking me so long. I'm sure it's going to be absolutely gorgeous when it's finished, but really -- a size D hook? Tiny stitches = slow progress. I like to see progress.

Kitty Kat Lullaby is another afghan I've made from this book. The pattern was complex enough that I have "counts" of the row length at the end of several rows to make certain I didn't make any mistakes. My guess is that I made the same mistake more than once and the note was a reminder. (rows 5, 7, 9 and 11 have the note "27 + ch2".) Even so I remember that this pattern was very quick to make. It turned out amazingly well!

There are 22 patterns in this book - both knit and crochet.



Not sure that I'll crochet today though. I'm leaning toward embroidery or quilting. Then again - it's Spring and I have a hankering to work in the garden in the fresh air with birdsong all around me. lol Good thing there are enough hours in the day that I can do both!

Blessings on you and yours today. May the sun shine warm upon your face and a fragrant breeze lift your spirits.