The Weekend Quilter

September 16, 2019
Wilkinson appeals to the creative quiltworker who wants to complete a project in a couple days, rather than weeks, with this invigorating collection. In an especially helpful introductory section, quilter Anne Walker introduces “quick quilt techniques” for making quilts of any size, and lists equipment that aid speed: rotary cutting and machine piecing are supported by, for example, rectangle rulers and squares (bias and set) plus a handheld hoop. She also contributes designs to the book, as do four other accomplished artisans. Walker presents “pioneer blankets,” among which “Stars and Stripes” is the most striking. Jenni Dobson works off Japanese designs, including Sashiko patterns, while Pauline Adams decorates her quilts with stripes inspired by classic motifs from various periods and cultures, such as the “Greek Key” of the classical world and “Rail Fence,” a slice of Americana. Carol Dowsett designs around natural motifs—stars, leaves, and water—and, to similar effect, Gill Turley uses string piecing to create seasonal designs from shirt fabrics. Throughout, readers will encounter instructions for dyeing, estimates of hours involved, patterns, and handy tips (“A sharpened sliver of dried soap is good for marking cutting lines”). Any quilter who does not want another unfinished project lying around will applaud these lickety-split endeavors.