Earlier this Fall, the talented ladies over at the Fat Quarter Shop published their first book, Simply Fat Quarters. They sent me a copy to review and will be giving away two copies to my readers too. See below on how to enter.
The patterns in this book are suitable for both beginners and experienced quilters. There are 10 patterns in total, one of which has appliqué (see Spa photo below). If you can make half square triangles, these patterns are for you. Each pattern includes cutting, piecing and layout images for four sizes (crib to king size).
It is a pattern book and, as such, does not include general how to quilt instructions. However, the detailed graphics for each piecing step are extremely well done. Definitely some of the best I’ve seen. The cutting instructions are labelled with letters that are then used throughout the piecing instructions. Additionally, there are drawings showing you exactly how to cut your fat quarter to make the best use of your fabric.
Let’s look at some of the patterns, my favourite is Poppy:
A collage of various quilts in the book:
This is Marbles, an excellent pattern to use for an I Spy quilt:
Another favourite of mine, this is Retreat:
And Zap which I think would be perfect for large focussed fabrics:
Hats off to the entire Fat Quarter Shop team, you’ve done a fantastic job on this book, and I highly recommend it. Purchase it here: Simply Fat Quarters.
Give-Away
I have two copies to give-away. To enter, simply leave me a comment below telling me which pattern you want to make first from those I featured above. The winners will be chosen randomly, next Friday, December 7th.
Winners:
Congratulations to the two winners. Please check your inboxes for an email from me.
Thistle looks like fun…I’d probably try that one first!
Poppy! My favorite is Poppy, although I do love the looks of Zap.
I would love to make Spa with all those open areas to practice free motion quilting with my Sweet Sixteen
I am partial to the SPA pattern. I CANNOT get enough of curves!!
Its so hard to choose which one I like the best. This book looks like the kind that you can use over and over again. I think I would start with Poppy, its so beautiful. Then I see the Retreat and the Spa and Ilve them both as well, but I will pick…. Poppy! I hope I win, if I dont I think I will buy this book, thanks Laurie
Love the looks of the blocks would love the book and fabric but the book would be nice
I would have to say Poppy is my favorite – I have a slew of 30’s fabric that would look great
I love the modern look of “Retreat”!
spa, so simple, is my fave! love this pattern and would make it first! thanx for the chance to win a copy of this great book.
I would love to make Retreat. I just got back from a quilting retreat with my quilt guild and loved every minute of it. It was my very first retreat too. What a great chance to win. Thanks so much.
poppy is lovely but i would like to make truffles for one of my grandchildren ,its bright n cheerful.
I like that Poppy pattern, too! What fun! Thanks for the chance to win this.
I love the pattern called Retreat! Would love to win a copy of this book, as I mostly buy fat quarters! Thanks for doing this!
My favourite is Heirloom-has the old fashioned look I love
Zap! That would be my 1st choice to make – then Poppy. So many great choices.
Boulevard would be first on my list!
Seeing Retreat at the 2nd angle won me over; that one!
I am a beginner quilter and this book looks like something I need to gain experience.
While they all are gorgeous, I would love to make “Thistle.” It is intriguing to look at and I love the colors they used!
Poppy is my favorite, closely followed by Retreat.
Thistle is my favourite! It’s gorgeous!
Second is Zap.
What a fantastic book! Congrats to the Fat Quarter Shop team on this piece of work!
I would love to win this book and make the Poppy quilt it looks so beautiful. Thanks for sharing the books with others.
I love the Poppy pattern hands down! This book looks to be a wonderful investment, thanks for the chance to win! awolk at rogers dot com
I agree with you Retreat is a favorite and would help me with my stash.
I too like poppy. And for a chance to win.
I love them all! ~ but since I must choose one, I’d probably make Marble because I’ve been wanting to make an I Spy quilt for the bed my grandchildren sleep on when visiting. How sweet of you to have a give-away!
my first quilt would be i spy. i love the circles and would love to make it for my grandchildren. i have the perfect fabric for it already. win it or buy it i am having this book. thank you for putting it out.
I would definately go with poppy first.
Looks like a great book, and my favoruite pattern is retreat.
i guess i have to pay more attention to what i am reading. i would make marbles in the i spy. does that make more sense. lol thank you
Thistle or Retreat………..
I love Poppy! So cute! Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Hmmm, which quilt to make next? It is a toss-up between “Poppy” and “Retreat.” Looks like a GREAT book, thank you for posting the review.
If I was to win a copy of this book, the first one I would make is retreat, and I have just the FQ’s to make it.
I too love ‘Poppy’ and thanks so much for the offer.
LOVE ‘POPPY’ TOO! WOULD LOVE TO MAKE A NEW BED QUILT FOR THIS PATTERN! THANKS FOR SHARING!
It’s hard to choose just one pattern as they all look wonderful, but I think I would choose Poppy for my first quilt.
Thank you for sponsoring this give-away and it would be great to win!
Poppy is my favorite. The book looks great. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
Wow I love this book! I think I would try “Zap” as I have some large scale geometric type fabrics (Kaffe Fasset and such) that would look awesome made into this one! :)
What beautiful quilts! I’d like to make Heirloom first. Thanks for the chance! :0)
Loving Poppy, or maybe it’s just the fabric choice! Lovely
I love the wave shape of spa, would love to have a go at that. Perfect x
OH I am in love with Retreat and Thistle! Have tons of fq’s but not sure what to do with them! This book would be perfect! Good Luck Everyone!
I like Poppy the best but they are all good. Thanks for the drawing.
Poppy is my favorite, but Marble is a close second. thanks for the giveaway and good luck to everyone.
Oh My! The one on the cover! Then Thistle, Retreat, and Zap, not necessarily in that order :-)
‘Retreat’ is the one I would start with.
Thank you for the chance to win. x
Love all the projects in this book. I can see making all of them. I love the Marbles the best.
Boulevard talks to me.
Love the cover quilt, but “Spa” is calling me, too!