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.
I like poppy best but there are so many others I like too :)
Love Retreat!!! Would pick it first….then Truffles!
Thanks for chance to win your Drawing! :)
I like Retreat, I can just imagine it done in batik. :-) Hey, that rhymes! lol
Julie Andrea
sundayschild1966(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I would like to make the Spa quilt first – love the curves.
I like the look of Zap and poppy – thank you!
Actually i like them all. Would like to make the Marbles quilt first as i have 2 baby quilts to make. Then i would like to make the Zap quilt. like the layout of of the blocks. Thank you for a chance to win this great Fat Quarter book.
Really hard to choose but I think I would start with Zap
I love the Zap pattern and would love a copy of the book!
I love Retreat, but since I love novelty fabric and kid quilts, I’d have to say MARBLES would be the first one! !!!
Zap is my favorite. Would be great for some nice large prints – like Kaffe Fassetts!
I would be making marbles for my grandson. Using novelty prints for the marbles.
I would make marbles because I have lot of littles. It also looks like it would be a quick project.
i would make many of the quilt’s in this book thanks
I love the Poppy pattern best! Thanks for the chance to win!
I am drawn to the Retreat pattern as it would look great in earthy batiks!
Wow! I think I would like to make Poppies first. I love the colors in the featured quilt and the pattern looks great.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Yep! Poppy is the winning one for me – it’s simply gorgeous.
Poppies looks interesting. I like a quilt that appears more difficult than it really is.
Since my nickname is Poppy of course I love that one but am partial to Spa as well. Really I just want the book for those luscious patterns.
I think I’ll go with Zap, which looks really fun. Thanks for the chance to win!
Have several bundles of Batik fat 1/4s just waiting for the book to arrive!!
I like Zap and Poppies! They are all so pretty but I like the colors in these quilts the best, and the patterns as well. Thank you for the give away!
THis looks like a book that would help me alot. I would make Retreat first. Thanks for sharing.
Oh what a great book. I love the cover pattern, I think it is Carnival. I would start with that one and then Poppy would be my second quilt. Spa is a very close contender too. The Fat Quarter ladies have put together a great looking book.
thanks for the generous give away. Good luck everyone.
I would definitely make “Marbles” first as I have a collection of “I Spy” fabric that I received for my birthday! How CuTe is it! But this book appears to have lots of wonderful ideas for quilts. Please oh please pick my name out…lol ! :)
My favorite is Zap. Although, I think they are all fabulous looking!
Ohh this seems like a wonderful book. Thanks for the give a way. I would love to start with Marbles. I need to make a new baby quilt.
So hard to decide but I think Poppy would be the first one I would do. What a terrific book.
They are all fabulous patterns! Think I would start with Heirloom – it’s beautiful.
I love Retreat…it just flows!!
I love the spa pattern (reminds of holidays by the sea!) but thistle runs a close second.
ooh, Retreat or Heirloom! Thanks for the chance!
I love Retreat! I would buy the book just to get that pattern.
Love them all, but really like the Poppy!!! So bright and cheerful!!! Really like the cover quilt also. Guess what, I like them all!!!!
I saw Spa made up in bright colors and it looked like twirling ribbons – I think I’d make that one first.
How can you pick just one they are all wonderful but I do like retreat Thanks for the give away
Ilse
There are three quilts that I really want to make in this pattern book! Spa, retreat, and Thistle are all perfect for the people I wish to make them for…my sister, my daughter and me!
I love Retreat it is gorgeous. Looks like a great book would love to win it. Good luck to everyone. (Bunny) Veronica
I’d want to make the one hanging on the cover – I don’t see a name for it, but I love it!
Spa would be a great choice – lots of room for some creative machine quilting!
I love the pattern of retrait, but would choose a colorscheme like Poppy.
Thanks for sharing and the give-away.
Inge
I really like zapped or marbles. Depending on which fabrics I would be using.
BK
Oh I agree with you I love the poppies, and also the thistles! Funny they are both flowers.
Heirloom is calling my name:) thanks
I would love to win this book as i have collected mamy many fat quarters that need to be sewn up, a win would be a first for me.
I think I would try making a quilt from the Poppy pattern they all look like great desins
Poppy is nice, but I thnk Zap is my favorite! Thanks for the book review, this one is on my list.
Great patterns! It would be fun staring something new.
I would choose Retreat, then Poppy, followed by Zap. None look too complicated! Thank you for the opportunity to enter your contest.
I would make the Spa. I love the simple elegance of it. Great patterns!