Member Reviews
Fifteen stunning, colorful quilts will inspire every quilter.
Sarah Thomas offers sure fire techniques to create amazing quits, starting with basic color theory. Her tools include items I was unfamiliar with in quiltmaking: tailor’s clappers and pressing blocks, adhesive thimbles, Washi tapes, and Add-A-Quarter Rulers. Thomas uses English Paper Piecing, curved piecing, applique, and foundation piecing, every technique well illustrated.
The quilts include beginning to advanced patterns. Thomas offers fully illustrated layouts in color for no fail results.
The easiest patterns use half square triangles, squares, rectangles, and strips. The color placement turns simple into dynamic and stunning. For the confident beginning, the quilts include curved piecing and combining techniques. Intermediate and advanced patterns include a medallions style quilt.
Templates are included for each pattern.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
I received an ARC of “Rainbow Quilt Color Method: Learn the Art of Creating Multicolor and Monotone Quilts with 15 Modern Patterns” by Sarah Thomas from NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing/Landauer Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Show me a book with a beautiful multicolor quilt on the cover and I can’t resist reading it. Thomas provided beautiful color photographs and full color line drawings so that readers can see not just the beautiful quilts she designed, but also can see various color variations for those same quilts. The author divided this book into various sections, including the Rainbow Method, Tools and Materials, Techniques, and direction to make fifteen (15!!) different quilts.
In addition to listing a variety of different pre-cut fabrics (e.g., layer cakes, jelly rolls, fat quarter bundles, and fat eighth bundles) for the quilts, Thomas also incorporates the yardage needed in the event a quilter prefers to cut her/his own material. I really appreciate how the author included cutting diagrams for both the fat eighth and quarter fabrics so that sewers could utilize it to save fabric scraps. The author also wisely incorporated directions and patterns for quilts that use both English Paper Piecing (EPP) and foundation paper piecing. In doing so, this book will likely appeal to many different types of quilters, including traditional piecers, hand sewers, EPP sewers, and those who prefer to foundation piece. It seems as if there are quilts to represent every type of quilter around!
With fifteen full quilt patterns, readers have a lot of options with this book. To make matters even better, Thomas includes not just the English system of measurements, but also the metric system. This makes the book extremely valuable, particularly for quilters not living within the United States. The inclusion of all of these extras will ensure that this book can be used globally.
The author’s section on the Rainbow Quilt Color Method primarily used the color wheel to explain the method. Thomas discussed in detail all about warm and cool colors; primary, secondary, and tertiary colors; monochromatic, complementary, and analogous colors. She also included numerous visuals so that readers could see what she was discussing.
Thomas paid great attention to details. But this, at least in my own opinion, could be the reason why the directions seemed a little convoluted. In the author’s defense, Thomas photographed quilts made by other quilters. Although I don’t know if she gave them the written patterns beforehand, I can only presume that other quilters were able to use the directions perfectly. But while this may be so, the directions might not appeal to a beginning quilter, even though Thomas has provided beginner and intermediate quilting patterns.
I really like how the author utilized the eight-at-a-time half-square triangle method. Thomas also provided templates, and cutting instructions with others. As a quilter myself, I would have liked to see the author include so easier cutting methods. For example, in her Sweet Tooth Medallion quilt (page 99), she provided instructions to make a triangle with two half-triangles on each side. Then, she instructions the reader to piece these two together to make a diamond in a square. Although this is the more traditional way, it might have been helpful if Thomas had included a sidebar on Deb Tucker’s Diamond Rects template which in my opinion is much less tedious way to make this particular block (and saves fabric!).
The author made a special section where she included photocopies of all the templates with directions to photocopy them at 100%, 110%, and 125%. Thomas also listed the names of all of the fabric collections that were used in the quilt photographs so that readers can reproduce the quilts seen in the book, but she encourages readers to pick their own fabric and colors.
Overall, this is an excellent book and one that I would recommend to all intermediate level quilters and above. While this book is geared towards beginner quilters as well, the intense directions and some of the “hard way to do it” cutting and sewing techniques might easily scare beginners away. But that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t at the very least read this book and study the author’s chapter on colors—Thomas uses color beautifully and her quilts are absolutely dream worthy!
Pros: I am beginner quilter and am always looking to learn more. I am mesmerized by how quilts can be works of art, especially with the right pattern and fabric combinations. I was inspired by the quilts in this book and loved the bright colors of fabrics used in the featured quilts. (Fan Dancer and Star Blossom are my favorites!) This book shares so much practical information and incredibly detailed patterns, and it seems to be very accessible to novices like me.
Cons: None that I can think of!
Thank you to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing | Landauer Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
'Rainbow Quilt Color Method' by Sarah Thomas, a master in the art of quilting, is a beautifully crafted guide spanning 128 pages. With meticulous detail, Thomas takes readers on a journey through the intricate process of selecting fabrics for their quilting projects, employing the principles of colour theory every step of the way.
This comprehensive quilting manual provides invaluable insights into colour selection, guidance on essential quilting tools, and terminology related to precuts. From enthusiastic beginners to seasoned quilters, the Rainbow Quilt Color Method caters to a wide range of skill levels, offering something for everyone.
Readers will discover fifteen stunning rainbow quilt designs within its pages, each accompanied by detailed instructions and templates. Whether you're interested in basic patchwork, curved piecing, English Paper Piecing (EPP), foundation paper piecing, or appliqué, this book offers something. Thomas provides clear explanations and diagrams for each technique, ensuring that quilters of all levels can follow along easily.
The book is a visual delight, featuring gorgeous photographs showcasing the quilts' vibrant colours and intricate designs. With its meticulous presentation and wealth of information, the 'Rainbow Quilt Color Method' is a must-have addition to any quilter's library.
I extend my thanks to NetGalley, Fox Chapel and Publishing, and Landauer Publishing for generously providing me with an e-book copy of "Rainbow Quilt Color Method" in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED everything about this quilt book. I tend to lean towards rainbow colors for quilts so this was perfect for me. Each quilt was well described, researched and explained.
I can't wait to dive into a few of these for gifts for family
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Beautiful patterns and easy to understand instructions. I'm already plotting on which quilt I want to make next. Off to the fabric store ASAP.
Rainbow Quilt Color Method is a beautifully curated quilting guide that takes you step-by-step through how to choose fabrics for your next project using color theory. The book includes information on quilting tools that can help you achieve a better finished project as well as a reference to commonly used precuts and their terminology. The book offers a wide range of projects, perfect for the enthusiastic beginner to more advanced quilters. It includes fifteen stunning rainbow quilts that you can make using techniques such as basic patchwork, curved piecing, English Paper Piecing (EPP), foundation paper piecing and appliqué. All templates are included and Sarah provides in depth diagrams on each of the techniques used in the book. This is a beautifully crafted reference guide to add to any quilter’s library.