Fat Quarter Winners: 11 New Quilt Projects from Open Gate (Quiltmaker's Club--More Patterns for Less)

Here's what this book has going for it:-- There are eleven beautiful quilts that can be made in a variety of different sizes. At a time when most of us are happy to buy a book that has three or four quilts we'd happily put on our "to do" list, this one has eleven quilts I absolutely love and want to make.-- Even though the book is titled "Fat Quarter Winners" and the yardage requirements are given as fat quarters, the cutting instructions have been written to make them perfect for fat quarters, fat eighths and scraps from your stash. But if you do buy and use fat quarters, the fabric use is efficient and barring any huge mistakes by the "operator", you won't run short.-- The quilts in the book can be made using any style of fabric from traditional to modern, funky to retro. Monique's sample quilts provide plenty of ideas on the versatility of "scrap quilts" by including monochromatic two-color quilts, three-color quilts, and multi-color palettes where the only thing to consider is "lighter" and "darker". These quilts will work for fat quarter bundles of individual collections, as well as with hand-chosen collections of fat quarters or scraps.-- The piecing methods are tried-and-true, having been developed by Monique while teaching classes at a quilt shop. That experience shows. Right now, everybody and her sister is getting into the quilt business writing patterns and books. Very few of them have any experience of actually teaching a class or writing a pattern.While the process isn't exactly rocket science, technical writing isn't easy and teaching quilt classes is one of the best ways to learn what works and what doesn't. Monique's methods work, and they work for everyone at any skill level.-- Monique's method for making flying geese and square-in-a-square units are widely considered by many quilters to be the very best method EVER. While the Fit to be Geese method does require the purchase of a ruler, it will surely wind up being the best money any quilter has ever spent. Fast, easy and foolproof - the geese are perfect. P.E.R.F.E.C.T. And that is not an exaggeration. Using Monique's methods, the quilts in this book ARE easy and instantly gratifying. What can be more gratifying than something that looks more complicated than it actually is?Here's what this book doesn't have going for it:-- Only eleven quilts? The book is too short! What am I going to do when I finish making all the quilts in this book? (Five down, six to go.)Do I think this book is a worth owning? Absolutely!

Monique Dillard writes excellent instructions. They are complete down to pressing directions, without reading like an encyclopaedia. She makes all her own demo quilts and it shows because she has made all the usual errors in piecing and warns against them in her instructions. I like that.There are eleven quilt projects in this book, instructions and fabric requirements are given for the smallest size and each pattern has the information needed to make other, larger sizes. Patterns range from fairly complex to very simple, most of them look a lot more difficult than they are.The book begins with general instructions for the half-square triangles, flying geese and square-in-a-square units used in the blocks, using both traditional methods and the rulers Ms Dillard sells. I particularly like that she doesn't assume that you are able to churn out every unit a model of perfection. Her cutting instructions are sized so that you can trim to perfection, no 7/8" cuts.Beginning quilters should probably read "How to finish your quilt" which is at the end of the book and contains quiltmaking basics before starting a project.Ms Dillard likes fat quarters and includes cutting directions for most effective, least wasteful use. Her diagrams are clear and well thought out.Overall this book is a good buy and would be a valuable resource for both the beginning quilter who wants to grow in her skills and the more experienced who are pattern-holics. Many of these would be nice guy quilts in the right fabric.

I’m a new quilt maker and this book explains how to use small pieces of fabric to make quilts. I have one almost done.

I normally photograph quilts in pics in black and white to see the pattern without distraction from colors, but these are so similar in color that the pictures end up as blobs of color. Not only that, but the color choice for the quilts are hideous. I would've been nice if these came with blank layout graphs in order to see them clearly.

I found Fat Quarter Winners by Monique Dillard to be a very inspiring, well written and beautiful quilt book. I have made one pattern from the book, Crazy Eights. It went together easily and looks amazing. Next on my To Do list, Pinochle! Looking for a great way to use up your stash or scraps? You could not find a better book that Fat Quarter Winners. Plus it's a bargain, when was the last time you were able to buy eleven patterns for only $14? Trust me, you'll love this book!!

What can I say the the cover doesn't say except that I can't wait to try all of these patterns!

I was disappointed in this book. For one thing, almost all the quilts pictured are in similar dark color schemes. And worse, they all have way too many small triangles for me! Also the book isn't very long,only 46 pages. There are one or two quilts that appeal to me, which I may make one day. If you like triangles in dark reds and browns, you'll like this book!

This is a really fun and intersting bookmfor anyone who quilts. Lots of great patterns and really easy. Anyone who quilts should get this.