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Little Brown Bird Patterns:

A Book Review

by Patricia Cummings

 

Little Brown Bird Patterns by Margaret Docherty published by the American Quilter’s Society is a must-have book for any serious student of appliqué and embroidery embellishment.

Written by an English pediatrician, the title of the book is based on one of her favorite childhood rhymes. The delicate floral and bird patterns in various settings are from her award-winning quilt. Detailed instructions are given for thirty nine  different quilt blocks, set on point, block edge inserts and corner triangles, appliquéd borders, and layout options.

There are wonderful diagrams throughout the book and the colored close-up photos of each block help to suggest color selections. The author states that it took her a total of two and a half years of work to complete the design. This is certainly not in the category of a quick quilt. However, learning or practicing any or all of the many techniques presented in this book, would be well worth the effort.

From Scherenschnitte designs to stuffed appliqué, to layering and bias stem work, there is something here for every intermediate to advanced appliqué lover. This is the best book on appliqué that has appeared on the market in a very long time!

Ms. Docherty provides abundant tips for making “neat and tidy” appliqué, and for choosing fabrics. Even if one were to buy this book to simply add to a personal library, just for inspiration, it would be well worth the cost. However, if you do so, do not be surprised when you start acquiring some new fabrics with the intention of trying your hand at a few of the blocks, if not all.

What a beautiful book this is, with enough fun and inspiration to keep a quilter busy for quite a while!

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Questions? Comments? Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com