New Quilt Book Review = New Give Away!

FRENCH BRAID OBSESSION: New Ideas for the Imaginative Quilter by Jane Hardy Miller; 64 pages; C&T Publishing; 2009.

The French Braid technique in quilts has been around for years, but designer Jane Hardy Miller takes the technique to a more modern level by clearly demonstrating to the reader how this tried-and-true French braid pattern can be used in new and unique ways – in a border, in combination with appliqué blocks, in variable-width patterns, and, most impressively, in star-shapes reminiscent of the far more involved traditional Texas Star pattern. In the introduction Miller states, “There’s quite a bit of design flexibility with the braids and their various permutations, and the construction is deceptively simple.” That “design flexibility” is clearly seen and demonstrated in Miller’s book.

This is Miller’s second book to delve into the world of French Braids – her first title was the more basic French Braid Quilts: 14 Quick Quilts with Dramatic Results, published in 2006 by C&T Publishing. Obviously some instructions for the basic French Braid method have to be repeated in French Braid Obsession: New Ideas for the Imaginative Quilter, but the new title offers new quilt patterns “that use the fabric or the braids in a nontraditional way or that alter the braids in some way…” and, of course, there are the projects that use the French braid technique in the border or multiple borders of the quilt. Stunningly beautiful and original.

The results of the French Braid technique are dramatic, especially when combined with Miller’s fabric selection tips; however, the technique itself is suitable for Beginners with a bit of experience. If you feel confident enough to try a Log Cabin quilt block, for example, you should feel totally comfortable following Miller’s instructions to create a French Braid quilt.

THE GIVE AWAY

Whether you are a beginning, intermediate or advanced quilter, FRENCH BRAID OBSESSION will hold your interest and offer you some new ways to look at this easy construction method. And now – you can win a copy of this book!

General Rules:

The Give Away is for residents of U.S. and Canada only. Comments must include an email address, or point to your blog that contains your email address. The Give Away ends at midnight (EST) May 22, 2009. Winner will be selected at random using Random.Org on May 23rd and contacted by email. Winner will have 72 hours to return email with mailing address.

How to Enter:

Head over to the C&T Publishing web site, click on the COMING SOON section (in left hand column) and come back and leave a comment on what upcoming quilting or sewing title(s) you would like to see reviewed in a future give away here on QOB. THIS IS REQUIRED BY ALL ENTRANTS. IF YOU SKIP THIS REQUIREMENT, NONE OF YOUR ENTRIES WILL COUNT.

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Good Luck!