Another book full of quilt blocks?....yup. But this one is a little different. If you are looking to expand your block library, this book is a great place to start. This 175 pages hardcover book is so much more than a book of quilt blocks. It has everything a modern quilter could want, with a really great esthetic that you might expect from a European publication (especially if Quiltmania is the publisher). The blocks in Modern Building Blocks by Brigitte Heitland are very appealing and easy to make.
The book is a great resource for quilters who want to explore modern block designs. There are many ideas presented here that can be used as the basis for your own blocks and designs. The instructions are well written and easy to follow.
Each block comes in 4" and 8" sizes so you can use them in a variety of projects. Quiltmania’s new publication is bilingual, French, and English which I think will reach a wide audience in North America, Europe, and Australia, it provides you also with centimeter and inch measurements.
An Encyclopedia of 40 Modern Blocks in 3 Different Techniques
The book is full of blocks. They're all modern, some are simple and easy to make, while some are more complex and need some patience. Some are well-known favorites that you'll recognize from other books or websites; others may be new to you. What they have in common is their modern esthetic. In total there are 40 blocks for all skill levels!
All of them look great when pieced together into a quilt top, but I think my favorite thing about this book is seeing what the blocks would look like put together in new ways and quilt layouts. The possibilities for block combinations are endless! Some of the blocks are quite challenging, with assembly methods for more experienced quilters or lots of pieces to cut out, but that's part of what makes them so fun! If you have patience and time on your hands, this book will reward you with some really cool results.
The book covers 3 techniques to make quilt blocks: Simple Piecing, Foundation Paper Piecing, and Raw Edge Appliqué. Each block can be used in many layout ideas to help you create your own gorgeous quilts. They are sorted by difficulty level and technique in the contents, so you can easily pick one for your level and your preferred technique.
6 inspiring projects of all sizes
The book also has 6 projects included. You will love the design style and color choices of the book. The book has managed to take classic quilt ideas and bring them into the modern age by designing them in clean and fun layouts making this an awesome resource for any wanting inspiration for a new project!
Challenge yourself by prompting you to learn how to make all the 40 blocks in this book and then you can use them again and again. The book gives you lots of inspiration and examples of how to use them in your quilts:
The first project is a pillow that uses four blocks from the book (each of the patches in its own striking color). Another project is a baby quilt in pastel blenders, which uses more than 25 blocks from the book (you get the idea). Next up is a table runner made from 18 different blocks of your choice! Then another bed quilt with blocks of your selection, wide sashings, asymmetric settings, and eye-catching dots. A small wall hanger using only one block in a variety of wider and narrower diagonal strips – is perfect for a color study. And finally the striking wall quilt FLOATING ABOVE GROUND, which is very special and makes you really think about how all the blocks seem to connect with the background!
This is the perfect book to pick and mix blocks and create your own quilt layouts.
The book is a great starting point for quilters who want to expand their skills beyond traditional patchwork design and play with different colors and textures that add interest and make for a striking look. I love that this book is about quilt blocks as well as actual quilts because as someone who loves mixing up my own designs, I can easily see myself pulling from this book for years down the road. If you love to piece blocks but don’t always know how to put them together into a finished design, this is the perfect book for you. Though it’s not specifically geared towards beginners, I think any beginner can just exchange the harder-to-sew blocks and pick those for their first project, which are easy from skill level.
Conclusion
This is the perfect book to pick and mix blocks and create your own quilt layouts. It is also a great book to learn about several techniques and shouldn't be missed in your library.
Author signed copy
If you’d like to get an author signed copy, you can order your book here.
Featuring SIMPLY COZY fabrics available through Moda Fabrics. Finished size: 61" x 61". This modern take on a traditional quilt is a bold statement. Limited amount of Quilt Kits (including the pattern) available.
This item is a digital product and no physical product will be sent. Upon checkout, you will be emailed a link to download, save, and print your pattern. Instant download items are not able to be refunded, exchanged, or canceled.