Jack and Jill quilts - Retta Warehime

For Boys and Girls

Moms, grandmas, aunts, and others can choose from a bundle of adorable children's quilts in this clever book! Alter colors and themes in eight basic patterns to suit boys or girls-instructions are provided for both.

Retta Warehime has been designing quilts for more than 25 years. She has published several books with That Patchwork Place and patterns through her company, Sew Cherished.Retta lives in Kennewick, Washington.

Issue 42

Finding books on quilts suitable for young boys is often quite difficult, so this little gem might be just the answer. If you are looking to make an adorable quilt for that adorable grandchild, nephew or niece, or even your own new arrival then there are a bundle of designs to choose from in this clever book. Change the colours and fabrics, and you can easily adapt the designs to suit older children entering their teens. Step-by-step instructions and clear illustrations make this suitable even for the beginner.

October 06

Retta Warehime takes eight quilt patterns and gives each in two versions - one for girls and one for boys. She shows how changing the colours and appliqu elements affects the look of each project. The quilts are for young children rather than babies but some of the more graphic designs could be suitable for teenagers. My favourite quilt is a blue and white appliqu design of aeroplanes which immediately caught the eye of everyone who has seen the book and is going to be made by a friend for her lucky grandson in the near future! Each chapter describes two projects, giving details of fabric required and cutting instructions which assume the use of a rotary cutter. Then follow step-by-step instructions on assembling and finishing the quilt top which are easy to follow and include copious diagrams. The final chapter deals with quilt-making fundamentals and includes very basic instructions on machine and hand quilting. There is enough information given to make the book accessible for beginner quilters. Indeed, because Retta advocates the use of fusible web, the appliqu designs need almost no exprerience although one would still need a rotary cutter, mat and ruler.