Primitive Style: Folk-Art Quilts and Other Finery

Primitive Style: Folk-Art Quilts and Other Finery
By: Jenifer Gaston
Gifted by: Martingale
www.shopmartingale.com
Reviewed by: Dana Byerwalter, Editor, FaveQuilts.com


Simple and full of character are ways author Jenifer Gaston describes "primitive style", the core personality behind the quilting designs in her new book. Primitive Style: Folk-Art Quilts and Other Finery from Martingale is a beautiful book featuring fifteen patterns that a pioneer woman might have made! Filled with rustic charm and floral applique, the natural appeal of these patterns is at once subdued and attractive. Perfect for a country cottage or lakeside cabin, these primitive quilts are the best natural touch you can create yourself for your living space.

The book is divided as follows: an introduction from the author prefaces the fifteen patterns. Following the patterns, the book includes Wool Basics, Quiltmaking Basics, Resources, Acknowledgements, and a Meet the Author section. The basics sections both for wool and quiltmaking include helpful tips such as how to check the colorfastness of wool and what tools you'll need. Even experienced quilters may learn something new in these sections!

The patterns, as I mentioned, feature beautiful soft and dark colors. Jenifer Gaston includes patterns for smaller quilted projects in addition to full size quilts. One pattern I particularly like is the Sew & Hook (p. 17). This is an organizer that any rug hooker or quilter can store supplies in and easily roll up for on the go crafting! The Resting Place pillow (p. 24) is another lovely pattern. It features a bird on a branch and "tongues" of fabric extending from the sides for added detail. The pillow is pictured on the cover of Primitive Style for reference.

Two more patterns I'd like to talk about are Flower Vines on page 53 and Churning Stars on page 65. Flower Vines is a table runner pattern perfect for year-round use. I love the soft reds and greens and browns used in this table runner. The variety of fabric prints used both for the flowers and the borders coordinate beautifully but differ enough to really add interest and catch the eye. Last, the Churning Stars quilt features a pleasant pattern of easy triangle and rectangle cuts, making this pattern "a breeze to make" for all quilters. When finished, the pattern looks so intricate but the process is easier than you might think!

If you love the look of rustic designs, Primitive Style is the collection for you. Find a variety of quilted projects, large and small, that will get the gears churning for that next quilt project!