Carolyn Forster – författare

Embark on a fascinating, hands-on journey through the unique history, style and ingenuity of American Depression-era quilting, and create 10 stunning 1930s-style quilts of your own.In this unique and beautiful book from quilt extraordinaire Carolyn Forster, explore and celebrate the incredible designs created by America's quiltmakers during the 1930s by making 10 quilts of your own, all inspired by the period's techniques, motifs and colourways. Nearly one hundred years on, their ingenuity still contains inspiration for quilters around the world. A small historical chapter sets the scene, describing the fascinating and tumultuous backdrop of the quilts and their makers. There are 10 themed quilts to sew, each inspired by a different key feature of 1930s quilting – from using repurposed feedsacks and upcycled linens to key piecing and quilting styles, plus the use of redwork embroidery.Every quilt project includes a detailed requirements list, clear step-by-step instructions with construction diagrams, and beautiful photographs of the finished quilt. Full-size templates are included.For readers needing a refresher, a detailed techniques section on making quilts is given at the back of the book.A foreword by the curator of the American Museum & Gardens in Bath in the UK, Kate Hebert, provides a captivating overview of the period and book.Photographs of beautiful 1930s quilts from the museum's collection offer mouth-watering examples of what the makers before us have achieved.This is a one-of-kind book that gives you the opportunity to unearth and recreate the incredible workmanship of America's quilters who, in spite of economic and political instability, created stunning quilts that are brimming with colour, ingenuity and creativity.

Learn how to stitch 20 gorgeous gingham embroidery designs with best-selling author, Carolyn Forster.Discover simple stitches and stunning designs for the perfect on-the-go embroidery project.Chicken scratch embroidery (known also as Amish embroidery, Broderie Suisse, Depression Lace, Hoover Lace, Snowflake Embroidery, Australian Cross Stitch and Tenerife Lace) is an easy-to-learn technique that involves embroidering a handful of stitches on to a gingham surface to create stunning motifs with a lace-like appearance. The size and colour of the squares can influence the look and scale of the motif, as well as your chosen thread colours, and the result can range from beautifully simple to exquisitely complex embroidery designs.The 20 gorgeous embroidery patterns in this book are suitable for all skill levels, and include:easy-to-follow step-by-step instructionsall the necessary stitch chartsideas for items on to which you embroider your chicken scratch motifs, including bags, clothes, bunting garlands, table sets and more.For budding chicken-scratch designers, a to-scale gingham template is printed at the back of the book to scan and print, so you can draw up your own motifs.**This is the latest title in the iconic All-New 20 To Make series, which has sold 150k copies since its launch in 2022.

Make your own patchwork quilt by hand with these 27 creative quilt block patterns and bite-size lessons on quilting for beginners, from a bestselling author and teacher!Slow stitching and mindful crafting are more popular than ever, and with just a few notions you can peacefully create a stunning 27-block quilt entirely by hand, in your own time and at your own pace. As the quilt is made up of blocks, you can work on your quilt a block at a time, making it more portable so you can patchwork on the go.This wonderful quilt book includes everything you need to return to the roots of traditional patchworking and quilting:‘Bitesize’ chronological lessons so you can build your quilting skills as you go, with techniques like hand stitching and big-stitch quiltingTemplates for creating shaped blocksDetailed guidance on how to cut out your fabrics with and without templatesIllustrated instructions on how to construct and bind your quilt at the very end.With dozens of fresh blocks to make, and useful and inspirational information throughout, this is a beautiful book that will take the mystery out of making hand-stitched quilts and spark your quilting ideas for years to come!Through one quilt, learn how to patchwork and quilt by hand in this accessible how-to book.Highly commended in the 'Best Sewing Book' category at the Creative Book Awards, 2024.

Create nine stunning quilts and 11 desirable gifts using contemporary big-stitch quilting.Big stitches sewn by hand lend an irresistibly tactile quality and visual style to quilts and other items, as well as being meditative and relaxing to sew. Each of the 20 stylish projects in this book is quilted using a range of big stitches, inspired by Boro, Kantha and Sashiko-style stitching.Each project is shown step by step, with illustrations and photographs throughout to make the process simple to follow. Learn how to create nine gorgeous quilts as well as 11 gift projects, which include wrapping cloths, a Japanese knot bag, a pillow cover and coasters. There is a comprehensive techniques section at the start of the book that explores the kinds of materials and fabrics best suited to big stitch quilting, the stitches and methods used, and how to assemble and finish your quilts. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this stunning form of hand quilting.

The focus of this comprehensive and inspiring book is its 14 quilt-as-you-go techniques.Choose from a variety of hand- and machine-sewn styles including stitch-and-flip, envelope-style, lined circles, Suffolk puffs and cathedral windows. Each technique is photographed step by step, and then each completed, discrete block can be transformed into a stunning quilt project, which comes complete with full instructions.If you like taking your creative work with you when you travel, love the convenience of working in small, manageable blocks, or simply want to try out some different techniques before committing to a full-size quilt, this book will help you achieve remarkable results. All the templates required are included at full size.

The complete beginner’s guide to machine quiltmaking, from best-selling author and trusted teacher, Carolyn Forster.Discover 1 classic quilt block worked 30 different ways, for a cohesive range of inspiring, beginner-friendly designs!Carolyn has taught hundreds of beginners to quilt, and this book follows her tried-and-tested method for getting started. Using one classic block design (the Sawtooth Star), a multitude of inspiring techniques and a clever use of fabric, discover how to sew over 30 different star blocks with ease. Build up your skills as you go, and create a stunning and unique heirloom quilt to be proud of.SKILL-BUILDING STRUCTURE: As you work through the 30 blocks you'll discover new patchwork techniques to build your skills gradually. From the simple Four Patch and Flying Geese units through to the stunning Split Quarter Square Triangles, you’ll cover core patchwork methods that are essential for making your first quilt, and all your future projects too.COMPLETE QUILTING GUIDE: Once you’ve made up your star blocks, discover how to put them together. There’s advice on different layout options and adding sashing, coping strips and posts, plus a complete guide to quilting, binding, labelling and more.MIX AND MATCH DESIGNS: All the blocks in the book are 12-inches (30-centimetres) square, so it’s easy to mix and match your favourites to create your own unique quilt. Plus, with just a few quick-to-learn sums, Carolyn shows you how to turn the blocks into any quilt size you like.Carolyn’s friendly, tried-and-tested techniques make this the perfect beginner’s introduction to making quilts.

Sustainable quilts made from your well loved items with the design inspiration of Carolyn Forster.Many quilters are rediscovering a range of traditional patchwork and quilting techniques that, at their heart, are based on recycling and reusing materials. A style of patchwork that is true to this ethos, and which has been around for centuries, is string patchwork with its use of sewn fabric strips. Due to the scrap nature of string quilts, they are good for using a wide range and eclectic mix of fabrics that, otherwise, would have gathered dust in the corner of a room.Best-selling author, teacher and quilter Carolyn Forster will show you how to:Transform old clothes and bedding, off-cuts and once-loved furnishing fabrics into 10 beautiful string patchwork quiltsTo create easily your favourite designs with an array of scraps featuring traditional blocksEnsure nothing goes to waste - included here are 8 little gifts and accessories to make with the leftovers from your quilt-making including a needle case, a quilt-notions pouch, a table runner and duffel bag.A small section on all the materials and notions to get started, plus an invaluable techniques chapter, is included.Quilters will have everything they need to create planet-conscious quilts, and in the process celebrate old quilt and patchwork methods from quilters of yore.

20 stunning, quick-and-easy one-patch quilt designs with full-size templates included.Calling all quilters looking for ready-to-trace templates and contemporary one-patch quilting inspiration! This gorgeous book, from quilting guru and best-selling author Carolyn Forster, contains 20 different patchwork shapes, from triangles and diamonds, to tumblers, clamshells and apple cores, each made up into an attractive one-patch design. The designs are perfect for working on-the-go, and for each of the 20 shapes you get:A full-size template, ready to trace off and usePiecing instructions to help you put together your one-patch designs with easeLayout variations to inspire you to use each shape in numerous waysClear photographic visuals showcasing Carolyn's chosen layout and fabric.A complete quilting primer makes this book accessible for beginners, with advice on scaling the templates up and down, and both hand and machine sewing. Also included is a complete one-patch quilt project, with full making-up instructions and sumptuous photography, created using a selection of the one-patch blocks, and easy to adapt.This book is an expanded hardback edition of 20 to Stitch: One-Patch Quilts (9781782213765), 2017.