by Kathleen Barkley
QUILTING with Precuts and shortcuts
by Terry Martin
Published by
Martingale & Company
For those of you not yet familiar with Terry Martin, Quilter, Author, and Teacher, her book, QUILTING with precuts and shortcuts, is filled with numerous creative projects based on the fast, easy cutting, and piecing methods Terry incorporates into her patterns. Terry's techniques to simplify quilt making include sewing with precut pieces, stacking and cutting for fast results, using strip sets, and making template-free appliqués. Terry details each technique and offers shortcuts that make even the complicated appearing patterns in her book simple and easy to piece.
Terry is the author of over seven quilting books including Snowflake Follies: Quilts to Make in a Winter Weekend, Row by Row: 10 Easy Bar Quilts, Cut, Sew, and Go; Block Wonders, Focus On Florals: Quilts From Pretty Prints and Variations on a Theme: Quilts With Easy Options.
Terry belongs to the Busy Bee Quilt Guild of Snohomish, Washington. She teaches once a month at the Quiltmaker's Shoppe in Arlington, Washington. The class is called Soup 'n' Sew. Terry provides the project of the month. The owners make homemade soup. A couple students bring fresh-baked bread. To quote Terry, "We have a great time gabbing and sewing. The project is a block or small project that can be finished during class, with the students getting fabric and cutting instructions ahead of time." Terry mentions in her book that the Chinese Lantern block, found on pages 19-22, was a very popular block one month with the quilters at the Quiltmaker's Shoppe. I have made this block from her book and it does go together fast because Terry's directions call for strip piecing and each strip set makes four blocks.
"This is what I wish for all of you: to make simple quilts that are fun, beautiful, and that make you happy". Cheers, Terry