Book Review: "Sneaky Piecing" by Beth Ferrier

Image borrowed from Amazon

I haven't done a book review on the blog before, and I don't plan to make this a regular thing.  But, I just stumbled upon an unusually good quilting book, and wanted to pass the word along.

Sneaky Piecing gives Beth Ferrier's take on most aspects of quilting - from cutting (which side of the black line do you line up the edge of the fabric with?) to sewing an accurate 1/4 inch seam, to pressing (where she quickly disposes of the "press to the dark" rule).

What amazed me, though, was that there were tips and tricks in here that I have never seen before - and I have done a LOT of reading, class-taking and DVD watching in the last 16 years!  Not just one new idea, but several.  And, she gives the math to make any size of square in a square and flying geese blocks.

Beth's writing style is warm and witty.  I actually laughed out loud a couple times.  I can't say that I have ever done that reading a quilt book before!

I borrowed this book from the library, but I plan on purchasing a copy to keep.

Product Review - Creative Grids Ruler

A few weeks ago, I noticed that when I cut long strips, they were a tiny bit bowed.  Hard to believe, but after only 12 years of using my trusty Olfa 6 x 24 inch ruler, it had become a bit worn.  OK, probably not so hard to believe, but I always expect my stuff to last forever!

And my 6 inch square ruler had had a chip in the corner since about 2 weeks after I bought it.  Time to go shopping!

I decided to buy 2 Creative Grids rulers.  They aren't the same size as the Olfa - they are 6 1/2 inch square and 6 1/2 by 24 1/2 inches.  Here is the square one.

See the grey dots and grey around the edge?  That's a bit of texture that grips the fabric.  No slippage at all! Fantastic!  The grey around the edge is exactly 1/4 inch.  I'm not sure if that is going to be handy for measuring or not, but I like it.  (The textured parts aren't as opaque as they seem in the photo.)

The other neat thing about the ruler - notice that some of the numbers are upside down?   Turn the ruler around and it is the half inch markings that stand out.  Makes it far less likely that you cut on the wrong line.

The lines are clear and easy to see in both dark and light fabrics.  I was used to the yellow "highlight" on the black lines on the Olfa, and this ruler doesn't have that.  I do miss that a bit, but I'm getting used to being without it already.

I really like these rulers.  I am impressed with the excellent design features.  Two thumbs up!