When I first saw this book, it intrigued me! I knew that the guild library was looking for new book suggestions, so I suggested it.
Wowza! Within a week our wonderful librarian (Margaret) notified me that she had it! I was able to pick it up at our next guild meeting.

This book has all the basic beginner quilting information (which, honestly, I skipped over). It also explains how to take simple cross-stitch patterns and change them into a quilt pattern. Then she has Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced quilt patterns. All of the patterns involve either rectangles or squares, with the occasional half-square triangle. There is even a complete alphabet, if one wanted to put a specific letter on a quilt!
Personally, I believe that a beginner quilter could easily complete the advanced designs. They have smaller pieces and more of them, but easily do-able.
Before I left for my retreat, I cut out 3 quilts from the book: The swan, the train and the butterfly. The swan I cut into smaller pieces than the book suggested. The train was cut into larger pieces than instructed and the butterfly was cut as directed. Here’s pictures of the kits.



The train was pieced at a quilt retreat. The background is Island Batik’s ‘Fondant’, the black is an Island Batik solid and the prints are left over from an older line called “Midnight Dazzle.”


And then it was sandwiched and quilted once I got home. And the monkey was from a quilt that was being quilted at the retreat and the block was cut wrong … he fit into the conductor’s window perfectly!

- Quilt Stats:
- Fabric: Island Batik: The background is ‘Fondant’, the black solid and the prints are left over from an older line called “Midnight Dazzle.”
- Size: 38″ x 43″
- Thead: Aurifil Thread: 50 weight
- Piecing & Quilting: #2600 (Dove Grey)
- Batting: Hobbs 80/20 Black
- Silly Moon Rulers: Rocket and Beanie
- Schmetz Needles: Universal 80/12
- Oliso Iron
The swan was partially pieced at the retreat and I’ve finished piecing the top. These are all from Island Batik blue, teal and neutral scraps, along with solid red and black.

And the butterfly is waiting for it’s turn. It hasn’t progressed out of the bag. It’s time will come!
My opinion on this Picture Patchwork should be obvious since I’ve plunged into doing 3 quilts from the book. I think it’s a great book, with many easy patterns in it!
Don’t Forget:

I am now a Silly Moon affiliate! So what does that mean? When you use my affiliate code Quiltinggail2024 at Silly Moon, you will receive 10% off your order and I will receive a small commission.
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
Linking to:
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- TGIFF @ Melva Loves Scraps
- Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!
- Put your Foot Down @ A Quiltery
- Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts
- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
- Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
Pingback: Sunday Summary: April 27 | Quilting Gail
Oh my gosh – how cute!!! That swan is so beautiful!! sounds like you had a great retreat!
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Thanks, Alycia!!! We did have a fantastic retreat!!! (but aren’t all retreats fantastic?)
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Pingback: Sunday Summary: April 20 | Quilting Gail
The train was sweet but adding the monkey conductor made it wonderful!
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I totally agree!! He’s the perfect addition to the quilt!
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Very cool quilts. What a great way to use up some scraps.
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Thanks, Kate!! And yes, a perfect way to use scraps!
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This looks like a very neat book. I especially love the train!!
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I’m not surprised that you love the train! I remember when you did a train and put a penguin in the conductor’s seat!! Such fun!
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I love the way these look–great job! I remember when Quilt World (I think it was them) that did a series of animals like this–I never made one but haven’t forgotten them!!!!
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Thank you!! I also remember a quilt magazine that had a series of animals from blocks! I think I’ve made at least one! They’re always fun!
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Hi Gail, what a wonderful book. Thanks for sharing that with us! Your train quilt is lovely and the monkey conductor is perfect. You did a great job with the Silly Moon rulers. Thanks so much for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks. Happy Easter weekend.
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Thanks! the monkey was fun to put in the window!! And thank you for hosting Free Motion Mavericks!
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My favorite is the train. This would be a welcome gift for a little kid.
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Thanks, Laura Kate!! I agree! I just haven’t decided if it’s going to be a baby quilt gift, or a donation quilt! Time will tell!
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Love the train! I’ll be trying that.
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Great!!
It’s a fun quilt! And so very easy!
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Must be a great book if you are making three quilts from it! Love the train and the swan! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/04/16/wednesday-wait-loss-428
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Thanks, Jennifer!! I love making quilts from square blocks! Thank you for hosting Wednesday Wait Loss!
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