1930s Quilts

So impressed with this book. l have quite a few of her books and am looking forward to making some of the quilts.

It is a hardback book. It has 10 stunning quilts for you to have a go at with step-by-step instructions as well as pictures. The author talks you through how she started making quilts, a small history of 1930’s quilts and it was a very interesting read.

Then onto the quilt projects, how to use fabric, either solids or patterned. With each project she gives you a background into of each block used, how to cut the blocks, requirements and how to set the quilts up to sew them together. there are superb photos and diagrams of how to lay the blocks out. you learn how to assemble and finish each block and the whole quilt.

She shows you how to make complex piecing. There is a section on Redwork embroidery to enhance sections that are plain in your quilt. another section on Patchwork and basic quilting.

What will you need to make a quilt is a section towards the back, from thread, batting/wadding, cutting tools, machines etc. There is techniques on how to cut your fabric. using templates and rulers, setting in Y seams. A plethora of knowledge to help you. She also talks about Sashing and Cornerstones, Quilting and preparing the backing fabric, hand quilting, hand tying a quilt, Labelling and aftercare.

Last but not least is the templates which you are able to trace and use, so as not to spoil your book. l thoroughly enjoyed reading and reviewing this book, and would recommend as a book to use to make different quilts, but also a book as a guide for items you want to bring into your quilts etc

Well done to Carolyn Forster for another amazing book and to Search Press for publishing it.

If you are already into quilting, or have other Carolyn Forster books, this is a must have. But even if you have never made a quilt and think you never will there is lots to inspire you in this lovely book. Firstly there is the fascinating history of quilting, entwined with social history and the role crafting played in life over the years.

And then there is a section on quilting basics. Over 50 pages of information on fabrics, threads, tools, techniques, hand and machine sewing and more.

And finally the projects. 10 very different projects giving opportunity to learn and practise a range of skills using traditional and modern methods to create stunning quilts. Some of the projects have a decidedly modern look despite their historic significance, Full size templates are in the book, or there is an option to download and print. If making a full quilt seems a little daunting at the moment then all of the projects have block sizes that can be adapted to make bags, cushion covers, table runners, lap quilts and more

And who knows, you may move on to a full size quilt before you know it. The book has a ‘luxury’ feel about it and a ribbon bookmark to help you find the page you are working on.

This is a wonderful hardback book which explores the history and style of 1930s quilts. There are ten quilt projects that are designed to inspire you to make wonderful quilts which highlight the incredible workmanship of the era. These quilts will be ones that you treasure once made. The historical technique and methods shown in this book is what sets it apart from other books. This is a book to inspire, educate and enhance your quilt making.

Carolyn Forster’s enthusiasm for this era of quilting shines through in her latest book, 1930’s Quilts. This is her first Hardback book which also has a ribbon bookmark, (of which she is immensely proud of, I have heard her say so in an interview). As in the title of the book it is all about 1930’s quilts and because of that The Great depression is mentioned a few times. Material was in short supply so enterprising women used cotton flour/feed bags in their sewing which Carolyn tells us all about as she wonders through the era explaining all about how quilts were made then and showing many pictures of the wonderful quilts that have survived from that time some of which Carolyn owns. I found it fascinating to learn how some of these came about, this book is far more than the usual quilting book it is a step back in time too. The 10 quilt patterns are all designed and made by Carolyn and included in the back are the templates that are needed to make them. As usual with all of Carolyn’s patterns, they are easy to follow with plenty of instructions and diagrams to help you on your way. My favourite is the Embroidered Linen Squares Quilt on p86, I have many many table cloths that have gorgeous embroidery on that will be perfect for this quilt so I will definitely be making this one.

I first started to enjoy quilting after reading and using the techniques in Carolyn’s book Quilt As You Go and I felt then that she taught in a clear and concise way which would enable anyone to have a go at quilting.

Her new book 1930s Quilts is different, indeed it is extraordinary. Carolyn has accomplished a book that draws you in to the history of quilting even if you have never quilted. She has clearly studied the subject that she loves and has written the history in a way that draws the reader in to understand quilting in this period. The references to her writing provide even more depth and evidence to her writing. A real labour of love.

The book itself is hard bound and has a real quality to it, place it on your coffee table for a leisurely browse or use it as your reference book while sewing and quilting. It feels robust enough to last through many years of supporting a quilters journey.

The quilting projects are clear and achievable with many beautiful photographs and explanations of techniques. Carolyn is clear that she is not explaining how to make the quilts from the 1930s but she is motivating the modern quilter to achieve quilts with the same look and feel of that period. Who can resist Carolyn’s challenge to make the Scrap Doll Quilt using 144 different scrappy squares. Even Carolyn had to admit to repeating many fabrics from her stash to make the quilt.

The technique section is at the back of the book and covers everything that you need to achieve the projects. There are full instructions on materials, tools, layering, quilting or binding with full colour photographs and diagrams to support every level of expertise.

The book also has templates for the projects all printed at 100% to enable ease of use. There are digital templates also available for download for free from the Bookmarked Hub website which is a great option for anyone wanting to print rather than trace the pattern pieces.

The price point of this book at £25 is real value for money when you consider the quality of the finished book, the reading content and the quantity of the projects which will keep your interest for many years to come.

1930s Quilts by Carolyn Forster. I think it’s a great book. There’s a lot of history about 1930’s quilting at first in the book, which is really unique. As a sewer who’s only been sewing since last February, I’m really new to it all, like quilting and all kinds of other sewing. But I just found it really informative and really interesting about the history of it all and a little about Carolyn Forster’s experience. I think the amount of information in here is brilliant. It’s a really great book, especially if you love quilting. There’s so much in-depth information, and the patterns, the projects are really interesting, really unique things that you don’t really see a lot of.

The explanations are brilliant. I love the pictures and the way she lays out the instructions. You also get a few pages of tips such as different kinds of binding, there are also a few pages of templates to use with the projects, which I think is an add bonus especially for someone who is not good at drawing. Maybe due to being a new sewer and being only in my mid-30s the book didn’t appeal to me at first.

Now I have read through it, I have a different opinion, it’s a really good book. I’m definitely going to try some of the projects and see how I go. I would definitely recommend it for anyone, even as a beginner sewer especially if you love quilting.

It’s definitely worth the price at £25 with all the contents, information and its lovely Hardback cover so it keeps the pages neat and secure and will last you through many years of quilting projects.

As a fan of quilting, I was absolutely thrilled to review 1930’s Quilts by Carolyn Forster. I have several of Carolyn’s quilting books already and this one did not disappoint. It is beautifully put together, complete with a luxury hardback feel and a ribbon bookmark. What makes this book stand out is how it balances fascinating social history with highly actionable, step-by-step projects. The book is brilliantly organized into distinct, easy-to-follow structural parts:

• The Historical Context & Foreword: The book opens with a lovely foreword by Kate Hebert, curator of the American Museum & Gardens. This is followed by a short history chapter that sets the scene. It explains the backdrop of the Great Depression and how resourceful women used upcycled linens and feedsacks to bring cheer to their homes.
• The 10 Themed Quilt Projects: The heart of the book features 10 gorgeous quilts, each highlighting a specific historical technique. I love that it covers topics like Using Solids (Ric-Rac Baskets Quilt), ComplexPiecing (Grandmother’s Prize Quilt), and Redwork Embroidery (Redwork Cot Quilt). Each project includes a detailed requirements list, clear construction diagrams, and beautiful photography.
• The Comprehensive Techniques Section: Tucked into the back is an extensive, 60-page technique refresher. This section covers everything a quilter needs to know: tools, fabric cutting methods, sashing, hand-tying, and final quilt aftercare.
• Full-Sized Templates: Finally, the book includes full-sized templates that you can easily trace or download to print, meaning you do not have to worry about frustratingly resizing patterns yourself.

Whether you want to sew a full-size historical replica or just scale down the blocks for small projects like cushions and table runners, this book is an absolute must-have. Highly recommended for any tectile history buff or modern quilt maker! I even managed to order a signed copy to add to my Carolyn Forster book collection.

Carolyn Forster is a best-selling author on quilting. She started making quilts as a teenager and went on to study Textiles at the University of Bath. Since graduating, Carolyn has taught patchwork and quilting both in the UK and the USA. Her quilts have been featured in a number of books and magazines, including Fabrications, Popular Patchwork, and Patchwork and Quilting.

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