Batik Beauties: 20 Stunning Quilts

In this book, Laurie talks about the history of batiks and about how they are made today. She also talks about how to buy Batiks, and how to tell the real Batiks apart from the look-alikes. I also see instructions on caring and protecting your Batik fabric. However, not as much about this as I expected.This book also has a lot of basic quiltmaking instructions. If this was the only book I owned, I would be able to finish a quilt right down to the binding. There's not too much on quilting patterns because she feels the batiks speak for themselves so the quilts don't need too much quilting.I am not a person who likes the Batik fabrics, but I love the patterns in this book just using my fabrics. Most of the patterns are simple rotary cutting quilts using squares, rectangles and triangles. I did see a few quilts that use applique or a template. The directions are simple to follow and well illustrated. Laurie has also rated each pattern by skill level. I'm a beginner, but with these directions, I feel I could successfully and easily complete every one.

This book is eye-candy for those who love batik fabrics. The author provides 18 patterns for quilts made with batiks. She also provides in interesting introduction and background info on batik fabric and how it is made. Very readable book, with beautiful quilt patterns. But the best part of this book is in simply ooohing and ahhhing over the photos of batik fabrics. Lovely!!

Batik Beauties lives up to its title. The gorgeous array of quilts will entice anyone who has a love of fabrics. Laurie Shifrin shows you in clear, easy steps how to combine luscious batiks to create a prize quilt, which not only does justice to the fabric, but is an eye-catcher either on the wall or the bed. This book can take the frustration out of creating a masterpiece as Ms. Shifrin, who has a special eye for combining color and pattern, categorizes the different batik designs and then guides you to create an effective combination. Her instructions are clearly written and well illustrated and she offers designs which appeal to a variety of tastes.

I can't get over how wonderful this book is! It not only inspires the beginning quilter, but helps a more advanced quilter focus in a whole new direction. The color schemes are beautifully put together. I used the author's ideas and also set out on my own to pick out colors. I love the format of the book; how you can get right to the color coded pages, and the directions are crystal clear. Even if you are an experienced quilter, you will enjoy these directions. Thank you for a book well done!

Do you drool over breathtakingly beautiful batiks? Are you drawn to classic patchwork patterns that allow the beauty of the fabric to shine? Finally, a book that inspires through the use of timeless patchwork with thoughtful direction and gorgeous batiks! These patterns are simple and can be easily adapted to nonbatik fabrics. Ms. Shifrin has a real eye for color and value, and it shows in the gorgeous quilts displayed on the pages of this book. The straightforward explanations of the batik process and the fabrics produced are both informative and helpful. Go ahead, now you can confidently create your own stunning batik beauties!