Magic Stack-N-Whack Quilts

This book should come with a warning lable. Highly addictive, proceed at your own risk. You run the danger of buying endless yards of fabric for future stack 'n whack projects.Every once in a while a book comes a long with an idea so simple and clever, that you think why didn't I think of that? Buy enough yardage of fabric to have the desired number of repeats, stack each of the repeats of fabric precisely on top of each other and whack the pieces to form groups of identical repeats. The beauty of this method is you can quickly make blocks with as little as 12 pieces that are stunning. The instructions are clear and precise with a number of quilts to get you started. The technique adapts easily to other things. The only negative comment I have is that almost all of the quilts pictured were on the loud side and some might assume that it all the method produces. That is not the case. You can make anything from muted, to classy, to wild, depending on your fabric selection.

As a beginning quilter, I found this book to be an excellent guide for easily making kaleidoscope quilts without mirrors or extensive measuring and cutting. As a paper crafter as well, I found the technique great for collages.The book starts out by explaining how to choose fabric and pick colors. It's a great plus that almost any fabric that has a repeat pattern can be used. Then, there are lots of great tips on rotary cutting, machine piecing & pressing.Next, the stack-n-whack process is demonstrated in detail with step-by-step instructions and full-color photos. Fourteen different quilt projects, in 7 different styles follow. Illustrations are used instead of photos for these. The quilts themselves are beautiful. There are large color photos of each one. In the back there are guides and patterns for all the projects as well as lesson plans for classes.

I must say that I don't buy many books.I saw Bethany Reynolds on "Simply Quilts" ,I was so impressed at how simple her tecnique was that I ordered the book that same day. I told my friend about the book and sparked her interest too. We decided that we would do a quilt together when the book came in. I was so excited when I got the book that I looked through it and showed my friend. The book has many good pictures as well as a lot of detailed instructions. I got so excited about it that one week before Christmas I started my first stacknwhack. Since my friend had many things to do before Christmas, I started it without her.I COULDN'T WAIT! Luckily she was very understanding. I finished a baby sized quilt in two days. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another book from Bethany Reynolds. I don't think I have ever read a book with such clear instructions.

I ordered this book based on seeing an episode of "Simply Quilts" which showcased Bethany's technique and her quilts. I almost never buy a book without seeing it first, but in this case the quilts shown on TV were gorgeous and the technique appeared simple and fast -- I was sold. I was NOT disappointed! I received the book one afternoon and by the next afternoon had purchased fabric and put together all the kaleidoscope blocks for a wall hanging. I am hooked. I have the fabric for another bed sized quilt in the book and now look at large scale print fabrics in a different light. I highly recommend this book!