Tea in the Garden: Quilts for a Summer Afternoon (That Patchwork Place)

This book is right up my alley. I drink tea every afternoon of my life! And the author also includes a bunch of muffin recipes. Tea and muffins aside, I have admired the author's work ever since her book Garden Party: Applique Quilts That Bloom (That Patchwork Place) came out. I just love the calm, womanly, lovely look of her quilt designs. And, Cynthia is an appliqué enthusiast. Here's a quote: "Have you ever been really excited about something you've tried? So excited you're tingle happy? You love it, you want to keep doing it, and you want that feeling to stay with you. You're so excited you want to tell the whole world about it, You want to stand on the tallest building and yell, "People, you have to try this! You will love it!" That how I feel about appliqué." That's what I'm talkin' about! Tea in the Garden is quite a comprehensive book. Besides over a dozen beautiful quilt projects, each with its own muffin and extensive instructions, the book includes information on quiltmaking from soup to nuts. Easy button and beading embellishment, embroidery stitches, tools and techniques, and bias vines are covered, as well as four kinds of appliqué... fusible, freezer paper on top, freezer paper on the back, and traditional needleturn. There's information on finishing and labeling too. Kay Mackenzie Author, Easy Appliqué Blocks

This book has so many great patterns, I am working on the appliqued tea cup and saucer pattern for my mother. Unusually complete, the book not only includes the fabric requirements and templates, but suggested ways to quilt the top are also included. Each pattern contains a different recipe for muffins, as the author believes when friends gather to quilt, food should also be included. I have tried several recipes and the coconut, strawberry and pecan muffin is my favorite. I made a batch and took it with me to a quilting class and everyone loved them. The beer and cheddar muffins come in as a close second. Loved the book, the lines of verse were very heartwarming and I am going to embroider the "tea in the garden with mom and me..." verse on on my quilt to my mother.

This is a wonderful book for those who like applique. The patterns are beautiful florals with unique borders. They are a little advanced so they might be challenging for beginers.

I like the patterns in the book. My tastes are more on the brighter side of fabrics. So I will be making something in brighter colors. All the patterns are beautiful. ~Donna

These "theme" quilt books are often fun and entertaining. This one not only provides the directions for quilts for quilters of varying abilities, but gives recipes and tea tips as well. Gardeners will find that the quilts run true to a gardening theme, and are well designed. Begin one in the depth of winter, and dream of draping it over your porch chair as you sip a special afternoon snack. What fun!