Cheryl Wall

The back cover of the book describes At Home with Country Quilts as follows:
• "Enjoy a new collection of cozy quilts in the primitive country style that made Country Comforts so popular
• Create 13 homey patchwork quilts in a variety of sizes; many are accented with charming appliqué details
• Learn piecing methods as well as simple techniques for cotton and wool appliqué"
Cheryl has a "relaxed, casual approach to quilting", and I find her patterns easy to do with simple shapes that have maximum impact. Her quilts have a traditional look with a pop of modern elements added to them. For example, she uses such traditional blocks as Nine Patch and Shoofly, but adds appliqué or a different setting to give them contemporary appeal.
Her Scrappy Squares design would definitely fit into the modern quilt craze if you changed the fabrics to solids instead of the country prints she has used.
Cheryl includes information on fabric selection and the use of wool in the appliqués, as well as general instructions on finishing the projects.
The patterns in this book range from large wall hanging or table topper size to bed size quilts. Cheryl uses fusible web appliqué for her appliqués and embellishes many of her designs with hand embroidery details (my favourite thing to do!).

I enjoyed the simple, but effective, designs in this book and the country look of the projects which create a homey feel. If you like easy appliqué with a country twist, you'll appreciate this book.… (altro)

This book will appeal to those quilters who favour a primitive, country look. Cheryl uses traditional blocks, such as Log Cabin and Churn Dash, but gives them a new twist.

The projects in the book remind me of curling up in front of a warm fire on a cold winter evening - cozy, comfortable and homey. Most of the quilts are large wall hanging or throw size and what makes her projects so appealing is the extra touches that she brings to them by adding appliqué to the traditional blocks. Cheryl writes in the introduction that she is "drawn to the primitive style of quilting and crafting because of the freedom it allows me to make projects that are less than perfect but still beautiful." It's so refreshing to hear this philosophy of quilting when so many of us are striving to make the "perfect" quilt. We sometimes lose sight that quilting should be a relaxing, enjoyable hobby.

In the quilting instructions, Cheryl provides information about working with wool appliqué and embroidery stitches. I'm just venturing into wool appliqué and enjoy adding embroidery to my projects, so I was pleased to see this information. I also liked the idea of using your extra blocks and fabric to make the quilt backings, rather than buying fabric specifically for this purpose.

I think my favourite project in the book is Mountains and Meadows with its appliquéd stars, hearts and flowers, although I also liked Autumn Equinox with its octagon blocks and appliquéd flowers. Both quite different from each other, but equally appealing, as are all the quilts in the book.

If you like relaxed, casual quilts with a country flavour, this book will appeal to you.… (altro)