Kathy has done it again and created another fabulous book! Think you know all there is to know about embroidery and crazy patchwork? Then think again as this book offers a new and novel twist: crazy diamond patchwork!

This comprehensive book expertly guides you through Kathy’s process of how to create dazzling diamond crazy patchwork!

The section on creating the quilt blocks (supplies, construction, and embellishment) is clear, accessible, and easy to follow which step-by-step instructions alongside photos so that you feel supported and inspired to make along too!

Following the block constructions, Kathy then guides you through a whole host of fibre embroidery stitches, silk stitches, combining these stitches and adding beads.

Again, I adore how each of those sections not only has the written instructions but digital images to show how to create the stitch as well as a photo of the completed stitch. This combination really helps to build a comprehensive guide for creating the stitches.

Kathy then shows you how to combine what you’ve learnt (block construction, fibre embroidery, silk embroidery and embellishments) to create her blocks. I love how these are laid out! The block is broken down into the materials/stitches used (with clear digital diagrams) as well as a photo of the finished block – utterly genius and inspirational!

This is a truly sumptuous and inspirational book and I’d highly recommend it for anyone with an interest in stitching, embroidery, and patchwork!

Make your own quilt using the foundation piecing method, and have fun decorating the seams with embroidery, beads, sequins and more. There are 27 fancy blocks and 56 seams to use for your quilt, all making up into a pattern of diamonds.

This is not a beginner’s book but there is plenty of information for fairly novice quilters, including several pages of which fabrics to choose and a guide to seam decoration materials. There are sensible tips for washable options, and the author wisely keeps to the more affordable and easily sourced items. Learn about different types of thread, ribbon, and floss, and how to attach sequins, beads, and buttons in attractive ways.

I was impressed by the author’s advice on making the right choices for a washable, affordable, and long wearing quilt. Also included are some instructions on basic embroidery and ribbon stitches, although the author remarks that these are kept to a minimum due to the availability elsewhere of stitch diagrams for beginners. There are fuller instructions with photographs and diagrams for assembling blocks, making up the quilt and more, including ideas for spring and autumn palettes and a printable colour-in blank for planning your quilt, an excellent idea I hadn’t seen elsewhere. The rest of the book contains life-size full-page blocks. On one page is a photograph of the finished block, and facing it is an actual size traceable pattern of the block, plus a small, coloured diagram with letter codes for each motif, relating to a list of stitches and embellishments. At the back of the book is a useful list of websites selling the various items, but this is just for US use.

This is a lovely book filled with ideas for crazy quilted seams and blocks whether you want to make the featured quilt or something else.