In the Studio with Judy Murrah: 12 Playful Quilted Projects

Just about every quilter has started out quilting in a space designed for something else - the dining room table, a corner of the bedroom, a closet or basement. And most of them suffer from a particular kind of malady known as "studio envy." If these quilters eventually become affluent or lucky enough to acquire a real studio, they then display the equally unpleasant symptoms of "studio flaunting." Studio flaunting is what Judy Murrah does in the first chapter of her new book, and all of you out there still sewing in a catbox should be prepared for a flare-up of your studio envy. Murrah's flaunting does have a purpose beyond self-congratulation, though, as her first chapter contains a great many good ideas for organizing your sewing, whether it be in a large room or a small one. After that, she moves on to a dozen colorful, creative, and fun projects that have a great deal of appeal. My favorite of these is "Crazy Logs," a crazy-patch variation of the log cabin pattern, which is used in both a small quilt and in a jacket. She also presents a charming 10 by 14-inch "love note" quilt that can be adapted for a number of occasions. Embellishments and special fabric techniques add grace notes to these appealing projects.