Carol Doak's Creative Combinations: Stunning Blocks & Borders from a Single Unit • 32 Paper-Pieced Units • 8 Quilt Projects

March 13

Doak is the doyenne of foundation paper piecing - a quilt-piecing technique that uses a paper foundation for precision stitching of quilt blocks. Her latest collection focuses on quilt blocks and border units that can be combined in a variety of ways, each with a unique look. Printable and resizable foundation patterns, cutting charts, and setting ideas for 24 blocks and eight corner units are presented, as well as eight quilt projects incorporating the blocks from the collection. Most of the blocks are beginner friendly, and Doak's expert guidance helps quilters new to the technique get started. VERDICT Doak's books are popular with quilters who enjoy foundation paper piecing. This collection will appeal to quilters of all skill levels.

― Library Journal, USA

June 13

Here is an opportunity to try Carol's inspirational quilt projects by learning how to work with unit placement, how to paper piece and how to choose your fabrics. I found it amazing to discover how just one rectangle unit works equally well in both blocks and borders and using the full-size paper piecing patterns make it almost foolproof. There are 32 paper-pieced units to choose from, 8 illustrative quilts, showing the foundation patterns in use, how change of colour alters the look of the block dramatically, and a bonus CD which enables you to do re-sizing of the foundations should you wish.

― Fabrications

Mar 14

I am really impressed with the clever concept behind this book. Carol Doak has designed a set of blocks and borders which are essentially based on the same units, but combined in different ways. Carol set out to write a book about foundation-pieced border units, but quickly realised that these border rectangles could perform what she terms 'double duty', for use as both border and block units. The cover project is a great example: the star blocks used in the centre of the quilt are made up from four rosebud units, which are used singly as rosebuds in the border. The book itself is great value, as it includes eighteen double-duty blocks with two suggested layouts for each, eight gorgeous full-size quilt projects, a pull-out pattern sheet and a CD with resizable foundation patterns.

― Popular Patchwork

As a bestselling author, celebrated teacher and lecturer, and award-winning quiltmaker, Carol Doak has greatly influenced the art and craft of quiltmaking for more than a decade. Her accomplishments include authoring over a dozen books and designing quilts that have appeared on the covers of nearly every quilting magazine in the U.S., including Quilter's Newsletter Magazine and McCall's Quilting.