Designing Patchwork on your Computer

Designing Patchwork on your Computer
Carol Phillipson
Published by A&C Black
ISBN: 9781408101438
Price: £19.99
Reviewed by Lindsay Roberts

This chunky square format book temptingly incorporates a CD in its front cover, inviting you to find out for yourself how easy the process can be. With guidance on using the basic Paint programme included in Microsoft Windows operating system, or Adobe Photoshop if you have a Mac, the author talks you through the essentials on each system to get you started.

After that, you draw on the CD’s resources (100 patterns and templates) or construct your own grids and start laying out your quilts. Very well illustrated with screen shots and stitched work, the pages follow a logical sequence so you quickly build skills. There follows twenty or more specific quilt designs with many illustrated modifications so that you can suit your own taste and fabrics.

For the keen patchworker who relishes the opportunity to test out new designs, then perhaps modify and re-colour them within minutes on screen, this book is a great how-to guide. With a little patience, you can master techniques which will save you hours of juggling patches and open up new possibilities.