Carol Doak's Creative Combinations w/ CD: Stunning Blocks & Borders from a Single Unit  32 Paper-Pieced Units  8 Quilt Projects [with CD-ROM]
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, 3/1/13)Here is an opportunity to try Carol's inspirational quilts 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 Quilting For You, June/July 2013)Instead of giving designs for square quilt blocks, Carol Doak's clever concept is to design rectangular paper-pieced units which can then be combined in different ways to make unique blocks or borders. Each unit is presented with multiple design possibilities, reinforcing their versatility. As a bonus, resizable foundation patterns are on a CD included with the book.(Quilters Newsletter, August/September 2013)Speaking of technology, you have to love it when a great book not only comes with some wonderful quilt designs and a multitude of variations on each but also includes a CD that allows you to change the size of your quilt or design your own patterns or print your foundations from your computer. Carol Doak's designs are paper pieced and patterns are included for copying or you can print (and resize if you wish) from your computer using the CD. What I particularly like is that Carol includes a gallery of blocks used in the book. While the book gives you many ideas and variations for these blocks, Carol also encourages you to play with them using your own fabric choices and layouts, thereby creating a quilt that is your own.(The Canadian Quilter Magazine, Autumn 2013)