Gypsy Wife Booklet

Love Jean Kingwell quilt patterns

The most important thing to know about this pattern is that it's completely different from the common "quilt in a day" quilt patterns that are the most common today. Jen Kingwell's approach is to make each block individually (no "stack and whack"), and then thoughtfully bring them together. The final construction is something of a logic puzzle to decipher where the blocks will go (and in some cases, to decide which block looks best where). This is very much a "slow stitching" project, and is a wonderful accomplishment to finish.It's suitable for a very confident beginner, which is what I was. Here's how to approach it:- You're going to want to find other quilters who have done it, to give you tips and help along the way. There are various quilt-alongs on the web, just Google. There are also Facebook groups with excellent additional resources.- Having looked at hundreds of completed GWs, the scrappier they are, the better they look. Use up anything in your stash you like -- with so many pieces, it will look good.- Do keep track of those vertical strips -- each should be the same fabric from top to bottom.- Use a design wall! You can just get a cheap gray massage sheet and tape or tack it to a wall. You can also use batting, if you have a spare one lying around. If you can, leave your design wall up as you sew the blocks, so you can see how they're looking together.- Kingwell's approach to block construction can be a little idiosyncratic. There aren't as many errors as some say in the newer edition, but there are a few blocks with descriptions that could be clearer, for sure. Google is your friend.- If you make a block you're not crazy about, save it -- you might use it on the back, or in another quilt. Just remake it with the knowledge you gained.If you love the look of this quilt as much as I did, jump in. It's a journey, for sure, but one you will be glad you completed! And if you really get bogged down, just make one of the smaller subsections and call it a lap quilt. It will still be amazing.Good luck! Tag me in the Gypsy Wife Facebook group if you want!

I love this quilt. Have not finished it, for it is a work in progress.

The media could not be loaded. It's a really beautiful design!But, editors, please consider adding dimensions and identification labels to the section diagrams! It would make things so much easier. The way you have it now, we're just guessing at which of the pre-made squares should go into each spot on the diagram, hoping that it all fits together, and that I haven't put the wrong size square anywhere.

I've always loved Jen Kingwell's designs, this was my first pattern but won't be my last. The instructions are lacking in some areas but with patience you can figure it out. For example, she gives the directions for how to sew the blocks but doesn't tell you where that block falls in her pattern. With same block being used in multiple sizes you have to take your time to figure out where it goes. It would be helpful if she just added "this block goes in section two" or "found in sections 3 and 6".

I love all of June King Wells books. And patterns. They look complicated, but she breaks it down very well with instructions. And her projects are a real bonus when trying to use up your fabric scraps. I have four of her books and they all have information in them that you could use in many other projects.

This is an expensive quilt pattern, and I use the term pattern loosely. It is one of the most poorly written patterns I have ever purchased. There are not enough block sizes to accurately determine the actual sizes of the blocks or the placement in the complicated design. There are minimal cutting instructions, no block instructions, and no clues or hints if a difficult or little known technique is utilized. The diagrams are difficult to follow because they're black and white, most with little print to differentiate between pattern pieces, only letters. And each block has a different lettering system, not a simple A-Z. The pictures of the blocks in the middle of the book are difficult to see because they are fuzzy and the fabrics are so busy, it's hard to see the individual pieces. I'm going to finish this because I started it, and I'll take notes to make it easier if someone needs help, but unless you are an advanced quilter with quite a bit of piecing knowledge, I'd steer clear of this atrocity. It's an absolute mess.

I love the quilts she creates. Challenging, but beautiful and instructions are easy to follow.