Spotlight on Neutrals by Pat Wys, softback published by Martingale Publishers. ISBN 978-1-6046-8050-8, price 16.99 GBP available from www.martingale-pub.com

I love all colours and it’s good to see someone embrace neutrals so wholeheartedly. These quilts are not banal or washed out, they are simply gorgeous. The neutrals allow the designs and the materials to work their individual magic. I love ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ snowflake quilt, ‘Summer Stitch In’ and ‘Going My Way?’ and ‘White Chocolate’ bed quilts, but whichever you choose to make of the 12 projects, which also include cushions, I’m sure you’ll be delighted. Excellent photographs and instructions. With today’s emphasis on neutrals in the home, this book should prove to be a great success. It deserves it.

Log Cabins Today from House of White Birches, softback published by House of White Birches. ISBN 978-1-59217-331-0, price 14.99 GBP available in the UK from www.searchpress.co.uk

Log cabins have moved on. Learn 7 techniques to use in the 30 plus projects that are presented in this book. The methods are piecing with strips, paper piecing, free-form foundation piecing, quilt as you go, easy ragged edge, folding and pleating and paper piecing from the top. For each method, there is one project to hone your skills. More projects are provided under the subject headings: from scraps, by Monday, to carry, for baby, to celebrate, to vary. In this way, this book provides the techniques and instructions to make log cabin quilts for any purpose. This book presents an exciting array of projects for all skill levels. The projects include coasters, place mats, pillows, bags and quilts. They feature good designs and good choice of fabrics together with clear instructions and very good photography. Some projects are quite traditional and others are ultra modern and contemporary with a twist on the log cabin. This is an excellent look at log cabins of today, suitable for anyone who enjoys this style of quilting.

Urban Country Quilts by Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks, softback published by Martingale. ISBN 978 -1- 6046-8068-3, price 16.99 in the UK, available USA from www.martingale-pub.com

This book has a striking cover, both colourful and bold. The authors look like two happy ladies and no wonder, they create good design and have great colour sense. This batch of 15 designs concentrates on flowers. The designs bring country into contemporary for a style that is as easy to use in the country as in the town house. I love the polka dot pillow. Clear instructions and photos make this easy to use. Includes large quilts, pillow cases, table runners and more.

Sew the Perfect Gift from That Patchwork Place, softback published by Martingale Press. ISBN 978-1604680690, price 16.99 in the UK, available UK and USA from www.martingale-pub.com

To my eye, Martingale books are a publisher that has got everything right, no matter which title you choose. Layout, ease of use, instructions, design and presentation are always spot on. In this book you’ll find table toppers, runners, wall quilts, pillows, cushions, bags, aprons, a journal cover and more. Favourite picks for me are the totally taupe table runner and the denim scarf. Many of these projects can be made quickly. This is a varied collection to suit a wide taste and age range. It’s for everyone who loves quilting and sewing. A great book as a gift but also to make gifts for friends and with the Christmas season approaching, we ought to get stitching.

Perfect Fit Pieced Borders by Sheila Sinclair Snyder, softback published by Martingale. ISBN 978-1-60468-043-0, price 16.99 in the UK available from www.martingale-pub.com

With its sumptuous cover, I could not wait to get my hands on this book. Sheila is a colorist of that I have no doubt. Her fabrics are in perfect harmony whether she is using pastels, bold colours, autumn colours or brights. This book has perfect designs for every quilter with great tips on colour and technique. I love ‘New York Minute’, which Sheila says is quick to make and that’s the one I’m going to have a go at first. The pastel ‘Sun Washed Summer’ is second on my list – I can see this hanging in a conservatory. I also like ‘Shooting Stars’, that beautiful cover quilt – ‘Conversation Starter’ and another must make on my list is ‘Drama Club’. The applique ‘Tulips’ is great too. Out of 12 designs, I really like 10, which is very good going. Great photographs and clear instructions. This book has wide appeal and I would happily recommend it to anyone who loves quilting.

Make Your Bed by Leslee Evans, softback published by Martingale. ISBN 978-1-60468-047-8, price 18.99 in the UK available from www.martingale-pub.com

Bed runners have become popular – they don’t take as much fabric nor as long to make as a full size bed quilt. This book has matching pillows too. In general I found the designs too loud, jazzy and busy for a bedroom but you can easily change that by selecting ‘quiter’ more neutral fabric. There are only nine designs. I like the Runner Flip side: Scattered leaves design best.

Pick Four by Sue Abrey, softback published by Martingale Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60468-020-1, price 16.99 in the UK available from www.martingale-pub.com

Do you find it difficult to choose fabrics for quilts? This book aims to make it easier. This is great not only for beginners, but also for experienced quilt makers that find fabric choice difficult or don’t consider themselves to be a colorist. There are twelve interesting designs, some with alternative colorways, others with alternative quilting options. There are tips to help you choose fabrics – although since this was the main theme of the book, it is sadly not dealt with in depth. The basic premise is take colorways form objects around you – a favourite toy, bouquet, flower. It’s not about colour, tone and hue. It’s a small step in the huge world of fabric choices but it is a good quilt book and I’m sure you’ll enjoy making the quilts.

Jelly Babies by That Patchwork Place, softback published by Martingale Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60468-056-0, price 16.99 in the UK available from www.martingale-pub.com

Looking for a way to use precuts to create baby quilts? That Patchwork Place presents a variety of contemporary baby quilts that baby can grow up with using precut strips. 14 delightful designs from baby to school years include an alphabet quilt and an adorable owl quilt. Easy to follow instructions and good photography.

Strip Smart Quilts by Kathy Brown, softback published by Martingale Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60468-055-3, price 16.99 in the UK available from www.martingale-pub.com

You will need a special right-angle triangle ruler to make these quilts. They can be made with jelly rolls or any leftover strips, fat quarters or yardage. You stitch your strips together then cut them using the ruler and re-piece them together. The sixteen designs are stunning and I much prefer these designs to those of the Lintotts that seem to be so popular, but to my eye are not as well designed. They are all fairly large quilts but it should not be too difficult to adapt the size and make smaller quilts or wall hangings. Great advice and tips, excellent instructions and photography. This is a real gem of a book.

Just Around The Corner by Kari M Carr, softback published by Martingale Press. ISBN 978-1-60468-036-2, price 16.99 in the UK available from www.martingale-pub.com

I really like this book.Kari has a great sense of design and colour that works so well. This book is all about mitred corners – Kari shows you how to do it the easy way with simple alignment. She has come up with some versatile ideas on using mitred corners. There are nine projects including a bag, which is really useful. There is a small square cushion or pillow and the rest are quilts. The patterns I really like are Sidewalk Cafe, which is the design shown on the cover – this is a beautiful colourway and can be used as a table topper – it epitomizes Kari’s work -a simple mitred edge with a scalloped border. City Park features a symmetrical bed of four applique flowers meeting in the centre – again the colours are wonderful. The Boardwalk Tote is great for beginners – a small project that builds up confidence. Crosswalks features mitred corners in a frame in the centre of the quilt and traditional corners. Medley Lane is a gorgeous applique sampler quilt. I don’t know which to make first, but I know with such easy to follow instructions, I’ll have no problems making whatever I want and that mitres will feature in my quilts from now on.