Carolyn Forster is a best-selling quilting author whose popular, trusted books have now amassed sales of more than 175k worldwide. She started making quilts when she was a teenager and went on to study Textiles at the University of Bath. Since graduating, Carolyn has taught patchwork and quilting both in the UK and the USA and has had her quilts featured in a number of books and magazines, including Fabrications, Popular Patchwork and Patchwork and Quilting. Carolyn lives in Tunbridge Wells, UK with her husband and son. Visit Carolyn's website www.carolynforster.co.uk
It feels like many modern quilters overlook the beauty and simplicity of quilts made with a single block shape, so I’m really glad Carolyn has brought this technique to the forefront. As a long-time quilter, I’ve created many one-patch quilts myself, using shapes like hexagons, squares, half-square triangles, rectangles, and quarter-square triangles, to name just a few. Carolyn’s “One-Patch Quilts” has already inspired my next project: a scrappy quilt using simple square blocks – perfect for making a dent in my fabric stash! I’m planning to share some of my fabric pulls and the initial cutting soon. In case you missed my recent posts, I’ve been traveling for the past six weeks, but I’m absolutely itching to get back to my sewing machine, and Carolyn’s book is just the inspiration I need to dive right in. * @notjustnat * I’ve had fun trying out some old favourites and new ideas. I particularly loved the offset square design that looks like windmills. * @lucymorrison.art * At just £6.99 (!!), this hardback beauty is packed with inspiration and creativity. If you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to single-shape patchwork quilts… think again! Carolyn’s fresh ideas for layouts and placements will totally reignite your creative spark. Of course, it’s filled with all the signature Carolyn brilliance—tools, techniques, clear step-by-step images, and guidance galore. She covers 20 different shapes (yes, 20!), with stitching options whether you love hand sewing, EPP, or piecing by machine. AND there’s even a gorgeous sampler project at the end to tie it all together! I’ve already started playing with Tumblers (paper pieced, of course!), and I can’t wait to explore more shapes. * @naomialicec * A smaller hardback book beautifully presented on quality thick paper and produced with vibrant colours. The book begins with useful information regarding equipment, techniques and stitching advice. It leads into the colour sectioned projects. These are all clearly shown with diagrams, templates and design ideas. There are some more unusual quilt block patterns and some eye catching designs. A good book to lead you to producing your own quilt using the 12 in blocks as a sampler quilt or any other item. A handy inspirational book for any sewing room. * Sandy from Half Yard Sewing Club * If you’re looking for a quilt book that feels like a chat with a knowledgeable friend over a cuppa, 20 One Patch Quilts by Carolyn Forster is exactly that. It’s packed with clever ideas, beautiful photography, and simple shapes that come together in such stylish and satisfying ways. Carolyn has a lovely way of breaking things down—her explanations are clear and encouraging, whether you’re a confident beginner or a seasoned quilter in need of a fresh spark. The concept is wonderfully approachable: one shape, lots of creativity. And she proves just how versatile a single patch can be! The style of the book is calm, clean, and timeless. The layouts are beautifully balanced—modern without being cold, and every quilt is photographed in a way that makes you want to reach out and touch the fabric. Content-wise, you get 20 different quilt projects using a variety of single shapes—from hexagons and diamonds to apple cores and clam shells—so there’s a little something for everyone. Whether you love handwork or machine sewing, there are techniques and tips to suit your style. I especially appreciated the value for money—this isn’t just a project book, it’s an idea springboard. I’ve already bookmarked a few I’d love to try (and some that would work beautifully with memory fabrics too!). The pictures are inspiring without being intimidating, and the ease of use is spot on. Clear diagrams, smart construction tips, and layouts that make sense. It’s the kind of book you’ll actually use, not just flick through once and pop on the shelf. In short, this is a book I’m very glad to have in my collection. It’s useful, thoughtful, and has a gentle creativity running through every page—just like Carolyn herself. Highly recommended for quilters who love to stitch, scrap, and simplify. * Sandi from Half Yard Sewing Club * Another awesome handbag size book from this author. As with all her books, she gives you from the second page, what you are going to learn from Instructions right through to completing your quilt and then gives you 20 projects to complete, with the templates you can trace to complete these projects. Her Introduction page talks about how you can make small quilts, large quilts and all sorts of other projects using just one Template. l love the fact you can decide to either machine or hand sew these projects as well. As well as the projects, she gives you on each page a few design ideas of how to achieve different ways for your project to look with different coloured fabrics. Great for Patchwork and quilting clubs to use or just for friends with a love of patchwork and quilting. Would definitely recommend this small book to add to your collection. * Lynne from Half Yard Sewing Club * 20 To Make One Patch Quilts by Carolyn Forster is a handy pocket sized book full of very clear and concise information on how to make a patchwork using a single template. There are 20 full-size template shapes, with tips on how to trace them, and for each shape there are a couple of options on how to use it to make a design. If you’re an experienced quilter you’re likely to have the templates in your stash and gained the necessary know how. So I think it’s suited to beginners to patchwork or someone like me who, so far, has made one quilt and is soaking up useful info with each new project. Instructions are easy to follow. There are simple diagrams on joining pieces and creating designs. Plenty of guidance on tools and materials, designing and stitching a quilt and, of course, binding the finished article. To round it off Carolyn provides the instructions and pattern for a sampler-style quilt project at the back of the book made up using a number of templates - great for building experience. Good value for money and, I think, a lovely gift idea. * Jules from Half Yard Sewing Club *