Some quilting books are all about quick weekend projects. Others feel more like a treasure trove of classic quilt designs, the kind you browse slowly with a cup of tea and a notepad nearby.
That’s exactly the feeling I had while flipping through New York Beauties & Flying Geese.
Right away the designs jumped out at me. These blocks are bold, dramatic, and unmistakably traditional quilting. If you’ve ever admired antique quilts filled with curved piecing and sharp points, you’ll recognise these patterns instantly.
It’s the sort of book that makes you pause on almost every page just to take in the block designs.
What This Quilting Book Focuses On
As the title suggests, this book focuses on two very iconic quilting elements:
- New York Beauty blocks – famous for their curved arcs and spiky points
• Flying Geese units – one of the most versatile building blocks in quilting
The book explores how these two design elements work together to create striking quilt blocks and layouts.
Many quilters recognise Flying Geese immediately, but New York Beauty blocks are a little more complex and dramatic. Combining the two creates quilts with beautiful movement and strong visual impact.
The Blocks That Really Stood Out
While browsing the book, several blocks really caught my attention.
The New York Beauty designs have those signature curved arcs with pointed spikes, which create an almost starburst effect when repeated across a quilt top. They feel very classic but can look surprisingly modern depending on fabric choices.
The Flying Geese variations are equally interesting. Some layouts feel traditional and balanced, while others create a sense of motion across the quilt.
It’s the kind of book where you can easily imagine experimenting with:
- bold modern fabrics
• vintage reproduction prints
• scrappy layouts
Each would create a completely different look.
Layout and Instructions
One thing I appreciated while browsing the pages is how clearly the designs are presented.
The book includes:
- detailed block diagrams
• cutting instructions
• piecing guidance for complex blocks
• layout inspiration for building full quilts
Because New York Beauty blocks involve curved piecing, clear diagrams are essential — and this book does a good job of breaking the construction down into manageable steps.
Who This Book Is Best For
After spending some time looking through the projects, I’d say this book will appeal most to:
- intermediate quilters looking to expand their skills
• quilters who enjoy traditional quilt block designs
• anyone wanting to explore New York Beauty quilt patterns
• makers who love bold geometric quilt layouts
It’s probably not a beginner’s first quilting book, but it’s a fantastic resource once you’re ready to explore more intricate block construction.
Would I Recommend It?
If you enjoy quilts with strong visual movement and classic patchwork heritage, this book is definitely worth a look.
The combination of New York Beauty blocks and Flying Geese units creates quilts that feel timeless and striking. It’s the sort of book you’ll return to whenever you’re ready to tackle a more detailed quilting project.
For quilters who love traditional designs with dramatic shapes, this book offers plenty of inspiration.
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