Quilting

Patterns, patchworks and projects

Review and giveaway: A Grand Design

by

Grand Design Amber Stockton

 

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to review. But as always, all opinions expressed here are 100 % my own, or those of my guest reviewer. 

I have a treat for you today. I asked fellow quilter, Cindy, to read A Grand Design and to share her thoughts about it with Craft Gossip readers. She quilts with the group, Kingdom Quilters, located in central Arkansas. She is a prolific quilter and reader, and like so many quilters, gives many away to charities.

Review: A Grand Design by Amber Stockton

This is a light, quick read for the weekend reader, for a plane ride or a vacation on the beach. It is a book that can be read by teenagers and adults alike, contains a few life lessons and makes you dream of a more innocent time. The main characters do come across as young teenagers at times, instead of young people moving into their 30s; however, the message shared crosses generations. The focus was on Alyssa and her return to her childhood vacation place and finding peace with events that took place in her past. The author was able to describe Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel is detail, allowing me to see myself on the veranda, riding in the horse-drawn carriage and walking on the beach feeling the sand squish between my toes. I picked up on a second storyline where Alyssa’s grandmother was a part of a quilting group when she was a young woman. Little tidbits of information about the relationships of the other women in the group left me trying to figure out why the group disbanded. Maybe a sequel is coming?

Thanks Cindy for another great review.

Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of this book

The publishers have generously given me a copy of the book, A Grand Design, to give away to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. To get a chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on this post and tell me you want a chance to win. That’s it.

Contest ends November 10, 2014. Only US and Canadian entrants are eligible due to shipping costs.

Next Quilting Pattern:

Comments

  7. Your description sounds so intriguing! I would LOVE to win this book, and I hope it does become the beginning of a long-running series! Thanks for the chance to win. <3

  14. I am so grateful for the chance to win “A Grand Design.” It sounds like a delightful read. Thanx for this opportunity.

  26. I would love to have ( win this book) I do Quilt but I’m having a little trouble starting back since Spring & Summer months. I need the inspiration to get me started back got many I would like to do and this just might be what gets me started back! Thanks

  27. WOW, I love quilting, along with all crafts, I would truly enjoy a copy of this book. Thank you for your offer, may you too be blessed.

Have you read?

In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.