Elli Beaven's *Conscious Crafts: Quilting* is such a delightful addition to the crafting scene! This book is so much more than just a collection of patterns; it’s an invitation to take a breather, tap into your creativity, and discover the joy that comes from quilting.

Beaven does a fantastic job of spotlighting the meditative side of quilting, reminding us that the journey is just as important as the finished quilt. With 20 fun projects—ranging from simple coasters and bags to more intricate quilts and beautiful curtains—this book has something for everyone, no matter your skill level!

What I Loved:

- **Mindfulness Focus:** Beaven really encourages us to enjoy every little step, from picking out fabrics to the soothing rhythm of stitching. It’s all about being present and savoring the process.

- **Variety of Projects:** The array of projects is wonderful! You can try out different techniques and find what really speaks to you, making the whole experience feel personal and fulfilling.

- **Beautiful Photography:** The book is a visual treat! The clear instructions paired with stunning photos of handmade quilts make you want to dive right in and start crafting.

- **Sustainable Crafting:** I love how Beaven promotes using repurposed materials and being mindful about consumption. It adds an eco-friendly touch that makes every project feel even more special!

Minor Quibbles:

- Some more experienced quilters might find a few of the projects a tad too basic.
- A section on more advanced quilting techniques could have broadened its appeal even more.

Overall:

*Conscious Crafts: Quilting* is an inspiring and cheerful read that will charm both newbies and seasoned quilters. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down, enjoy the creative process, and find happiness in making something with your own hands. Whether you’re looking to create thoughtful gifts or just want a peaceful escape from a hectic day, this book is a wonderful go-to.

Highly Recommended For:

- Beginners who want a friendly introduction to quilting.
- Experienced quilters seeking fresh ideas and a renewed love for their craft.
- Anyone curious about sustainable crafting and the joy of mindful making!

I'm not an experienced quilter, though I have played around with it a bit over the years. This book is wonderful for both beginners and experienced quilters. It brings mindfulness into the process, allowing for creativity and flow. I appreciated the section on useful techniques in the beginning of the book and learned some great information. I especially look forward to using the baptist fan stitch. The projects are not just for blankets- they cover a variety of home goods and bags as well. Can anyone ever have too many zippered pouches? There is also a balance between machine stitching and hand stitching across the pages. Hand stitching is perfect for mindfulness, embracing the use of our fingers to manipulate the materials and create. This book is perfect for sewers, quilters, crafters, and artists- especially those with a fabric stash of small pieces to use up!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

"Conscious Crafts: Quilting" by Elli Beaven is a delightful exploration of the meditative and mindful nature of quilting. With 20 modern projects ranging from simple coasters to intricate quilts, Beaven invites readers to reconnect head, heart, and hands through the art of quilting.

As a quilter with a never-ending pile of fabric scraps, I found this book to be a treasure trove of inspiration. Beaven's emphasis on sustainability and creativity shines through in each project, making it accessible to quilters of all skill levels. The clean photography and contemporary illustrations add to the allure of the book, showcasing Beaven's beautiful, modern work.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

An approachable volume of handmade quilting projects. Includes advice and suggested supplies and equipment for beginning quilters, but more advanced makers will also likely find inspiration. The "conscious" part of the title comes from recycled or repurposed materials, mending old clothes, etc. The mindfulness promised in the introduction wasn't super present through the rest of the book--I expected a sidebar or something to think about while working on each project, but there wasn't anything like that.

This will appeal to crafters who value waste-free projects, and anyone who wants to learn hand- or machine-quilting with some easy-to-tackle projects.

I am a quilter and I both own and have borrowed many books on quilting. I thought this one was laid out quite well and it felt very inviting both to an experienced quilter and a beginner. The photography is quite good, especially on the tool page. It also includes a good range of projects. This would make a perfect gift for a beginning quilter or someone who was looking to dip their toes in.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

The projects in this book are varied and well set out and for a newcomer to quilting, they are not too daunting. Thanks for netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, I cannot wait to try out some projects

I enjoyed looking at this book. As someone who often sews fabric with a machine, sewing by hand looks more time consuming, but I can see how it would be mindful and relaxing. I was hoping to try the projects but ran out of time. I think the instructions seemed clear, and the photographs were clear and easy to see the designs.

This is a sweet little craft book that gives you projects you can quilt like a needle holder, a basket and a floor cushion. The projects look fun and there is an intro to teach you how to quilt. That said, as someone who has never quilted, they all seemed to be still out of my comfort zone as an absolute beginner. Those who are a little more comfortable with quilting will find lots of wonderful inspiration. Step-by-step drawings and photos are provided for each project.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

Introduction section: I fully agree with Elli Beaven's statement about how quilting is a perfect escape from a busy life including work and family; a chance for some 'me time'. Using words like conscious and mindful in the title of this book, I am hoping many more will discover quilting and take up this amazing hobby. It a fabulous craft combining artistic and mathematical skills.

Tools, equipments and techniques sections: This section of the book contains lots of useful tips and tricks, all presented in a straight forward and easy to understand way.

The projects section: I like the fact that the projects are starting out as rather quick and easy to then get more complicated and time consuming. A perfect step by step progression from simple coasters via cushions to full sized quilts. Beginners would benefit from doing all the projects in the book, whereas more experienced quilters can dip in and out as inspiration hits.

PS. I am one of the founders of UK Quilters United, a Facebook group and website for quilters and patchworkers living mainly in the United Kingdom and I can see many of our newer members finding this an inspirational book.

Conscious Crafts: Quilting is a simple and appealing quilting manual with tutorials by Elli Beaven. Due out 31st Aug 2021 from Quarto on their Leaping Hare imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The layout is logical and easy to understand. The introduction covers tools, materials, and supplies, and a short but accessible technique primer. The following chapters contain the project tutorials starting small and simple and moving on to pieced projects including a small pencil case with zipper, quilted beach bag, soft furnishings, and more. Each tutorial contains an introduction, tools and supplies listed bullet style (both American and metric measures are given), and step by step instructions. All of the tutorials include clear line drawings of the steps as well as a color photo of the finished project.

The projects are simple enough and without so many pieces that full size templates are not necessary. It's worth noting that this book provides instructions for both hand and machine sewing and piecing. Both UK and American terms are used for equivalent processes and items throughout: wadding/batting and zip/zipper for example. I liked that the author's emphasis throughout is on conscious process and mindfulness as well as upcycling and re-using fabric.

Really appealing projects. The graphics and colors throughout are restful; chiefly blues and neutrals. This would make a superlative selection for a makers' group, home workshop library, gift (with sewing supplies?), or similar. This would also appeal to handcrafters looking to learn new skills in the weird and stressful post-lockdown limbo we all find ourselves in these days.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I was not able to view the book.
My device does not support the form it is in.
Thank you for the opportunity to look at it.

A good quality quilting book of instructions. I liked how the pages were set out and the instructions were easy to follow. I'd definitely try some of the ideas out.

I love to practice mindfulness in my every day crafting. I was really excited when I heard about Conscious Crafts: Quilting – 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart & hands by Elli Beaven and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
The projects are beautiful and there is nothing which I wouldn’t want to spend my time making. The projects include patchwork coasters; strip trivets; needle book; storage basket; patched pencil case; slow stitch bag; rainbow cross body bag; clamshell beach bag; coaster and waste not cushions; wild fan, border, log cabin, butterfly play and ad astra quilts; arrow wall hanging; patchwork curtain; and mending under and over patching.
The Conscious Crafts series places mindfulness and well-being at the heart of making. Picking out proven meditative crafts and bespoke authors, these practical, contemporary guides are an inviting introduction to reconnecting head, heart, and hands. Also available from the series is Conscious Crafts: Pottery, Knitting and Whittling.

This charming book is packed with beautiful ideas made by various quilting techniques. From cushions to coasters, it's all explained very clearly, with helpful diagrams throughout.
There is a great introduction that sets out the tools and useful techniques. I love the poetic links to mindfulness and find the book to be very calming.

[I received a copy of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]

Beautiful, cozy, and minimalist patterns that make me want to snuggle right up and quilt. I don't even know how to quilt yet but this makes me want to learn! The photography is gorgeous and the projects seem fun. Can't wait to dig in!

Conscious Crafts: Quilting is a book that promotes mindfulness through quilting. It is a lovely book full of photographs and a variety of useful projects. It is suited to beginners as some of the starter projects are small and simple, such as making coasters. The author has included a variety of projects including bags, quilts and cushions and provides instructions for all the basic technques. She also shares techniques for adapting the projects to your own tastes and for mending and repurposing things. It would make a lovely gift book for a crafty friend..

The quilting ideas are very simplistic, although if one is a beginning quilter they might be helpful in starting this craft. Mostly I found them uninspiring

As a newbie to quilting, I found this book fascinating and very inspiring.

It gives clear concise information on the tools and techniques to get started without over complicating the process.

As I looked through the book, every project I thought I’d like to make; which is quite often rare when you look at craft books. Often there is one or two projects and the rest that you wouldn’t normally make. Every project in this book I would love to make. I love that you can use recycled fabrics.

The project start small; with a coaster, trivet, needle book and increase in size and technique until you’re making a full sized quilt.

This book i’d definitely come back to year after year and one that wouldn’t be gathering dust on my book shelf.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for letting me have an advance copy, I will most be starting my quilting journey very soon.

I really love the projects in this book - they're accessible and pretty easy. The only issue I have is that the instructional images are a little hard to follow. Each step has an image connected to it, but each step contains more than one instruction and only the overall result of the step is illustrated.. I think the instructions should have been broken down more so that it's easier to take in what needs to be done.

I received this free ARC in exchange for a fair review.