Jo Avery – the Blog

Today’s Quilter – a review, a subscription offer and a Giveaway!

By now I think you will all of heard about the new magazine Today’s Quilter. I talked about it a few weeks back here.
And maybe some of you have had the chance to read it? I certainly have so I am taking time to review issue 1. If that makes you want to check it our for yourself then I have a great subscription offer for you. PLUS I will be giving away a copy of the magazine and it’s Kaffe Fassett supplement! Just keep reading…

The idea behind the magazine is to offer something new to traditional quilters. Something more challenging and very beautiful to look at.
Here’s the official blurb…
“At
the heart of Today’s Quilter are the projects, created by the most
well-known and talented designers. Exquisitely photographed quilts
start creative juices flowing, while expert technical features ensure
quilters are always improving their skills for stunning results.
Hours of reading pleasure in the form of the latest news from the
world of quilting, events and shows to visit, in-depth designer
profiles, explorations of the heritage behind the quilts, plus lots
of chat and fun from the quilting community! PLUS every issue comes
with a glorious FREE gift that goes into even more depth about a
specially chosen design, technique or personality close to quilters’
hearts.”

And I certainly think they have got this right. I love the glossy cover and styling. The general feel is of a lovely interiors magazine full of quilts!

This fab vintage quilt by Carolyn Forster looks challenging enough for me and would look really modern in different fabrics.

When I first saw the cover quilt, also by Carolyn Forster, I thought it looked quite simple. But having studied the pattern I can see it is really technical and would be a great project for an intermediate or experienced quilter. I love it’s fresh yet classic look.

There is certainly plenty of hardcore quilt information. I really enjoyed reading about Lynne Edwards, she has a great attitude towards quilting and I am looking forward to her regular column. This isn’t really ‘my world’ so most of the names are new to me (though I know Susan Briscoe from her wonderful Sashiko book and had certainly seen and heard of Lynne Edwards).

But there is one name which will be very familiar to the more Modern Quilter out there, and that’s BOM designer Jen Kingwell! I love everything Jen does so I am looking forward to seeing more of her ‘star’ themed block of the months.

And this first issue included a whole separate magazine about Kaffe Fassett to tie in with his 50th anniversary celebrations. This was written (along with a lot of the features in the magazine) by my good friend Jane Rae, and she has done a great job. I know Kaffe is a bit of a ‘marmite’ designer but this was really fascinating stuff. I personally have always loved his vibrant colourful designs and he is a huge design hero of my mine.

So all in all I am looking forward to many more issues of Today’s Quilter. Obviously I am slightly biased as I am making projects for it for future issues, but I honestly really enjoyed the magazine and learnt new things in just the first issue (there is a great in depth article all about templates which taught me a thing or two!).
Here is a sneak preview of issue 2 for you! I love how fancy it looks!

If you’d like to try the magazine out for yourself I have a fantastic subscription offer for you.
Subscribe to Today’s Quilter
and receive your first 3
issues for £5*, that’s just £1.66 per issue! 
Or if you are not keen (despite my glowing review!) but would love to check out the best Modern Quilting magazine around I have the same offer for Love Patchwork and Quilting!
Whether you’re a
traditional or modern quilter these magazines are packed full of
inspiration. 
And one lucky reader will get to try out Today’s Quilter for free as I am giving away a copy of issue 1 along with the supplement!
Just leave a comment below telling me what you think of the new magazine, this review, or anything you like! 
International entries welcome and Giveaway closes Sunday at midnight – good luck!
 

30 comments

  1. Thank you for the review-this magazine might make me reconsider quilting magazine subscriptions! I used to get several, but they started seeming monotonous and simplistic. I like what you showed us!

  2. I buy magazines from time to time and save them to look over for inspiration when I have lost my quilting mojo!! I've not heard of this magazine and your review will have me checking the magazine stands for a copy!!

  3. I hadn't heard about this new Quilting magazine, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. A great Guveaway which would be lovely to win.

  4. Most of the quilting magazines I have looked at in recent years have used horrible fabrics (in my opinion) in their projects, which didn't really inspire me to make them. This one looks more user-friendly. I especially like the quilt on the cover of next month's issue.
    Teresa x

  5. Great review. I like any kind of magazine…though I really wish there wasn't this modern/traditional label as nothing is new and some of the best quilts are those that mix it up fabric and designwise!:)
    btw…they are lucky to have you!;)

  6. More traditional focus than I would like, so I'm not commenting to enter the giveaway. But I was curious about your 'marmite' designer comment. I've never heard that expression and was hoping you would translate 🙂
    Thanks for the review. I love reviews, but oven never seen a quilt magazine review befor and it is a great idea.

    1. Hi! Marmite is a yeast extract spread that is very popular in Britain, though people tend to either love it or hate it so it has become a byword for anything that polarises opinion (which is what I usually hear about views on the Kaffe fabric!). I hope that helps!

  7. I admire your review and admit that the photos look like ones from an interior design magazine! They are lovely! It would be fun to look through an entire issue.

  8. I have been so tempted by this but I already have 2 quilt subscriptions on the go so have had to restrain myself! Woud love to get a peek at the first copy to help with some arm twisting!

  9. Yes, Kaffe is marmite – I love some of the fabrics individually but find my eyes are unable to find a calm spot to rest when looking at soome of the early quilts — too busy for me. But, he uses fabulous, bright, happy and energetic colours so I love that about him/his designs.

  10. That magazine looks far better than any I've subscribed to in the past. I would love the give-away copy to check it out more closely, bu I'm not sure if you or the Today's Quilter publishers mail to the United States, though.

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