Picture Patchwork Book by Joanne Lapore

Quilters are forever looking for dynamic designs, especially ones that are both simple and eye-catching. All featured 15 Picture Patchwork designs can be made with simple squares -- the most basic shape of all, but the author has added some additional touches (optional) with the nine-patch, half-squares, and sawtooth, plus a few appliqué flourishes. In creating these novelty quilts, Jo Ann took her inspiration from cross-stitch graphs using a pixelated approach, which follows charts for color and placement. Depending on the fabric a quilter chooses these charted designs can take on a modern spin or be utterly traditional.