Review   New Zealand Quilter - October 1, 2007
"Valori Wells (author of bestseller Radiant New York Beauties) has moved away from complex precision piecing in her new book. Using large scale prints and circles, squares, rectangles and wedges, these quilts are quick and easy to make and suitabale for all palettes. A raft of useful tips range from how to create your own quilting design through to basic design principles. This book is clearly written, well illustrated and eminently suitable for beginners."

Review   Goingtopieces.blogspot.com - November 1, 2007
"Like the other Valori Wells books, this one is beautiful to look at. Inspirational photos abound in here, showing what natural and everyday items inspired the designs and providing good reminders of how looking closely at what is around us can be a great springboard for creating new work. The photos alone (never mind the quilts) are lovely to look at and an aid to jumpstart a new project.

In terms of quilting, the techniques shown here are simple ones. That’s the point – the book’s goal is to show how you can create something stunning with simple techniques, strong fabric choices, and clever finishing. And the projects are excellent illustrations of these concepts. There’s a bit of everything: piecing, curved piecing, strip piecing, raw edge applique, foundation piecing. There’s particular focus on using large scale prints as the starting point for great quilts, which makes for some lively and really attractive quilts. But none of the 15 projects shown are boring. Interesting color and fabric choices make these quilts ones that make me smile and get me thinking about where to go from there. Any of these would make fast yet not simple-looking gift quilts.

There are also great tips on what Valori calls "sketch quilting," using designs and shapes you trace from pictures to guide your machine quilting. This process would reassure even the most timid machine quilter, I think.

So – for the experienced quilter and/or fiber artist , this book won’t teach you new techniques. But for a beginner or intermediate quilter, there are some really lovely lessons on color and value and technique that will give you some new starting places for new projects. And I think that even the most expert quilter would have hard time putting this book down without wanting to look at the gorgeous color and great inspirational photos on every page."



Review   Les Nouvelles - December 1, 2007
Reviewed in this foreign language publication.

Review   Quilter's Home - January 1, 2008
"What a beautifully done book. The projects are hip and really stunning, the photography is fab-o, and the colors make your mouth water. If you're a little bored with your quilting life or find yourself pent up doing the same old patchwork dance, this is a book that you should definitely look into buying.

WHAT I LOVE: I'm really impressed how the book guides you from project to project, helping with easy skill solutions like echo, sketch, playful, and fluid quilting choices; simple piecing and applique lessons; and the secrets of working with color using large-scale prings and solid (or solid like) fabrics."

Review   Quiltemagasinet - June 1, 2007
Reviewed in this foreign language publication.

Review   Fab Shop News - August 1, 2007
"15 hip, quick-to-make quilts that get dramatic results from simple shapes and large-scale prints."

Review   McCall's Quilting - April 1, 2008
"Editor's Pick. Talented quilt and fabric designer Valori Wells presents 15 quick-but-dramatic quilts in her latest book. Don't miss the Tips & Techniques boxes at the end of each pattern. They're filled with inspiration and ideas to help you improve your own design process."

Review   Quiltnieuws - April 1, 2008
Reviewed in this foreign language publication.

Review   www.thequiltshow.com - April 29, 2008
"Create Something Stunning and Bold

You've just bought the most amazing, bold fabric at the quilt store and want to create something stunning, but don't have time to spend months on a new project. Now what? Simple Start, Stunning Finish by Valori Wells is brimming with 15 quilt projects that combine bold fabric with strip piecing to create unusual color effects. Each project is geared for the time-pressured or beginning quilter who wishes to build confidence and/or feel a sense of accomplishment in a short period of time."

Review By: Joli Sayasane,   Quilter's Newsletter - June 1, 2008
"The dramatic yet simple shapes in the 15 quilt projects offered in Valori's latest book will have you asking, 'Why didn't I think of that?' Learn her secrets for color nd fabric selection, piecing, applique, and more. Valori explains her design process, and her quilts illustrate how basic choices can yield sensational results. Specific techniques and tips, such as finding inspiration, choosing companion colors, creating repetition, assembling scrappy palettes, and designing quilting motifs, are provided to help you with every pattern."

Review   Quiltmania - June 1, 2008
"All the tips and ideas from a wonderful professional to add interest to a pieced quilt in a very simple way. The quilt projects have a resolute modern style, most of them were inspired by nature and they are really original. This is an excellent technique book, with beautiful photos. Simple and brilliant!"