I never knew you could do so much with a worm! (A worm is a 2 ½” strip of fabric.) I attended a class at the “Road to California Quilt Show” last week and in Debbie Caffrey’s class “Open a Can of Worms,” I was amazed at all the different blocks and quilts you could create using the “worm” and the Omni-grid’s 96L ruler.

Debbie had us cut some worms of various values and sent us on three “mini mysteries”. We followed her cutting and sewing directions (not knowing what we were making) and before we knew it we made a three different blocks in a snap! The three blocks are the basic blocks needed to make most of the quilts in her book “Open a Can of Worms”. (The "Buzz Saw" quilt is shown above.--below is a modified "buzz saw" which looks like a birthday or christmas present.)

The book has been out for several years but continues to be a great seller, said Debbie. Now, I see why. The techniques are easy, fast and very do-able… even for a beginner.

Debbie even gave us her tips for “speed” cutting strips and components. (No one sliced off a finger…but she did have band-aids ready.)

It was nice to attend a class where we did not just learn to make a certain quilt, but actually learned techniques, methods and skills to apply to many other projects including every quilt presented in her book. (Leaf quilt show here.)

With the success of “Open a Can of Worms”, Debbie will be unveiling a follow-up book at the International Quilt Market in May. I will be buying it. Thanks Debbie.

Hey Debbie, my classmates and I want to know the  name of the new book so we can be looking for it?

I posted this entry...then Debbie wrote me back...Thought you would like to know a little bit more about her new book...here is what Debbie Caffrey wrote:

"Thanks, Gena, for the review of "Open a Can of Worms". The new book will be available by late May 2006. Its title is "Another Can of Worms". It will have some of the expected, quilts made with squares and rectangles, but it will include new techniques, too. "Open a Can of Worms" features a number of pieced border ideas. "Another Can of Worms" will have some of that, but it also looks at a variety of setting options. As in the first "worms" book, there are Options to Consider at the end of each pattern. These options usually contain information about other sizes, and, new for this book, the options contain a quilt made with fewer fabrics for those who have a smaller stash or prefer quilts that are not so scrappy.
Every page of "Another Can of Worms" is full-color. The book includes many diagrams, photos, instructions for sixteen quilts, and almost endless options and inspiration for you to truly "open a can of worms."