I'm delighted with this book. I've bought other books which claim to help you use up your stash but many of the designs have had a fussy look to them. I like all the designs in this book - and the table runners and place mats are a real bonus. If I had the time, I would make all these designs - perhaps that should be my new year's resolution! The book is well illustrated and attractive. I have a slight reservation about recommending it to a beginner: the cutting instructions are very clear but the piecing instructions are in images rather than words - they are very clear illustrations for piecing but I'm wondering if a beginner would need some step by step instructions in words. However, in deciding whether to give four or five stars, I realised that five stars means "I love it" - which I do!