Quilting Books

I collect Oriental rugs and Oriental rug books. This book is not for the beginner, but is meant for in-depth study of the subject of Oriental rugs. As you read you are directed to other pages for study and comparison. This is a time consuming but valuable process. If one wants to really study Oriental rugs this book can elevate you from beginner to a person who is comfortable with the subject and able to talk with experts. I used this book as a self teaching text book and loved it.

This book has the best information I've found on distinguing one type of rug from another. Many books give information about the major types of rugs...they're a dime a dozen. Ford breaks everything down into what specific tribes and villages weave, and tells us what the weavers use for warps and wefts, distinguishing colors, area motifs and designs, and more.

This book is definitely academic in nature, but this is exactly the kind of fact-filled information I've been searching for. I had thought I would find it in Peter Stone's works, but even Stone's 2004 book on motifs does not come close to what Ford did twenty years ago. I currently own about 50 books on oriental rugs, and Ford's book offers the most comprehensive, detailed information of any of them.

If you want to move from being a novice to becoming a more knowledgeable buyer and rug lover, you will want this book.

I bought this book after going to the library and checking out a number of carpet books - I was looking for a reference that would teach me some of the history of rug making and the people who make these incredible pieces of art as well as the practical side such as what to look for in a rug. This book is great at teaching about the different types of rugs. There are color pictures on every page, there are drawings of specific patterns so you can see specifically what make a rug one type rather than another, there are uncommon examples of types of rugs shown, etc. Its quite a good book (which is why I bought it after returning the library copy). This book is ok at teaching about the history/people or about how to tell a good quality rug - the intro goes into some good detail about things like knot types, weaves, use of synthetic dyes, chinese rugs etc but it's a fanatsic guide to decoding the different traditional motifs and patterns. I'm giving it 4 stars rather than 5 only because the text is so dry and they don't really give the stories - they give more dry facts such as this type of rug was woven in this manufacturing/village setting in x,y,z town. It would have been niceto have more details about the people and about the symbolism of the motifs. But, like I said, I knew all that before I bought the book since I had checked t out at the library. I use this book to augment others that I ended up buying that do tell more of the stories.

The book is a very well written vol d'oiseau over modern oriental rugs and carpets with excellent pictures and timely historical notes. Certainly one of the best works available in the field both to beginners and connoisseurs.

This is an excellent book to find all the information one needs on Persian and Oriental carpets. Very informative, and beautiful colour plates.

63 pages featuring the "how to" for eleven fairie tale applique quilts. At the end of this book are seven pages showing photos of completed fairie quilts and the fairies' stories. Author Linda M. Poole has done an exceptional job of showing through words and pictures the "how to" of the applique technique. And then there are the fairies themselves: Rainbow Fairie, Painter of Color, Hopes and Dreams; Honey, the Bee Keeper; Fairie Wing Flyer (teaching birds to fly); Ladybug Fairie in charge of putting the spots on little lady bugs; and many more. Seeing these quilts in person is breathtaking. Having this book is the next best thing.

This book comes with some great patterns, ideas, and how-to skills.

This is a wonderful book for thoses who love fairies and applique. Linda's techniques are easy for the beginner who has always wanted to applique but has been hesitant to start. In addition to that it is a fun book that can get your creativity flowing.

Since purchasing this book 6 months ago, I have been in 7th heaven. Although not your usual "quilting" book (Miss Poole assumes that you already know how to make a quilt... and most of us DO) this book is a vast resource for Fantasy Images and Backgrounds. I found the fairie stories to be wonderful too. I used a clear self-adhesive plastic to re-inforce the cover to preserve it's beauty and extend it's life.

11 actual patterns + a number of fairy variations to encourage your own creativity. This book is not what I expected - it is different to any other patchwork book I have. Basically, using well documented steps and glue-stick turn-over technique, Poole shows how to create a stunning fairy picture Any fairy-lover would be thrilled with one of these quilts. The fairies (and their backgrounds) are of the Daisy Meadows Rainbow Fairies style - that is, they are more young girls or ladies with wings in an idealised environment (surrounded by butterflies, on a moon, etc). There is, however, a standard fairy + dragon design for those fantasy lovers. Poole includes her own poems or stories to match the quilt.

The patterns and guides are for the fairy pictures only - this s not a quilting book. However, many of the example quilts demonstrate how the pictures can be incorporated into a more complicated pieced quilt as a dramatic feature square.

Would I make one of these quilts? Probably not. There is a tendency for them to be fiddly and time-consuming. As a working Mum with two young children, I do not have the time nor patience. But it is one of those books I'll have in my collection to read every so often and wonder "Do I have the time?", choosing a new design I'll definitely do one day, each time. Right now, I would be choosing
1. "Tippy Toes" - night-time, standing on a moon (simple yet effective)
2. "Rainbow Fairie" - sitting on a cloud and painting a rainbow (the quilt tells a lovely story)
3. "Fire Fairie" - teaching a dragon to blow fire (my niece loves dragons)

I bought a copy of this book years ago, and loved it. When my last child was born I gave my book to the midwife as a 'thankyou' gift - and have always regretted not having a second copy for myself. So...I finally treated myself to another copy. The women's voices speak to me just as clearly after all these years. This is a very special book.

A wonderful book for quilters and lovers of history. Written in the first person, you are drawn into the simple lives of these women. A quick and rewarding read.

Reading about the lives of these women makes you appreciate the ease of modern life but the simjplicity of their days is enviable. Wonderful quilts too.

This book is facinating with it's history of American pioneer women. It contains real quotes from real people about the lives that they lived. If you have seen or been in the play you will be delighted to see that some of the show's monologues are word-for-word from this book! I't's a moving book and a moving play.

I have read many books about pioneering women who set up homes from scratch and quilted for practical and soul-fulfilling reasons. Usually though, those women are long gone and we are left with rather dry details of their lives. The joy of this book is that the women whose words are recorded in it are living, breathing members of that pioneer group, and, even though their experiences were in the 20th rather than the 19th century,the issues and incidents are the same and they tell a vibrant story.
The book records conversations amongst Texas quilting groups, to which the authors were invited and the ladies seem eager to tell stories of their early days in dug outs and cabins, their families scaping a life from the soil and their role in that. None of them ever sound hard done by or as if they wish their lives had been different. And they are all keen to express the creative and fulfilling role that quilting has had in their lives.
If you are not a quilter, you will still enjoy the strength, friendship and nobility that run through these conversations - they are a link with a passed era, which I felt honoured to share as I read.

This book is wonderful. It is very informative and easy to understand. Follow her instructions and anyone can create a beatiful quilt.

I love the author's quilts, and this book gives me a glimpse of how complex the amazing designs are to construct. This book is full of information--and a bit daunting to a beginning quilter. Still, it's a good resource and another glimpse into McDowell's unique process.

It was the perfect help to work with Freezer-Paper, the describtion and Visual Guide are very clearly.

Unfortunately I missed out on a live workshop with Ruth and sent my best buddy in my place instead. She LOVED it!!! Even though I tried to practice her techniques in her other books, I never quite 'got it'. I guess I'm just more of a 'show me what you do' kind of person.
This book changed all that and I made her sugar maple quilt quickly and easily and I'm thrilled with the outcome! Also, with her guidance on inset seams, I finished a difficult navajo quilt that had had me stumped because I couldn't get the seams set in just right. But with her latest book, it was like having this amazingly talented and wonderful lady right there with me! She is such inspiration, her quilts are outstanding and absolutely fabulous! Thanks Ruth, -can't wait for the next one!!!

Certainly a 5-star book. You can take your quilt piecing to a new level with Ruth's piecing techniques. The instructions and pictures are very detailed, concise & clear. Combined with her "Designing Workshop" book, you could produce gorgeous, detailed art quilts.

This is a fabulous book for the person who loves the warm country style of quilting and Kim Diehl has excelled herself in the use of her colour palette in her fabric choice. Simple through to something more challenging, you will be sure to find something appealing here. Her use of colour and applique has turned traditional blocks into works of art and the photography is to die for! If you're a beginner, there are lots of tips and the patterns are very easy to follow and for those who love to collect scraps or smaller cuts of fabric, this book is a 'must have'! I treasure mine!

Kim Diehl always produces wonderful patterns with colors for every desire. Her patterns are always precise.

I love this book! The combination of applique and simple piecing offers the quilter warm,colorful projects to follow. I made one of the wall hangings in my own colors,and intend to make more.Kim Diehl's projects are so doable.The templet patterns are full size-no enlarging! The directions are clear and easy to understand.If you like a country flavor to your quilts,you must buy this book!

I enjoyed this book trememdously, I also have Kim Diehl's book, Simple Traditions, as she is a fabulous quilter and author. I highly recommend her books to anyone who loves the warmth of home,quilting and decorating.

Simple Blessings: 14 Quilts to Grace Your Home
For anyone who loves pieced and appliqued quilts, in glorious fabrics, this is the book for them. There are 14 quilts to make, and I want to make all of them!

The photography is stunning and gives one all sorts of ideas on how to display quilts, colours to use. And there is an article on Fabric Selection and Preparation and another on Patchwork Principles. This article covers everything from beginning to end, even how to press seams and pressing triangle units.

Then there is Completing the Quilt Top; followed by Finishing Techniques. Of particular interest to me is Kim's method of Machine Applique.

And then it is on to the stunning quilts. I am gathering my fabric and just about to start my first project and it is called Cobblestones and Cartwheels Lap Quilt - 72 1/2" x 72 1/2". Can't wait to get started!

I'm new at long arm quilting and these designs are wonderful. There are 3 levels of patterns. The first group is a single continuous pattern, the second group consist of 2 lines and the third of three lines. As i advance in perfection of technique I will move to the next group.

I can't wait to start quilting from this book. I would recommend Amazon to anyone. I have never got a bad product.

This is a great book for so many creative venues and outlets. I'm not much of a quilter, but I do use quilting outlines as embroidery ideas for machine embroidery designs.

This has made using my Grace frame much easier. The quilts are beautiful and I am so happy with the finished projects. Thank you for writing this book.

This book was just what I was looking for to jump start my creativity with my Mega Quilter short arm machine. I am limited to 5" or 6" designs
and I wanted something a little more complex than simple curves and waves.
This book has 126 pages of designs. The line drawings range from complex scrolls to very simple hearts. There are even more complex tripple color drawings to create those elaborate designs you see made on the long arm machines. I copy the designs onto long narrow strips of paper to create my pantagraphs that I follow with a lazer pointer. This is a wonderful book and well worth the Amazon price!!!

pieced blocks - some applique - seasonal favorites - some easy, some not - step-by-step instructions - great quality book

Really enjoy the patterns and instructions from Lynette Jennings. I find her books easy to follow. But you can tell it is an older book because I know in the later books she gives ways of making patterns easier (less piecing, eg star pattern). But I thoroughly enjoy her books.

Lynette produced another wonderful book. I loved the patterns as well as the graphics. Her instructions are easy to follow and the end-product just gorgeous. Her color pattern fits any decor and help make any house a home.

I just received this book yesterday and have already selected and begun work on two different quilts. The instructions, diagrams, pictures, patterns, colors are all wonderful! This will be one of my top books in my collection. Back to quilting!

I love to buy quilt books, perhaps it's an addiction. This is one of the few books I will read over, again and again. There is a real warmth to her colors and her quilts, without being too cute (like Debbie Mum). I could even make one of these quilts for my 18 year old son without complaints. Even if you don't quilt, I think you would enjoy seeing how she incorporates her quilts into her decor. If you do quilt, even better! Your only dilemma will be in trying to decide which quilt to make first.

What a great book. It is full of detail and wonderful ideas to set your creative juices flowing. Judy

This is a book for the serious advanced quilter who wants to produce competition level quilts. Well written, covers the subject in depth.
Not a quickie short cut type book this is a reference level book that belongs on the shelves of all serious quilters.

I have met the author of this book. She is very knowledgable and a good teacher. Her book is well written and is instructive.

Excellent book. Precise directions. She writes exactly how she teaches and this book will give you step by step instructions on how to be a PERFECT quilter and make perfect finishing touches to your quilts. More than just the borders/edges instruction - Sally tells you how to be a better more precise quilter, making your day-to-day sewing even better! You can't go wrong in buying this wonderful book. Read it from cover to cover. Excellent!

This book is the "bible" for anyone interested in the art and techniques of finishing a quilt. Anything and everything you need to know is laid out in an easy to read format, with clear illustrations to demonstrate the techniques. Sally Collins is truly a master in quiltmaking AND in teaching. She explains everything in glorious detail but in a very clear and easy to understand format. Her quilts are candy for your eyes, and make me believe that I can do it too!

The cover was great but the other patterns inside I don't like as well and will probably not use.

I recently took a class from Carol Doak using the Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars. It was totally fun and entertaining and I completed the Bright Stars Wall Quilt. The instructions are easy to follow and the results are spectacular. This book also included a Foundation Factory CD to load onto your computer to print the paper-piecing patterns onto Carol Doak's Foundation Paper. Nothing could be simpler.

Carol Doak's Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars: Mix and Match Units to Create a Galaxy of Paper-Pieced Stars

This is the best thing I have seen on paper piecing. Carol is the expert.

Good and informative book for everyone who like Paperpiecing
A lot of new inspiration and easy to work with

Until now I had never attempted paper piecing, but with this book it was so easy. Tips, CD, pictures, the designs, were out of this world. Love all the possibilities using just a simple square then combining them into a 9 patch block. Thanks Carol

I use this book in my classroom to help my kids start new projects. I would not trade it foranything, my fellow teachers have gotten their own copies.

This book covers many bases on printing on fabric all using things you probably have around. I have enjoyed using it immensely.

This book is spectacular! Whether you are a visual or verbal learner or any kind in between, Rayna's pictures and explanations make cutting-edge surface design methods approachable and dare I say...fun! This book is a must-have.

All work has come to a standstill here now that the mail carrier arrived with Rayna Gillman's new book, "Create your own hand-printed cloth: Stamp, screen & stencil with everyday objects." I am fighting the urge to lock myself in a room away from my kids (they can forage for their own lunch, can't they?) and read the whole thing non-stop. Gillman covers stamping and stenciling with found objects; random screen printing; gelatin plate printing; screen printing with thickened dyes; discharge painting; soy wax batik; and rubbings.

For each technique, there are lots of detailed directions and excellent photos to accompany them. She also provides supply lists (and websites where you can buy the supplies).

Within a week after getting this book, I met with a group of fiber art friends and we played with stamping using found objects, guided by the book. The results were great. This is a book I will really USE. And I can't wait to try more of these techniques.

This is a source for many many printing techniques. Each is explained in detail, and has plenty of examples. As an artist I don't necessarily want a book of specific projects, I want a book that will help me expand and learn. Rayna's book does that and does it well.