Quilting Books

The subtitle on this book is, "An exploration of surface design techniques and projects" but I'd like to add "in a tasteful and elegant style". This is a mixed media book with unique techniques and beautiful and inspiring projects. The authors' numerous talents and trainings are reflected in their color palettes, design layouts, and the appeal of each and every project. Thanks to wonderful step by step photography and numerous tips and hints the reader could easily take the information and recreate the project or use it to make their own unique version. No matter what medium you prefer there is something here that will spark your interest.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to trying out some of the techniques like "Differential Shrinkage" right away. I also am delighted that the projects' style range is broad; funky, abstract, modern, elegant and classic and all done in a visually appealing way.

Creative projects and artistic endeavors often paralyze me. This book is so simply detailed and clearly written, that I find myself sailing through these non-fail projects, humming to myself. This book has truly unblocked my creativity, and I'm grateful these delightful teachers are so willing to share their secrets.

Thanks Sue and Terri for the best book I have ever read on Fiber Arts ....and you make it all look easy! I am inspired and hope you write more books in the very near future.
Great photos,too
Sherry B.

of this very talented duo's work in print. For those of us familiar with Sue & Terri's work on-line it is so nice to be able to admire their work and wisdom in a book.

I am familiar with the work of Sue Bleiweiss and Terri Stegmiller, but the projects in this book really blew me away! The tote bag made with dyed rayon velvet is gorgeous, and there are clear directions for making this, as well as great boxes, a painted canvas tote and fabric wrap journals. I really liked the attention given to fabric painting and text on textiles, and I can't wait to try the scrappy wrapped coasters. The book is full of beautiful projects and the inspiring photos are terrific!

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I have not been disappointed. Katie P. Masopust has created a wonderful text outlining her process of designing and creating an art quilt. Pictures and text are laid out in a way that makes Ms Masopust's methodology is easy to understood and easy to follow. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in designing your own art quilts.

This is a wonder full book on Design Explorations that you will not find in any other book. The author is a superb quilter and can give you a look at new techniqes. You won't be able to put it down.

When I tell my husband that "I'll be in my cave with Katie", he knows exactly what I'm up to. My cave is my quilting studio and the Katie I refer to is Katie Pasquini Masopust, one of the worlds most dynamic and vibrant quilters.

I've got to know Katie through her previous publication Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter which she wrote together with Brett Barker. So when her latest publication titled Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter came under my radar, I had to have a look and see whether she has been able to bring to the viewer the same freshness and easy to understand concepts of designing within quiltmaking, in this new publication. Well, I must tell you that not only has Katie achieved to continue her patient explanation of her ideas, but the illustrations and photographs speak clearly for themselves.

This book is like a very good bottle of red wine. It needs to be opened, sampled, then left stand for a while, whilst the reader absorbs each delicious page of concept, theory and details.

The first few chapters of this incredible publication gives a review of the principles and elements of design and then in the further thirty odd pages, Katie explores shapes, lines, details, repetition, Blind painting and watercolour painting. Is your mouth watering yet?

And as if that's not enough, Katie then takes the reader through the process of Design through to Pattern. As with other Pasquini Mosopust publications, a number of vignettes are included, to explain elements that are mentioned in the text. For instance, Enlarging your Design is explained extremely well, including a very clear explanation of the use of the Proportional Scale Wheel that many quilters have purchased, and may be (like me), not completely understood how to use.

C&T Publishing, Inc is continuing to bring to quilters all over the world the most comprehensive range of expert craftspeople who are able to communicate extremely effectively their passion for quilting and pass on to readers their approach, style and method that enables them to achieve the creation of phenomenal quilts. I happily recommend this publication Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter to quilters, where ever they might be traveling in their journey of quilting.

Dynamic art quilters receive a set of easily-followed instructions for integrating quilting designs with artistic painting efforts in Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter. It's packed with techniques that work for all levels of quilters, from beginners to advanced, and it is packed with gorgeous quilting examples from lines and squares to still art and landscapes. Quilting collections will find it a winner.

The text Katie writes is focused on her own thinking processes of analysis and alternatives as she plans a quilt from finding the initial concept to the various ways you can turn your idea or photo into a one-dimensional design. She includes her methods known as ghost layers, fractured landscape and the painterly painterly approach. Katie presents a great deal of information in such a way that anyone could follow her method or use it as a reference for idea generation and color and design compositions.

WOULD DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SELLER AGAIN. IF A ONE-STAR REVIEW POPS UP, PLEASE IGNORE IT. I GOOFED IN MY HURRY TO FINISH. Haste makes waste is still true.

Bonnie's book has many georgous pictures and ample directions for this technique that goes beyond the norm. In addition to uses in making art quilts, I'll be using the techniques with church banners. I'm seeing endless possibilities with this technique. WELL worth the cost.

These exquisite quilts made of fabric and silk flowers, and embellished with glistening threads and beads, are a delight to the eye, a focal point in decor, and a conversation piece! If you like fabric and flowers, here's the way to combine them, using your sewing skills, deft hands, and an eye for design. The abundant, beautifully photographed quilt designs in the book will certainly get you started, whether to copy one, or to use as inspiration for creating your own designs. The author's experience with teaching classes on this technique comes through in the thorough, yet easy to understand instructions. There are some supplies the author mentions that I had never heard of, so the list of resources, including some web addresses, is helpful. The price of the book seems a little high, but if you make only one of these fabric masterpieces, it will be worth it!

You know all those silk flowers you couldn't resist in those shops that you dragged your husband and kids to on your last vacaton? Then when you got home they were carefully tucked away until inspiration came to arrange and diplay them in your home. Well, grab your prettiest ones and those relagated to the bottom of the drawer and open to any page of Bonnie McCaffery's latest book, "Fantasy Floral Quilts". That's just what I did. Fun ideas came tumbling at me faster than I could dissect those delphiniums and run to the nearest fabric store for a selection of tulle to compliment those lillies languishing in my growing cache of faux blossoms. You won't believe how many kinds of new flowers you can invent with your newly educated eye and what you have on hand or what you can find in craft shops. Then all the ways you can use your innovations with Ms McCaffery's help. This book stands alone as one aspect of modern quilt "technology". You should see this book for yourself, it's a new look on the quilt horizon that you won't want to miss.

You never knew how EASY a technique could be, and what a
beautiful piece you could create! Bonnie McCaffery's book
gives you step-by-step instructions, VERY clearly written,
to guide just about anyone to completion of a wall hanging
she can be justifiably proud of! At the Mid-Appalachian
Quilters workshop, I saw folks who were somewhat tentative
and a bit scared at first create the MOST beautiful works
you can imagine. . . and, you can too!

I am working at owning all the volumes in the series. I love their presentation and layout. They explain techniques simply and thoroughly and illustrate each step in the process with full color pictures.
I am an experienced quilter and came across a copy of one of the books in this series about a year ago when one of the creators was a guest at my quilt guild meeting. There is probably not a whole lot I can learn from them, but I do some quilting teaching and these are wonderful tools for illustrating the techniques and sharing shortcuts and methods.

New to the subject, what I appreciated about this book is that there are a variety of authors, so each chapter was wrtiien by an expert and I was not limited to one view point. Very readble. I learned lots!

I just received this book yesterday and couldn't put it down. Being a new quilter (very new), this book answered by many, many questions and did it in a colorful, precise manner. I highly recommend this book to new quilters, such as myself. Well worth the few dollars it cost. Buy it ... you will not regret it.

Although I have been quilting for years, I am self taught and only started free motion quilting bout five quilts ago. I did find many useful tips in this book and well worth the price.

I would recommend this book for anybody who is looking to be inspired to machine quilt on their domestic sewing machine.

"One of the great privileges of working with quilters and being part of the quilting industry is seeing first-hand the compassion that surrounds us collectively. Judy Howard's collection of stories is a beautiful example of heartfelt efforts to provide peace and support to those most in need. Quilters have a keen ability to comfort and sooth, but also strengthen, always while creating the patchwork that binds us together." Beth Hayes, Editor McCall's Quilting

This is a wonderfully inspirational book. I think any quilter will enjoy piecing through it. You will laugh and probably cry. It is that heartwarming.

This collection of stories bring us the history of everyday women though the memories of each storyteller. It is books like this that historians of tomorrow will go to for a sense of quilts and quilters of the past.

I'd like to paraphrase a quote from my own book, QUILTING TO SOOTHE THE SOUL, to endorse Judy Howard's wonderful book, HEAVENLY PATCHWORK: " When there is joy or stress in your life, turn to your needle and let the labor of your hands work through the images in your heart." Judy's book exemplifies all the good feelings of acceptance and resolution quilting brings to the quilt maker and receiver. It is a 'must have' addition to any personal library! Linda Carlson, author. www.lindacarlsonquilts.com

"It has always been my hope that each and every quilt be a product of the maker's heart as well as her hands. The quilts featured in these stories are special because they were created with love, gifted with love and received with love, continuing the tradition of quiltmaking in the best possible way." Judy B. Dales, quiltmaker, teacher, author, lecturer www.judydales.com

I highly recommend this wonderful quilt book. The author is a delightful teacher and explains the constuction of her beautiful patterns with ease and enthusiasm. There are a total of 15 patterns from which to choose. Also, Rita is know for her fantastic cooking and she has included many of her favorite receipes. The quilting stories are enjoyable and fun to read. Treat yourself to this book, you will love it, or give it as a love gift to a friend. It is a keeper!

This book is a "2 for the price of 1" item. Where else can you get a helpful "How To" book as well as feeling like you're taking a "one-on-one" class at the same time? I learned new quilting info, was entertained by the author's humor, made to feel like the author was talking specifically to me, and at the end of the day I was able to produce not only a beautiful quilt, but have a delicious dinner on the table, thanks to recipes the author has included. This book is a bargain! It's a great resource, as well as an inspiration that leaves you wanting to take an "in person" course or at the very least make another "Mystery Quilt!" I highly recommend it and don't think you'll be disappointed. It's a "Keeper!"

Wow! What a great book! I have a new passion for quilting. Thank you.

Some may say that this review is biased because Rita is not only my boss, but my friend, however, I have personal knowledge of the power of this book. The previous reviews are right on--one does read this "how to" book like a short story. The shop's famous "mystery classes" are just plain fun from beginning to end. Making a quilt top is only a part of the magic of the day. As employees we have perhaps a better time than the customers who are actually sewing. Rita has captured this feeling within the pages of her book.

For those of you considering buying this book, you'll be able to choose a pattern and then find simple, but detailed instructions, for every step from fabric selection, to cutting, to sewing each step. We keep a copy of the book handy in the shop to use as a reference.

Don't think that this book is only for beginners. Many of us turn to the patterns when we want to create a beautiful quilt in a short amount of time. I personally use these patterns when I want to make gifts for friends. Pick a pattern, stitch it up in flannel, quilt it on fleece, and you have a perfect lap sized quilt for a sick friend who has just had surgery or chemo. Add some borders (instructions included) and you have dandy dorm sized quilts. You won't be sorry when you buy this!!

I have this book for myself and have given it as a gift to an avid, very experienced quilter. When she called to say she was having trouble picking out a quilt to make from her huge array of patterns and books I told her to take a gander at Mystery Quilts. Its not only a how-to about hosting a mystery quilt party (which I have since the book came out and it was wildly successful), but it has beautiful patterns that don't take an advanced math degree to cut out and piece. My friend was extremely pleased with her afternoon undertaking.
The recipes and quilt tales from Rita Fishel remind me of why some of us love quilting. Its not just the creativity, art and function of the process, its the relationships, old and new that make quilting such fun.

I became very excited when I read this one. Great book for fabric lovers and Pictorial quilters. Raylene Wolff

Although this is a fabulous book, it is not for everyone. It is not, for instance, for the novice or for someone who wants to copy ideas. I think of it as a picture book to get my own juices flowing: it is an extraordinary reference, but it is mostly for quilters who are already gifted and confident in their own abilities.
Colvin is very clear in the beginning that she is NOT intending to give readers step-by-step instructions, but to give them a window into her own creative process...and that is exactly what she does. The instructions are minimal in the extreme.
Don't get me wrong: the book is truly inspirational. But a reader should not expect to be able to recreate these effects easily. It will be mostly trial and error...and it wouldn't hurt to have a degree in art and a decade or two of experience! Colvin's renderings of birds and human beings are not something that most of us will ever be able to attain in a lifetime.
However, if you would like to "listen in" to how a true (and passionate) artist works and to receive her blessing on your own work, you will find this a useful and gorgeous addition to your library.

I was looking for something that would help me expand my creativity along the lines of being 'artistic'. Being of limited talent and budget in the area I needed help! Her techniques and ideas send you in creative directions it might have taken you 20 years to reinvent by yourself. Worth the $. I ended up with a variety of interesting experiments that looked amazingly good when put on the wall. Buy it an go off to 'play' for a while.

If you like and want to know how to constuct the kind of quilt pictures on the front cover, then this book will show you how, and give you lots of ideas. Joan gives an overview of style, fabric selection, fabric manipulation and construction methods. The major chunk of the book deals with various tree forms and, later, birds and nests. Towards the end there are few examples of Joan's gothic, pre-raphaelite women, and some ideas for finishing. The particular strength of the book is the layering, combination of manipulated and raw edge fabrics, and use of commercial tree fabric and hand-dyes and stamping to create semi-realistic trees. Joan talks us through her process, but she does not teach us how to LOOK at nature. The colour photographs and line illustrations are excellent.
It's great to have in your library, if you have already done some pictorial quilts. It is not really suited to a beginner.

I have not made anything yet from this book, but my fingers are itching to. It seems to give very good direction and a good start for your own ideas.

If you want to learn how to do needleturn applique, this book is a great choice. I took beginning applique classes from two different people and had no success. Before giving up, I decided to try one more time using the Piece O Cake book. The directions are very clear and show you how to do things such as points, stems and curves. This is a great starting point for your applique journey.

I love, love, love this book! It has wonderful instructions and terrific pictures to help you all along the way. I'm excited that I'm scheduled to take a class from Linds Jenkins who will be visiting my Quilt Guild in a couple of weeks. Now I will be able to follow along with this wonderful book. I really enjoy doing applique and hope to really master it with the help of Linda and her book

I loved this book because it's explanations are very simple and easy to follow. Everything I wanted to know about appliqué techniques! The steps are richly illustrated. It's very usefull and worth it.

This book has wonderful tips and how to's for the beginner as well as the experienced quilter. The illustrations are outstanding. There are excellent tips to improve your skills and a couple of interesting projects. As a hesitant appliquer but enthusiastic pieceworker I found this book gave me the confidence to attempt applique and be successful.

I have been taking classes at my local quilt shop to learn hand applique and this is the one book that my teacher highly recommended to buy as a reference tool. It is absolutely wonderful and makes needle-turn applique a "Piece O Cake"

The book arrived fast, in excellent condition, and as advertised. Julie also promptly answered some questions I had regarding the sale. Great transaction!

As someone who has just started to learn pottery in a class, this book gives detailed information that your teacher may not provide. Even if you are learning by yourself the step by step (very detailed) lessons by themselves gives the beginner good and easy to understand steps for success! Lots of great pictures too.

This book was a Christmas gift to my daughter and son-in-law, since both of them recently started taking pottery classes. She really liked the details shown in this book. It shows step-by-step directions and pictures. The photos showing how the hands are placed inside the item are a big plus. It made a great gift to them.

I bought this book 25 years ago when I started pottery and my well-thumbed copy is an important part of my studio. I'm a Canadian potting in Japan and though most of my students are non-English users, the photographs in this book speak thousands of words. It is laid out logically and the cross-section cuts of the whole process from entering the centered clay to finished work are everything a student or teacher could want in an instructional book. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover it is still available and my student is looking forward to having her own copy.

I bought this book for my wife who had just finished ten weeks of throwing lessons. She read the book and was able to improve her work in just a few practice sessions. She is so pleased with her new knowledge and skill. The fine detail and the pictures of sectioned pots were easy to follow. The accompaning text was clear and the summeries allow for quick reference.

We can only recommend this fine book to anyone that wants to improve their skill.

I saw this book and just had to have my own copy. A wonderful way to demonstrate to young people the real power of America: The peaceful transfer of power.

LOVE YOUR BOOK...... BUT MY QUILT WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL I HAVE GEORGE W.BUSH (BUSHY AS LAURA CALLS HIM) PLEASE DRAW HIM SO I CAN PUT HIM IN MY QUILT.

I LOVE THIS QUILT AND IT LOOKS EVEN BETTER WHEN STITCHED, BUT WHERE IS GEORGE W.??????? WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HIM ADDED INTO MY QUILT.

LOVE IT, BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DRAW GEORGE W. BUSH AND SEND IT OUT TO QUILT SHOPS OR MAKE IT AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET.

LOVE YOUR BOOK... AND LOVE THE QUILT..... ALTHOUGH I CANNOT COMPLETE IT WITHOUT GEORGE W. BUSH( BUSHY AS LAURA CALLS HIM)

PLEASE DRAW HIM SO I CAN FINISH MY QUILT......I NEED IT YESTERDAY.