Quilting Books

Overall, I really like this book. The only problem is that, with so many triangles, it doesn't do a great job explaing how to piece them together so that everything matches up just right. The pictures in the instructions show perfect blocks with no overhand, which doesn't actually happen. So, to make my blocks look like the ones in the book, I trimmed, which, I found out the hard way, is not what you want to do! Other than that, I've been very happy with how the quilts have turned out. I was able to piece them together quickly. Even though the first one didn't turn out exactly how it was supposed to (lots of cut off triangle tips!), it still looks pretty good. I just say I meant to do that :)

I've made a couple of the quilts in this book. They work up in a couple of days and are wonderful gifts. Everyone should have this book!

I originally saw this book in my local quilt shop after admiring one of the quilts on the wall that was made from the book. Since purchasing the book, I've only had a chance to make one of the blocks. The block I did make was a triple bear claw and turned out very nice indeed. Though I should have paid more attention to just how big it was going to be, it turned out a big larger then I expected.

The size of the block was clearly noted (I just didn't pay attention to it) and the directions are extremely easy to follow. Most of the blocks take more half square triangles then I like to use but that is only a personal preference. Each block appears to be just as easy to follow and make and can with ease be made into either baby quilts or lap quilts as is or combined together to make larger quilts.

The only problem I have with the book is the title "sew one and you're done". The only reason is the fact that each large block is in fact a number of smaller blocks, the title is catchy, but not that true.

Over all the book is wonderful and I strongly recommend it.

this is a really nice book. Lots of good color pictures and good instructions. Big blocks so quilts go together faster. Great book for beginners.

This is a great book for a beginner or someone who is looking for projects that are not terribly complicated.

This book makes everything so easy . The techniques are clearly photographed with easy to follow instructions. You will find that your quilts will be stunning to look at when you change from a plain background to a woven one. Enjoy!!!!

The directions are easy to follow. The skill is not difficult to master & you can advance to more complicated designs in no time.

I've long been fascinated by weaving cloth strips. This book is very well written, very well illustrated and sparks your imagination!

While I haven't made anything using this technique yet, I plan to - soon. The illustrations and descriptions seem to be very straightforward and easy to follow. Beautiful and inspiring photos!

A fabulous publication but not for the newbie in quilting. The photographs and detail to the work are stunning. Would I buy this book again? YES, because even the novice can pull it off the shelf later and give it a go when he/she has had a bit more experience in quilting.

Try incorporating small samples in your work or making small pieces to work into your creations until youre ready for the big picture.

I love this book! The technique is fascinating and it produces beautiful quilts as well as backgrounds for layered designs. I will reporduce a couple of the book's quilts but, more importantly, I will use the technique for other projects. I am inspired!

This book is every bit as exciting as the advertising said it was. Of course you have to love strip piecing (I do!) to enjoy the many designs in the book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves color and strip piecing.

The title should say "...9 Fabulous String Quilts..."
There are extremely few books written about string quilting. I found one in an estate sale from 1983 (Dover has reprinted it) and a few patterns tucked inside other books but this is a very good source. Although "Strata V" emphasizes using fat quarters, it was originally used for scraps and I strongly recommend it for the latter.
It is very beginner friendly and contains a few appliques and embroidery. The authors should write a book on applique designs as these are lovely.
Highly recommend it to be included in any library.

A great book. Very different from what I usually see. The quilts look like art quilts when they are compelted, but they are so easy. You create "stratas" by peicing together strips, then cut squares or triangles to create the quilts. A really great concept and presented very well - clear instructions and illustrations.

This is a wonderful book. Beautifully illustrated and loaded with NEW ideas for fat quarters. Refreshingly different from most on the market today. Highly recommend to any and all who love their fat quarters. I had a little bit of difficulty finding the 7 1/2 square ruler that some of the patterns use but find it I did. A great book!!!!!

And she does it again with this new book. I just love the stories to go along with the times and blocks. I've ordered 2 of them (one for a friend)

Although done in Eleanor's breezy style, the historical view is surfacy, but fun. The quilts and directions, however, are worth every penny of the book. I found myself thinking that even I could make the airplane quilt which is one of my favorites.

This is a wonderful book if you have any interest in the 1940's.

With each quilt block, there is an explanation of some aspect of the history at that time.

It's a storybook/history book, as well as a great quilt book!

"Quilt In A Day" folks have put out another amazing book. This is the first one I actually read through before making anything. It was good to remember what our parents did for us and I pray all fighting will end.

I purchased this book for myself and 5 of my quilting friends. Beginning in August we are all going to make a Victory Quilt following the directions from this book Victory Quilts. So far we have only looked over directions to begin selecting our material. But if you have ever used an Eleanor Burns book before you know that it is easy to follow and includes ALL of the information that you will need to make a Victory Quilt. The book includes directions for over 20 different squares and different ways they can be put together. Each quilt will be unique! Our only disappointment is that the book is not spiral bound so that it stays open to the directions while you are working.

Karen McTavish has created one of the most beautiful books that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Such gorgeous quilts can only be called the ultimate in the quilter's passionate attempt to make personal works of art that will be cherished! I am so happy that this book is coming back into print so that I can get a copy of my own(and not just keep getting it out of the library!! Ha ha!!)

I am a novice machine quilter and I have always loved wholecloth quilts. But I know that, unlike pieced-top quilts, the quilting provides ALL of the beauty of a wholecloth quilt. I didn't think I could do it until I purchased this book. I've seen Karen McTavish on television programs a couple of times so I was excited to buy her book and read all the details of this beautiful art form. The book is very well done, it even has a ribbon bookmark! The chapters are very detailed so you clearly understand how to get going on your particular project, whether it be wholecloth, trapunto, McTavishing, etc. There's an amazing number of full-page color photographs and close-ups so you can easily see stitching details. There are also lots of comments from Karen's students, who were also novices like me. You can see by their own quilts, which are pictured in the book, that they completed beautiful quilts on their first try! This book gave me the backbone I needed to try my own quilt - I'm in the marking process right now! Thankyou Karen McTavish! And thankyou, Amazon.com, for the price of this book. It was much cheaper from you than it would have been for me to buy it at my local fabric store!

This book is absolutely full of eye candy. Reading it is just like being in class with Karen...she is so warm and bubbly! This is a must-have book for every quilter.

This is an educational book and i am pleased that i was able to get it for myself; very well illustrated and easy to follow directions; book gave me different prospective on whitework. recommened for those who whould like to extend their knowlege and techniques of quilting.

For years I have been hand quilting and last year designed and quilted my first wholecloth quilt. Since I had no previous intruction, it is fair to say that had I had Karen's book, life with my wholecloth venture would have been a lot easier. This book is in the top 3 in my library. It is not only beautifully bound and comes with an attached satin ribbon for page marking, but the information is invaluable and the pictures are remarkably gorgeous! (Perhaps because the quilts are the same.....gorgeous!) Packed with ideas, this book contains explicit directions for choosing fabric, stencils, designing, marking, shadow trapunto, and more. Particularly special is the fact that Karen not only instructs and displays her own quilts, but she spotlights the quilts of other quilters and allows them to give narration on the drawbacks and the values of different techniques and products, mistakes and victories! If one cannot be inspired by the beauty and simplicity of directions in this book, that person is not cut out to be a quilter! Although written with instructions for machine quilting, this book is invaluable for hand quilters, as well.

This book was a gift, but it was well received therefore I think that it was beneficial to the recipient.

I think I now have all of Townswick's books. Her design and hand applique work is stunning, and her directions are excellent. A great choice for anyone who wants to take applique to the next level

Have you ever said: "I will never do that!" That is just what I said about appliqué. "Oh, it is so beautiful but I will never do that! It is just too involved". OK, so now I have to take back what I said. I have been gathering different instruction books on appliqué techniques and APPLIQUÉ TAKES WING provides new techniques for me to learn.

The book is about some of my favorite subjects: birds, moths, butterflies and dragonflies. It contains six pages of basic hand-appliqué techniques, six pages of special techniques such as those for making flower stems and a page on color blending. There is a 20 page gallery of quilts and wall hangings to peruse over before you choose which one you will start. (Of course, you will make all of them but you have to start somewhere!). The final pages are the how-to's of making the twelve different patterns.--- six birds and six butterflies and moths (the dragonfly falls into this category).

The fabrics used in this book will make me stretch as I have only used 100% cotton up to now. The moths and dragonfly uses metallic sheer and metallic mesh fabric for wings. Each set of instructions for each block has a fabric and supply list followed by the instructions for putting it all together. There are plenty of graphics and photos so you won't get lost. Each block also lists the techniques that are used to create that particular block. The final page contains a resource list as no craft book is complete without this page.

An excellent book, exquisite designs indeed, easy directions, am excited to start. For those who want to express their artistic side.

Great book many many great ideas in it am glad i got it

Although this book was published in 1989 the information is still very relevant for today's quilter. This book is a must have for anyone who is interested in quilts whether you are a collector, historian or quilter. As always Barbara is a wealth of information and I believe that she left no quilt unfolded in her effort to bring us this book. This book needs to be back on the market again!

This book is essential for anyone who wants to learn about antique quilts. Comprehensive information about textile technology, pattern dissemination, and chronology of stylistic influences on quiltmaking in the United States presented by the leading authority on quilt history.

This book could use a lot more pictures. It is a great source of written information, but does not provide much help in the visual identification of calico fabrics. Eileen Jahnke Trestain's book is much more useful in providing pictures, but Trestain's book does not come close to providing the written documentation and depth of discussion that Barbara Brackman does in Clues in the Calico.

I use both books and they are great companion guides for solving the mysteries presented when you attempt to identify the age of old fabrics, especially in old crazy quilts. HOWEVER, in general, I find I refer to the Trestain book more often than the Brackman book.

I purchased this book several years ago in preparation to becoming a certified quilt appraiser, It proved to be invaluable. I have used it so much it is literally falling apart. I have highlighted it's pages until it looks like like they were colored to begin with. I consider it to be the best guide for fabric identification on the market. I own many quilt books on lots of subjects, but this is my favorite.

Thelma L. Stone

Others have given excellent detailed descriptions of this book. I'll simply say that I've owned it since it first came out and it has given me years of enjoyment. Anyone who loves history and/or quilts would find it to be both a tremendous resource and a great reading experience. I have a very large quilting book collection including most of Barbara Brackman's books. This is the one book I would never part with.

This book needs to be republished!

I am so happy with this selection. The designs stitch out very nicely. I am glad I saw someone with this and ordered it for myself.

I was well pleased with not only the content of the book, the shape the book was in when received. I see great potential for utilization of these designs. Would recommend to any machine embroiderer that this type design appeals too.

As expected the Donna Dewberry designs embroidered as well as your painted designs - I am very pleased with this first set of designs and look forward to more from her in the future.

This is a lovely book both for the beginner as well as the experienced machine embroiderer. It is not a large book, but nevertheless is chock full of information. There are great ideas for using the embroideries on the enclosed cd, as well as providing inspiration for substituting one's own favorite designs. I used the "Pansies" design in creating an envelope pillow for a friend, coordinating the thread colors with the pansy tapestry fabric used in the pillow body. It turned out absolutely beautiful - the design stitched out gorgeous - much nicer even than the illustration in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I love this book and have truly enjoyed using the embroidery designs. They sew up beautifully and will be a wonderful addition to my embroidery library.

From the lyrical title "Fabled Flowers" to the elegant designs displayed, Kumiko Sudo has demonstrated artistry and exquisite taste.

Combining techniques first used for paper origami the author/artist employs every trick using cloth & stitching to create divine quilt patches which are enhanced with the Japanese quilting technique known as Sashiko.

Sashiko quilting began as a means of reinforcing work wear, and also stitching layers of padding for the cloth armor of the Samurai. It evolved into an intricate and breathtaking art of fabric enhancement and is employed herein for detailing on the small squares constructed by Kumiko for this book.

30 quilt blocks are featured, in gorgeous colour and detail deliciously folded fabric in different flower folds from complicated Hydrangea to glorious Pomegranate and sweet Morning Glory. I lament only the lack of Peonies, as a personal favorite.

The guides for folding the origami effect flowers are realtively simple and easy to follow, while the detailing on the Sashiko quilting is heavenly inspiration!

All necessary templates are included at end of book as well as clear instructions for assembly.

These quilt patterns are much more applique than patchwork although some is included in the design - a little bit of everything for everyone.

Great inspirational book and definately worth the price.

As a extra snippet, a cute fable is included with every flower.

kotori May'2005

In this book, Kumiko has included the most fantastic flowers for applique based on origami, unique designs, and sushiko quilting designs. There is enough variety for even beginners, and several designs that are advanced or intermediate too. Her fabric choices are very artistic. With each design, Kumiko also includes her inspiration for the piece in the form of poetry or a story. This helps one to really feel a part of the design. There is room for much creativity. One can make a single square or a small quilt, or even full size if desired.

The life-experience fables that accompany the creative expression of this fabric/quilt artist add to the wonderful texture of the final product. This book opens up new dimensions and levels of creativity using fabric as a vehicle and providing a serene pleasue for even the casual quilter. The directions are easy to understand. The patterns are complete. The process is great fun.

I love this book. I wanted to do something floral, I did want to do some applique, but didn't want to do a Baltimore album style quilt. This was the answer. It's beautiful, less work than regular applique, and very unique and visually interesing. I'm working on the hydrangea block.

The blocks are big (mine is 17 inches) and 3 dimentional. Some of the folded shapes are tacked down.

Another excellent book from Kumiko. Clear, precise directions and diagrams. The coloured pictures are worth buying the book for.

One of the very best references for learning to develop a plan for
quilting is "A Fine Line" by Melody Crust and Heather Tewell. One of their excellent suggestions for working out your quilting design involves clear vinyl and simple wipe-off pens (such as expo). The book is packed with information and ideas of how to evaluate each particular piece to determine suitability of whatever quilting design you might want to attempt. An excellent addition for any quilters library, whether your preference is art quilting or traditional.

A Fine Line was an early Christmas present to myself when I was ordering books from Amazon. I usually don't allow myself to open
it until Christmas...But I couldn"t resist. It is a beautiful book filled with glorious photos of quilts made by Heather and Melody. It came just as I was trying to choose a quilting design for a special quilt and it inspired me to see the quiilting design in a new way. Thank you for that and for making so many spectacular quilts. A Fine Line is a real treasure.

I have known Melody Crust and Heather Tewell for over ten years and I have spent many wonderful hours quilting and learning from these two ladies. I have read their book from cover to cover and I am delighted to share with those of you out there who love quilting as much as I do my review of this book.

"A Fine Line" is excellent for even the new quilter and yet it has a great amount of information for the long time quilter. The book has wonderful and very interesting pictures by Charles Crust and show the quilter lots of examples of different things (mountains, sky, and places all over the world) that are inspirational and terrific starting points.

The quilting line examples Heather and Melody show in there book are marvelous and keep your interest in learning their examples of fine line quilting. "A Fine Line" shows very good examples and projects that Melody and Heather have created just for this book and a goodly number of their award winning quilts they have shared with the quilting community.

If you want to add a very good quilting book to your quilting library this is the one. It would make an excellent gift for the quilter in your life. Hope you enjoy "A Fine Line" as much as I have.

At last a book to guide you past the dread "quilt as desired"!
It would be a useful and inspiring addition to the library of any quilter. The quilts are lovely and the reader is given clear explanations as to why each was quilted the way it is and alternatives are discussed. Designing the quilting will never be easy, but the authors will help you create a design that will best complement your pieced or appliqued top.

This book has added volumes to my quilting library....just in and of itself. If you are a quilter who is sometimes "stumped" as to the term 'quilt as desired' I do believe you will not regret acquiring "A Fine Line." The authors have done an outstanding job...if anyone needs help....here you go! It's hard to describe in this review area, space is limited...but I thoroughly enjoy this "book."