Quilting Books

From the basic old-timey muslin version to updated silk masterpieces, this book details all how-to and design information about the classic Cathedral Window quilt pattern. The instructions are clear and easy to follow while the color photographs--especially those of the silk quilts--inspire you to try your hand at this pattern. A must for the quiltmaker's library!

I bought this book in 1999 and love it. I made a small quilt using blues for the sky and used rusts for fall leaves in the panes of the windows. It is a very well thought out book with good details to teach you to fold your own windows. I love it in my collection of books. I think I will make another Cathedral Window quilt.

Very informative with wonderful ways to use squares and rectangles to make new designs in Cathedral Windows. Easy to follow directions to make your own templates for any size that you would need. Some templates are included for your use. Many easy to follow patterns to make your own designs using your choice of fabrics.

I bought this book in 1998 and started as a rank beginner to quilting. This book led me through all the twists and turns of the process and it was amazing that I could find confidence and eventually make such an heirloom. My finished project is on my site under Sewing Projects page: www.itsmysite.com/joannely
I just wish I now had more time to make another one and use some thicker silk fabrics for special wallhangings.

I ordered this book before it was available because I saw it advertised on Nancy Martin's page and I'm always looking for quilting shortcuts. Usually a book like this has sidebars on time management rather than actual time saving techniques--so I was totally stunned with the original twist to this book! Also, I don't like to copy exact patterns from books--I like to design my own--but Nancy included so many compelling patterns--that I'm going to make some of them! Sawtooth Mountains is exquisite! My only fear is that every quilter will make this quilt and they will be everywhere! Sew and Sew is wonderful with three pieced sewing machines. I've got to make it for my sewing room! Tea Party, Three Little Pumpkins, and Quilts In the Attic are on my list too! I love the button quilting! And since I'm new to quilting--obvious tips like turn the square on point and add side triangles to make a bigger block--are sweet music to my ears. The directions are clear and the color plates are awesome! Loved the CD--its clear and focused and shows all the time saving tips close up. Thank you Nancy for such a terrific book.

the accidental quilter,

M.Z. Cox

First, do NOT be misled by the word Time-Crunch in the title. These are not quickie, one day projects. The 20 projects in this book are traditional blocks, many with features like lots of little triangles in the Bear's Paw block. Nancy provides you with her tips for doing things in the quickest, most time-efficient way. This includes using strips to make bias squares instead of individual half square triangles. She also gives hints on how to make a few blocks do the work of many, such as setting them on point or using wider, more interesting sashing strips. She includes quilting designs for all the projects, which is a really nice substitute for the normal "quilt as desired." The blocks are billed as being "updated, with a fresh new look." I must have missed that part. These are not only completely traditional but often use fabrics that show no contrast between the areas so that your block design all but disappears. If you can look past her fabric choices, there are some interesting layouts and ideas.

I am a novice quilter and purchased Nancy Martins book of Time Crunch Quilts for help in rotary cutting. The book is a gold mine of information including blocks, sashing, bias cutting, nine patch blocks. The section on Bias squares was the best in the book. The c. d. that is included in the book shows first hand how to do the short cuts that are included in the book. I feel it is a must have for all new and experienced quilters. Virginia H.Casey

I borrowed this book from a woman in our quilting club and didn't want to give it back. :) Just had to have a copy for myself. I've been quilting for nearly 20 years but still love to find books with "shortcuts". These aren't "overnight" quilts...but still "put together" quickly.

This book has great ideas for home decorating projects, from easy to intermediate. All seasons are covered, along with suggestions for various uses for the designs. I liked it so much that I bought the second book on the same topic.

Linda Milligan uses easy to follow techniques. I think this is great for any advanced beginner, intermediate quilter, or the experience quilter who wants something quick and fun.

Toppers has some great ideas for easy bed coverings. The applique patterns were wonderful - easy to transfer to other projects as well as the great ideas that they have in the book. I especially liked the idea sofa toppers that you can change with the seasons. It really got my creativity going!

If you love to quilt, want quilts decorating all the rooms of your house but don't have a lot of time this is the book for you. It has lots of ideas for decorative accents and holiday themes through out the year.

A good basic introduction to American Quilts. For a quilter it is an informative and historic referance book.

I also got this book out of the library then immediately purchased a copy. It has great timeless quilts, some of which look incredibly modern, although they are 100 years old.Every time I look through this book, and I do regularly, I see something new to admire that I havent noticed before. I was also very impressed that the book has the instructions and templates for 20 of the designs. I figure there are at least 10 quilts I would like to try my hand at. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates quilts.

I checked this book out from my library and after flipping through the first few pages, knew that I had to have it. It has a wide variety of quilts for inspiration, and if that is not enough, patterns and directions for making several of the quilts featured. The instructions are extremly helpful; I have several books and magazines, but none equal the information given in Treasury Of American Quilts.

the first half of this book is quilts--wonderful photos of quilts (and also a few embroidered bed rugs) on each page. the quilts range from the late 18th century to the mid-20th, applique, piecework, amish, hawaiian, original and commercial designs. the captions contain the usual information about dates and maker (if known) plus informative and frequently entertaining comments by the authors. the second half of the book has instructions for several of the quilts.

this book is copyrighted 1982, and, comparing this and other quilt books from about the same time to those published more recently, i am struck by the differences--the earlier books, such as this one, seem to offer a far broader range of styles and types of quilts (most remarkably individualistic), as well as more of them--it's as if the attitudes and standards in the quilt world have hardened and narrowed when it comes to which quilts deserve publication. while i have seen a few of the quilts in this book reproduced in other publications, many of the quilts are new to me. two of the most magnificent log cabin quilts i've seen are in this book, as well as a range of applique, from naive to baltimore album quality, that is unsurpassed. why more of these quilts have not seen further publication is a mystery.

aside from the captions, there is no text in the first half of the book. the space is given to the photos of the quilts.

the instructions date from before the time of the rotary cutter. much as i love my rotary cutter and rulers, i deplore the apparently complete dependence on them. these instructions offer templates for the piecing, and shapes that are not broken down into half square triangles or simplified out of character. templates are not frightening--they can be more efficient that ruler cutting. and y-seams are not difficult, they just need a bit more attention. patterns for a few applique quilts and a few patterns for quilting are also included.

this is a book that should be in every quilter's library. there is inspiration on every page. and, since the used prices start so low, there's no excuse not to buy it!

A good introduction to making miniature quilts. I love log cabin, so this book helped me to make a tiny one.

I love this book! I made the block in a block pattern and it turned out beautifully. All directions are easy to follow especially for beginners and the patterns are on heavy cardstock in the middle of the book so there is no need to trace anything. Best of all, the seam allowances have been included so you just cut and sew! Hope you like it! Erin Pennington, Carmi, IL

... I love it. Each quilt has easy to follow directions and diagrams. Also, the templates are included in the center of the book on heavy cardstock paper. Every quilt is depicted in a full color picture. Plus, I made an Amish square in a square quilt in one Saturday afternoon. Just in case you are wondering, the templates ARE FULL SIZE fo you do not have to add a seam allowance to machine piece these.

This book by Gwen Marston like the others in the series "Twenty little quilts" that I have read so far has 18 quilts shown in color on the inside of the cover plus 2 on the backcover. The photos are small and you can see little detail, but you can easily grasp the concept of each quilt. Some of the colors are not to my taste, but that will just keep me from copying any of the quilts exactly.

Patterns are provided with both template and rotary cutting instructions. A short annotation with each pattern gives a little additional info about how the quilt came about and I appreciate that. The templates are included in a take out section in the middle of the book on light cardboard. Gwen says she makes little quilts to be able to try a lot of different ideas and you can either follow suit or develop the patterns into larger quilts.

I came across those books after reading Liberated Quiltmaking and find them a good additional source.

I got this from my local library, now I'm adding it to my wish list because it is so good, or maybe I'll just buy it today. The projects are of good quality, I hate those sewing books that have projects with colors that don't quite go, or they are too ridiculous to make. Also I like how a lot of the things are hand sewing, which is nice to do in the evening sitting on the couch, instead of all machine sewing projects. Some of the techniques are a little old-fashioned, which means to me simple, easy to do, they used to teach them to young girls. Some other machine sewing books, especially the ones that promise a quilt in a weekend or something, have such hard instructions and such complicated "shortcuts" that you hesitate to start the project, but not this book, there are pictures of each step, and the steps make sense, and I don't think the projects are too hard. Anyway I loved it!

This has so many great patterns that I can't decide which one to make first. I'm leaning toward the pin cushion or the seat cushions for hard wood chairs. I also love the floral overnight bag. After reading this book cover to cover, I am inspired to scour the flea market for the perfect vintage fabric to make these items.

What delightful vintage fabrics the author has!

Containing only 4 actual quilts, all of which are very simple and tasteful, the book mainly comprises using quilting for small projects.
There are 5 cushions and covers, very attractive projects using a variety of old fabrics combined with new, and loads of things in Household Linen - a variety of bags, table runners & tablecloths, and a hot water bottle cover.

Every project turns out beautifully, but not all of them are terribly useful. It depends on your focus. If you can be bothered, I note a lot of people like to make these sorts of little fiddlies and gift them.

I was very interested in the quilted pattern for the placemats - a delightful traditional japanese style.

There is a separate section for Gifts and Decorations containing yet more fiddly bags, and oddly enough, a garland. It's a row of fabric flags - cute but weird.
Additionally, there is a template for every project in the back of the book.

My feelings? I would have been disappointed to have purchased this book hoping for quilting inspiration or how-to's.

Purchase, being aware that it mostly comprises smaller projects than bedspread quilts, and most designs will not look as perfect without the old world fabrics employed by the author.

Still, a lovely book to browse through, and an inspiration to gather your own vintage fabric repertoire.
Kotori '2004

I liked the variety of smaller projects in this book - easy to understand and follow even for beginners. Also, no need for a real long attention span for many of these, as they are pretty quick to put together. I made the clothespin bag without the lining and it turned out great.

A beautiful book with clear instructions and lots of ideas for your own watercolor quilt.

This book was very informative. The pictures are wonderful. The book is very inspirational.

I found this book informative and fairly simple to understand. Directions were very simple to follow. Pictures are very well done and simplify the process of starting your project. Good luck. Enjoy the trip down your own landscape. I love my finished quilt. Very time intensive but worth it.

This book offers a wealth of information and possibilities in a easy to understand format. Lots of pictures and great instruction are included to make your fingers itch. You'll want to get started on one of these easy but expressive projects!

This book provides a wonderful history of quilting and quiltmakers and is also inspirational for quilt design ideas. It is well-written and engaging, making a quilt documentation project very interesting to others. I highly recommend this book and it makes a perfect gift for any quilters.

Written with sensitivity to the quilt and the quiltmaker, exploring not only what inspired the art form but the necessity of the art form. A real sense of understanding both the textile and history of the textile emerges as one explores the lives of the women who quilted for both pleasure and need. This is a must have book for the person who wants to understand history and art form and the production of textile and how it relates to the finished product, as well as the importance the quilt played in the the lives of the women who made them. A valuabe addition to any libary.

This is a marvelous book. Readers in other states will come away from it with new or changed views of West Virginia and its history. Author Fawn Valentine recognizes quilts as historic documents and is most persuasive in explaining and using material culture methodology to prove this. Yes, West Virginia quilters live primarily in rural areas, and many needed quilts as warm bedcovers. However, they also produced elegant silk quilts as examples of fine, decorative needlework.

As a quilt researcher in the adjacent state of Ohio I am fascinated by the similarities and differences between quilts in our two states, and Valentine's convincing explanations for them. Most of the quilts documented by the West Virginia Heritage Quilt Search-even the oldest ones-were found near the places where they were made. The reason, she explains, is that West Virginians didn't move around much; they love place and family. They also had a strong desire to maintain traditional skills, which are "family ways."

Some quilt patterns were found only in discrete regions of West Virginia. Others (crazy quilts, for instance) continued to be made much later than was true in other states. Through extensive interviews with quiltmakers, the WVHQS learned of quilt pattern names and quilt-related language not found elsewhere. Through their oral interviews they also learned of a system of "barter economy" West Virginia quiltmakers used.

Most intriguing is Valentine's discovery of different quilting style, aesthetics, and designs associated with the quiltmakers' ethnic backgrounds: German-American, British, Scotch-Irish and Welsh. She presents this information early in the book, preparing the reader to recognize and identify the ethnicity of quiltmakers whose work is included later.

A series of appendices, including a summary of data and an extremely important timeline are helpful, as are the state maps included with almost every quilt, clearly identifying the counties where the quilts were made. As we discovered in the Ohio Quilt Research Project, Ohio is also a county-conscious state, so I felt right at home in West Virginia!

West Virginia quilts documents quilts from the 40's and older, and the lives of those who created them. I picked up a copy of this book at the library and was quite fascinated by the beautiful quilts and the history surrounding them (a young 23 year old married a 79 year old and had several children, can you imagine?). The pictures are interesting and the stories fascinating. I particularly appreciated the absence of modern quilts as I'm not a fan of modern art style and the overuse of batiks. This is a wonderful book for fans of quilting and those who love quilt history.

Bought this book as a gift for my sake obsessed boyfriend and he loves it. Very well written and a comprehensive look at sake and the all things related. Sidenote: the author owns a sake store in San Francisco on Hayes St. It is an awsome store and well worth the visit if you live any where near. Happy reading!

For those people who love the adventure of good food and soirits, this book is a must have. Very informative, it provides the reader with a very good basic understanding of Sake. With history, science, and etiquette all wrapped into one informative guide, I highly recommend this book. If you love Sake, or are interested in learning more, you MUST read this book. I find I return to it time and time again as I delve deeper into the fascinating world of Japan's most famous beverage. One of the bibles of Sake...

I've read many Sake guides over the years. Some leave me with lengthy, lengthy lists of sakes I'd like to try, if I could ever decipher the labels at my local Japanese liquor store. Most leave me even more confused than before I started reading. This book was the first I ever read where I walked away feeling like I could explain why I liked what I liked. But the best part of the book is the list of Sakes to try that are available in the US. Afterall, what's the point of a long list of exotic drinks to try if you're never going to be able to find them?

Whether you enjoy sake already or are just interested in learning more, this is a wonderful place to start. The book includes a short sake history, a lesson on how it is made, and some key terminology necessary for understanding this amazing beverage. The best part of the book is Beau's detailed reviews of 50 different sakes. Plenty of tastes to begin or continue your journey. There are also recipes in the back that help demonstrate that sake isn't just good with Sashimi, it can taste great with risotto or even a pizza.

The cutting and sewing instructions are very clear and easy to follow for rotary cutting and machine or hand piecing. The potholder designs are beautiful and fun to do. I recommend this book for beginning quilters.

Although the templates given make 8" finished blocks, most of these patterns are easy to convert to other sizes. I have made many of them into 6" and 12" finished blocks, and they turn out really well. This is a "must have" book if you participate in a lot of block exchanges.

This is a wonderful book that even a beginner can enjoy. All 101 potholders in the book can be made with ten pieces and all finish about eight inches. Some of the designs look very complicated but indeed are not!