Quilting Books

This book has a wealth of examples of excellent design elements. I can't wait to try out some of them. I particularly like the illustrations and descriptions of designs that needed a little more work to reach their full potential.

I hope we will see more works from this well-respected author.

This book has got me going in a whole new direction in quilting. I love the collage curves and the simple step-by-step guide that Lorraine uses to help us get started. Its like taking a class in the privacy of your own home. Thanks Lorraine, for sharing your wonderful techniques with us. I look forward to more of your wonderful ideas. A great book with lots of inspiration and hands-on, detailed projects. Love it.

This book is gratifyingly rich with ideas about techniques and ideas about designing, with lots of gorgeous pictures. Torrence offers inspiring guidance for the creative process of designing quilts and wearable art (or, indeed, any visual art).

The book explains several interesting techniques such as "collage curves," working with a design wall, designing with a single shape, and "improving the checkerboard," with "how-to's" on both design and execution. It is full of beautiful and colorful examples.

One chapter that I found especially thought-provoking is called "Help for Problem Quilts." It shows "before" photos of some less-than-overwhelming quilts and asks "what's wrong?" Each is accompanied by an "after" photo showing how its beauty, interest, and impact were improved, along with an explanation of the design principles that suggested the improvements, and the specific techniques used to execute them. This book is worth paging through over and over; it gives me new ideas every time.

I'd have to say this is one of the greatest quilt books ever--especially if you lean towards more contemporary layouts. The formulas for laying out a quilt and what blocks to make are fantastic; even beginners can expect a great result. I have bought this book several times and given away some as gifts. The only downside is that the book is out of print! I really wish the publisher would reprint it as more people are jumping on the quilting bandwagon every year. I think this book needs to be in every quilter's library.

I had a wonderful beige/yellow print of various lions. I wanted to cut up the lions--the lions came in different shapes, making them difficult to fit into a traditional pattern, like a sawtooth star. With Judy's book, I was able to design a quilt using the lions in different shapes, plus a variety of hand-dyed prints, creating a soft look, almost camouflaging the lions. I choose a pattern that best fit the lions, then worked with her concepts (although I didn't exactly follow her plan) to design the quilt. For anyone who wants to start designing your own quilt, but still need a little direction, this book is perfect!

My mother wrote this book and tested its premise on me and my friend many years ago. Neither of us had ever made a quilt. We followed the instructions for selecting fabrics and combining them and made two very different quilts that we were each immensely pleased with. Mom gave us our basic piecing instruction in person, but she does a very nice job of explaining the basics clearly in the book. This book has been updated with a lot of wonderful quilts made by mom and the many quilting friends she has made in her classes and travels. There are many different types of quilts pictured, from the traditional to the very contemporary, all using mom's menu-based method. Even people who don't consider themselves "creative" can make great quilts with this method.

I love this book! I like the directions and diagrams and the fact that there is more than one way to do something demonstrated. It is up to date on tools, gadgets and techniques. I love the projects and all the beautiful quilts shown. The designer contribution was a great touch! Thanks for putting together another great "encyclopedia'!!!!

This is a great book! I have a lot of quilting books but this is the most complete one I own. I love the thoroughness of the history and techniques. Also, I appreciated the information on sizing and resizing of the quilt blocks. From color theory to design ideas, quilt blocks and techniques, this is the book I'll pull out first from now on.

I have looked through this book throughly. It seems like a well done, organized book with great pictures and diagrams. So much helpful information. This has the best explaination of freezor paper applique that I have seen and even shows a couple of ways to get the paper out. The other books I have do not even mention how to get it out. I am new to quilting and need to be led by the nose and this book seems to be a great reference. Has lots of good pictures of quilting designs and I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in quilting.

Rose Hughes's new book should make anyone want to jump in and create a Dream Landscape with her "fast-piece applique" method. The projects seem very do-able, the instructions clear, and the illustrations beautiful. I strongly recommend it for art quilters and especially for those quilters who would like to experiment with art quilts but haven't been sure where to start.

This book is a must for every art quilter, beginner or professional. The photos are incredible, the projects are easy to follow and the finished quilts are wonderful. The student gallery shows what can be done and all the variations to try. Really a must for your reference library.

This beautifully illustrated book not only will inspire you to begin your quilt, but it will take you through the steps on how to make your quilt into a fantastic piece of art. The step-by-step instructions are well outlined, and the color photographs are unmatched. This would be a great gift for any of your sewing or quilting friends.

I was excited to get this book for some other patterns for shaggy rag quilts. I was not disappointed. I'm eagerly anticipating working on them.

The instructions and photos make the patterns alot easier to follow then other manuals I have used...

I have been making rag quilts for several years, and purchased this book to get some new ideas. I love it! I haven't made anything from the book yet, but I will. This book contains several pages of basic information that is very helpful if you are new to rag quilting. If you can sew a straight seam, you will be able to make a rag quilt following the directions in this book. Some of the designs are more advanced, but the basic information and simplier patterns are great for a beginner. I even picked up a few tips for my quilts.

The title of this book says it all. I've made two quilts so far following the pattern in this book and they are beautiful, yet each looks quite different. The fabrics you choose make the difference. I'm a beginner quilter and I had no problem following the instructions. The pattern included in the book lets you make any size quilt you want. If you've always liked the lone star pattern but been put off by all those little pieces, this book is for you!

An excellent book and one that will inspire you to make more than one quilt using this method.

I have met this author and seen her quilts. Templates in book are very useful.

This is an excellent "how-to" on just about everything pertaining to quilting designs. Instructions are illustrated and written not just on how to draft the design/s - but how to mark your quilt with the design - suggestions on where they might fit appropriately on your particular quilt top. She gives you a listing of the tools you will need to do each particular design, helpful hints, and much more. The variety of designs ranges from the common to the more unusual. The manual also includes a numerical listing of the quilt designs using a numbering system similar to the one used by Barbara BBrackman in her "Encyclopedia of Applique." If you only plan on purchasing one book of quilting designs you can't go wrong with this one!

New quilters to seasoned hand quilters will benefit from this book. The how-to part of the book is thorough and plentiful. Keep in mind that it was published in 1996, and the tools and methods described are traditional, similar to those used by our ancestors in quilting.
This encyclopedia of quilting designs completes what B. Brackman started with her encyclopedias on pieced and appliqué patterns. I will definitely bring this book with me to future documentation activities. This book will help train my eye to see the various patterns on a quilt and identify them in my memory so that I will see all the patterns on a quilt. A more in-depth look will be my gain.

I have been a quiltmaker for 6 years now, but have yet to become a good quilter until I read this book. In just one evening, I was able to draft a border pattern using the box from Stovetop Stuffing and draw it on my current quilt project, a double 9-patch. I actually teach quilting but never got very intricate with my quilting stitches. I can now do feathers and cables with ease. I will refer to this book forever and will never need another for designing quilting patterns and getting ideas for future quilts. This book is entirely focused on the quilting stitches where most quilting books give you that info. as an afterthought. Thanks Phyllis D. Miller! I will now have some real heirlooms for my children.

The author not only presents a simple new way to create sparkling designs, she writes beautifully too. There are wonderful personal notes along with each quilt. Her directions are precise and easy to follow.
I was able to complete a 38X38 top in one day!
The photos are top quality, as is the book. Am enjoying it immensely. You will use this one over and over again.

This book is a must for any quilter who likes stars. The technique was easy to learn and works wonderfully to make sparkling stars. You won't be able to stop with just one quilt!The pictures will inspire you to make it again and again. Good tips are given to help you along.

This is the new treasure on my bookshelf. I am most impressed with the illustrations of this new technique, and with the photos that acompany the clear and consise text. Obviously written by a quilter for other quilters, the directions guide you through color choice to completion. The tips and personal glimpses that are sprinkled throughout paint a word picture of this talented author. This book will be used frequently!!

Excellent directions from start to finish. Easy to understand, learn to select fabrics, make a pattern, put it together and embellish it. It's that easy. A wonderful book for the person who wants to do a landscape quilt and doesn't know where/how to begin. Good examples and pleasant reading. I puchased two additional copies for friends.

I got a few unexpected bonus' with this book. It has a pattern to make a vest with a landscape as well as several patterns. The work is explained and the color pictures were a help in understanding the methods outlined in the book. Good graphics as well as examples are in the book.

My book arrived just 2 days ago and I stayed up late scouring it from cover to cover (had to wait until the kids were in bed for quiet time). I'm not much into quilting, but love creating unique and unusual things, especially wearable art. This book is perfect. If you are a quilter you'll love the ideas to take your hobby to the next level. If you are more of a sewer, you'll be impressed by the detailed (and simple)instructions that make this form of quilting quick, easy and intriguing. To top it off, the book comes with 4 of the authors very own landscape quilt patterns plus another pattern for turning a lanscape quilt into a vest. The patterns alone are worth the cost of the book.

I ran out today and purchased fabrics to make a woodland scene and can't wait to get started. I also happen to be lucky enough to have a top of the line sewing and embroidery machine, so I can use it to further embellish my landscape quilt. But to be honest, with all the great ideas, techniques, thread and fabric suggestions the author has given, you do not need one of these fancy machines to make a work of art. This is a neat, neat book!

I feel like a 5 year old with a new toy. This book is sooo cool. I am making a portrait of my grandparents using the instructions in this book. I am a very novice quilter, and I am able to understand the directions. Worth the money.

Want to applique with the Best! Pick up the book Faces and Places: Images in Applique by Charlotte Warr Andersen. The book is a complete guide to the process that she has developed to create her wonderful pictorial quilts. Do you want to create in fabric a portrait of your loved ones? This is the book to study. Anderson's writing is concise and simple to follow with many pictures to help you see the steps. Her book starts with the basics of needleturn applique (no freezer paper), through all the details for a great finished product. It has four learning projects, patterns included. Definitely time consuming, but the results are spectacular! A phenomenal book for the quilter seriously looking for a way to portray whatever they desire, even great for a beginner who likes a challenge. It's how I got started in quilting

Although the content is a bit intimidating at first, Charlotte Andersen gives detailed instructions, easy-to-understand directions, and constant encouragement. When I first leafed through the book, looking at the photos, I was convinced I'd never be able to grasp this technique, let alone master it. After reading Andersen's text and getting caught up in her infectious enthusiasm for this type of work, I'm inspired and ready to make magic. A must-have for any quilter ready for something completely different from the old nine-patch block.