Quilting Books

In 3 Quilters Celebrate The 4 Seasons: By The Calendar Girls, Karen Combs, Bethany Reynolds, Joan Shay (three famous quilting professionals) collaborate to provide their specialties showcasing over a dozen quilt projects emphasizing diverse patterns and techniques. Quilters will delight in the fact that these three veterans have very different styles and approaches, providing a diversity of original styles. The color photos are wonderful embellishments.

I am floored by the 3-D Appli-bond of Joan's quilts as it is something I have never seen before but have to say that the three ladies work well together. I have seen Optical illions and the magic stack-n-whack before but have never attempted to try them. Not often I get to learn three new techniques all in one book. So often, I purchase a book and think it is beautiful but too difficult for me to do - not this one! It is definately full of beautiful and new ideas but looks easy with all the detailed instructions.

Loraine Manwaring and Susan Nelsen's ALL BUTTONED UP: 12 QUILTS FROM THE BUTTON BOX tells how to use buttons to add interest and dimensions to quilts. Two sisters used their grandmother's button collection for ideas and here provide plenty of tips to adding buttons to everything from wall hangings to lap quilts. Buttons may even be decorated for added attraction.

Before I read this book, I was unable to quilt a stitch. The instructions are clear and well-written, from a technical and literary standpoint. The illustrations are beautiful! I was also impressed with the creativity of the authors. I can't keep my mouth "All Buttoned Up" when it comes to how I feel about this book! It's great!

The instructions are easy to follow. I made the cover quilt and really love the look of it.

This book is Awesome. Very easy to piece stars with new techniques using template taped under a see through ruler to cut odd shaped pieces. Great examples of use of different colors to give the same star a totally different look. Interesting border treatment.

I is wery fine book,and I'm will use this much I think.
Super

... and you have a thing of beauty when you're done!

I was lucky enough to scoop this book up in our public library. It was the beauty of the cover that attracted me. I had never quilted before, but had wanted to learn how. I knew this was not a how-to book, but was aimed at an audience who had more experience than I. It assumes you have some knowledge of terms and techniques, like strip piecing, but a short beginner's class will bring you up to speed fast enough! I have never been disappointed when buying a book by Liz Porter and Marianne Fons. The instructions are clear and concise, and you can avoid some pitfalls if you follow the instructions literally, as in assembling star pieces in the same order as they do - it makes it lie flat and you can ease the seams together better.

I also like the little tidbits they throw in. They're a wonderful team and they write wonderful books. I did my first strip-pieced Starburst quilt in a class that made alot more progress than I did and I used this book to finish the project. It's a great addition to any home quilting library.

Sandy Klop's book, Quilts for all Seasons and Some for no Reason is consistent with her look as a quilter which features traditional quilts with a vintage flair and a color palate that is upbeat and happy. This book includes 14 quilts which offer a range of skill levels, both pieced and applique. The quilts Star Diamond and All Stars play with stars and are a good example of Sandy's overall work with stars in her quilts. Fiesta Wear and Apple Crisp use concentrated colors with stunning results. Chickens, Cherries and Checks and Puppy Parade use classic animal themes in a fun way and would make a great addition to a kitchen or playroom. Bee Mine and Dancing Ladies use applique to accomplish a tender Valentine look and quaint French theme with ladies dancing around a center of color. Folk Art Christmas is a perfect addition to your Christmas collection. Whirligigs and Tessellation play with angles and are fun quilts to make. Magic Carpet is reminiscent of Persian Carpets and Snowy Peaks uses a small triangle to get a big look. Daisy Dew is for advanced quilters and includes 5 intriguing borders. Sandy's book can satisfy every kind of a quilter.

I've been a fan of Sandy Klop and her quilting patterns for years and this new book is a gem. I've had the pleasure of taking quilting classes from her and always learn so much. Her teaching methods along with her kindness, patience and enthusiasm for quilting are reflected in these pages. The quilts are not only delightful but each offers great tips and tricks that any quilter can benefit from (like her tip for making pieced diamonds - Sandy makes it simple!). The patterns are great for stash busting or any variety of color ways. It only touches the surface of the many quilts she has available at[...] and truly reflects her fresh style of traditional quilt making. These are quilts that just make you want to smile. I can't wait to start my next one!

It is a calender with beautiful quilts in each month. I will enjoy it.

My sister is an avid quilter and looks forward to getting this calendar every year. Besides being a calendar, she finds other information in it useful in regards to her hobby.

Sandy Bonsib begins by putting the original quilts in this book into the context of American folk art, which is her definition of "Americana." The primitive style and distinctive colors, including the yellow patina of age, of America's folk art, are incorporated into the designs of 10 projects. Despite being traditional, all of the quilts are fresh, due to an original twist (circular American flags) or a flash of whimsy (dancing dogs and chickens). The projects are well-illustrated, with full instructions, and a general quilting section at the end covers everything from seam allowances to labels. Templates for the appliqué elements of these quilts are also included. All in all a delightful group of projects.

Americana Quilts by educator and quilting expert Sandy Bonsib is a colorful, practical, illustrated, 79-page guide to simple quilting designs which celebrate American heritage and culture. The step-by-step instructions make Americana Quilts needlecraft projects very easy to follow and provides a truly first-rate and highly recommended resource for quilters of all skill and experience levels.

This book has great illustrated instructions on the assembly of 12 different Amish-style quilts. Each quilt has a 'color plan' - a line-drawing of the quilt that you can photocopy and experiment with the color layout. Each quilt is given in multiple sizes. I look at the quilts in this book again and again.

Wonderful quilts featured.The instructions are easy to follow for even an absolute beginner.Useful sewing tips are littered throughout.Handy colour charts to photocopy and use to pick your own colours also featured.One of the best and most practical quilt books I've read.

a book with a text written by one of the most important art critics. Finally quilts seen as art pieces. An incredibly beautiful collection of amish quilts to show you the world of this religious group artistic crafts. If you look for new ideas for your quilting palette, don't miss this book.

Amish: The Art of the Quilt by Robert Hughes chronicles the quilt collection at Esprit corporate headquarters in San Francisco. Begun haphazardly by Doug Tompkins in 1971 as a way to cover bare office walls, it has evolved into a showcase of exquisite examples of Amish artistry.

Robert Hughes writes a concise history of the Amish people and their distinctive quilts. But best of all are the 9" by 9" full-color plates of 82 representative quilts. Julie Silber, who became the collection's curator in 1983, shares her comments on each quilt, pointing out its adherence to or deviation from Amish tradition.

This book represents an excellent investment for all lovers of the vibrant colors and intricate stitching so characteristic of Amish quiltmaking.

reviewed by Andrea R. Huelsenbeck