Quilting Books

Everyone looks for different things when chosing a book, but to me the most important thing is whether or not I actually made anything from the patterns. I have made 1 of the candle mats and one wall hanging quilt. That alone makes this book a winner to me. I had no difficulty with either pattern and felt encouraged to actually machine quilt them, which worked well because of the smaller size. This book is a must have for anyone wanting to create fun items for the Christmas season. I count 45 different pattern ideas, enough for all your friends and yourself. You won't be disappointed with this book.

This book is fantastic! There is something for everyone in this book, from beautiful quilts, to apparel,from home decor to trimming the tree, nothing has been left out. I especially love the Santa countdown calendar, the reindeer vest and adorable stockings. The fiesta stars quilt is beautiful! Like I said, nothing is left out. Easy patterns to follow for the beginner but the expert will love them as well. Beautiful full color pictures shows you exactly how the finished product will look. I think anyone that loves to quilt or sew will enjoy having this book in their library.

It was a pleasure to read CRAZY FOR QUILTS. I can honestly say that I relished each and every page.

Sandra Dallas wrote the Foreword. She is the author of several excellent novels including THE PERSIAN PICKLE CLUB. She gives some interesting insight into her own love of quilts that was passed down through her family. Her memories and antidotes add a personal touch of family history to this book. There's also a very entertaining short story written by Marietta Holley titled "Miss Jones' Quilting." It takes place around 1887 and gives an amusing account of a quilting bee and how gossip can really get out of hand

The art illustrations are enchanting and feature the works of Sandi Wickersham and Diane Phalen. CRAZY FOR QUILTS is filled with photographs of quilters and many examples of quilts. This small, but mighty book also has a section on quilters' folklore and a glossary of quilting terms. This really would make a great gift for any woman who enjoys quilts.

Quilting took off in North America, from the need to make the best possible use of resources. Immigrants could not afford to be wasteful. So the cheapest way to having bedcovers and blankets was to sew cast-off and leftover materials into quilts.

Early on quiltmaking meant coming up with something not only practical, but also beautifully artistic. One of CRAZY FOR QUILT's many examples that particularly touched me was a small all-white doll quilt. It was machine-stitched more than 100 years ago. Over time black dots showed up from inside the cloth. These were cotton seeds. The quiltmaker, from a Southern state, might have picked her own cotton for batting! So this quilt was not only practical in giving a cool white night cover to a child's doll. It also left evidence for future generations of how one woman turned a child's gift into an elegantly simple, lasting work of art

These days quiltmaking has become a creative and practical outlet for probably around 20 million quilters just in the United States alone. This modern passion has also become a strong support to historical preservation, in this case in the collecting of antique quilts and in the use of traditional designs. In fact, many of the best-loved quilts have kept alive traditional patterns, such as crazy quilting, the double wedding ring, grandmother's flower garden, and the log cabin.

One of the book's more humorous sections was on the sayings that have passed down through quilting generations. The one that made me laugh, but also take note, was about giving a new quilt a good shaking outside the front door. The bad or good news was that the first man to then pass through that door should become the quilter's husband!

Margret Aldrich has also edited the equally fine THIS OLD QUILT.

Judy has gone way beyond her Crazy Quilt Handbook, with expanded sections on silk ribbon emboidery, burned fabric edges, and fantastic landscape designs. You'll want to grab your scrap basket and start right away to create your own contemporary Victorian style crazy quilt project, and she's got plenty of projects to choose from.

Judith Montano is easily one of the modern masters of crazy quilt techniques and embellishment needlework. Her book (sadly I see it is now out of print) "Crazy Quilt Odyssey," coming in just under 150 pages, is jammed-packed with great information about crazy quilting.

The book begins with a short history of piecing, quilting, and embellishment thereto and then proceeds to offer a rich education in various needlework methods.

Happily, Montano does not limit herself to quilts, which are mighty big undertakings for many of us. She gives great ideas and instructions for smaller projects, including many for wearable art and adding embellishments to ordinary street clothes.

The instructions are quite clear and nicely photographed, which is extremely helpful for the beginner or needleworker of limited experience. There are many black-and-white photographs, but there are also quite a number of beautiful color ones, too, which really incite the creative juices!

I'm glad I have this in my library; it's one of the first books I pull of the shelf when I'm in search of ideas. DEFinitely worth a search of used book resources to find this one...or else I recommend checking out one of her many other books or videos.

Use the CDROM packaged with Barbara Brackman's Create Your Family Quilt to blend the goals of celebrating family heritage with making a family quilt. From quilt blocks which represent states to vintage pictures, state facts, and regional flavor, this tells how to incorporate state quilt blocks and symbols to create a unique family portrait. Access to a CDROM drive is essential, here.

I love a quilt that tells a personal story. I also love quilt books that come with CD software to help with design and pattern.
Although Barbara Brackman focuses on states to build a family story quilt--it can be the foundation for so much more.
The book itself is gorgeous, filled with facts and art from all fifty states. The software loads easily and is the same format as Electric Quilt which let me use it immediately.
I grew up in central east Florida in a neighborhood called Palm Bay Point. It's a small peninsula that juts into the Indian River. Hibiscus and orange trees decorate front lawns. Giant oaks hold heron nests and palms sway in the salt breeze of the Indian River. Pelicans and dolphins are plentiful.
I designed a Palm Bay Point quilt as a test. Here is what I found. The applique designs as well as the state blocks were interchangeable. I was able to use hibiscus from Hawaii and Pelicans from Lousiana as well as Orange Blossoms from Florida.
Since the point is surrounded by water and sailboats are a frequent sight--I borrowed the Mayflower block from one of the New England states. The end product was a quilt that told a visual story of my childhood neighborhood.
I particularly liked the attention given to border(applique) design as well as the body of the quilt.
I can imagine designing many personal story quilts using this software and book.
I'm a fan of Barbara Brackman (although I have never met her.)
She researches her material well, her writing voice is easily read and understood. She has been on many quilting journeys of history and design and she is generous to share the highlights with others in a beautifully designed format.
I'm already having fun with this book. So far, it's my favorite book this year.
:)

My wife is a professional-level heirloom seamstress. She's sold dresses in excess of $300 multiple times, and has taught classes at a university summer sewing seminar. And she learned from the book. There are a number of things that are useful to her, and enabled her to go beyond what she was already capable of. It's not a book for someone at a basic to intermediate level of skill, but high intermediate to advanced people should find it very useful.

This book details some stunning embroidery and embellishment techniques that even a beginner can accomplish. Each section includes a project with very clear instructions and diagrams. A complete supply list (including thread weight, needle type/size, what kind of stabilizer to use, which presser foot, how to adjust the bobbin/machine tension, etc.) is provided with each project. I higly recommend this book to anyone who has always wanted an embroidery machine but can't afford it.

That Patchwork Place's CREATIVE QUILT COLLECTION V. 3 features 19 special designs, from traditional to modern, which illustrate a range of quilt-making tips. From simple piecing to hand applique, the variety is an exceptional range of ideas for all levels of quilter. Highly recommended for any needleworker's collection.

This is the 3rd volume of works by various designers. Volume three has 19 projects and I'm not sure which one to start on first.

Starting from the back of the book, there are 15 pages of quilting basics. This is always good for a review of a technique or a reference for a newer quilter. Then there are nine pages containing overviews and each designer has several paragraphs about her. I always enjoy reading them.

Each project has a color picture of the finished item and the finished quilt and block size are also given. A paragraph about the quilt begins the instruction pages, followed by a material and cutting list. Lots of graphics are scattered throughout the step-by-step instructions on creating the blocks as well as for the assembly and finishing of the quilt.

All the patterns are great although a few of the quilts are done in colors that are not of my taste. A quick color change and it will be a beautiful quilt that I love. So don't let color stop you from making the quilt. Just change out the colors you don't like with ones that you do. Happy quilting!

Windmill, Eight-Pointed Star, Kitty Corner, Steeple Chase, Compass, Ship's Wheel, Flower Basket, Tulip, Wild Goose Chase, Log Cabin, Duck's-Foot-in-the-Mud, and Little Red School House.

I would not call myself a avid quilter, but I am a pretty good one. One of the books I started out with was this one.

In the introduction one will find a crash course in beginning the quilt, types of materials to use, fabric cutting, sewing, setting, blocking and finishing the quilt, as well as preparation of the top, quilting and binding.

The things I liked were the full size templates, color charts, and easy to follow directions. Not to mention it precisely telling you how much of each fabric is needed.

This book is simple enough for the beginner, yet challenging enough for the avid quilter. I'd recommend it without any qualms.

I was intimidated by the many wonderful appliqued quilts I'd see and wanted to learn, but didn't know where to begin. The Easy Art of Applique covers the basic directions for getting started and gives simple projects for each of the eight methods of applique showcased. The directions and diagrams are clear and concise and inspired confidence and a desire to jump right in to the first project. The full size patterns are included for tracing and the finished quilts are all showcased in a full color gallery. I like this book because it gives you the basic information without overwhelming a beginner and yet would help an appliquer with more experience to perfect the different techniques used. A must have for any quilter ready to start on applique.

When you are stuck and frustrated, relax and reach for this reference...clear writing and very useful illustrations. Nearly as helpful as your grandmother!

Another of my cherished Foundation piecing books - my second Carol Doak one. What a lovely selection to choose from. I hope vests don't go out of fashion too soon. These are all very special. Vest patterns in a number of sizings and styles are included but the techniques can be used on any pattern you have. Well worth having.

I bought this book to use in a class on paper piecing. It's a good intro to paper piecing and the vests are great. There are three major pattern styles--but endless possibilities. I made my Mom's birthday vest from the pattern in this book, and I made a sewing vest for myself out of quilt scraps. These are art vests and if you don't wear vests--they look great hung on the wall too. Carol Doak is clear and accurrate and she doesn't leave out any of the steps. Vests, paper piecing, a creative jumpstart--are all here--what more could you want? Mary Z. Cox the accidental quilter

I made this quilt for my bed! Following Eleanor's instructions, my quilt turned out perfect. Do you want your quilt to be perfect? This is the book for you!

I love this book. It's another one of Eleanor's Easy ways to learn to quilt. She's done a fine job and I'm delighted to add it to my library.