Quilting Books

The photography in this book is beautiful and the projects have inspired me and shown me how to quilt my own landscape designs. A must have for the quilt artist's library!

Holly's patterns and Diane's watercolors make me want to both quilt and paint! The quilt instructions and information are very clear and easy to follow, and the photos of the finished projects are enticing. What a delightful book for the quilt artist who wants a ready-made plan for a quick project.

Ricky Clark's involvement in the Ohio Quilt Research Project focused her attention on the popularity of the red and green floral quilt during the forty years from the 1840s through the 1870s. She wanted to know why the quilts were so similar when there were no commercial patterns, and why this specific color scheme prevailed for so long. Having documented 179 Ohio-made classic floral quilts, she categorizes the appliqué blocks into seven geometric styles. She investigates the social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds of the women who made these quilts, and how the patterns spread. The result is a book that holds the interest of the general reader while being based in sound academic research. Beautifully illustrated with many color photos of quilts and with period photographs of the quilt makers.

This book offers a thorough, comprehensive study of floral quilts from 1840-1870. It is full of meaningful information and photo examples for all who love floral quilts and especially for quilt history buffs, researchers and appraisers.

As a beginning quilter, I found this to be one of the most useful, beatifully designed and inspiring books I've come across. 150 block designs are each given a two page spread showing:
- A full color illustration of the made up block that uses fabric rather than just solid colors.
- A set of four full color fabric blocks joined to show how the pattern works together.
- A black and white illustration breaking down the various shapes constructing each block.
- A paragraph of history and information.
- A rating of how difficult the block is to create.
The book organizes blocks into the following categories: One-Patch, Four-Patch, Five-Patch, Nine-Patch, Stars, Hexagons and Octagons, Square-in-a-square, Curved, Fans, Log Cabin, and Applique. One of the really unique and useful features is a full color index showing thumbnails of all the blocks. The spiral binding allows the pages to lie flat when you're working on a certain block, another great feature.
Basic information on quilting is included (tools, choosing fabric, etc.) but this book is more useful for ideas than technique. My mother, who has been quilting for many years, loved this book as well (and she tends to be as picky as I am about quilt books!)

Traditional blocks, some with a new slant and each one with a brief history of its origins. This book goes right from the basics - the quilt block in history, tools and equipment, working with colour and pattern, drafting blocks, through to where to go next for those who like to be really creative. All this and 100 blocks too, all in full colour. The handy size and spiral binding make it ideal to keep on your sewing table for constant reference. I only have one problem with this book- I think I'm going to turn into a blockaholic! This is one book I don't want to be without.

This is the quilting book that I've been longing for. It is not a how-to book but rather walks the reader through the design process. An easy read and a reference that I plan to refer to for a long time. I'm recommending it to all my quilting friends.

If a quilter cannot attend one of Ann's workshops, her third book is a great substitute. Her students know that she is exacting, helpful, creative, and provides directions with clarity. Once the basics are absorbed the student can embark on their own waywardness and she encourages this, but always with a guideline about the basic rules. The book would be a help to non-quilting artists, too.

The Quilter's Companion: The Complete Guide To Machine And Hand Quilting by quilting instructor and needlecraft expert Katharine Guerrier is a broad-ranging sourcebook covering contemporary and traditional quilting designs, techniques for cutting, stitching, and applique, sashing, borders, finishment, embellishings, tips on the display and care of quilts, and much more. Logically organized and accessibly presented, featuring gorgeous full-color photographs, The Quilter's Companion is a truly first-rate resource, introduction, and guide to the respected tradition and art form of quilt crafting. Also very highly recommended are Katharine Guerrier's two previous quilting books: Quilting Masterclass and The Encyclopedia Of Quilting And Patchwork Techniques.

Quilter's Companion / 1-58923-243-7

I have about 50 second-hand quilting books, or at least it certainly feels that way sometimes, so I very nearly didn't buy this one when I passed it in the store a few months ago. I'm very glad that I did buy it - what a treasure!

Not "just another quilting book", this book has a beautiful "modern" look and feel throughout. Old quilt blocks are here, and they still retain their charm, but the look and feel has been gently updated. New quilt blocks and quilting techniques are introduced. This isn't post-modern Picasso quilting and it isn't your grandmother's country quilting - it walks a careful middle road between tradition and modern tastes and it does so effortlessly.

This book is huge, and every page is informative and useful. The emphasis between machine techniques and hand techniques is split fairly equally, and it's wonderful to finally find a resource which shows how to properly machine quilt a lot of traditional stars and blocks which don't lend themselves easily to machine quilting. Did I mention that the pictures are in color, with careful detail, and you can actually understand what you are being told to accomplish? That can be a rarity with do-it-yourself books, but not here. This is the first quilting book I've ever owned which actually presented an understandable, practical approach to machine appliqué.

There's also a wealth of variety here. There's plenty of beginner's blocks and quilting styles, but the author also provides suggested "projects" to practice techniques - including a gorgeous wall hanging of a basket of flowers and a butterfly, all appliquéd. And (if that weren't enough) the butterfly wings are not attached to the picture and can "flap" gently. Definitely, this book gently teaches but also gently challenges the reader to take steps in a new direction if they want to expand their repertoire.

I can't recommend this quilting book highly enough. At one point, I seriously considered selling the rest of my books and only keeping this one - it's that helpful and comprehensive. I finally decided to keep the others for inspiration and because I'm a pack-rat, but this one is definitely the one I go to for instructions and technique refinement.

I got this stationery boxed set from a co-worker some time ago. It was one of the best "Secret Santa" prezzies I ever got. Although I am not majorly into quilting, I adore studying the patterns in this set for inspiration in other crafts that I do enjoy.

How I wish that this wonderful collection was published again -- I'm always on the look-out for it!

I did not know what to expect when I opened the box called Quilter's Delight. But, the items inside exceeded my expectations. The box contains two books of postcards with quilt designs, two books of quilt pattern stickers, a book of quilt pattern gift labels, a book of quilt design bookmarks and two notebooks wtih quilt patterns on the cover - one with lined pages, one with blank pages. This would be a good stocking stuffer for a quilter, or a gift for a secret sister, or for a quilter to use for personal correspondence.

I totally agree with Marti. This line of books is fabulous. The patterns are so much fun to make and so good to use for gifts, etc. I even like to just take all three and browse through them time and again, because they are so beautiful and well produced.
Buy all three seasons of them. They are worth every penny paid.

I highly recommend this book, along with the other 2 books in the series, Fall and Winter. Lois is a very talented quilter, teacher and pattern maker and the patterns in the books are very easy to follow.

This book gives clear instructions for making blocks. A picture, fabric and cutting requirements and instructions on how to assemble each block, are followed by design variations according to colour placement in the particular block. This is a clear and successful format for beginners to those beginning to design their own quilts. Some ideas for combining different blocks; quilt, runner and cushion sizes and fabric needs; general information on choosing fabrics and using equipment; borders and quilting designs completes this valuable resource.

This book has 50 quilt block designs in it (all 12 inch blocks) and it provides you with the quantity and sizes of each piece of the block for cutting. It also has colored pictures of the block and then 4 different ways to layout the block to create different designs/patterns (my favorite part). The only negative I have is that you need to do your own calculations/math to determine how much fabric you will need in order to create a larger project. The book also includes a wall hanging, table runner and pillow design. It includes some general instructions on how to lay quits and cut pieces in the back but assumes that you already have the basic quilting skills.

I couldn't wait for the latest edition of this book to hit the market! It is the best resource available to find quilt stores in the US. It's fun to browse. It's helpful is planning trips. Every quilter should have a copy of this book. -Joan Hawley, Owner, Lazy Girl Designs

A must have for anyone who loves quilting and who loves to travel. What a great way to locate all the quilt shops along the way. Good descriptions and directions for most of the shops. It's my goal to visit each and every shop listed in the book, much to my husbands dismay.

The author has written this book WITH kids as well as for kids. She has given us lots of tools to use and to copy that adapt to many situations. I'm writing a program for 200 kids participating in a Vacation Bible School "Prayer Quilt Ministry" that will cover designing quilts and using quilt projects for kids 3-12 and the ideas are all here!

I used this book with 2nd grade students. The book brought so many more ideas and areas into play. This book was the focus of our entire quilting unit. Many reproducables and hands on activities. The paper plate punch was a big hit.