Quilting Books

Now I need 72 hours in a day so I can make and FINISH all of the quilts I want to - Thank You!!!

Cathy Wierzbicki's TWOSEY-FOURSEY QUILTS: GREAT DESIGNS FROM 2-INCH AND 4-INCH CUTS tells how to use quick cutting techniques and fast sewing to simplify common patchwork shapes. Begin with strips and put together the classic quilter's blocks using new methods with over twenty projects here reinforcing the idea. Color examples throughout reinforce each step of the process.

My girlfriend loves Sunbonnet Sue's and taught Skatin' Sue from this book recently. I took her class and love the book. We made the Skatin' Sue into a one block quilt, appliqued onto a 9" x 10" background and finished to fit over an acrylic 8" x 10" photo frame. I love it. I enjoyed the book so much I chose a couple more Sue's and included them in my birthday block quilt (others in my quilt guild make the blocks for me - what a deal!).

I can never get enough Sunbonnet Sue (or Overall Bill) blocks. I simply love this fun and bright little girl. In THE ULTIMATE SUNBONNET SUE COLLECTION, you get her doing 24 different things like chasing butterflies, walking her dog, having a tea party, eating ice cream or picking flowers.

Everything you need to make beautiful quilts is included such as, eight pages of general instructions, quilting designs, colored photos of Sunbonnet Sue and the template patterns and three patterns. One pattern is a wall hanging, one is a crib sized quilt and one for a full sized bed. But that doesn't stop me from adding more blocks and making one to fit my king sized bed!

The instructions show three ways to applique the blocks --- with a Satin Stitch, With Almost Invisible Applique or hand applique. Whichever you choose, the blocks make into pretty squares which, in turn, will make into a wonderful keepsake quilt for that special little girl, even if that girl is over 20!

Gayle Pritchard has done a remarkable job in capturing the essence of how the art quilt movement began in Ohio. She documents Ohio's importance in putting art quilts into the art world as art rather than craft. The documentation, photos and overall information creates a strong picture of how the art quilt movement started in Ohio and has now infiltrated into the rest of the world. This is a must have in one's personal library.

This is a history of the Art Quilt and it's makers. Nancy Crow was the star pioneer in the Art Quilt field and an Ohio native but there were many great quilters from Ohio that emerged at the same time. Gayle Pritchard chronicles the history in an easy-to-read format with biographies and photos of the prominent players. A concise cohesive treatment of the artists that will make you want more. The only thing missing was a biography and more work from Gayle, herself, also a major player in the Art Quilt World.

I love to applique and making quilts with applique is the ultimate. This book is full of terrific applique patterns for all kinds of vegetables and ideas on how to make quilts incorporating the finished appliques.
This is not a book for beginners or anyone who's never done applique. But it can serve as a dream book for those who would like to someday do appliques.

Veggies from the Good Earth Applique Album offers a theme and something different in an applique world often dominated by birds and flower designs: it selects vegetable applique designs from the garden, offers 15 full-size patterns for producing them, and also offers tips on blending them into a larger quilting project. From yardage to fabrics, tips are specific and offer everything from a every simple pepper piece to a more challenging 77-piece artichoke. Any who use applique will relish the different designs and subject here.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

When I first saw this book and its' authors on Simply Quilts, I just knew I'd make that piano quilt for my mother. She doesn't own a piano but it's always been a dream of hers. Mom and I had fun picking out the fabrics. Then I couldn't resist entering it in the county fair this year. I won a ribbon for 2nd. place. I've only been quilting for a year and this was my best effort.

As for the rest of the book, I just adore all of the quilts. Sometimes when I need to take a break, I just glance through the book and read every word and appreciate all the work and artistic expression that went into the quilts. I even have friends and family that will ask me to bring out that book so they can look through it. I think someday I'll make another watercolor quilt, but I'll just use my felt board and let the pieces decide what it'll be. There's a lot of emotion in my life right now with raising 2 small children, and I'd like to surprise myself with those addictive 2 inch squares.

This book makes a great coffee table book and an inspiration for anyone who appreciates art. Enjoy!!!

When I first saw this book and its' authors on Simply Quilts, I just knew I'd make that piano quilt for my mother. She doesn't own a piano but it's always been a dream of hers. Mom and I had fun picking out the fabrics. Then I couldn't resist entering it in the county fair this year. I won a ribbon for 2nd. place. I've only been quilting for a year and this was my best effort.

As for the rest of the book, I just adore all of the quilts. Sometimes when I need to take a break, I just glance through the book and read every word and appreciate all the work and artistic expression that went into the quilts. I even have friends and family that will ask me to bring out that book so they can look through it. I think someday I'll make another watercolor quilt, but I'll just use my felt board and let the pieces decide what it'll be. There's a lot of emotion in my life right now with raising 2 small children, and I'd like to surprise myself with those addictive 2 inch squares.

This book makes a great coffee table book and an inspiration for anyone who appreciates art. Enjoy!!!

Maybe not for beginners. I did my first Wheel of Mystery quilt using the directions that came with my set of templates (by Marti Mitchell). But this lady's imagination blows my mind. Her designs are like none others. I just love them. Her instructions will work nicely so go ahead and use them. They are clear and well written.

I love the patterns, the color helps and the great inspiration for ideas! Definately worth the money!

Carol Armstrong does it again with her second book. The patterns and examples are stunning. Carol has a knack for designing applique that is visually complex and yet, can be accomplished with basic hand applique skills. These are absolutely the best bird designs out there for applique. These designs are not intended for the "heat-n-bond" quilter, but for the beauty of hand applique. This book inspires and is sure to be a classic for the bookshelf.

A highly recommended pick for those involved in quilting and home decoration projects, Carol Armstrong's Wild Birds contains over twenty full-size patterns and directions for 8 projects, providing beautiful bird images which range from titmouse and hummingbird to orioles and swallows. The attention to birding detail provides more depth and ideas than most.

The author and designer of this book has a great sense of humor. Her designs are realistic and her technique is simple and easy to understand. Gone is the pressure to be perfect because nature is not perfect. The color plates give excellent ideas on use of the various line drawings. Designs are presented so they may be mixed to create a realistic flower garden appearance.

The applique designs are lovely, realistic, and disarmingly simple. Watch out for small applique pieces. The individual flower designs seem to me to work better than the larger composition pieces shown, but all in all a refreshing new look.

Great book, easy to follow instructions for beginner or advanced.

I am not a big fan of buttonhole applique. This book has changed my mind and that if a few of my students. Jean Wells has created some beautiful, sophisticated designs. Her use of fabrics is inspiring. My favorite is the Forest Friends Quilt, which is shown in two different colorways, each giving it a whole new look.

This book is BEAUTIFUL! Not your typical quilt project book - this is filled with so much more! The project directions were easy to follow and the quilts lovely. Added features included winery information; tasting party ideas; recipes; crafts; and even listings of wineries and quilt shops in various regions of the country. Reading through the book, I felt like I was THERE in the wine country with the author. Very informative and interesting to see how the author combined her love of quilting with her new love of "Wine Country".

These nature-inspired quilts comprising Wine Country Quilts are truly gorgeous productions which focus on the outdoors and provide fifteen nature-inspired quilting projects, from easy pieced works to fusible-web designs and mini-quilts. The dual focus on American winemaking regions and vineyard quilts inspired form these traditions makes for an impressive collection which is as visually appealing as it is inviting and recommended to both avid beginners and experienced quilters.