Quilting Books

Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham are two of my favorite quilt authorities, since I am attracted to the vintage, antique, and bold and splashy quilts of the past, as it seems they are. They have an array of quilt block patterns (24 rose and tulip), that can be easily used to make any of the antique or reproduction quilts the authors have presented in their book.

The history included with the different block designs and antique quilts is just a plus. This book is jam packed with inspiration.

This is not, however, a book for beginner quilters, insofar as instructions for beginning applique, quilting, etc. is not included; but the authors did not intend for this to be such. Instead...there is a section entitled "How We Work" which, in my opinion, is more valuable to know, since one can easily obtain information on lessons of standard applique and quilting.

Very charming book and an asset in any quilter's libray.

Being a quilter of limited experience, and money, I was especially thrilled to find this book. I was very happy with the entire layout of the book. Each project is rated on difficulty, and has instructions for any size of quilt. The instructions are easy to follow, and even give pictures of how to cut out your pieces. The color pictures of the quilts are gorgeous! They made me want to make every quilt in the book! The glossary in the back as well as the pages about fabric types were especially beneficial to me, as I am a novice quilter.

I think this book is great! It's packed with history and photograghs-most of them in color. The quilts are beautiful with templates and sewing hints that are easy to understand. Patchwork, applique, log cabin-there is a little of everything.

I got this book and I absolutely love it. It not only has complete episode guides to the show, but also has lots of great photos from the program and tips for the beginner and advanced quilter. I also love the stories and photos from behind the scenes. Really a great book. I am going to start buying them for gifts.

I had borrowed this book from a friend and couldn't stand to not have a copy. An excellent reference detailing the history of quilting as well as providing patterns from the past. I highly recommend it.

Star-work coverlets, with motifs of stars, diamonds, and/or flowers, were woven by professional weavers of the nineteenth century. This book is the only one extant specifically covering these textiles. The coverlets were not signed or dated. But designs for them appear in coverlet weavers' manuscripts as early as 1819. A chapter in the book discusses some of these weavers and their manuscripts. The last chapter in the book describes the method by which a coverlet may be analysed.

Over eighty coverlets were analysed. Handweavers can replicate the textiles exactly, or use the designs to weave other types of fabrics. The book is also of value to antique dealers, textile researchers, museum curators, and coverlet collectors. Craftspeople wishing to incorporate these old designs into modern works may find inspiration in these pages.

Award-winning quilter Rosemary Youngs presents The Amish Circle Quilt: 121 Quilt Block Patterns That Tell A Story, an anthology of 121 actual-size piece and applique quilt block patterns and correspondence between 11 women who maintained their friendships lifelong. A brief introduction walks readers through the basics of quilting, but most of The Amish Circle Quilt is devoted to the patterns themselves and the letters of true friends. A heartwarming survey of easy-to-make Amish quilt blocks, excellent for direct use or inspiration for one's own cozy creations.

This is a good, easy to read book. Bettina has always been a great source of information for quilters. She surely knows her stuff! Wonderful examples and photos.

Illustrated with full-color photographs on every page, Amish Quilts Of Lancaster County is a gorgeous showcase of its title. Brief text introductions ground the reader in Amish quiltmaking history and techniques, but the majority of Amish Quilts Of Lancaster County is effectively a textile artbook, showcasing the quilts themselves in all their bold color and down-to-earth patterns. Most sample quilts are shown in an overall photograph, a detail photograph, and a photograph of the quilt's back. A truly beautiful sampling, and a joy for avid quiltmakers and quilt aficionados to simply page through.

I started quilting by making blocks, generally out of my stock of multicolored denims. Found some--with more than 45 degree triangles--difficult to make because you are sewing into narrow points. Mary Hickey's way of sewing first, then cutting helps. At least it makes you aware of what you are doing. I wouldn't do 45 degree triangles like this, though.

More than that, I do like those long, narrow triangles. Necessary for a Christmas tree I make fairly often, and lovely complex designs like storm at sea.

The first wall hanging I made was from this book--the wheat flowers. Not in anything remotely resembling her colors, though. In striped shirting fabrics with distressed denim borders, red Madras peeking through the holes. And a blanket back. Took it into the neighborhood quilt shop the first time I went in, and the owner took its picture.