Quilting Books

This is a wonderful book for quilters. The photographs and instructions are so clear, you will be lead every step of the way. All patterns are full size, cutting and piecing charts and diagrams are wonderful. I really enjoyed the "snippets" that are throughout the book, little hints and tricks that help out and make you think. 246 pages in hardcover, a true treasure to own.

Quilting expert Bettina Havig's Classic English Medallion Style Quilts is a superbly organized and presented instructional guide to the crafting beautiful patterned quilts featuring the sharp-edged triangles and patterns that comprise what is known as the "Medallion Style". Straightforward yet concise instructions and illustrative diagrams are combined with full-color photographs to make an excellent and "user friendly" how-to manual for quilting hobbyists of beginning to intermediate skill -- and the brilliant designs are sure to capture both the eye and the imagination!

This a really excellent "how-to" book for someone who wishes to decorate clothing items or regalia with Seminole Patchwork. Numerous designs and patterns from simple to complex. Patchwork can also be used to deocrate quilts or personalize everyday items such as glass cases and cell phone holders. Book is plastic spiral bound for easy use.

This is a lovely small book which gives colorful visual images
of our American quilting history. The ladies of the 1800's
left us their stories in diaries and letters. They also left
us their beautiful quilts.

The hardships of life on the American frontier was helped by the
quilting projects that the women used to fill their time.
In 1831, Lydia Marie Child wrote, "The true economy of
housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the
fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean the fragments of
time, as well as materials. Nothing should be thrown away so
long as it is possible to make any use of it, however trifling
that use may be..." This is certainly an idea that is far
removed from today's thinking where we throw away many useable
items.

The quotations that are used throughout the book are poignant
and very interesting. These words from our history are set against the background of pieces of quilts and wonderful photographs of ladies, and the various accoutrements of sewing.

The longing to keep connected to her young married daughter is
reflected in the following letter from a mother. In 1850, Hannah Shaw wrote to her daughter, "I have been looking for something to send to you, but I could not find anthing that I could send in a letter bitt a piece of my new dress..."

This is an easy and charming way to reflect on our American
history.

If you are looking for creative ideas to spark your altered art imagination this is the magazine for you. I like their in depth coverage on a specific product such as glue that give the pros and cons of each type. Besides the ideas,the quality of the paper they use for the magazine is just top quality.

This is the first time I have bought this magazine and I was very impressed with the content. All the articles are interesting and informative and most of the materials used are readily available in the UK.
It is naturally quite Americanised but still relevant to the UK. I would encourage anyone interested in crafting altered art, ATC's and printing to buy this magazine.

I purchased this book as a gift for my mother in law, she had been searching for it for a long time. It's simply small hand drawings of virtually every quilt pattern in existance. No fancy directions, just the drawings on hundreds of pages broken down into Square, Triangle, Rectangle, Applique, and Other patterns. She absolutely loves this book!

Sheila Wintle has taken some old early American designs, enhanced with her own artistic spin and appliqued a delicious assortment of quilts! Her used of bold colors and modern fabric designs do not take away from the colonial designs. This is one of my favorite books because her flair for applique/quilting is altogether different than what is typical.

Though most of her 13 pictured quilts are smaller lap or wall size, my favorite, her "Carnation and Acanthus Leaf" (pictured on cover) is near full size. The colors are rich and luscious and the medallion design is cleverly put together by using the acanthus leaf to surround the carnation blooms in a wreath style.

The plus in this book is that Ms. Wintle took the time to give beginners directions on applique, quilting, the purchase of supplies, fabrics, how to make stems, border treatments, mixing and matching patterns and fabrics, and consistently offers valuable personal tips that most don't consider. Her various ideas for pieced and appliqued borders enable anyone to enlarge the quilt designs.

The patterns are fresh and lovely, so that even a seasoned quilter will find inspiration.

A must for any quilter's library.

Ionne McCauley and Sharon Pederson's COLOR FOR THE TERRIFIED QUILTER: PLAIN TALK, SIMPLE LESSONS, 11 PROJECTS offers a step-by-step formula for choosing color for quilts, blending practical techniques and guidelines with easy exercises and 11 projects to teach the basics of using the color wheel. From making up mock-up blocks before committing fabrics to sewing to mixing dark and light fabrics for maximum effect, COLOR FOR THE TERRIFIED QUILTER is packed with fine project ideas which teach the foundations of color.

I purchased a new sewing machine and was really looking forward to expanding my quilting skills. First, I wanted to improve my machine quilting skills given all the beautiful threads available. Second, I wanted to branch out from traditional piecing and, well, "let go"! This book was the inspiration I needed. The quilt photos illustrate wonderfully how Ms. Heine's own creativity flourished, and the text recounts the circumstances that inspired her. Toward the back of the book are techniques on how to draw with the sewing machine, how-tos on how to recreate some of her quilts, as well as needle and thread advice. It's a book with heart.
Ms. Heine's quilts have appeared in many quilt shows. Imagine seeing your quilt hanging....with the back facing out! It happened to her. As she writes in her book, "It was at this point in my quilting career that I decided that the back was just as important as the front!" Incidentally, the quilt received a First Place ribbon and a Judges' Choice.
If you want thread to make a prominent statement in your quilting and do much, much more than secure the layers; if you want to gain confidence in "letting go" and trying something new, I suggest you add this book to your quilt library.