Floral Bouquet Quilts From In The Beginning [Paperback] Review

Today's quilt's take on the patina of age in this elegant book on floral bouquet quilts.Classic patchwork patterns done in gorgeous florals and historical prints such as toiles, set the stage for beautiful quilts.Here, the author, herself an avid quilter and professional fabric designer, reaches into her heart and personal history to create a bouquet of floral quilts. The themes and inspiration for these floral beauties, as written in the book, reveal a quilter with an interesting personal and professional past, and gives her unique perspective on creating traditional quilts that will themselves be timeless.When you see these beautiful quilts you'll want to make them all - and you can. The designs are simple, the patterns traditional,and the fabrics used in the quilts featured in the book are readily available for purchase.The book instructs in clear and concise sections.Novice and expert quilters alike can successfully sew these quilts as well as be inspired to create beautiful floral bouquet quilts of their own.Go ahead...sew!!

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Product Description:
Stroll through the pages of this beautiful book - lingerawhile and imagine yourself surrounded by flowers. Sharon shows youhow to select floral bouquet fabrics to make one or all of thefifiteen elegant quilts featured in the book. Read a brief history ofchintz and the important role this fabric played in early quiltmaking,then follow suggestions for making a fantasy quilt using today'sfloral bouquet fabrics, including those from Sharon's "In TheBeginning" fabric collection.
- 15 quilt patterns with full instructions for quick and easy piecing.
- Tips on color and fabric selection.
- Decorating ideas offer ways to personalize the setting for each completed quilt.
- Full color throughout.

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Quilting Designs from the Past: 300+ Designs from 1810-1940 [Paperback] Review

This is an excellent book on quilts and quilting.If you are interested in quilt history, it is very well written and has a great deal of information on the history of different quilting styles, patterns and fashions.The pictures and illustrations are fascinating.If you want to make a reproduction antique quilt or quilt an old top, this is the best, and possibly only, source for period authentic quilting patterns.And the instructions on how to transfer, scale and mark the top are clear and easy to follow.This is a must-have book for any quilter or quilt history fan.

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Product Description:
Make your quilts look like antiques with over 300 historically accurate quilting designs from 1810-1840.

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Album Quilts of Ohio's Miami Valley (Ohio Quilt Series) [Paperback] Review

I have well over 100 quilt history books, this being one of my top 2 favorites. The detailed history behind the Miami Valley Quilts is second to none.The beautiful photos are plentiful.As I pondered over a black and white photo of the Eli Hoke quilt in another book,I wished I could just see a color photo of it. Forgetting that I had pre ordered this book, I received it the next day.If you love sampler/album quilts this book is sure to delight you. A few weeks ago I went to a local quilt show. I had no idea the author of this book would be there as well asMary's quilt (pictured on page55). I was certainly thrilled. These quilts are truly an important part of our quilt heritage and study of regional quilts unique to the Miami Valley in Ohio.As you study over the quilts in this book you too will be able to spot a true Miami Valley quilt.There are uniquemotifs in these quilts that will trace the quilts back to the Miami Valley in Ohio.I highly recommend this book to anyone that truly loves quilt history.

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Product Description:
From 1888 to 1918 a community of miami valley neighbors and relatives made album presentation quilts to celebrate life passages. Their sharing of designs and construction techniques led to the development of a distinctive regional quilt style that has never been duplicated in any other region of the state or country. Sue C. Cummings documents several unique characteristics of the Miami Valley album quilts, such as the applique′d Ohio Eagle and other design motifs. Nowhere else in the United States have so many similar eagles been documented in such a specific time period and in such a narrow locale. While other areas have their unique quilt patterns and traditions, Cummings's documentation and collection of this remarkable grouping is a landmark moment in quilting history. Album Quilts of Ohio's Miami Valley presents more than two dozen never-before-published color photographs of these folk art album quilts. Relying on thirty-five years of research, Cummings builds the case for each quilt from family genealogies and interviews, census records, local histories, and cemetery visits. Quilt historians, as well as genealogy and history buffs, will value the book as an inspired "how-to" guide for its impeccable research and for Cummings's ingenious tracking down of the clues in the sometimes hidden messages in the quilting. Beautifully illustrated and affordably priced in a paperback edition, this book is a valuable addition to the Ohio Quilt Series and will appeal to quilt researchers across the country who may discover a quilt from the Miami Valley of Ohio far from its place of origin.

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Around the Quilt Frame: Stories and Musings on the Quilter's Craft [Hardcover] Review

I bought this book so my kids could give me something nice for Christmas.The idea was ot put it away and not read it.No chance of that!I thought, "I'll just read the first few lines... Well, just this page... Just the first chapter??!!"
I couldn't put it down.

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Product Description:
Inspired by the sense of community forged by the millions of women who have gathered with friends to quilt throughout history, Around the Quilt Frame draws upon this common bond, connecting today's quilters in a more symbolic way.
This unique compilation of essays and stories about quilts and quilting blends light-hearted tales with more philosophical pieces. From a variety of well-known quilting writers, including Helen Kelley, Ami Simms, Lisa Boyer, Patricia Cox, Jean Ray Laury, and Sandra Dallas, these pieces expertly stitch together a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces to create a patchwork of treasured and timeless tales.

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Treasury of American Quilts: Including Complete Patterns and Instructions for Making Your Own Quilts [Hardcover] Review

the first half of this book is quilts--wonderful photos of quilts (and also a few embroidered bed rugs) on each page. the quilts range from the late 18th century to the mid-20th, applique, piecework, amish, hawaiian, original and commercial designs. the captions contain the usual information about dates and maker (if known) plus informative and frequently entertaining comments by the authors. the second half of the book has instructions for several of the quilts.

this book is copyrighted 1982, and, comparing this and other quilt books from about the same time to those published more recently, i am struck by the differences--the earlier books, such as this one, seem to offer a far broader range of styles and types of quilts (most remarkably individualistic), as well as more of them--it's as if the attitudes and standards in the quilt world have hardened and narrowed when it comes to which quilts deserve publication. while i have seen a few of the quilts in this book reproduced in other publications, many of the quilts are new to me. two of the most magnificent log cabin quilts i've seen are in this book, as well as a range of applique, from naive to baltimore album quality, that is unsurpassed. why more of these quilts have not seen further publication is a mystery.

aside from the captions, there is no text in the first half of the book. the space is given to the photos of the quilts.

the instructions date from before the time of the rotary cutter. much as i love my rotary cutter and rulers, i deplore the apparently complete dependence on them. these instructions offer templates for the piecing, and shapes that are not broken down into half square triangles or simplified out of character. templates are not frightening--they can be more efficient that ruler cutting. and y-seams are not difficult, they just need a bit more attention. patterns for a few applique quilts and a few patterns for quilting are also included.

this is a book that should be in every quilter's library. there is inspiration on every page. and, since the used prices start so low, there's no excuse not to buy it!

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Hidden in Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad [Paperback] Review

I agree with most of the reviews of this book that the material is indeed fascinating.It just doesn't happen to be true.Sadly, the "quilt code" myth has been invented by a couple of vendors who sell quilts, and now also sell books, speaking engagements, memorabilia, etc.
This isn't the place for a "debunking", however.If you're interested in seriously evaluating the facts of the issue, and comparing this book's unfounded (indeed unique) claims against real scholarship on the Underground Railroad and the history of quilting, a good place to start is the research of Leigh Fellner, which appears in the March 2003 issue of Traditional Quiltworks magazine as well as the Hart Cottage Quilts website.

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Star Quilts II: More of the Legendary Kansas City Star's Quilt Patterns [Paperback] Review

this is apparently the second quilting book with patterns from the kansas city star newspaper archives of the 30s-40s.

now, in my opinion, just because a pattern was printed in the 30s does not necessarily make it a '30s' pattern--after all, a log cabin or lone star pattern printed in a magazine today is not a 21st century pattern. these basic patterns date to the 19th century. many of the pieced patterns in this book also date to the 19th or very early 20th century, but were printed in the k.c. star in the 30s. happily for me, there are several pieced patterns that have the flavor of the 30s, whether variations on tradition or originals.

the reason i am keeping this book in my too large quilting library is because, in addition to pieced patterns, there are twenty fabulous applique patterns from 1930 which are completely 30s in design.

there are some very nice aspects to the presentation of the patterns: a setting is shown both straight and on point (i first thought this was unnecessary, until i realized how convenient it is to see both side by side), there is a section showing various combinations of the pieced patterns, and there is a color picture of a newly sewn block and sometimes a complete quilt to illustrate the individual pattern.

unfortunately, the updated cutting instructions too often substitute half-square triangles for square-in-square patterns. i don't understand why contemporary quilters are considered less competent than those in the 30s.

there is a section of quilting patterns from the 30s included, and some are wonderful, but all are good. there is a two page section on making a quilt. good luck to absolute beginners!

each pattern is also paired with a short article or advertisement from the day it was originally published. these were very interesting, too.

so, taken all in all, there is a lot of value in this book. i gave it four stars only because of the inclusion of so many traditional patterns that can be found anywhere.

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Product Description:
From 1928 to 1961 The Kansas City Star published more than 1,000 quilt patterns, establishing a legacy among quilt makers that now extends around the world.For this book - The Star's second about its quilt designs - editors have selected 16 of the original patterns as published in the newspaper.Each pattern is accompanied by brand-new rotary cutting instructions and redrafts that were prepared and tested by expert quilters.But that's not all.Inside this colorful and easy-to-follow book, you'll find the 21 patterns for the beautiful Memory Bouquet applique quilt.And 12 quilting patterns.And much more that will please beginners and experts alike.

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More Biblical Quilt Blocks: New Inspirational Designs [Bargain Price] [Paperback] Review

I have the first book this author wrote, and was extremely disappointed to find out that at least half the blocks in her new book are repeated from her first book. I feel that the title is misleading. Several of the authors of multiple volumes on the same subject are in my library. Examples would be Bethany Reynolds, Marsha McCloskey, Sharyn Craig, and Carol Doak. In each and every case, the blocks or techniques do not repeat the items that appeared in their earlier books. Therefore, it's logical to expect that a book entitled "More Biblical Blocks" would haveadditional blocks to the ones you already have.

Have you ever bought a CD of an artist you liked to find out that half or more of the songs were repeats from one you already owned? Well, this is the equivalent. Since the book isn't cheap, it's doubly disappointing.

Whereas I do agree that the directions are guite good, they are no better than those contained in many other books on the market by other authors, so there is nothing remarkable in that arena. If you have this author's "Biblical Blocks" book, I'd recommend skipping this one. If you're considering buying one of her books, buy only this one and skip the first, so it can have value to some. I, however, feel ripped off.

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Product Description:
Comforting, breathtaking, inspiring-these are just a few words that fans use to describe the popular book Biblical Blocks. Now Rosemary Makhan returns with all-new blocks that celebrate favorite Bible passages in fabric.
·Discover the special meaning behind 32 time-honored quilt blocks
·Feature blocks in six projects, including large samplers and quicker one-block quilts
·Stitch designs such as Job's Troubles, King David's Crown, and Road to Paradise--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Making History -- Quilts & Fabric from 1: 9 Reproduction Quilt Projects Historic Notes & Photographs Dating Your Quilts [Paperback] Review

If you want to learn to date fabrics found in quilts and cotton clothing, then this book is a must have.MAKING HISTORY Quilts and Fabrics covers the topics in the same detail and stylistic manner of America's Printed Fabrics, for the years 1890 to 1970. With this book, Barbara Brackman essentially finishes her update of Clues in the Calico, (1989).

If I were to use one word to describe the book's text, it is concise.She gives us a great deal of meaty information by combining period fabrics used for clothing, interiors furnishings, and quilts with interior and architectural design schools and wraps them into a synopses of their influence on patterned fabric's scale, color, weave and print.

Large swatches of original fabrics and reproduction prints are featured in exacting color photographs. Smaller quilt pictures show vintage ones. What is great, especially for someone new to dating fabrics, is that she goes back to the beginning dye history of a color and brings it forward to the focus of the years the chapter covers.

Barbara writes that her personal mission when doing research for this book was the discovery of why the look of quilts changed so much in the early 20th century, compared to the years before it. This book is a very interesting read as it draws from the greater field of textiles and interior design, with a wider focus than reproduction and antique fabrics and quilts.

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Product Description:
The comprehensive guide to fabrics and their influence on American quilts from 1890-1970.Includes 9 quilt projects.

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Facts and Fabrications: Unraveling the History of Quilts and Slavery: 8 Projects, 20 Blocks, First-Person Accounts [Paperback] Review

This is a beautiful book of history on African-American quilt making and is chock full of photos, patterns, and basic American history as well.She pulls no punches, tells no lies or tales, and tells you what is an absolute FACT and what is questionable.If you are interested at all in the subject, you must have this book.It is way beyond the info in E.Burns Underground Railroad book.(Which is also a nice resource.)

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Product Description:
* Celebrate and continue an American quilt tradition
* Combines history and quilting
* Great for homeschoolers--includes curriculum!

Enslaved peoples in the American South preserved their memories with quilts. Today, In nine remarkable projects, quilt historian and artist Barbara Brackman guides readers through the stories they told--and lets crafters create quilts and samplers that capture their own memories. Mix and match historic blocks and Brackman's new designs to create timeless treasures.

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Garden Nouveau Quilts [Illustrated] [Paperback] Review

GARDEN NOUVEAU QUILTS offers Vicky Lawrence's original designs and patterns in a series of handwork applique designs inspired by nature that can be fused for quicker results. Beginners learn the basics of applique while those more advanced find clear patterns and new directions in a series of 7 very different projects from bolsters and totes to bed-size quilts.

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Product Description:
The flowing style and organic motifs of Vicky's original designs hark back to a time when traditional and contemporary tastes were combining for a new (nouveau) look. Use any of the 10 blocks in any of the seven projects to complement or become the basis for a unique style. Designed as hand applique work that is easily portable, these patterns can also be fused for quicker results. Projects include fun ideas such as a sachet cover, bolster, and tote, as well as the original bed-size quilt and miniature version, a wallhanging, and table runner. Beginners will learn the basics of applique; experienced sewers will appreciate the clear patterns and directions.

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The Civil War Love Letter Quilt: 121 Quilt Blocks Inspired by Love and War [Paperback] Review

This is not a quilt pattern book. Those who want a quilt pattern will be disappointed.I thoroughly enjoyed reading the diary entries and planning a quilt from the patterns pictured. It is possible to transfer the designs to patterns if you are patient and have some quilting experience. A wonderful addition to any quilter's library.

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Product Description:
*The paper-pieced block patterns featured in this book are interchangeable with all of the 6" blocks featured in The Amish Circle Quilt and The Civil War Quilt Diary
*Features Civil War reproduction fabrics, a popular choice among quilters and available at most quilt shops and fabric stores
The Civil War Love Letter Quilt is a history book, quilting guide, and touching tale of the love shared by Civil War soldiers, their sweethearts and families. In the same innovative approach as other books of the popular letter and diary quilt-book series by Rosemary Youngs, this new guide showcases 121 different paper-pieced block patterns with the actual letter that inspired them. The collection includes love letters from:
*President Rutherford B. Hayes to his family
*Newton Scott to his childhood friend, whom he married upon returning from the war
*David Winn, a soldier who ultimately gave his life for his country

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Quilts from the Civil War: Nine Projects, Historic Notes, Diary Entries [Paperback] Review

"Quilts from the Civil War" not only contains project for reproducing numerous quilts of the 1850s and 1860s, it also contains an excellent discussion of the role quilts played in people's lives.Barbara Brackman describes quilts made for freedom fairs, by the Sanitary Commission for use by soldiers, and quilts made to express patriotic fervor.Brackman goes beyond a mere discussion of quilts, however, to discuss the development of chemical dyes, women's involvement in the war effort in general, the effect of the blockade on southern textile production, the need to hide quilts from occupying Yankee forces, and even the relationships that developed between quiltmakers and soldiers who received the donated quilt.
Brackman also examines the argument that quilts were used as clues for slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad, and concludes that these tales likely were a myth.(Nevertheless, she includes a Jacob's Ladder-style quilt that honors the Underground Railroad.)In evaluating this theory, she discusses the history of the Log Cabin quilt.
Period photographs of women and children, engravings of Sanitary Fairs and other gatherings, photographs of original and reproduction quilts and original dresses beautifully illustrate this book.Excerpts from journals, letters and newspaper articles and reprints of ads calling for the production of items for soldiers add further interest.
Brackman provides a unique timeline that combines both traditional historic events, such as "March 4, 1864 - Grant becomes Commander-in-Chief of the Union Army" with social or women's history, such as "August 1864 - Ladies Christian Commission of San Francisco sponsors a Grand Fair" and "October 5, 1864 - Mary Jones of Georgia records paying $16 a yard for calico."
Footnotes provide directions for those interested in further research.
One drawback is that the projects contained in the book do not faithfully reproduce the historic quilts.Some are fairly easy to adapt to make more authentic, such as the Underground Railroad quilt, which adds 8-pointed stars to a Four Patch in a Strip pattern.Since the book contains a picture of the original, a quiltmaker can easily see that by leaving off the stars, she can make a quilt that's closer to the original.Other patterns will take a little more ingenuity to adapt, but again, pictures of the originals should help.
Those mostly interested in southern quilts would probably do better with "Southern Quils: Surviving Relics of the Civil War."Brackman concludes that few quilts were produced in the Confederacy due to blockade-caused shortages of fabric, needles, thread and other necessities.
For those interested in trying some of the projects contained in the book, the directions are clear and easy to follow.Brackman provides strip quilting directions for some of the quilts (such as the Underground Railroad) but not for others where this technique could speed production (such as the Log Fence).The appendix contains excellent information on batting, quilting styles, binding and other details to give quilts a more period look.
Overall, despite projects that are more inspired by historic quilts than faithful reproductions, "Quilts from the Civil War" is an excellent source of information about textile production during the 1850s and 1860s.

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The Civil War Diary Quilt: 121 Stories and The Quilt Blocks They Inspired [Paperback] Review

A few of the diary entries were interesting to read (I especially liked the story of the china doll), but the quilt blocks were a major disappointment. Each block was named after an entry in the corresponding diary entry rather than by its commonly used name. No patterns given for the blocks, only a line diagram and a small picture of an actual fabric block. Civil War Women by Barbara Brackman is a much better choice for historical background, diary entries and actual patterns.

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Product Description:
The Civil War era was a time of great tragedy and triumph, and for a diverse group of women it was a distinctive thread in their lives and their quilting. Quilters and historians alike will appreciate the timeless lessons shared through actual diary entries and 121 related quilt blocks featured in The Civil War Diary Quilt, from Rosemary Youngs, author of the innovative book, The Amish Circle Quilt.
This reference incorporates instructions, list of supplies, a photo gallery, and 121 quilt blocks inspired by actual diary entries from 10 women living during the Civil War. Readers meet a variety of women including Mary Austin Wallace through her stories about running a 160-acre farm in Michigan, while her husband is away at war; 17-year-old Emma Florence LeConte as she recounts the day the Union army set a path of destruction through Columbia, SC; and Rachel Young King Anderson who moved away from Tennessee with her husband and children to start a new life. In addition to the 121 blocks that make a full quilt, this must-have reference includes smaller projects that use the same blocks.
-Actual diary entries of 10 women living during the Civil War create a unique historical reference
-Includes 121 full-size quilt block patterns that can also be used to make smaller additional projects

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120 Patterns for Traditional Patchwork Quilts [Paperback] Review

A friend loaned this book to me and had to remind me to give it back to her.There are some really great patterns in the book ranging from easy to advanced.Beginning and advanced quitlers alike can find something to use from it. This is a quilter's definite must have.

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Product Description:
Full-size patterns with clear, simple guidelines, and tables listing pieces per block, pieces per quilt, and total yardage. All patterns, whether classic or unusual, are accompanied by a brief history of the origin of the pattern.

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The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns: 4050 Pieced Blocks for Quilters [Hardcover] Review

A beautifully presented work of Jinny Beyer , certainly worth the wait. Informative and instructional work of highest quality. A must have for the library of every true quilter. And if you are new to the art, the contents will certainly help you to a quilt of quality. It covers every type of quilt block and the grid to achieve the block or perhaps find a new block inspired by the information.
Jinny has again achieved the the best of the best among quilters.

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Product Description:

Providing quilters, researchers, and design enthusiasts with a comprehensive tool for finding, identifying, and drafting more than 4,000 unique patterns, this encyclopedia of quilt block designs presents a method of categorizing designs that eliminates duplication and allows quilters to understand exactly how each one is constructed. Each design is analyzed in terms of the grid on which it is drawn, making it easy recreate the pattern in any size or color scheme desired. Each block is thoroughly researched and listed according the original name and date of publication. Double names and duplicates are cross-referenced for easy use. Packed with information and inspiration, this also contains photographs of full quilts, as well as a detailed bibliography and indexes.



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