My last post was about the quilting projects I worked on during vacation in Maine. However, I also visited several used books stores. I found some wonderful used quilting books. In my mind, Maine & used quilting books go together.
Maybe because of the long snowy winters in Maine, there are many wonderful used books stores to visit. This year I concentrated on finding some used books on quilting.
My personal favorites are: Stone Soup Books in Camden, Rockland Library Book Stop, and Two Brothers Books in Freeport. There are many more in the area and you would probably find others that you like.
Right side of photo is all the “crafty” books at Two Brothers Books
Two Brothers Book Store – children books on the left side
Quilting Book Treasures I Found:
Seven books cost me $30. An exciting treasure trove that will be enjoyed again and again.
Interesting articles about quilts and quilting in British Isles
I encourage you:
New books are expensive. I like books, and read many genres. A personal library is fun. If you are wanting to expand your quilting library then check out the used book stores in your area.
If you are headed to or live in Maine, check out the stores I listed above. Who knows what treasures you will find. Most of all, enjoy the search.
Source: Bing clip art
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Currently, I have no need of fabric, threads, or quilting gadgets. But I love books. Would you believe me if I stated that these quilting books followed me home?
Happy Trails – Variations on the Classic Drunkard’s Path
I bought this classic book by Pepper Cory at the local library sale for $1 !! It has 64 pages of color photos, directions, b/w drawings of lots of ways to set the drunkard’s path blocks.
I have not made one of these in 20 years, but this book is giving me all kinds of ideas. And….there are several that would be a great way to use up some more scraps.
Blackberg Edition – 11 Bloved Quilts that Stand the Test of Time
This is a new quilting book hot off the press ! It has a churn dash pattern that I really like, plus some star patterns. Or maybe it is just the colors of the quilts in the books.
Published by Martingale and has 80 pages of color photos, directions, and is causing several unnecessary project ideas.
Vintage Treasures: Little Quilts for Reproduction Fabrics
I like antique quilts, especially ones from the 1780-1860 time frame.
And I am finding myself experimenting more and more with wall hanging or doll quilt size.
This book was published last year by Martingale and has so many fun ideas for small quilts. There are stars, postage stamp, yo-yo’s, pinwheels, baskets, and more. Many of the quilts are in under 36″ wide or long size group. A nice size to display.
My Thoughts to YOu:
Quilting books can be considered “tools of the trade”. Spend some time talking to other quilters about what their favorite ones are and why.
I suggest books that offer several patterns, and good photos and directions. As your skills increase, branch out into other patterns, or something more complicated.
Chances are that you will find certain patterns become your favorites (or not). Books can contain patterns or ideas that challenge you to make a new pattern. Or use a pattern as a starting place, and add to it to make the pattern and final project really your own.
Some day, you too can say, “These quilting books followed me home”. Others might roll their eyes, but new ideas are always welcome to quilters.
Most of all, have fun and enjoy the quilting journey.
Source: Quiltville
PLEASE NOTE: All photos and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please DO NOT use or reproduce ANY content from this website without my written permission.
A few weeks ago I went through several old quilt magazines. One of the things I found was ads for then “new” books. The local public library did not have them but was able to get them through inter-library loan. I hope you have this service at your library and utilize it for getting books you are interested in. This is how I got three quilt books, one of them about Barn Quilt Trails.
Barn Quilts & the American Quilt Trail Movement
By Suzi Parron with Donna Sue Groves. Published by Swallow Press 2012.
Over 200 pages of color photos, the history of the barn quilt trail movement, and several states lists of barn quilts. I found it to be a fun book and enjoyed learning more about the quilt trails found in various states.
I may see if I can find a good used copy of this book to add to my personal quilt book library.
There is a barn quilt trail in Gibson County, IN that I am hoping to drive this spring once the weather warms up. If I can work it into my schedule, I will post about it.
Log Cabin Fever: Innovative Designs for Traditional Quilts
By Evelyn Sloppy. Published by That Patchwork Place 2002.
Ninety pages of color photos and unusual designs that incorporate the traditional log cabin block. I love some of the design names: Heartstrings, Apple Crisp, Liberty Logs, Bears Need Homes Too. There are 11 designs in the book.
Lizzie’s Legacy: More Quilts from a Pioneer Woman’s Journal
By Betsy Chutchian. Published by Kansas City Star Books 2013.
Ninety pages of colorful photos, actual family history of Lizzie, and great antique looking patterns to make your own antique looking quilts.
The five chapters are broken into Kindred Friendship, Doing Chores, Comfort, Grasshoppers and Flies and Fleas and Butterflies and Bees, and Passing Time. The quilts are 18″ x 18″ to not quite full size, but could be adjusted for your pleasure.
Quilting Books for Tiny Scraps – I am not really sure how it happens, but I start with one shelf for quilting books and pretty soon they have taken over two. I recently decided that some weeding and/or organizing of these books was necessary. Doing this actually forces me to really look at the books – which can be a distraction because then I start thinking “I could do this quilt, or this one…….” And sometimes I even wonder what in the world I was thinking when I brought a book home.
Over the past 2 or 3 years, I have been trying to use up my scraps and also my stash. These two books have wonderful patterns or ideas that I have based a couple scrap quilts on. They have patterns from easy to expert. They are “keepers” for my personal library.
I was asked how I get books with spiral bindings. After purchasing, I take the books to the local copy shop. There they cut off the binding and put on this spiral binding. I like my quilt books this way because they lay flat when I am working on a project. The cost is very reasonable – generally about $2-3 each book.
I truly encourage quilters to collect quilt books that are helpful to you, whether it is techniques, patterns, or inspiration. There are so many wonderful quilting books out there to choose from.We don’t need all the books, but building our own reference library of books that help us as quilters is a great boost to our quilting journey.
I was looking for a specific quilt book in my personal library today, and ran across these three applique books that I go to time after time. They are so enjoyable because of the beautiful and unique applique patterns, and for the individual ideas each pattern contains. If you are looking for books on applique for your personal library, I recommend these.
Books everywhere
Maybe I am the only one, but there was a time I bought so many books with any kind of quilting theme, especially if they were at library sales. I had piles of dusty quilting books everywhere and rarely took the time to dig through them – it was overwhelming.
And tastes change over time, and the book collection did not reflect that. What a mess (reminds me of the scrap problem I have).
I decided to take the time to go through the piles and look at each carefully and ask these questions for each book:
What prompted me to buy the book (one particular quilt, the cover, the author, etc.)?
Would I really utilize the book for patterns or ideas?
Was the book a duplicate for one already in my collection?
I sold or gave many of them away that I really had no interest in.
three applique books that remained in my personal library
The Best of Jacobean Applique by Campbell and Ayars. Published by AQS, it contains 140 pages of beautiful photos and well drawn patterns. There are great directions and suggestions for putting the blocks and top together.
Floral Abundance: Applique Designs Inspired by William Morris by Makhan. Published by the Patchwork Place, it has 80 pages of directions to make the quilt on the front cover. The pieces can be used individually in another applique project.
The 1776 Quilt: Heartache, Heritage, and Happiness by Holland. Published by Breckling Press, it has 160 pages of suggestions, directions, and templates. There are so many individual pieces that could be used in other quilts. The quilt itself has a fascinating and unusual story.
Suggestion to you:
My book suggestion to you is to be choosy. Buy quilt books that inspire you and that you will refer back to time and again. Many quilting books can be borrowed from guild or public libraries – if you keep going back to a certain book or books consider buying it for your personal library.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS AND WRITTEN CONTENT ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
I pick up good quality Books About Amish Quilts (or a world of stunning beauty) when I have the chance. Here are some from my personal collection.
Even if there are no patterns – there are wonderful photos and ideas for the next quilt.
I love the contrast of colors on traditional Amish quilts – especially those from Lancaster County, PA.
The immense amount of hand quilting that goes into them is simply amazing. I think these quilts were the start of my inspiration for doing, and loving the look and feel of hand quilting.
In my head I start thinking about what fabrics in my own stash. Would any lend themselves to making a quilt in the bright and bold patterns of the Amish community?
When I can get to Amish communities, I go to local stores. The quilts are always inspiring.
The Amish store two hours south of me has wonderful fabrics, both solid and prints. The prices are good and the selection is wonderful.
If you get a chance to see Amish quilts (especially antique ones) and/or visit an Amish dry goods shop do so. Slow down and relax. Enjoy the chance to do something different and see another kind of quilt.
If you are interested in Amish quilts please take time to find and look at any of the BOOKS ABOUT AMISH QUILTS (or a world of stunning colors) listed here.
I am regularly asked by blog readers to suggest books that I feel are classic and timeless for quilting info. Below are the ones that are my “go to” quilt books for instructions, photos, and inspiration.
All are older books. I have used them hard. The bindings are long since broke and three now have spiral bindings because of that. But the information is timeless and helpful. Beginner quilter to expert, I really do recommend these books for a personal quilting library.
This one has simple blocks like log cabins to more complicated such as spider web. Lots of great drawings to help.
These two books contain super simple instructions on basic piecing and cutting to putting a quilt in a frame for hand quilting. Great instructions and lots of photos.This books covers color, cutting, sewing, various quilt blocks from super simple to complex, quilting and binding.
I encourage quilters to have a few books of their own that they will utilize. I know it can be hard to sift through all the beautiful book covers to find helpful and useful info, but take your time and find a few that will help you on your quilting journey.
Books, books, books….3 more quilting books. I love having a personal library of books in general, but quilting books specifically especially when I suddenly have an idea or even need an idea for a quilt. Or a part of a quilt. It is very helpful when I want to check directions or look at color choices for a quilt.
Today I am going to share 3 more quilting books from my personal library.
I am currently working on 30 spool blocks from the anthology below. The patterns are easy and clear. In my case, this is another way to work some scraps into a quilt. The blocks are rectangle which gives a different look to the top too.
Start your own personal quilt library. If you are not big on having actual books, then favorite on your computer good directions or helpful blogs that you can refer to when needed. I think of having good quilting books like having a good stash.
Sharing ideas is one of the greatest things about quilting.
It’s fun to have some books or magazines on hand for those days you are struggling to get moving on a project, or are sick, or are just to tired to do any actual sewing.
I am always on the look out for books or magazines that have good patterns or ideas I can use to make a quilt. I encourage you to purchase a few books for your own personal library that you can use the patterns, or that inspire your quilting journey. Here are three of my favorite quilting books.
Books to inspire and encourage:
Great photos, and easy to follow directions. And if the project takes longer than the weekend, no problem.
The Thimbleberries Guide For Weekend Quilters by Lynette Jensen. A nice book and while I have not made a complete quilt from it, I have used pieces of several quilts to make other quilts. It’s fine to do that – I do not have to use an entire pattern and neither do you. Pick and choose what you like.
One of my all times favorite quilt books – lots of ideas. Great photos and directions.
Back to Square One by Nancy Martin – I have used a couple patterns in this book and been very satisfied with the photos and directions. I love the versatility and infinite amount of ways there are to make a quilt from triangles, and this book covers many of them.
Really nice book with good photos and directions.
Classic English Medallion Style Quilts by Bettina Havig. This is a wonderful resource for those of us who like old time English quilts – they have a look and style all their own. This book contains greatl ideas, photos, and patterns. I have not made an entire quilt for any of the patterns yet, but I have used parts in quilts of my own. My bucket list has two quilts from here to make before I die.
Magazines I subscribe to:
Obviously there are many quilting magazines available here in the USA and around the world. I have simply chosen these two as to subscribe to:
