books

As many of you may already know, in my most recent previous life (because I am kinda like a cat and have already had five lives (careers) previous to this one) I was a book seller. I love books. I may not have quite the fetishistic relationship with them that my husband does, but still they have always, and will always, played a big role in my life.  Recently I was having an IG conversation with an old friend from college about quilting and she mentioned that she had brought some books on quilting home from the library that had just depressed her with all their rules.  When pressed she could not come up with names, but I am guessing that they were most likely books from the more traditional side of the aisle. I told her I would give her a list of my favorites and that got me thinking. Why not put my list of favorites up here on the blog? With out further adieu, herewith a list of some of my favorite introductory quilting books with short explanations of why they are on the list...

ps: there are no links to amazon here, I cannot in good conscience send them ANY business, they are a rapacious company bent on destroying the concept of retail as we know it. If you are curious about this POV, ask me.... Instead the links are to the publisher's websites. I urge you to seek out your local bookstore and if they don't have it, ask them to order it. Most will be able to do just that. And while, yes, you will have to wait a little to get your book, you will be helping keep a local book store in biz....

Block Party, The Modern Quilting Bee by Alissa Haight Carlton and Kristen Lejnieks. This was the very first quilting book I bought, from Mary at Z Fabrics and it was what hooked me on this beautiful practice.  This is a good book for someone who knows how to sew but is looking for an entry point regarding the modern quilt approach. It will give you many ideas as well as the basics of technique....

The Practical Guide to Patchwork, New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker by Elizabeth Hartman. This is another very good introductory book for the beginning quilter. Hartman is a very clear and precise instructor and her techniques section is quite thorough. Then she gives you a selection of lovely and do-able quilt patterns. Very well illustrated and laid out. She also has two other books that I love and would recommend if you like this one I would check out Modern Patchwork and Patchwork City.

Denyse Schmidt Quilts, 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects by Denyse Schmidt. Soooo many people cite Denyse Schmidt as their entry point for Modern quilting, I would be remiss not to include her in this list. Martha Stewart shone her National spotlight on Denyse decades ago and it was a good thing....  I had trouble with this book the first couple of times I looked at it. I don't think it was very well laid out, and I'm not a huge fan of 'little projects' which this book has many of. I want to get right to the big quilts. But I know I am not the norm in this regard. Going back to this book after I had spent some time quilting, I found it chock full of useful info for quilters looking to solidify their craft.  These days I think I look at her second book more. Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration was published by Melanie Falick (the craft publishing goddess) at STC, so the design is MUCH better.  (For that matter, any book with Melanie Falick's name on it is worth buying) The only reservation I have on recommending this book for beginners is that the patterns look intimidating.  But really they aren't, they are beautiful, but perhaps for a beginner I would suggest buying the other book first...?

Quilting Modern, Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pederson. This book totally appeals to my sense of adventure and creativity when it comes to quilting. They give you a good overview of technique in the beginning and then each chapter gives you an improvisational technique and a couple of projects in the style. This is totally how my brain works when it comes to quilting...

Quilting With a Modern Slant, People, Patterns, and Techniques Inspiring the Modern Quilt Community by Rachel May. This last title in this short list is not a technique or pattern book, although it does include both.  I think this is an essential book for anyone curious about Modern Quilting as a movement, it's influences, it's practitioners and it's expression. Rachel did an amazing job of talking to all the important players in the current world of Modern Quilting. They're all in there! So in one fell swoop, you can get exposed to most all of what is being done today.  This isn't a how-to book but more of a why-to....

This is not a long list. There are many MANY more fabulous books out there in the universe for the Modern Quilting curious. Perhaps I will make another list in another post.... These books are a good supplement to, or substitute for, an introductory class, and great reference to have on your shelf.