Quilting Books And Magazine
Review -
Don’t Buy The Book
Until You ‘ve Read This !
Print And Magazine Reviews
Everyday it seems I learn something new about quilting. Even the best quilters never stop finding new tips and techniques to help them with their quilts. Anna Jane is a skilled expert with many years experience, unlike myself. She has quilting down to a science and never ceases to amaze me. Now she’s even making Boxer Shorts- how cool is that!
As a beginner, I’ve done a lot of reading with many different quilting books for the various topics on our site, as well as on the web. I wanted to find and verify the material you see written our site.
I hate peolple who write about things without actually doing any of the research! We didn’t want any innacuracies on our site!
AJ has the knowledge and expertise to dismiss any of these inaccuracies that I found, and has proofed everything. She is an expert and has given to you the right information for all your fabric needs Thanks go out to to AJ and her quilting friends for all their helpful tips, knowledge and expertise for the information on our site (and much, much patience).
The library is a wonderful place to begin in getting the help you need to get started on your project with the right books, and guess what! Its all for free! I found many books there and often left with a heavy handful to peruse. I picked out the books I wanted to keep and found the most useful, then I went home and looked for them on line.
I then found them for dirt cheap prices compared to new, on sites like “half.com” or “amazon” (to name only a few). This is a great way to add to your collection, without spending a lot of money(of which my kids constantly drain me).
For all you beginners out there, the books listed here I personally recommend (from firsthand experience).
If you have access to the Internet, and the patience, you’ll find tons of information also on what you are looking for and what you need to know.
Personally, I have always preferred a book in hand anyway, rather than sitting over a computer. Books are the gateway to knowledge, and no one is too old to learn.
They take you places you might never travel to, and read about things that you might entice you to experience yourself. Utilize the Internet by all means, but nothing will ever replace a good book in hand.
The Complete Guide To Quilting by Better Homes and Gardens
By, Better Homes and Gardens (hardcover)
(Buy Used about $10.00- much cheaper than new)
What I like about this book is that it is hardcover like a big textbook. It is separated with large tabs that are easy to read (even without glasses). Its looks like a well-organized file cabinet with those plastic tabs that stick out clearly within sight. The tabs are neatly written with the different sections that you can flip to for easy reference.
It was easy to find what you are looking for in the book’s table of contents, that. goes over what all beginners want to know about, whether it is tools and accessories, fabrics or very good explanations of types of various quilts.
The beginner tabs include tools and supplies, as well as the core of quilting- fabric. It offers a ton of information on this subject that I found very helpful. The illustrations are colorful and detailed too.
This big book also has sections that categorize the many types of quilting styles that are specific to this art, such as quilting on machines and hand-piecing. It also has a nice section on applique.
Everything from start to finish is in here, from cutting the material to finishing the top is included. If your still not sure of where to find it,the table of contents is clear. The glossary is broken down nicely for easy definitions. I liked this big book, even if it is bulky and like a text book- it has what I need to do what I want! I like it and find it very informative.
It is definitely on my list of books to own !
The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide -From A-Z -Hundreds of Tips and Techniques For Successful Quiltmaking
By, Ellen Pahl)(softcover)
(Used about $13.00 on Amazon.com) (softcover)
I do like this book. It is set-up alphabetically so that you have to look up your question or topic under the appropriate category. For example, Cathedral Window is under the letter C, not under patchwork quilt techniques, which is the type of quilt it is. This format doesn’t usually present a problem if you know exactly what it is your looking for. I never heard of this though, so it would have been harder for me to find (not AJ though).
I prefer to have it more categorized which is why I like the the previous book better, as it is easier for me to search for things I want. That is what works best for me! However I don’t think that it was a big deal though. This book is very informative and easy to understand.
It has more than enough information and the illustrations are clear. The index is easy to read, though it doesn’t have a glossary. But that’s why you always have more than one book. I bought this used after I borrowed it from the library, that’s how much I liked it and now recommend it to you.
Quiltmaking Tips And Techniques – A Rodale Quilt Book
(hardcover) (Used about $3.00 on half.com)
This is a smaller size textbook primarily loaded with tips from expert quilters. The information given is not as in depth as the previous two as far as the definitions of quilting terms and the knowledge given about quilting. The” how-to” lack substance and almost assume that you have some knowledge of sewing, as compared to the previous books.
I have no doubt though that this was the intention of the author, and how the book was meant to be. The sections are set up in different categories of quilting needs and topics.All of these tips are very useful and are given from experienced quilters.
By reading the tips, you will see that the author is telling you how to quilt, just in a different way. The knowledge to sew something is in the book, it just isn’t laid out in an ABC format. Some people may have a little trouble with this style , but I didn’t find it bothered me as a beginner.
The illustrations are good but they are in black and white, and that’s okay to!. As long as you can read the measurements in the instructions under the pictures – you should be fine. Although personally, color is always a more striking display and sometimes a little clearer to visualize.
There is a nice section on how to organize all your tools and materials so you have a neat workstation. I’ve seen AJ’s workroom and wonder if she could benefit from some of these tips. Well, we all aren’t as well organized as we could be- but we like it that way!
I do like this book though and think you would pick-up some good tips as well (sorry AJ).
Look for it used on one of the sites I mentioned earlier and you can buy it for about $3.00 It’s a nice book to have on hand, especially at that price!
Tips For Quilters – by the Editors of FC&A(Used about $3.00)
This book is similar to the previous read in that the table of contents are broken down into different pieces of quilting interest. In the first part of this book, the chapters are loaded with tips by individual people, rather than a “how-to” descriptions of each topic. If you read it carefully, you will find tips from quilters that you hadn’t thought of, or would like to try next time yourself.
This kind of book comes in handy , is very useful, and a very easy read. There is a lot of knowledge from a community of quilters here in this book. It is great if you don’t belong to a quilt guildor are to busy at home or work to get involved with outside quilting activities.
The last half of this book has more detailed quilting instruction, and knowledge of the Amish Quilts.
The authors here give more specific information about these quilts, and how to make them from start to finish. There is also information on the “how-to’s” of quilting basics is similar to our own basics page.
The rest of this book has patterns, such as for the Amish Quilt, both large and small versions, also Quilting templates both large and small versions. There are twenty to thirty different styles within each of these categories. They are not difficult to understand and so many to choose from!
Jacobs Ladder, Floral Designs and one that I’d like to try is Drunkards Path (maybe because the name intrigues me!)
(On a side note – does anyone know if someone was drunk when they came up with this name?)
If anyone knows the origins of the names of quilts, please tell us. It would make a great page!)
I think there is plenty of information and tips in this book to get you going . I know you’ll like to have a copy handy.
Below are AJ’s reviews of her favorite magazines What are your favorite books and magazines?? Let us know what they are and we’ll share them with everyone.
Thanks for stopping by and visit us again!
Linda
Quilting Magazines
Here are some of my favoriteQuilting magazines for you to check out!
All of these can be found at the newsstand, your local bookstore, and by subscription.
I do have several other subscriptions, but I think think that these all reflect a good mix of styles in thequilting genre.
Happy Quilting!
Anna Jane
QuickQuilts By McCalls
What I like about this publications is that there are lots of patternsand technique lessons given. The magazine focuses on quick, easyand get-her-done type of projects. The ideas are good forlast minute projects and gifts . Thisis a greatmagazine for beginners, but for experienced quilters like myself, youwill find there is no challenge, except for the great last minuteideas. Its always good to have some simple throw-together patterns for a last minute part invitation. There is also a showand tell section where readers cansubmit pictures of their quilts for show.
Fonsand Porter’s Loveof Quilting:
This is a basic, yet comprehensive, and mostlytraditional quilt magazine. Most of thepatterns in this publication take on a traditionally design. If you likevariety- this is the magazine is for you! Eachmagazine has projects, techniques, tips, product and book reviews. Italso has a show and tell where readers submit pictures and get to show off the quiltsthey have made for everyone to see!.
Another great feature is a description ofantique quiltsby Gerald Roy, who has collected and studied quilts over many years. Projects included range from easy to advanced, withthe majority being in the intermediate category. The instructions arepreciseand clear even for those with less experience.
This really is one of my favorites!
Quilter’sHome Magazine:
I really love this magazine for a lot of reasons. Since I have severalbook cases of quilt books and magazines I am notusually looking for more patterns. However Quilter’s Home has three patterns anissue in case you don’t have enough already! What I do like isthat it is apublication that has attitude. Iread it cover to cover. Itfeatures product reviews by readers known as Mark’s Posse , for examplea comprehensive review of different tools like thimbles, irons, and the such. It might help you choose your tools in a more informed way.
It also has articles on wellknown quilters and what inspires their own personal style inquilting. It gives me greatinspiration to hear what they have to say. What this magazines alsooffers some great seasonal recipes to share, including acocktail drink recipe to enjoy anytime of the day.
This magazine offers you a new twistt on a quilting publications and is one of my favorites.
QuiltingArts Magazine:
This magazine is about the “artsy” side of quiltingratherthan the“traditional” side of quilting It out my creative side. There are small projects and challengesto stretch your creativity at any level.There are short bios on thecontributors in eachissue to better acquaint the reader with the artists.It is nice to know the artists a little more up close and personal.
Atthe endof each issue there is an article by Robbi Joy Enklow titled Goddess of theLast Minute. It is a piece that I can really relate to. Ilove that it isdifferent every month and has a lot of humor that most of youwill relate to. This is a great magazine tohelp you stretch your creativity, and experiment with new techniquessuch as shibori,discharge dyeing or threadpainting, as well as other differnt techniques that youcan add to yourprojects.
This is a magazine that will bring out the artist in everyone.
Just Remember that Girls Just Want To Have Fun!