Collections

  Quilt With the Best
by Carol Cook Hagood
review by L.
Step by step instructions for projects by Ami Simms, Cheryl Greider Bradkin, Helen Kelley, Merikay Waldvogel, Margaret J. Miller, Marta Amundson, Flavin Glover, and Jan Myers-Newbury. The projects are very attractive and suitable for the most part for use by a beginner. Marikay Waldvogel's chapter is of particular interest because it contains information on dating old quilts. The Meyers-Newbury section titled "Art by Design" discusses color and hand dying fabric. Remaining projects include both clothing and quilts.
Hardcover
Paperback

  Small Quilts : The Vanessa-Ann Collection
by Ann Vanessa, edited by Nancy J. Fitzpatrick
review by L.
A truly charming book of very feminine, even mouthwatering quilts. Particularly charming is a quilt, "Cow In the Clover", and a wallhanging, "Grandmother's Quilt", which contains hearts and papercut girls and boys.
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  A Treasury of Quilting Designs
by Linda Goodmon Emery
review by L.
This oversize book is printed on heavy paper stock with a spiral binding for easy use. Includes designs for miniature quilts. There are also traditional designs for large quilts: designs from Egypt, Persia, Hungary, Japan and China. There are designs for men using sports motifs, planes and trains, and a delightful border using four-in-hand ties and vests in nautical designs. There are designs for babies and small children, including bunnies, rattles, ice cream cones, etc. There is a nature section with flowers, animals, apples, etc. And the holiday section covers christmas, halloween, thanksgiving, and bridal. Each of the chapters has a narrative which gives special hints and usages.
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  The Quilt Patch (New American Quilt Shop Series)
by Leslie Anne Pfeifer
review by L.
The quilt shop series is a lot of fun, particularly if you have access to the shop in question - and the writer of this review has access to the shop and many of the ladies who made the quilts. However, I am not prejudiced, of course. I love this book. It's got some interesting quilts (a compilation of work by the shop's employees), good instructions, and full-size patterns. "Escaping the Herd" is hilarious and has to be seen to be believed. And "Elephants that March to a Different Drummer" is a quilt that any child would dearly love to have, as well as any nature-loving adult. In summary, I love this book, I think you ought to get it, what more can I say? (I'm probably going to send Leslie a bill for saying nice things).
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  More Projects & Patterns : A Second Collection of Favorite Quilts : Narratives, Directions, and Patterns for 15 Quilts
by Judy Florence
review by L.
This book contains a narrative about each quilt pictured and gives instructions. It discusses how the quilt came to be made, its pattern, why it's successful, and other information which should interest a person who might want to make that quilt. The illustrations are very nicely done. The full-size pattern does not include the seam allowance; however, the instructions are good and easy to follow. While many of the patterns are available elsewhere, there are a few unusual ones that make the book worth purchasing.
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  One Hundred Pieced Patterns for Eight Inch Quilt Blocks
by Marsha McCloskey
review by L.
An extremely useful book of patterns. While many of them are illustrated on the quilt on the cover of the book, the interior of the book contains black-and-white illustrations of the blocks and full-size pattern pieces.
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  Quilting Patterns : 110 Full-Size Ready-To-Use Designs and Completed Instructions
by Linda Macho
review by L.
The subtitle says it all. The patterns are designed to fit blocks up to about ten inches, and there are designs for several border widths. The book is printed on card stock, which makes it extremely durable for repeated use.
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  Quick Quilts from the Heart (For the Love of Quilting)
by Liz Porter and Marianne Fons
review by L.
You either love Fons and Porter or you don't. And I gotta admit a lot of people love 'em. Patterns are outstandingly simple to follow and the instructions are great. But I don't find their patterns spectacularly inspiring. This book would be a good place for a beginner to start, but with only one or two exceptions in the book, I don't believe anyone with many quilt books would find it particularly exciting.
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  Smoothstitch Quilts : Easy Machine Applique
by Roxi Eppler
review by L.
Lavishly illustrated color which includes full-size patterns and good instructions. The "Texas Tulips" quilt appeals to my upbringing. The Ohio Rose is lovely. Wonderful appliqued hearts quilt, Drunkard's Path variations, and others.
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