Purses, Bags & Totes
Moya’s Workshop
AQS; $22.99

Everyone seems to love to make bags, and we have lots of patterns for bags of all sorts. This collection from Moya Hu, who owns Moya’s Workshop, an importer of quilting and patchwork supplies to Taiwan, does include some fresh ideas, such as the tote that expands with a decorative zipper, the ties that create a pleat to the tote bag, and the leaf shapes that add a nice touch to the moon bag. The book starts with general instructions for zippers and pockets. Each bag includes easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step full color photos. Patterns are included in a CD.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

String Fling
Bonnie K. Hunter
Kansas City Star Quilts; $29.95

I remember making string quilts when I first learned to quilt in 1977, and they’ve been revived several times since. I think string quilts are the ultimate in scrap quilts. What’s fun about “strings,” is that they are versatile. They can be the basis for the block design, as in a log cabin, or they can be put together to create other elements, like squares or triangles, and then added to your block. Bonnie, who focuses mainly on scrap quilts, includes 13 varied, large quilts all using strings. It’s a fun collection, and you’ll learn a lot about color just by studying the photos.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Fresh Perspectives
Carol Gilham Jones & Bobbi Finley
C&T Publishing; $29.95

We often see well-done reproductions of antique quilts and marvel at how the design was captured. What Fresh Perspectives does is take a look at those quilts with a new eye. The quilts are used as inspiration, and current fabrics are used to create dynamic, contemporary quilts. The original inspiration quilts came from the antique quilts in the collection of the International Quilts Study Center & Museum. The 18 contemporary quilts mirror the qualities of those original quilts. I was struck by so many of the pieces, from the bright “Happy Houses” to “Stars and Snipes,” the Variable Star quilt with its large whimsical bird placed in the solid blocks, to “Pot of Flowers Medallion,” which focuses the weight of the quilt on the medallion rather than the pieced border.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Japanese Quilting
Yoko Saito
Interweave; $26.95

Making traditional patchwork quilts left well-known Japanese quilter Yoko Saito frustrated. Her work was filled with imprecise angles and crooked seams, something uncommon for someone known for meticulous needlework. That led to her realization that if her pieces weren’t perfectly even then she should make intentionally imperfect ones. She found the pride and joy in her work that had been missing. This collection of 29 quilts and quilted projects features her use of odd-shaped pieces and improvisation. The projects are all done in her hallmark neutral/taupe color scheme. The book includes paper patterns for the projects.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Quick Weekend Quilts
Debbie Mumm
Leisure Arts; $29.95

We are officially into meteorological fall. Doesn’t that mean longer nights and lazier weekends? If so, then Quick Weekend Quilts might be for you. Debbie Mumm offers a selection of 45 projects ranging in size from kitchen accessories to full-sized quilts. She also indicates if the project is a one-day or three-and-a-half-day project. What makes the book unique is Debbie’s approaching to planning your project. She outlines what your tasks are for each morning, afternoon and evening so you can accomplish the project on the weekend. It includes a nice range of projects with both traditional and modern looks.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Modern Patchwork
Elizabeth Hartman
Stash Books; $24.95

This follow-up to Elizabeth Hartman’s first book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork, is a winner. Her book features 12 original bold and modern quilt designs geared for the intermediate quilters. In addition to the initial quilt, Elizabeth offers two additional colorways for each design. She also provides instructions for a complementary pieced back for each quilt. I found so many quilts to like in the collection and was particularly taken with “Neighborhood.” Using a log cabin construction method, she fussy cuts the center panel to feature a bird then builds around it, in the end creating houses. She includes some extra tips in the general instructions, including making a design wall and organizing your project.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

Easy Grid Quilts
Karen G. FIsher
AQS Publishing; $24.95

Most traditional quilts are grid-based. Karen Fisher took the basic grid and began an exploration with mathematical progressions, e.g., 1″ squares surrounded by 2″ squares surrounded by 3″ squares and so on. Then she started looking at how she could change other grid-based blocks. The result is 14 different projects done in five simple grid formats. The options are really endless when you combine fabric scale, color and contrast in the quilts.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

100 Any-Size Star Blocks
Linda Causee
Leisure Arts; $17.95

Are you a fan of star blocks? While I know there are a lot of star blocks, I’m not sure I knew there were 100. What is nice about this collection is the included CD that features templates for all those 100 blocks. The blocks can be scaled to the size you want and then printed for either paper piecing or used to create templates. A general quilting directions section is included as are directions for 15 quilts, quilted wall hangings and smaller pieces.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

The Sketchbook Challenge
Sue Bleiweiss
Potter Craft; $21.99

Do you have a blank sketchbook, i.e., one you bought with the good intention of using for sketching, only it’s still on the shelf and still blank? I’ll cop to that one. The blank book can seem daunting. With help from Sue Bleiweiss, you’ll soon be on your way to filling your sketchbook and adding a new tool to your artist’s toolbox. Subtitled Techniques, Prompts, and Inspiration for Achieving Your Creative Goals, Sue’s book came about after she started the Sketchbook Challenge to keep her own resolution to be more consistent with her own sketchbook. She invited a group of artists to join her, and soon others began participating on their own. By the end of the first month her website had more than 43,000 visitors. The challenge was a yearly project, and the book is set up to offer you 12 themes to challenge yourself. Each theme also includes a look at the sketches of two of the artists participating and a spotlight on a particular technique. Even the book shape with its smaller size and rounded corners is encouraging. So, take Sue’s challenge and expand your creativity. You’ll love your results.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.

No Sewing Until You Quilt It
Ann R. Holmes
AQS Publishing; $24.95

Long-time stained glass artist Ann Holmes turned to quilting in 1999 when she wanted to recreate some of her original designs into fabric without incorporating the lead line. What resulted is her No Sewing Until You Quilt It technique that incorporates fusible interfacing and glue-basted turned down edges to her appliqué pieces prior to any quilting. What she ends up with is the nice smooth edge of a turned appliqué edge. The book includes complete instructions for learning the technique followed by seven projects of increasing complexity. The accompanying CD includes patterns, an additional gallery with one of Ann’s stained glass pieces, and a discussion on inspiration.

Look for the book at your favorite book retailer. Here’s a link to Amazon if you would like to learn more about the book.