Twelve by Twelve
Deborah Boschert et al
Lark Books; $22.95

What happens when 12 international quilt artists challenge each other to create a 12- x 12-inch quilt every two months for two years based on a specific theme? You get a lot more than 144 quilts. I was really entranced by this book and its personality. It is so much more than covering a challenge project. Each of the 12 chapters covers one of the challenges, the theme of which was suggested by one artist. Themes ranged from Dandelion to Mathematics to Twelve. The chapters feature a full-page sized quilt by one of the 12 members (the theme suggester) along with that artist’s narrative about how she approaches her work, where she finds her inspiration, and her journey in the art. We also get a glimpse into her studio. Each chapter includes smaller photos of the other 11 artists work on that particular theme with an artist’s statement about her work. Each artist additionally contributes a sidebar to her chapter. Topics included Finding Inspiration Online, Demystifying the Thermofax, Creating Time and Space for Art and Twelve Reasons to Blog. The twelve artists are diverse in age, locale, and style, and their unique personalities shine in this book. It was a treat to learn more about these artists and I came away richer for knowing them and the community they created. If you are looking for a holiday gift for yourself, or someone else, I’d put this high on the list.

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

America’s Quilted Garden Blocks
Fay Labanaris
American Quilter’s Society; $24.95

I’ve always liked the books that linked quilt blocks to states. Having lived in close to a dozen states, I’ve thought about creating a sampler style quilt to include each. That still unstarted project got another push when I looked at Fay’s newest book. She designed 55 unique flower blocks, one for each of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and four territories. The bordered blocks range in size from 20-24 inches and incorporate a variety of basic appliqué, embroidery and ribbon work. The patterns are included on a CD, which also includes additional information on each state or territory. I did look at the blocks for each of the states where I’ve lived and was partial to the wreath of black-eyed Susans on the Maryland block.

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

The Printed Pattern
Rebecca Drury and Yvonne Drury
Interweave Press, $24.95

Do you want a more personal touch to your fabrics? Mother-daughter team Yvonne and Rebecca Drury specialize in hand-printed fabric at their East London studio. This book is your guide to designing and creating handprinted patterns for any surface – not just fabric. You’ll find step-by-step for relief printing, using potatoes, linoleum blocks, erasers and woodblocks; stencil printing; and four methods of screen printing. In addition to the how-tos, you’ll also find information on how to create and develop your own designs and the basics about your supplies. An added bonus is the collection of seven playful stencil designs that you can use. I was inspired to go look for the linoleum block prints from my college art classes.

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

Buttonwood Farm

Maggie Bonanomi Kansas City Star Quilts; $24.95

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

2012 Quilt Engagement Calendar
Klaudeen Hansen
American Quilter’s Society $13.95

It’s that time of year again; time to look for a calendar for 2012. We always have many available to charm a quilter, from those that feature traditional quilts to those that include prize-winning show quilts. For me, I love the AQS 2012 Quilt Engagement Calendar. It includes a variety of contemporary and traditional quilts seen in shows around the country. You will find mine in my car come January where it serves as my mileage log. It’s the perfect size to tuck next to the seat and I enjoy grabbing it for inspiration at traffic lights. I also usually hang a wall calendar, which offers a wider choice. I plan to hang Iron Maiden: Mrs. Bobbin’s 2012 Calendar from Kansas City Star Quilts. I enjoy the bit of humor it offers. Good luck with your calendar hunt.

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

Sew the Perfect Gift
Martingale; $24.99

I like books that include a variety of techniques and Sew the Perfect Gift showcases 25 small projects from 22 quilt designers. Projects range from traditional and contemporary table runners to a wool felted journal cover to a variety of bags and even funky bracelets. You’ll learn tips for felting, sewing with vinyl and spray painting a stencil on fabric. I found several projects that will be perfect for holiday gifts. I was particularly drawn to the Totally Taupe Table Runner featuring a collection of Japanese taupe fabrics, the City Roses Purse, and the Elegant Parsons Chair Dressing.

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

The Best of Quilting Arts
ed. Pokey Bolton
Interweave; $24.95

Are you a fan of Quilting Arts magazine? Ten years ago Pokey Bolton happened upon a craft store, the fabric beckoned, and long story short, when she couldn’t find a magazine dedicated to art quilting, she decided to start her own. Over the last 10 years, the magazine has provided resources, techniques and inspiration for thousands of quilt artists. In this collection, Pokey has compiled the most popular articles from the magazine. I am particularly drawn to books that teach a variety of techniques, and this won’t disappoint if you are looking to try new techniques or expand your horizons. Some of what you’ll find: free-motion quilting, stitch-resist shibori, thermofax printing, batik with soy wax, embellishment, and fabric painting. A bonus is the five articles written by Jane Dávila with the professional artist in mind.

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

Australian Spirit
ed. Sham Lohani and Barbara Macey
M&S Textiles Australia; $34.95

We often hear that the quilting makes the quilt. In this case, it’s the fabric. More specifically it’s the unique design and bold coloration of the Australian Aboriginal artists as seen in this collection of projects from eight designers. The book features 10 projects of varying sizes and complexity that showcases the fabrics. In addition to the projects, the book includes a gallery of 21 additional quilts and 90 color shots of the Aboriginal fabric collections. What I most enjoyed was reading about the Aboriginal artists and learning about the traditional aboriginal symbols and motifs.

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

Taupe Inspirations
Kylie Irvine
Kansas City Star Quilts; $24.95

When I shop the vendor malls at quilt shows, I’m often drawn to the booths with the Japanese taupe fabrics. In striking contrast to brightly colored quilts, these simple, often naive, quilts have a calming quality. If you are drawn to these fabrics, Kylie Irvine’s book offers her modern take on using Japanese taupes. She offers patterns for two quilts (one is actually shown in two different sizes, one with a softer palate) and nine projects ranging from a notebook cover to a pillow cover to a handbag. If you’ve been collecting taupe-inspired fabrics, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this collection.

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

Wonky One-Block Quilts
Marlous Carter
C&T Publishing; $21.95

If you or your students are looking for a way to add another level of interest to your quilts, give the wonky technique a try. The basics are simple: traditional blocks are created and then cut at a new angle. Once the blocks are all cut, they are pieced into a quilt. Sometimes you can easily find the original block; sometimes it’s difficult. Once you’ve got the technique down, Marlous Carter offers you eight projects plus a variety of creative borders. This would be a fun way to use a stack of blocks you’ve not put into a quilt yet.

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