By Kim Schaefer
C&T Publishing; $19.95

This collection of 23 easy, pieced contemporary quilts, table runners and placemats is designed to make a dent in your stash. The blocks, all squares and strips, feature quick rotary cutting and straight-line piecing, perfect for the beginning quilter. While the blocks are really simple, the results do look more complicated and have a wonderful visual impact. The color palettes used also would be great if you are looking for a project for a man. I plan to hit my stash and piece a couple of tops.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Many quilters have a book in them and don’t know where to start. Some quilters will take the traditional route with an established publisher. Others will find their needs better met with a self-published product. In the current issue of The Professional Quilter, Gloria Hansen takes a look at an option know as Print on Demand. Here’s an excerpt from that article.

A few months ago while cleaning out an area of my basement, I came across some boxes filled with copies of a pattern I self-published into a booklet nearly two decades ago. To get high-quality color images printed on letter-sized glossy paper, I needed to have a minimum of 5,000 printed. All of these years later, more than half of them remain in the boxes. This illustrates some downsides of self-publishing – paying for an initial print run that may not sell and storing the printed material. Today a new technology greatly reduces the often high upfront fees, eliminates storage needs, and allows you to print as few or as many books as needed. It’s called Print on Demand (POD).

A range of POD companies offer “assisted self-publishing” services, including editorial guidance and design work, as part of their pricing plan. XLibris, CreateSpace, iUniverse and LuLu are examples. While these companies may offer features important to your needs, such as a wide distribution, they also require upfront fees that range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on your goals.

Another option that results in a professional end product yet doesn’t require a high upfront fee is Blurb. Blurb, was initially set up to serve the self-publishing needs of both photographers and authors. And while companies that offer digital image printing services also offer photo POD books (such as Shutterfly, Apple through iPhoto, and SnapFish), Blurb compares very favorably in the price department and also offers you the option of adding your book to Blurb’s public bookstore. Taking a look at the bookstore, the high quality is obvious. If you choose this option, you can then set a price and keep any income over the printing cost.

When questioning professional quiltmakers about their experiences with POD, Blurb was the consistent winner. You can read more of Gloria’s article about the pluses and minuses of POD and Blurb in particular, along with the experiences of several quilters who’ve used Blurb in the Spring issue of The Professional Quilter. If your membership is not current or you need to convert your subscription, click here.

The International Association of Professional Quilters offers resources and networking opportunities for you to create a success from your quilting business. Learn about all the benefits of IAPQ membership and join here.

Beautiful Alphabet Appliqué
Zena Thorpe
American Quilter’s Society; $22.95

If you’ve seen any of Zena Thorpe’s quilts, you know what a master with the needle she is. Her quilts have won numerous top awards and she was inducted in the Master Quilters Guild, part of the National Quilting Association. Zena has long been fascinated with illuminated letters originally produced by monastic scribes and the letters began to find their way into her work. In 2008 she began showing “Illuminated Alphabet,” which features the 26 letters of the alphabet plus four corner appliqué blocks. You can recreate her quilt or use the letters to create individual wall hangings words of your choosing.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

Attending the Friendship Star Quilters show over the weekend reminded me of the variety of reasons quilters have for entering shows. For many,  it’s a chance to share what they’ve accomplished with others.  It’s a chance to support your guild’s efforts, and for many guilds this is what pays for lectures and workshops.  For teachers, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share what their students have accomplished. If you are a professional, it’s a chance to get your work seen by a larger and potential buying audience or to increase your exposure in the quilt or art world at large. For some entering a local show is a stepping stone to a larger show.

Do you remember the first time you entered a quilt in a quilt show? I do.

I was a member of the Charlotte Quilters Guild in 1977, and several of us decided to enter our work in the annual NQA show, which was held at Georgetown Visitation Prep in Washington, D.C. Of course, it wasn’t enough to just enter, we had to go to the show. It was very exciting stepping into this larger venue. I remember that my grandmother met me at the show. I was thrilled she could see my work, and she was quite impressed with all the variety of quilts. (Of course, she did cast her viewer’s choice for one of my quilts!)

Of all the reasons to enter a show, though, I think the best is the opportunity to grow as a quilter and an artist. Why do you enter shows and how does this stretch you?

The International Association of Professional Quilters offers resources and networking opportunities for you to create a success from your quilting business. Learn about all the benefits of IAPQ membership here.

Intuitive Color & Design
Jean Wells
C&T Publishing; $27.95

After quilting, teaching and running a shop for more than 33 years, Jean Wells decided she wanted to work more intuitively and create abstract designs. Her initial work with Nancy Crow started her on a wonderful path of exploration that she now shares with others. If you’ve not a class from Jean, this book is your chance to learn from her. To start with she suggests you really learn to see what’s around you and keep a journal. She includes a variety of exercises to help you develop your use of color, design and piecing with such assignments as intuitive angle piecing, proportion, and color and value. Doing the exercises will make you a better quilter, whether you stick with traditional quilts or make art quilts.

Here’s a link, if you’d like to add it to your library.

One-Yard Wonders
Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins
Storey Publishing; $20.95

This fall in Houston I met the authors of One-Yard Wonders at their book signing in the booth across from mine. Rebecca Yaker operates her design business, Hazel and Melvin’s Room, creating one-of-kind baby bedding and apparel in her Minneapolis design studio. Patricia Hoskins is the cofounder of Crafty Planet, a retail fabric and needlework store and craft workshop in Minneapolis. And, when my review copy arrived, I loved the clever marketing approach. The book had been wrapped in one yard of fabric, perfect for me to try out one of the projects in the book. To promote the book, the publisher is also sponsoring a contest to win a yard of fabric a month for a year.

On to the book. I loved the concept of starting with a yard of fabric – and who among us doesn’t have an extra yard – and making a variety of projects. The book includes 101 projects, ranging from a few you could figure out yourself (tacking fabric on a bulletin board or lining a bookcase) to those that require a pattern (a sundress). And, for those who think you might be able to figure out, for example, the grocery bag, it’s nice not to have to think about how to do it. You just cut and sew. For every project you’ll find either full-size pattern pieces and/or illustrations with step-by step instructions.

The book is divided into ten pattern sections based on use, including, Dwell Redux (patterns for the home), Household Affairs (aprons, casserole covers), Craft Organization (artist brushes case, notions box), On the Go (lunch bags, yoga bags), From Head to Toe (clothing), Carry It All (totes, grocery bags), Outfit Your Small Wonder (toddler clothes), Accessorize Your Little One (toddler’s art apron, bright patchwork blankie), Playtime (kites, stuffed animals) and Your Furry Friends (animal patterns). The patterns were solicited through a global online campaign.

The book also includes a section on sewing fundamentals, perfect for those new to sewing and nice for quilters who could use a refresher on regular sewing techniques. The book is hard bound with a concealed wire binding, making it perfect to open flat. I found several projects I’d like to try; unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll do much to diminish my stash!

Here’s a link to Amazon to learn more about the book.

Artful Bras: Hooters, Melons and Boobs, Oh My!
Quilters of South Carolina
Kansas City Star Books; $24.95

Art bras – bras that have been decorated – have become popular the last few years and this surge in popularity spurred the Quilters Guild of South Carolina to sponsor a statewide challenge to its 650-person membership. Their goal was to raise awareness of breast cancer, and 41 members took up the call creating 50 artful bras. Each art bra is showcased on a full page in this book and is accompanied by the artist’s summary of her inspiration and how she created her bra as well as any specific connection she might have to breast cancer. I had a blast looking at the bras and choosing a favorite is impossible. I laughed at Monkey Business (the bra decorated with the sock monkey), marveled at the ingenious application of boas and feathers and chuckled at the titles. Several of the bras went onto greater fame, including two that became cover girls for the American Journal of Nursing. The bras were exhibited throughout most of 2009 and are currently on auction. All proceeds from the exhibit, book and auction go to Second Chance Network, a South Carolina program that helps women without insurance pay for breast-cancer screening. Here’s a link to Amazon to learn more about the book  and a link to the Quilters of South Carolina if you are interested in bidding on an art bra.

The Best of Sew Simple Magazine: Over 50 Quick Projects
Leisure Arts; $18.95

I don’t know about you, but I often pick up Sew Simple on the newsstand. It either has a project I want to try or something that I think would be good for my nieces who are relatively new to sewing and quilting. This book includes projects ranging from totes to quilts to home dec with a few fun things included. I think the fabric drink umbrellas will be perfect for next summer’s barbeque, the funky pillowcase will be great for several on my holiday gift list, and the java jacket is bound to find its way into a stocking or two. If you’re looking for some quick and fun projects, this is a good source. And, a bonus for those new to sewing is the supplies and techniques section.

Here’s a link if you’d like to add it to your library.