Simply Triangles
Barbara H. Cline
C&T Publishing; $24.95

Barbara Cline focuses on using the basic triangle to create complex-looking quilts. The 11 quilts she created are divided into three groups and vary by complexity. The first features triangles that make star designs. The second features triangles that turn into daisies. The final section takes the basic triangle, sometimes with a diamond, and creates pinwheel patterns. Because sewing is a family tradition – Barbara’s Mennonite parents purchased a fabric store when she was 10 – she includes life lessons from many of her family members. You’ll find a good variety of Barbara’s sewing and quilting tips throughout.

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.

A Bountiful LIfe
Karen Mowry
Kansas City Star Quilts; $27.95

More than 150 years ago, an anonymous quiltmaker designed and appliquéd what is today regarded as one of the masterpieces of American folk art. Bird of Paradise, that quilt top, is now held by the American Folk Art Museum in New York. Folk artist and quilter Karen Mowry has created her own version of the quilt top, and, like the inspiration, it is now in the same museum collection. While the story behind the quilt top is unknown, Karen does offer some speculation as to meaning of the blocks and the top. I enjoyed the small bit of history behind the quilt and its bits of whimsy, e.g., the inclusion of an elephant named Hanible. The book includes full-size patterns for the 20 blocks in the book and the 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.

Utility Quilting
Carolyn Forster
Landauer Publishing; $27.95

With all the interest in longarm quilting, it’s easy to forget lots of quilters are still hand quilting. And those new to quilting may be interested in giving it a try. Carolyn Forster takes the approach that utility quilting is the perfect solution for the modern quilter. Utility quilting uses bigger stitches and thicker thread. It makes the job go faster and the results are bolder. She offers 25 different quilting designs, 12 knots and stitches, and four finishing techniques that can be applied to any of the 11 projects in the book, or used on your own quilts. I liked the section on creating design templates, e.g., Baptist fan, and then how to mark the design on the quilt.

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.

Sisterhood – A Quilting Tradition
Nancy Murty
C&T Publishing; $24.95

I’ll admit it was the title that got me. I am the eldest of five sisters, and unfortunately, I’ve not turned any into quilters, yet. Nancy Murty has one sister who quilts, as well as her mother. Her mother’s sister and daughter also quilt. Nancy wanted to not only share the quilting sisterhood of her family, but also what she has discovered in her own quilting journey. In addition, this fabric artist, fabric and pattern designer set out to encourage readers to find their own creative voice in quilting. The book includes 11 quilts, table runners and wall hangings. The pieces are traditional patchwork and applique pieces, and I found the coloration and scale to have a sophisticated look. I particularly liked “Family and Friends,” an applique quilt that incorporated photos into the border, and the patchwork “Heritage,” that seemed to have a glow.

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.

Create Your Own Dream Feathers
Peggy Holt
AQS Publishing; $26.95

Feathers. Everyone appreciates the elaborate look of feathers across their quilt. Peggy Holt’s take on feathers goes a step further than the standard feather and it did come to her in a dream. The dream feather builds upon itself or another shape and is independent of a spine. They are not as formal as the standard feather, but they are just as elegant. In her book, Peggy covers three concepts: the standard feather, the dream feather and using base shapes to help unify your quilting designs. Once you have all the concepts, she shows you how to embellish them with furls and flourishes, borders and swags, folded paper applications, medallions, and butterflies and hearts. While Peggy is a longarmer, the designs can be used for domestic machine and hand quilters.

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 Civil War Sewing Circle
Kathleen Tracy
Martingale & Co.; $24.99

Perfect for reproduction fabric lovers, The Civil War Sewing Circle offers 16 projects ranging from cot-sized quilts to small wall hangings and doll quilts to pincushions, aka “Tokens of Affection.” I particularly liked the wool appliqué sewing box. What sets the book apart is the inclusion of historical photos and excerpts from letters written to and from soldiers during the Civil War. It was so easy to get lost in the letters.

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.

Beautiful Botanicals
Deborah Kemball
C&T Publishing; $29.95

Are you looking for a way to add more beautiful flowers into your life this time of year? I know for many of us the only place we see fresh flowers this time of year is at the florist. Deborah Kemball offers a wonderful way to bring more beauty into your life. Her book offers 14 sophisticated floral appliqué projects, varying in size from pillows to quilts. She includes templates for 45 different appliqué flowers, two butterflies and five borders. The book is also filed with wonderful tips to make your work a success, e.g., fussy-cutting fabrics for some of the flowers. You’ll enjoy mixing the various flowers to create your own individual 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.

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.

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.

Last week I shared some of my impressions of Quilt Market: new products, fabrics, inspirations. I’m continuing with more this week.

1. Michael Miller Fabrics introduced a number of new lines. In Kathy Miller’s Schoolhouse presentation she mentioned trends of navy, gray and red. For sports fans, Emily Herrick with Crazy Old Ladies introduced Hall of Fame. Her designs were inspired by vintage photographs of sporting events. Mark Hordyszynski showed his Halloween-themed fabric complete with glow in the dark pieces. And, I loved the bright and cheery designs from Pillow & Maxfield in their Ooh La La line in Citrus, Sky and Spice colorways.

2. Andover showed a number of wonderful collections from its designers. I loved the Pear Tree line from Thomas Knauer with its clean blues, greens and salmons. New from Lonni Rossi are Bubbles & Swirl and Lala’s Garden. And, the Winterthur John Hewson  collection is based on work by this important textile printer who came to Philadelphia at the invitation of Benjamin Franklin in 1773. The line includes a large panel, florals, birds, a border stripe and a textured leaf print.

3. Noble Notions had some great quilting notions. I particularly liked their multi-use Quilters Clamp. It can be used as a channel lock for longarm machines or for securing your quilt to a table for basting. It can be used also for hanging items from your work area, such as a trash bag. They also offer both hand and finger grips for machine quilting.

4. eConcept Mall introduced a number of useful sewing products. The Sew Straight Guides are positionable rulers in 1/4″ markings that go on your sewing machine bed. They would be great for beginning and experienced sewers alike. Very handy is the dual thread stand, perfect for twin-needle sewing and also for easy bobbin winding. I also liked the KISS Laser Line. By positioning the laser light on your fabric and holding the fabric in place, you have a line to guide your cutting. eConcept also overs a variety of sizes of hoop shields for embroidery.

5.  I also discovered some scissors developed by Marry J’s. They feature a 1/4″ stop so that you can easily trim appliqué pieces or cut into corners without going too far.

Please share your impressions on Quilt Market below.