Books By Topic

This book takes a comparative look at the physical changes in the art of quilting through the years. While the overall appearance of quilts has changed, many contemporary quiltmakers keep coming back to traditional patterns. The artists represented in this book share their feelings on the history of quilting, the direction in which it is going and their viewpoints on several quilt-related topics.

Interesting. Provides a traditional quilt on one side of the page and a quilter's contemporary rendition of the same pattern on the other.

This one focuses on drape/upholstry fabrics of those years and is great for the history and wonderful (often weird) color combinations of the fabrics.

This book introduces the art of African-American quiltmaking to the general public. Her thesis is that most African-American quiltmaking derives its aesthetic from various African traditions, both technological and ideological.

Provides an abundance of detailed information on African textiles, the history of quiltmaking in India, Europe and the Americas and extensive interviews with quilters.

Excellent.

Good collection of star quilts.

I like this book. She is well organized and gives you some good photos and directions. Haven't tried anything from it yet. (I got it from a closeout catalog for under $10. It's a good deal at that price. Not sure if I'd pay $20 for it though.)

This wonderful book is a collection of poems, short stories, and other prose works by various authors over the past 150-200 years, all dealing somehow with quilts and quilting. The book is divided into 5 sections ("blocks"), each named for specific quilt blocks: Memory Blocks ("Stories of Remembrance and Meaning"), Double Wedding Ring ("Stories of Community and Courtship"), Radical Rose ("Stories of Struggle and Change"), Wheel of Mystery ("Stories of Murder and Mystery"), and Old Maid's Ramble ("Stories of Age and Wisdom"). The introduction explains the blocks and the stories a bit, and the editor explains how quilting provided an important link in literature written by women (although there are a couple of selections from male authors).

One of the very best quilt books ever Linda Otto Lipsett began with her own collection of 19th century friendship quilts. Her book tells the stories of eight women and eight quilts made between 1840 and 1895. Many of the stories are sad stories of leaving family and comfortable homes in the East to undertake arduous journeys in pursuit of new homes in the West. Using letters, diaries, interviews and the quilts themselves the author unfolds the everyday lives of eight real women, following them from youth to old age. Photos show the women, their families, their homes, and especially their quilts. The excellent color photographs show full quilts, details of blocks, signatures and ornaments, and the best close-ups of 19th century fabrics I have seen. There are also pictures of other typical friendship quilts, patterns for three quilts prepared by Laura Nownes, and complete references and bibliography.

I love this one -- it really got me into 30s quilts -- and it's my inspiration, since I just purchased two 30s tops that need batting, backing,etc.

This book presents a wide selection of traditional designs for the modern quilter which have been tested over time. They are presented in their original colors and special configurations. Some date back as far as the 18th century; others became popular as late as the 1930s. A few are worked in wool or silk; most are pieced of plain or printed cottons. All were made in America and display a variety of piecing, applique and quilting techniques. I like this collection.

Buy it, it's gorgeous and you will learn a ton of stuff about quilting that you never know--extremely well researched, beautifully designed book, nice typefaces, photography excellent of course

This is a beautiful book. It has several features I like, including a time line about quilt styles and fabrics. The photographs are unusually clear and brilliant. It is expensive; however, you will find it sold by the discount retailers. I have seen it listed for $48.

This books contains essays/thesis on history and other aspects: the relationship between late 19th c. dress fabrics &quilt devel., other fascinating things.

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