Quilting

Quilting has a long and remarkable history, and yet it is one pasttime that continues to grow with new innovations. The Canton Public Library owns a wide range of quilting materials for both the beginner and the more experienced quilter. Our Special Multimedia Collection touches on just some of the areas we cover. The collection is divided into Good Places to Start, Design and Technique, Patterns and Projects, Quilting With and for Kids, and History and Culture. To find more books about quilting at the library, try searching for the subject Quilting, or Patchwork. And when you visit the Canton Public Library, take a look at The Fantastic Quilts That We Have on Display.

Good Places to Start

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Patchwork Quilting and Applique by Elaine Hammond: Clear line drawings illustrate basic techniques that can be put to use on one of the 23 projects that are included.

The Joy of Quilting by Joan Hanson and Mary Hickey: A must-read book organized around quilting "lessons." Careful instructions make it an ideal title for beginners, but the possibilities for creativity that it offers make it a great resource for seasoned quilters.

Quilting for the First Time by Donna Kooler. This book starts with quilting basics, discussing fabrics, materials and quilting terms, then progresses through a variety of quilting projects of increasing complexity.

Mastering Patchwork (Videocassette): Watch this video and you'll benefit from the quilting knowledge of Jinny Beyer She is well-known in the quilting world, has developed her own fabric, and has her own website (JinnyBeyer), complete with patterns and instructions.

Quilter's Village: You'll find articles and patterns aplenty at this central site for four quilting magazines: Quilter's Newsletter, Quiltmaker, McCall's Quilting and Quick Quilts.

Quilting at About.com: The ultimate resource for all things quilt related. You'll find articles, patterns, technique instruction, quilting museums, and more.

World Wide Quilting Page: Touted as the world's "oldest and largest quilting site," this searchable collection includes a basic how-to section, diagrams and directions for many blocks, coloring book pages to help with color and layout, and lots of current news about quilts and their makers.

Design and Technique

Color From the Heart by Gai Perry: Subtitled "Seven great ways to make quilts with colors you love," this title offers color lessons on value recognition, contrast, and other color concept.

Color Magic for Quilters by Ann Seely and Joyce Stewart: The ultimate guide to quilting and color begins with the color wheel and basic color theories. It advances to color combinations and includes pages that show you how different colors can be used with the same blocks to make very different quilts. You’ll also find several patterns with instructions that you can use with the color theories.

Ghost Layers and Color Washes: Three Steps to Spectacular Quilts by Katie Pasquini Masopust: Make wonderful abstract quilts using this technique, which involves adding dimension to your quilts through the use of color washes.

Placing blocks in different arrangements (or "settings" in quilting language,) can create a surprising variety of patterns within the quilt. The sashing, or pieces between the blocks on a quilt, can also have a great influence on a quilt.

Drafting & Design Simplified edited by Sarah Sacks Dunn: A guide that tells you how to adapt blocks to different sizes, design new blocks, and create variations on old patterns.

Sets & Sashings for Quilts by Phyllis D. Miller: Emphasizes sashings, with instructions for over 40 different designs of varying complexity.

Sensational Sets & Borders edited by Sally Schneider: Straight, diagonal, twist ‘n turn sets and more. Plus ideas for borders and great "quilter’s problem solvers."

Beautiful Foundation-Pieced Quilt Blocks by Mary Jo Hiney: Foundation piecing is an easy technique that allows quilters to sew fabric patches directly to a foundation instead of cutting them out using templates. This book is filled with blocks for various skill levels and includes everything from the whimsical (squirrels and bird houses) to the more sophisticated (African masks and Victorian houses.)

Creative Embellishments edited by Darra Duffy Williamson: Suggested quilting uses for various materials such as lace, beads, paints and other found objects.

Fantastic Fabric Folding by Rebecca Wat: This technique combines origami with quilting and results in stunning creations.

Fantasy Fabrics: Techniques for Layered Surface Design by Bonnie Lyn McCaffery: Add texture and dimension to your quilt using various trims and embellishments and by stitching together various layers.

The Magic of Crazy Quilting by J. Marsha Michler: Includes instructions for both sewing the patches of the quilt and for embellishing the quilt. Close-up photographs illustrate the numerous embroidery stitches and numbered line drawings show you how to do them.

Rich Traditions: Scrap Quilts to Paper Piece by Nancy Mahoney: With names like Pineapple Splash (pineapple block) and Swimming Upstream (ocean waves block), you can see that many of the quilts in this book are comprised of adaptations of traditional blocks.

Freezer Paper Applique: These instructions from CD Designs shows a special applique technique in which freezer paper acts as a stabilizer for the appliqued piece.

Piece by Piece: The many links to clear paper-piecing instructions and over 1300 paper-pieced blocks make this collection worth including. However, beware that many of the links in the project section are not working.

Quilting Lessons by Debby Kratovil: Everything from chain piecing to piecing with freezer paper. Also suggestions for using up all of those scraps!

Patterns and Projects

The websites and books that follow offer a host of block and quilt patterns for you to try. In addition to quilts and wall hangings, quilting techniques can be used to make many different things for gifts or for your home. Some of the projects included here aren’t actually quilted, but use up scraps left over from quilting.

Carrie Hall Blocks by Bettina Havig: Over 800 historical patterns from the collection of the Spencer Musuem of Art, University of Kansas. The blocks are featured in color and templates are included for over 200 of them.

Create Your Family Quilt Using State Blocks and Symbols by Barbara Brackman: A CD-ROM, complete with patterns, accompanies this unique book. You'll find that there are several pages for each state that offers basic facts and images of the quilt blocks associated with the history, symbols of that state.

Elm Creek Quilts: Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels by Jennifer Chiaverini and Nancy Odom: Instructions for making quilts made by the characters from four of the Elm Creek quilts novels. Try Vinnie's Double Pinwheel in bold red and black or When He Makes Dinner in more muted tones.

Friendship Blocks: New Settings for Sentimental Favorites by Marge Edie: Ten different settings for the signature blocks that often make up group quilts, plus the instructions on how to make and write on the blocks.

A Quilter's Ark by Margaret Rolfe: Over 50 foundation-pieced designs for animal blocks, including farm animals, jungle animals, Australian animals, and more.

Wedding Ring Quilts edited by Karen Costello Soltys: The wedding ring is a traditional pattern with a great deal of potential for modern interpretation. Includes 12 complete projects that are variations on the pattern as well as a section of "Wedding Ring Basics" that will help beginners.

Block Central: An extensive and invaluable set of links to block patterns on the Web. The listing is arranged alphabetically and tells you how the block is made and its finished size. Block Central also features some some quilters' coloring pages offering blocks in different "settings" or layouts that you can print out and color to experiment with the arrangement of blocks in your quilt.

Quilter’s Cache: "Quilt blocks galore!" This collection is heavy on the traditional patterns, a great browsing page for beginners.

The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Patchwork Quilting and Applique by Elaine Hammond: Use basic techniques to create such items as a tissue box cover, Christmas tree ornaments, or a tea cozy.

Gifts from Your Scrap Basket by Gail Lawther: Twenty-five patchwork, applique and quilting projects for special occasions.

The Ultimate Quilting and Patchwork Companion by Isabel Stanley and Jenny Watson: Features 140 projects, from a needle case based on the traditional cathedral window block to a jewelry case using modern machine quilting techniques.

Quillow or Pillow Quilt: Diagrams accompany the instructions for this quilt that can be folded into a pillow.

Quilter’s Heartland: In the project section you’ll find detailed pictures and detailed instructions for flag coasters, a pillow, some potholders and more.

301 Country Christmas Quilt Blocks by Cheri Saffiote: Includes both winter and Christmas blocks, plus ideas for making different projects like pillows and table runners.

Patriotic Little Quilts by Alice Berg and others: Fifteen patriotic projects that were developed in response to the events of September 11, 2001.

Free Christmas Quilt Patterns: More than a dozen patterns are available from FreeQuilt.com's Christmas Links.

Quilt Blocks Galore: Patterns available include those related to Kwanzaa and Menorah blocks.

Quilting for and With Kids

Creative Quilting With Kids by Maggie Ball: A collection of 40 projects to do with kids, including a historical quilt and one using a resist stenciling technique. Other helpful items include tips on organizing the project, a table of the fabric requirements, and templates.

Fast Patch Kids Quilts by Anita Hallock: Quick techniques will help you to make these appealing quilts in a flash. Kid-friendly blocks include sailboats, fish, and more.

Quilting by Biz Storms: A book written just for kids that offers the basics plus clear illustrations for 10 projects, including a finished lap quilt.

Quilting With the Muppets by the Jim Henson Company: Fourteen block patterns for favorite Muppet characters, including a fuzzy Cookie Monster.

Quilting With Children: Projects done with children by Heddi Craft. Her students have made quilts using fusible applique, hand sewing, fabric crayons, etc. She offers instructions and photographs for each project and a list of good quilt blocks to make with children.

Teaching Kids to Quilt: From Quiltmaker magazine, some tips on what types of projects to do, how to modify your sewing machine, and more.

Culture and History

Quilt Inspirations from Africa by Kaye England and Mary Elizabeth Johnson: ‘Fulani Stars,’ ‘Bushongo Magic,’ and ‘Yoruba Dash’ are just three of the quilt patterns presented. The patterns are accompanied by vibrant photographs and historical information.

Snowflakes in the Sun by Charlyne Jaffe Stewart: Learn about Hawaiian quilts and how to make them using unique paper patterns.

Circles of the East by Kumiko Sudo: Quilt designs from ancient Japanese family crests. Challenging, intricate designs.

African American Quilting: The Warmth of Tradition by Sule Grec C. Wilson: A children's book explaining quilting traditions that began in Africa and how these changed when slaves were brought to the Americas.

The Quilts of Gee's Bend by John Beardsley and others: The wonderful quilt images and personal narratives of the quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama tell the story of this black community's island-like culture.

Michigan's African-American Quilters: Explains and illustrates how quilts by African-Americans served as records of their lifestyle and heritage.

Civil War Women: Their Quilts, Their Roles, Activities for Re-Enactors: Patterns and instructions are interspersed with history in this tribute to women of the civil war.

Michigan Quilts: 150 Years of a Textile Tradition edited by Marsha MacDowell and Ruth D. Fitzgerald: A balance of pictures and text pays special attention to the women of Michigan's past who have made quilts.

America Quilts (Videocassette): Covers quilts as historical records, as symbols of family and community, and as works of art.

A Century of Quilts: America in Cloth (Videocassette): A PBS video that features a variety of quilts and quilters from the 20th century.

The Myth of Colonial Quilting: Debunks the myth of the average colonial woman quilting in front of the fire, suggesting that only the wealthier would have the time and resources to spend on such "frivolities."