What Are Some of the Most Helpful Books for Quilting?

Quilting books are useful tools for quilters of all levels. Those who are just starting out can learn the basic stitches and techniques needed throughout their quilting endeavors, while those who are more advanced can find new ideas for creating their next project. How helpful any book is will depend on your reason for getting it. Some may focus on a specific area of quilting such as rotary cutting, while others serve as a guide for a broad spectrum of tools and techniques. These are some of the most helpful books for quilting you will likely find  at any skill level.

· Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!: The Complete Guide to Quiltmaking by Diana Mcclun and Laura Nownes – This book includes everything quilters need to know to get them started on their first project or to enhance their skills later on. The book includes thirty beautiful quilt designs, including ten all-new patterns. The book uses step-by-step diagrams in color to serve as a guide and covers every technique, tool, stitch, and shortcut imaginable. This book is a helpful choice for any quilter at any level.

· Art Quilt Workbook by Jane Davila and Elin Waterson – This book provides a hands-on format for easier understanding of the concepts and techniques demonstrated. The goal of the book is to teach quilters how to go from making simple bed covers to creating works of art out of fabric. It covers a broad range of topics from quilt piecing to photography. The book starts with a list of basic skills needed to get the greatest benefit so crafter know what they need to get started instead of just categorizing by level. If you are looking for a way to inspire greater creativity in your quilting, this book can be very helpful.

· Your First Quilt Book (or it should be!) by Carol Doak – This book is a highly affordable guide for the beginning quilter. It covers everything needed to get started including the supplies, tools, and techniques used to make a basic patchwork quilt. Small projects are offered for those wanting to learn hand- or machine- quilting. Written in simple conversational tone with just enough humor to make sewing your first quilt enjoyable and stress-free.

​

· Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters – Free motion quilting is an essential skill for anyone who plans to use continuous-line stitching on their quilts. This book includes step-by-step instructions for making swirls, squares, arcs, circles, vines, and more! Learn to combine shapes to create more unique designs. Angela includes pictures of twenty modern quilts that demonstrate the striking effects of these techniques. The book teaches you how to choose & use quilting designs on modern quilts.

· The Splendid Sampler: 100 Spectacular Blocks from a Community of Quilters by Pat Sloan, Jane Davidson – This sampler brings together a collection of six-inch blocks created by more than eighty of the most innovative modern designers. These designs require a variety of quilting techniques such as traditional patchwork and applique, along with foundation paper piecing, embroidery, and more. Many blocks are shown in two colorways to give you even more ideas and inspire your sense of creativity.

· Teach Me to Applique: Fusible Applique That’s Soft and Simple by Pat Sloan – One of the biggest obstacles quilters encounter when using applique to quilt is the stiffness of the fusible material they use to hold pieces securely in place. Pat Sloan teaches readers how to make applique that is soft and drapey for quilts that you will like to touch. This is a helpful quilting book for quilters who are just trying appliqué as well as those who are already applique enthusiasts who want to get better results.

· New York Beauties & Flying Geese: 10 Dramatic Quilts, 27 Pillows, 31 Block Patterns by Carl Hentsch - This book provides instructions for creating 31 architectural block patterns using a variety of techniques like foundation piecing, machine appliqué, on 27 pillows and 10 full-size quilts. Tula Pink has also contributed to the book with her expertise in fabric and color. The combination of their efforts has resulted in some truly unique patterns that have movement and drama for a quilting experience that truly stands out from the rest.

There are hundreds of quilting books on the market that are available in paperback, hardcover, or for e-readers. Some older titles have become popular and are considered must-haves for any quilter’s reference library. The key to finding the most helpful quilting books for your needs is to find one that you can easily understand and which covers the information that you need most. Even a beginner’s book of quilting basics may be essential when you have taken a break from your craft and need to refresh your skills.