Sewing machines are speedier--but, increasingly, quilters are discovering that working by hand provides even more pleasure and superior results. And world-renowned quilt maker, teacher, author, and show judge Nancy Brenan Daniel has created an inspiring guide just for them, with ideas for 18 varied and beautiful hand-sewn quilts. Her detailed instructions cover it all, from making the blocks and stitching them together to adding borders and binding. Many of the designs come straight from Nancy’s own antique collection, and they’re pieced, appliqu�d, and even stenciled. Several traditional and much loved patterns--including the Courthouse Log Cabin, Shoo-fly, Prickly Pear, and Windblown Daisy--are accompanied by a contemporary appliqu� quilt and a small hand-embroidered wall hanging.

Discover the joy and serenity of slow stitching with hand piecing and hand quilting. With one quilt made up of 21 block designs, this book provides a complete learning experience for new quilters and a stunning project for experienced stitchers. Providing templates for every block and step-by-step instructions and photographs, start with the easiest techniques and progress into more challenging skills as you thoroughly practice hand stitching and hand quilting blocks!

Infuse your quilts with love--how to add your personal story and more meaning to your handmade quilts. In Wise Craft Quilts, celebrated quilt designer and crafter Blair Stocker shares ways to use cherished fabrics to make quilts with more meaning. Each of the twenty-one quilts featured here gathers a special collection of fabric, outlines a new technique, and spins a story. By using special fabrics as the starting point for each project—from a wedding dress to baby’s first clothes, worn denim, Tyvek race numbers, and more—the finished quilt is made even more special. Create quilts that have a story to tell and you’ll find a whole new level of appreciation for what they represent in your life and the lives of the ones you love.

Bring balance to your life in the marriage of beauty and function! From selecting fabrics to threading the needle to piecing together your project, the steps you take to create a beautiful quilt will allow you to calm your mind and bring harmony to your life. Master quilter Sandra Detrixhe shares what she's learned through years of creating art out of scraps of cloth: Quilting is a type of meditation. It's both absorbing and mind-freeing. Sandra and several of her colleagues relate stories about the quiet, mindful experience of quilting--choosing fabrics with a purpose in mind, adding pieces with special meaning, and finding a community of quilters. Each chapter includes a suggested activity that will show you how to find peace in the process. You'll soon be able to turn every minute you spend patterning, basting, and binding into enjoyable, mindful moments. With Zen and the Art of Quilting, you'll learn your wonderful, handmade quilt isn't the craft's only reward. The meditative practice of making your lovely new piece is something to be treasured as well.

This photographed book covers the historical panorama of quiltmaking in the United States, from the quintessential patterns to their cultural significance.--[Book jacket.].

What are they thinking?! The first professional quilters were men, participants in every aspect involving the production of textiles. Once quilting became a 19th century hobby and artistic pursuit, women became the predominant enthusiasts. Now there is a steadily growing collection of male quilt artists. What are they thinking? What are they creating? Is it different from what women quilters do? This is the only book addressing not just this corner of quilt history, but also the design sense of 30 men quilters via 10 exclusive patterns or processes for quilts ranging from traditional to contemporary. Interviews conducted by author and lecturer Joe Cunningham (famous for his musical quilt show, 'Joe the Quilter') are accompanied by more than 100 photos, including full or detail views of two or three quilts typical of each man's work. To date the only easily accessible records of men's quilts and quilting in the modern era have been exhibit catalogs and magazine articles. Men and the Art of Quiltmaking will enlighten you and spark your creativity.

By thoroughly examining all of these aspects, Amish Quilts is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of these beautiful works.--Roderick Kiracofe, author of The American Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort, 1750-1950 "Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies"

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Quilts! Beautiful antique quilts and a workbook of patterns come together in this lavish photography book for quilters. The more than 30 featured quilts from the Wisconsin State Historical Society collection are displayed in period rooms at Old World Wisconsin, the Society's outdoor museum of German and Scandinavian farmhouses. Patterns and block layouts are provided for replicating each of the original quilts, and after seeing each of them in a true historical context, home sewers will be inspired to create their own versions.

“With its diverse selection of fabrics and designs, A Quilting Life is a fine pick for any quilter looking to produce family-oriented keepsake results.” —The Needlecraft Shelf Bring the handmade tradition home with these charming quilts and home accessories. Inspired by a grandmother who loved to sew for her family, quilter and blogger Sherri McConnell gives traditional patterns like hexagons, stars, snowballs, and Dresden Plates a new look featuring fabrics by some of today’s most popular designers. Nineteen cozy projects include pillows, tote bags, table runners, and larger quilts—quick and easy designs that make great gifts. “Sherri’s book is a treasure! It’s full of fun and straight-forward patterns for quilts, table toppers, pillows, bags and more—all the goodies to make a cozy home.” —Thimbleanna “Would you like the opportunity to make tomorrow’s heirlooms in today’s vast selection of prints? . . . If so, this could be the reference book that will get you started. There are 19 projects, mainly focusing on handmade household items but including some larger quilts too.” —Fabrications Quilting for You “Beautiful inspiration if you are a seasoned quilter, but also a great resource with clear and in some cases, simple patterns for newbies as well.” —Diary of a Quilter “Color photos of finished needlework projects accompany step-by-step diagrams and assembly patterns, while at-a-glance sidebars covering materials and cutting allow needleworkers to gauge the complexity of each project.” —The Needlecraft Shelf

Christian missionaries introduced fabric quilt-making to the Cook Islands more than one hundred years ago. Within a short time, Cook Island women turned the tivaevae (needlework, specifically the making of patchwork quilts by hand) into an art form that has become an integral part of local life and culture. In this lavishly illustrated book, Island women talk about their tivaevae--how they are sewn, the ideas that go into each design, and the future of tivaevae.