Pieced Symbols: Quilt Blocks from the Global Village by Myrah Brown Green

Published 2009

Part global quilting travelogue, part cultural history, this artful, useful guide gives quilters all they need to create a variety of foundation piece quilt blocks featuring symbols from across the world. The designs range from the Asian om and Australian rainbow spirit to the American Indian turtle and African ankh. Each chapter features inspiring examples of how to incorporate the symbols into finished quilts, while tip boxes throughout share interesting information about their meanings and cross-cultural uses.

Quilt It with Wool: Projects Stitched on Tartans, Tweeds & Other Toasty Fabrics by Nathalie Mornu

Published 2009

Wool is warm, thick, comforting…and one of the hottest new trends with quilters! Not only does quilting with wool add additional coziness to any project, it’s great for embellishments. These 25 projects include wearables, accessories, and home items. Find gorgeous versions of quilted bags and pillows; unexpected objects such as a hot water bottle cozy, a jaunty capelet, a honeycomb-inspired table runner, and a laptop case. (Of course, there’s also a few traditional snuggly quilts.) A variety of techniques are covered, including appliqué, patchwork, and ideas for charming embellishments.

Color Your Cloth: A Quilter's Guide to Dyeing and Patterning Fabric by Malka Dubrawsky

Published 2009

Award-winning artist Malka Dubrawksy presents a bold, modern take on dyeing, geared especially to quilters and fiber artists. She’s whipped up a variety of easy patterning techniques—including resist, discharge, and overdyeing—for creating one-of-a-kind fabrics, as well as more than a dozen simple projects that use the vibrant cloth. How-to photos accompany the text, which focuses on sources of inspiration, tools and materials, dyeing recipes, and the surface design techniques themselves. Stunning images from the author’s sketchbook and photos of her workspace provide quilters with additional motivation.

Quilt National 2009: The Best of Contemporary Quilts by Lark Books

Published 2009

Presented on these exquisite pages are the most innovative quilts being designed today, all selected for this world-class 16th biennial international juried Quilt National exhibition. For more than three decades, the exhibition—which travels throughout America—has served as a showcase for contemporary quilt artists who expand the boundaries of the craft. Large, spectacular color photographs and the artists’ commentary will inspire the growing market of home quilters. All the pieces are genuine artworks meant for display, and they set the standard and serve as the model for other art quilts.

Collaborative Quilters Take on Tradition: Classic Designs Get a Freewheeling Twist from Gwen Marston & Freddy Moran by Freddy Moran, Gwen Marston

Published 2009

Award-winning authors Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston reunite for a follow-up to their successful Collaborative Quilting. This time the duo uses historical quilts for inspiration and collectively gives them their own modern interpretations. Separately, Gwen offers unique insights about historical formats, while Freddy imparts her extensive knowledge about color and pattern. Then the two join forces, often using well-recognized historical quilts as inspiration for new, bold, and modern interpretations. Each author shares 20 of her own creations, along with an additional 30 collaborative quilts—and every project comes complete with patterns for shapes, pieces and blocks.

Quilts, Baby!: 20 Cuddly Designs to Piece, Patch & Embroider by Linda Kopp

Published 2009

Modern, innovative, and exciting: if you’ve never associated these words with baby quilts before, you will now! Here’s a collection of fresh designs that aren’t fussy, cutesy, or old-fashioned, but that still have that “aww” factor. Best of all, every one is easy to make, and most take only a weekend to complete. Try a round “Peekaboo” blankie with fanciful creatures hidden under fabric flaps, the clever two-in-one “Good Morning/Good Night” quilt, and a funny “Monkey Monkey” block quilt. Plus, there’s helpful information on choosing baby-friendly and safe materials.

Hand-Appliqued Quilts : Whimsical Designs and Simple Techniques by Tonye Belinda Phillips

Published 2008

Quilter and teacher Tonye Belinda-Phillips has a passion for folk art appliqué—and it inspired her to develop a simple, no-fuss method for making stunning hand-appliquéd quilts. In this beautiful volume, Tonye lays out her fresh, easy approach, revealing all the special techniques she’s discovered on her quilting journey: ideas for choosing fabrics, working with color, and creating the appliqué shapes, as well as placing, basting, and stitching it up. Twenty bright and cheerful projects include a basic basket-shaped pattern that’s great for beginners; an updated floral pattern with playful spirals; and a garden-themed design with watering cans. They’re all photographed using natural light in scenic rustic settings—making this book an object of art in its own right.