I don't know why. So many of my fellow Alaskans have been quilters (and sourdough mama's) but I never got the itch. I think it might be because I'm not very good at following directions precisely. Nor cutting patterns out precisely (which is also why I'm much more comfortable at winging a recipe "cooking" rather than baking, but I'm making progress there too! :) Reading a quilting pattern that starts with "cut out 300 1.5 inch squares" just doesn't fill me with glee. My lungs catch, my eyes slightly roll backwards, and I quickly think about something else.
But I think it came about with becoming a mama and a wife that my quilting itch began. Part of that Mama Bear mentality of "I must feed and keep my family warm and safe at all costs," thing that occurs the moment the babe is placed in your arms. And I began thinking about quilting.
And this year, when we moved to a place that isn't 70 degrees on Thanksgiving day, I began doing something about it.
As anyone who knows me at all, the first thing I did was READ. I read from the library, I read from books at the fabric store, I went to the quilting store and asked questions of the poor lady at the cutting table while my two year old nearly dismembered the thread display (not really, luckily it was spring loaded). And I found books that worked, and some that didn't. Below are a few of my favorites.
Keep in mind that I have sewn and owned a sewing machine of my very own for several years. These books are recommended for someone who has a basic idea of sewing, specifically clothing. If you are a novice sewer, these books might be a bit out of your league. But just barely.
My favorite Beginning Quilting Book wasby Donna Kooler. I checked it out from my library, returned it, then checked it out again about a month later.
It's that good.
As soon as I got the basics down, I began to look for inspiration. I went to my local fabric store and browsed the titles and looked at the pictures. Basically (and I recommend doing this), I looked for quilts that I'd want in my home. I wasn't interested in many (MANY!) of them, but I did find a few that I loved for the beauty and the aesthetic that they brought to their art (whether they be a quilt for a bed, or a pillow or something else.) And I found a quilt that I wanted to make and bought the book that very day.
I brought it home and looked at the picture again and sighed. Ahhh. So pretty. Now, let's look at the particulars (because, of course, that was the last thing I worried about.) Hmmm. The finished size is smaller than I wanted. Okay. Well, what if I made the finished squares 12" instead of 8, which would mean I'd have to make this cut out a radius of 6.25 inches cut to make it 6" finished, which means, where is my calculator? And compass (the kind you use in geometry), and then what if I increase the size of the outer edge, and then . . . and I ended up making my own darn pattern up. Yes, I did. For my first quilt (which I'm still working on, by the way.) Why did I do this? Because, apparently, I like to make things complicated on myself. But really, it wasn't that hard. But you know what helped?
This book.by Susan Briscoe. And not only did it help and answer my basic questions, but it got me hungry for more because it introduced me to a huge array of quilting techniques I didn't even know about and now want to try out at home. I love it. I need it in my stocking this year for Christmas.
Finally, my third favorite book? This one. by Joelle Hoverson. So many ideas are coming from this book. I want to make the elephant for Baby Luke for Christmas, the coasters in seasonal fabrics all year round, I want to make a huge pinwheel quilt for our bed, or maybe a log-cabin in a modern fabric, and I want to make a color wheel for my two year old and new pincushions for me. And maybe a bird or two because they are so darn cute.
I love this book. Not only for it's gorgeous patterns, but for all the tips interwoven in the text, plus the several pages of advice at the end of the book. It's worth the cost for that alone (she actually finally explained to me what a fat quarter actually is. Priceless.) I'm currently trying to figure out how to copy the elephant pattern without cutting it because it is a copy from the library (thinking wax paper . . . any other ideas?). Not only does Joelle explain the difference between patchwork and quilting, but she enables you to try out new techniques on small, useful projects! I'm not one to decorate my home in quilted wall hangings, sorry, but if I could buy a little bit of a gorgeous fabric and make it into something useful and beautiful, like coasters, or a purse, or a little baby blanket, well, you've got me hooked. Thanks, Joelle, for bringing quilting into the modern home!
These are my favorites, the one's I've found most useful . . . if you have another to recommend, please do so! I'm still a novice and would love your advice!
And, by the way, I've just discovered something wonderful. Fabric. All cut out and ready for quilting. Jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs and the like. These could become an obsession. I've already found a pattern I like for my next quilt . . . and some books . . . this could make the worst part of quilting (in my opinion), the meticulous cutting out, a thing of the past. I'd merely have to make the decision of what pack to order online and have it delivered to my doorstep. Imagine it. No fabric store melees with husband or sons in tow, no cutting, just me, the postman, my sewing machine and a cup of coffee. Fabulous.
By the way, these authors, and fabric purveyors, don't know me from Adam. I wasn't paid to endorse these books or websites. I'm just writing this to hopefully help other novice-quilters out. I don't even own most of them, I checked them out from the library (though if you are the author or publisher or online fabric store and want to send me a copy or lovely gift certificate, I'd happily accept because the library will only allow me to re-check it out so many times!) Thanks!
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3 comments:
Sarah,
Thank you for posting about these books. I'll be checking them out at my library. I've been looking at quilts for awhile now and want to learn how to make them.
My first cast iron pan I ever found was at a thrift store for $5. I snatched that thing up before any one else could because they aren't easy to find. Just keep your eyes open for them.
Dear Sarah,
I love quilting and have done it for years, on and off. Almost all our children have quilts I have made for them as well as baby ones. I am completing Corbyn's one still. i haven't been back to it in a while and must finish.
Thes look like great books
Thanks for sharing.
try carbon paper (you find it at the craft section in Michael's or Hobby Lobby - don't forget your coupon). I have used this for copying many things, most recently a quote I liked, printed from my computer and "copied" it onto the wall. Like those wall quotes you can rub onto the wall? Only mine didn't cost $25, it cost $4, including paint. And best of all? If people ask, it's custom art, by a local artist. giggle.
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