Common Threads
Fiber Art Store and Learning Center

Quilting Books

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Art and Inspiration

An in-depth look at the art and inspirations of award-winning quilt artist Ruth B. McDowell. A feast for the eyes, this classic book features many of Ruth's finest art quilts. She shares her inspirations and ideas, methods of working, construction tips, quiltmaking philosophy, and images of quilts made over the past 25 years. The book begins where Ruth began - with her first quilt - and leads you through her progression into one of today's most prominent quilt artists. Enjoy the heartwarming stories and share in the difficulties that Ruth faced along the way. This book is a must for every quiltmaker's library. Quilters around the world can look forward to collecting each book in this new Art and Inspirations series.

Ruth B. McDowell graduated from MIT with a degree in Art and Design. Building upon her interests in mathematics, gardening, and needlework she has become one of the leaders in the quilt world today. Her quilts have hung in solo shows on both coasts and in Japan. She is the author of Symmetry from C&T and lives in Winchester, MA, with her family.

$29.95, softcover
144 pages, color throughout
8 1/2" x 11"
ITEM# C&T-10139


Start Quilting with Alex Anderson

Six Projects for First-Time Quilters

Alex Anderson, author of Quilts for Fabric Lovers, Simply Stars, and host of HGTV's "Simply Quilts", brings you Start Quilting, the ultimate book for beginning quiltmakers. Alex eases you into the world of rotary cut quiltmaking by discussing the equipment, fabrics, and basic techniques necessary for constructing a quilt. By the end of the third chapter you'll be ready to start your first project and can choose from the six simple wall quilt patterns included in the book. Alex walks you through each project in a clear and concise manner.
Also Available by Alex Anderson: Simply Stars, Quilts for Fabric Lovers, Star Quilts Notecards.

$12.95, soft cover
40 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 x 11
ITEM# C&T-10154


Simply Stars - Quilts That Sparkle

Alex teaches every quilter how to make stunning star quilts. The book examines the star blocks that are composed of four basic shapes: squares, rectangles, triangles, and diamonds. Using Alex's student-tested short cuts, you can achieve dynamic results with a few simple guidelines. The number of star patterns is endless! Each pattern is shown in order of difficulty, from beginner to advanced.
Also Available by Alex Anderson: Start Quilting, Quilts for Fabric Lovers, Star Quilts Notecards.

96 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 x 11
$21.95
soft cover
ITEM# C&T-10143


Kaleidoscopes & Quilts

Paula Nadelstern Kaleidoscope - the very word promises surprise and magic, chance and change. This book is jammed with how-to's and why-not's, process and product, and an abundance of text and photos that explains elements of design and technique for creating the multi-faceted, luminous, and random nature of a kaleidoscope's interior on the flat surface of a quilt. The kaleidoscope configuration and its symmetrical repetition allows you to explore a variety of design possibilities using printed fabric. With Paula as your guide, you will find that making kaleidoscope quilts is like making magic with fabric.
Also Available by Paula Nadelstern: Kaleidoscopic Quilts Notecards.

144 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 x 11
$24.95
soft cover
ITEM# C&T-10142


Fractured Landscape Quilts

Katie Pasquini Masopust Katie's latest book provides stunningly beautiful examples of her new technique-fractured landscapes. Speaking about the transition from her earlier work, Katie says: "I could not break totally with my structured nature, so on top of my landscape drawings, I added lines and circles to break up the organic lines. The drawings then looked fractured, as if you were looking through broken glass." How-to photographs of the process are provided, along with step-by-step instructions. The methods are surprisingly easy and the results are delightful.
Also Available by Katie Pasquini Masopust: 3 Dimensional Design, Isometric Perspective.

96 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2x 11
$21.95
soft cover
ITEM# C&T-10140


Crazy with Cotton - Piecing Together Memories & Themes

Diana Leone Most quilters have a huge collection of interesting fabrics. In Crazy with Cotton, Diana Leone encourages you to use these fabrics to create a story quilt. This exciting book teaches piecing methods for a simple crazy-patch block. You'll learn how to use a theme fabric as the motif on which the remaining quilt design is based. Diana takes you step-by-step through the creative process, covering fabric selection, tools, yardage requirements, and piecing instructions. These cotton story quilts are some of the easiest to make. Now you have the opportunity to go crazy with your cottons!
Also Available by Diana Leone: The New Sampler Quilt.

96 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 x 11
$21.95
soft cover
ITEM# C&T-10141


Crazy Quilt Odyssey

Judith Baker Montano Once again, Judith has set down in writing her adventures and techniques for us to follow. If you've become "hooked" on this quilting style, Judith's book will feed your passion with more information on embellishment, punchneedle and ribbon embroidery, plus design ideas for creating contemporary clothing and landscape art. 17 new projects, expanded stitch dictionary, plus glossary of international terms.
"Art and the Crazy Quilt have become synonymous through Judith's creative abilities." -Imelda Gatton DeGraw, Textile and Costume Curator, Denver Art Museum
Also Available by Judith Baker Montano: The Crazy Quilt Handbook and Crazy Quilting video, Art & Inspirations, The Art of Silk Ribbon Embroidery and Silk Ribbon Embroidery video, Elegant Stitches, Recollections, Embellishments video, Victorian Family Notecards, Victorian Medley Notecards, Seascapes Notecards.

144 pages, 55 color plates
8 1/2 x 11
$21.95
soft cover
ITEM# C&T-10048


Buttonhole Stitch Applique

Jean Wells Create more than 30 whimsical folk art style projects for any time of the year. Easy how-to instructions for buttonhole appliquè techniques, plus colorful fabric selection and finishing ideas. A wonderful mix of appliquè projects that combines no-sew fusing techniques and buttonhole stitching. Adorn a purchased hat or jacket with whimsical appliquè, surround it with multi-colored stitching, and it becomes a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Pillows, hats, a journal, sewing cases, cloth dolls, quilts, quilted banners, festive jackets, and teddy bears bedecked with silken ribbons will bring oohs and aahs from all admirers.
Also Available by Jean Wells: Willowood, Patchwork Quilts Made Easy, Patchwork Quilts Made Easy video, Everything Flowers.

96 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 X 11
$21.95
softcover
ITEM# C&T-10109


Willowood - Further Adventures in Buttonhole Stitch Applique

Jean Wells With all the flavor and simplicity of American folk art, Willowood brings an abundance of projects for all skill levels. This whimsical book shows how to enhance quilts, quilted banners, clothing, and simple crafts with buttonhole stitching. Easy how-to instructions for making playful designs with bright and rich colors are included.
Also Available by Jean Wells: Buttonhole Stitch Appliquè, Patchwork Quilts Made Easy, Patchwork Quilts Made Easy video, Everything Flowers.

96 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 x 11
$22.95
softcover
ITEM# C&T-10150


Symmetry

Ruth McDowell In Symmetry, Ruth McDowell guides the quiltmaker in exploring and developing truely original designs. From a decade of quiltmaking and teaching, Ruth uses concepts of symmetry and of asymmetric block design to teach the reader how to create original quilts. The series of seventeen symmetries expands the range of patterns which can be created from either traditional or original blocks. Each chapter presents a new block design and a new concept, illustrated by a quilt shown in color with templates, yardage charts, and directions. Each of the concepts can be applied to thousands of other blocks. She includes blocks that are simple to piece, and blocks that present more of a challenge.

144 pages, full color throughout
8 1/2 x 11
$21.95
softcover
ITEM# C&T-10098


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