From temperance quilts to the quilts by the women of Gee's Bend, there's a rich history of individuals and communities using fabric and thread to connect with others and express themselves, both personally and politically. Why We Quilt blends bits of this history with the stories and work of today's leading quilters to highlight universal themes that resonate through this vibrant craft. Prize-winning quilter and teacher Thomas Knauer illuminates the compelling nature of this time-intensive, hands-on pursuit in today's world, with dozens of profiles and stunning photographs. Through his lively prose and thoughtful reflections, accompanied by insightful statements from the quilters themselves, he shares the many reasons why we quilt: to connect with tradition, explore and express our creativity, to make meaning in our lives, to express love and forge connection - and to change the world. Aspiring and skilled quilters, as well as general admirers of this age-old craft, will be intrigued and inspired by the stories and work of today's leading quiltmakers.

Admirers of Minki Kim's machine-sewn illustrations will adore her 63 impossibly cute easy-to-stitch designs that celebrate the best of everyday life. Display your work on six heartfelt projects. Surround youerself with Zakka Style with a gallery of ideas, including wall pockets, coin purses, key fobs, tote tags, baskets and draw string bags, wall art and covered boxes.

Cheryl Malkowsi makes it easy to free-motion quilt by mastering your doodling skills! In her beginner's guide to continuous-line quilting designs, learn how to select the right shapes to get where you need to go; sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to quilt next. Squiggles, swirls, flowers, feathers...learn which are best for confined spaces and which work better traveling across your quilt. Gain confidence in your ability to draw basic shapes, then learn how to put them together into over a hundred all-over quilting designs. Includes drawing exercises and tips for transferring designs from paper to fabric.

Enjoy 13 petite quilts with ties to the past, each inspired by yesterday's traditional blocks and today's reproduction fabrics. Best-selling author Kathleen Tracy whisks you back to an era when the classic quilt blocks of today were just making their debut. Stitch projects such as Wagon Wheels, Crossing the Prairie, and Aunt Sarah's Scrap Baskets, or make a signature quilt featuring blocks autographed by your family members. You'll find vintage photos and the words of pioneer women from the mid-nineteenth century sprinkled throughout.

Jera Brandvig's signature quilt-as-you-go method is back with brand new techniques and ideas! Create clever, pretty projects using small, manageable pieces of fabric that can be made into different shapes and sizes from a creative and fresh perspective. Create beginner and precut-friendly quilts in multiple styles and sizes. Learn various techniques such as sewing reversible quilts with folded circles or hexagons, making 3-dimensional flower blocks, and embellishing with ribbons and lace. Includes a special chapter showing Jera's ideas for using quilts as home decor.

Create incredible quilts for your home with this collection of foundation paper-pieced quilt patterns featuring 12 different animals. Learn how to create realistic representations of your favourite animals and birds in stunning paper-pieced quilt blocks. This unique collection of 12 contemporary quilt patterns includes a tiger, butterfly, swan, owl, peacock and polar bear as well as many more. There are instructions to show how to resize the quilt blocks if you want to make them larger, as well as instructions for how to add borders to increase the size of the overall quilt. Author and foundation paper piecing expert, Juliet van der Heijden, explains how your fabric choice can really alter the overall effect of the quilt patterns to create very different results, and she encourages you to have fun and adapt the quilt patterns through your own choice of fabrics. There are step-by-step instructions showing Juliet's foundation paper-piecing techniques and all the pattern pieces are available via a PDF download.

Stunning Versatility with Two Iconic Colors! Classic yet contemporary, red and white is one of the most iconic color combinations in quilting, inspiring designers, collectors, and major exhibits. In Red & White Quilting, award-winning quilter Linda Pumphrey celebrates this popular pairing with 40 pieced and appliqued blocks that can be mixed and matched to create eye-catching quilts, pillows, runners, and more! From basic quilting and finishing techniques with tips on two-color quilting to working with fabric dies and choosing fabric and batting, Red & White Quilting offers a comprehensive guide to every aspect of this traditional quilting method. Plus, learn the history of "Turkey red" fabric, create your own red and white home decor with projects and patterns for 14 finished designs, and explore a gallery of historic red-and-white quilts for even more inspiration. Create high-contrast designs with timeless style, Red & White Quilting has everything you need!

Create nine stunning quilts and 11 desirable gifts using contemporary big-stitch quilting. Big stitches sewn by hand lend an irresistibly tactile quality and visual style to quilts and other items, as well as being meditative and relaxing to sew. Each of the 20 stylish projects in this book is quilted using a range of big stitches, inspired by Boro, Kantha and Sashiko-style stitching. Each project is shown step by step, with illustrations and photographs throughout to make the process simple to follow. Learn how to create nine gorgeous quilts as well as 11 gift projects, which include wrapping cloths, a Japanese knot bag, a pillow cover and coasters. There is a comprehensive techniques section at the start of the book that explores the kinds of materials and fabrics best suited to big stitch quilting, the stitches and methods used, and how to assemble and finish your quilts. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this stunning form of hand quilting.

Start on the path to art quilting success! For anyone inspired to make art quilts, this visual reference will help you gain the practical tools and inspiration you need to translate your ideas to fabric. Get an intro to surface design (including dyeing and printing on fabric), embellishing quilts, working in a series, and quilting by hand and machine, all from some of the biggest names in quilting arts, with step-by-step photos and illustrations.

Imagine a traditional quilt, its ordinary shapes gift wrapped with intricate fabrics. Celebrated author, teacher, and fabric designer Paula Nadelstern shows you how to design simple but stunning quilts with the help of vivacious fabric prints. Analyse fabrics to uncover their piecing potential for colour and symmetry. Make your own cutting templates and learn how to get the "seemingly seamless" look made famous by Paula's kaleidoscopic quilts. Example piecing diagrams show just how easy it is to quilt a visual spectacle.

Keep turning fat quarters into gorgeous quilts! The second installment of Fat Quarter Patchwork Quilts, this continuation features 12 more stunning quilt patterns and step-by-step projects using these convenient bundles. Also included are clear explanations for essential quilting techniques and special treatments, such as custom ruler work, free motion quilting, straight-line quilting, and more. Author Stephanie Soebbing is the owner of Quilt Addicts Anonymous and Stashin' with Stephanie where she provides a fat quarter subscription service for quilters. She is also the author of the wildly popular Simple Quilts for the Modern Home and Fat Quarter Workshop.

Improve your quilt designs by learning how to organise fabric by size and colour, while making adorably sophisticated quilts (both pieced and appliqued) for babies and children. Each of the 20 bright, happy quilts is shown in warm and cool colourways to spark the imagination and use up your stash. Stacey Day's friendly voice and great advice make it easy to choose beautiful palettes and add design flair, while also guiding you through the best methods for organising fabrics by colour and size, from tiny scraps to bulky yardage.

Keep birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions at your fingertips forever. Masterful scrap quilter and best-selling author Bonnie K. Hunter shares a perpetual calendar you can use year after year. Filled with inspiring quotes and quips, this album of 60 gorgeous quilt photos will be a favourite of quilters. Enjoy bonus quilting essentials in the back of this special keepsake planner that you can stash in your purse, at your desk, or by the sewing machine.

Pam and Nicky Lintott have sold over 250,000 books all over the world--testament to their extraordinary talent for creating great quilt designs with easy-to-follow instructions. Here Pam and Nicky bring you a fresh collection of 14 brand new quilt patterns, each with a beautiful variation design.

Uses a range of Moda(TM) pre-cuts, including the new fat eighth bundle

From the Introduction:

We know you enjoyed our book "Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm Quilts" and we think it's time for some second helpings, so we hope you'll enjoy this book as much. Working with pre-cut fabrics is such fun that we don't seem to be able to stop. Having all those fabrics pre-cut and packed up ready to sew not only speeds up the making of quilts but makes life so exciting. We know the fabrics are all going to coordinate but part of the excitement is wondering how they are going to look together when made into a quilt. Possibly you wouldn't have chosen that particular fabric, but just see how great it looks in the quilt We don't have to go on--we love jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs--and we know you do too.

Having squares of fabric, as opposed to just strips, opens up many more design opportunities. Never let anyone tell you that squares are boring--you could simply sew squares together and if you are using coordinated and inspiring fabric it would create a stunning quilt.

The 10in squares in our layer cakes give us scope for lots of new designs. After working on our last book, "Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts," where small units were needed for the blocks featured in the sampler quilts, the 10in squares seemed huge. We did think "big" for some of the quilts and have made some very quick quilts which we hope you like.

Using pre-cut fabric has so many benefits--it's quick and easy and having the fabrics already coordinated means you can get straight on with a project knowing that the colours in your finished quilt are going to blend well together. Often you will be using fabrics that you wouldn't normally choose (or be brave enough to use) and we can assure you that often it is those fabrics that add the extra sparkle. We hope that this sparkle in our quilts will inspire you.

Quilters want to finish their quilts--and that means doing their own machine quilting. In Free-Motion Quilting 101, teacher and quilter Ashley Nickels provides in-depth instruction on learning the technique of free-motion quilting, combined with simple small projects that reinforce the technique. Quilters will have fun while learning the necessary steps to complete a quilting project. Free-Motion Quilting 101 is divided into three parts--workbook-style practice; project session and in-depth reference for finishing a quilt 15 foundational designs 3 simple projects and 1 larger project that is a culmination of the techniques learned in the book Free-Motion Quilting 101 is squarely on mastering the technique on a regular home sewing machine and will be the book new quilters pick up first to learn how to free-motion quilt successfully.

Your childhood home, an old family caravan, the incredible skyscraper in your city - these are all the wonderful subjects that deserve to be recreated in fabric. Internationally acclaimed, award-winning quilter Gloria Loughman teaches you to capture your favourite place in fusible applique. Her simple technique is easy to master, yet yields stunning results. Draw from one of three included projects, your own photo or memory and downloadable bonus patterns to assemble your own scenes that are captivating, vivid and full of character.

Capture the essence of Japanese style in your sewing with this collection of projects inspired by the wabi-sabi concept of 'perfect imperfection'. This collection of 20 sewing projects for home decor and accessories is based on the popular Japanese aesthetic philosophy of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the beauty in the ordinary and imperfect. Designer Karen Lewis, has used a limited palette of earthy tones and the best quality natural fabrics including linen, cotton, denim and wool to create a stunning collection of simple, sewn projects. Try out some simple wabi-sabi style sewing techniques such as hand piecing, sashiko embroidery, big stitch quilting, and visible mending to create unique items for your home whether it's a full-sized bed quilt, simple coasters for your favourite mug or a stunning scarf to wrap up in.

Confidently pair fabric prints, using three no-fail strategies: controlled colorway, distinct blocks, or scrap crazies! Whatever your approach, you'll love stripping along with the popular pattern and fabric designer behind GE Designs. Gudrun Erla's quick yet impressive patterns only look complicated. Complete with helpful charts and illustrations, everything from fabric selection to block construction is made clear and simple, even for beginners.

Discover how to create fabulous projects in neutral colours that will go with anything. If you think neutral fabrics are only for backgrounds and blending, you're in for a pleasant surprise. "Spotlight on Neutrals" shows you what can happen when sophisticated taupes, warm browns and creams, and contemporary greys take center stage. Choose from 13 projects with timeless appeal, including quilts, pillows, a square table topper, and a mantel scarf.

Do you love Outlander? Do you have Scottish heritage? Learn to make modern, graphic quilts based on the woven patterns of traditional tartans of Scotland! Though the interweaving of tartan colours can be complex, the author has simplified the instructions for easy piecing. Simply cut strips, make strip sets, and sub-cut sections to make pieces that you can sew together to create rows. With a range of project types for each tartan, from runners and throws to bed-size quilts, there's something for every quilter. Includes patterns for clans Elliot, Maxwell, Maitland, Barclay, Hannay, Macrae of Conchra, Fraser, and an original design, Amador, to honour the area where the author lives.

You don't have to be a master embroiderer to create beautiful crazy-quilt seams! With 480 seam designs to inspire your creativity, you'll learn to stitch with uniform spacing for a professional appearance. Line everything up perfectly with five pages of full-size stitch templates and dozens of step-by-step illustrations. Then dress up embroidered seams with sparkly beads, buttons, sequins, and silk ribbon embellishments for endless creative combinations!

Get the look of complex piecing with a savvy shortcut - striped fabric! With 12 versatile quilt patterns using solid stripes, multicoloured stripes, and even chevrons, you'll explore modern blocks with maximum impact. Slice apart striped fabric and rearrange it into something new to create illusions of movement, depth, and texture. Pick up useful techniques along the way, like cutting on the bias and arranging blocks in unexpected ways. Patterns range from beginner to more advanced, and each quilt is shown in two colourways-it's easy to use any striped fabric from your stash!

Let your creativity take flight with quilting inspiration from butterflies of the Tiputini Biodiversity Research Station! Beginning with the magnificent 12-block sampler of butterflies and wreaths-an ideal block-of-the-month-you'll sew 8 enchanting projects that capture nature's beauty. Introduce contrast, embellishment, and negative space as you sew large quilts, pillows, wallhangings, and place mats. Full-size applique patterns are included, plus an easy guide to raw-edge fusible applique. 'A wonderful book for any lover of butterflies.' www.yarnsandfabrics.co.uk