My list of favorite books about quilting.

Everyone has their favorite books about quilting. Mine are books that have lots of block patterns in them. I've always said that I don't particularly like sampler quilts, but when going through my quilting books, I realized that sampler quilts are what I make most often.

Here is my list of favorite books and why I like them. I hope you will too.

Stack-N-Whack quilts, by Bethany Reynolds, have blocks where each one is a unique kaleidoscope look, all created from the same fabric. I just finished a class to learn the techniques and it's amazing to see the different blocks appear as you sew them. This is one technique where each quilt you make will be completely different, even though the pattern is the same. The fabric is the secret ingredient. I would recommend a class or at least a mentor that has done a Stack-N-Whack before, in case you have questions.

"Around the Block" by Judy Hopkins - This book has patterns for 200 traditional quilt blocks and each one can be rotary cut in 6 different sizes. No need for templates when you choose blocks from here. Each pattern has exact dimensions for cutting each pattern piece with your rotary cutter. There are also tips for calculating yardage, assembling quilt tops and creating borders.

Judy also published 2 other books using the same idea. With these 3 books on your bookshelf, you have an almost endless supply of patterns to mix and match into your next quilt.

"Block Magic" by Nancy Johnson-Srebro - This book has over 50 patterns that are rotary cut, but the patterns are more like pictures. There are blocks for animals, people, trees, vehicles, flowers, etc. A whole range of things, made from squares and rectangles, that are great to use in kids quilts and other fun projects. I have used many patterns from these 2 books for the

memory quilts I am making for my kids.

Nancy published a 2nd book with over 50 new patterns called "Block Magic, Too!: Over 50 New Blocks from Squares and Rectangles"

"One of a Kind Quilts" by Judy Hopkins - This book, published in 1989, is like a recipe to make a unique quilt. Each quilt is made up of theme blocks or fabric and then many smaller traditional blocks around it. The book provides layouts for several different sizes, patterns for the traditional blocks to use and step-by-step instructions on how to put it all together. There are also color photos of many quilts to help guide you. I used this book to create

"Our Little Lucy" quilt, shown in the Animal Quilts section, and my "Bahamas" quilt, shown in the Memory Quilt section. It is a very useful tool to create quilts that are uniquely yours. Unfortunatly, it is no longer available, but you might be able to find a used copy.

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