Collection Development "Quilting": A Crazy Quilt of Resources

Call it craft or call it art, quilting has come a long way from the days when thrifty housewives salvaged worn-out clothing to make beautiful and useful bedcoverings. In the 21st century, it has become a big business and a popular hobby.

Quilting in America™, 2003, a market study commissioned by Quilters Newsletter Magazine and the International Quilt Market and Festival (www.quilts.com), found that the value of the total U.S. quilting industry had grown by 26% in three years, to $2.27 billion. There are now over 21 million quilters in this country; 5.21 percent are "dedicated quilters"--mostly female, well educated, and affluent--who account for 94.7% (or $2.15 billion) of industry expenditures.

Simply defined, a quilt is a textile item made in three layers (top, filling, and backing) held together by stitches. A quilt can be put on a bed, fashioned into a garment, or hung on a wall, among other uses. There are infinite ways to design quilt tops. Patchwork is the most widely recognized technique: the quilter cuts fabric into shapes and then stitches them together, either by hand or by machine. In appliqué, fabric shapes are stitched onto a background fabric.

Handwork is still prized, but machine-sewing is perfectly acceptable today. The rotary cutter, introduced in the 1980s, further revolutionized quilting by facilitating accurate cuts of multiple layers of fabric.

What kind of quilting resources should you have? Start with well-illustrated general guides that give solid information in the quilting basics: choosing designs, selecting fabric, and piecing and quilting by hand and machine. These indispensable titles give novices a good start, but they are also used repeatedly by more experienced quilters.

Many quilters cheerfully admit to having a large stack of UFOs (unfinished objects), many of them pieced but still unquilted tops. Be sure to provide idea books to inspire divine finishes. As quilt designers are developing many new wonderful ways to assemble fabric, a selection of new and backlist resources on these special techniques is also essential.

Another important category is quilt history: how to identify, evaluate, and care for old quilts, whether made during the 19th century or the bicentennial quilt revival of the late 1970s. Many states have conducted quilt documentation projects, some of which have been published as books. For an extensive list of titles, see www.quilthistory.com/state.htm.

Serious quilters like magazines, subscribing to an average 4.2 periodicals. A must for all libraries is Quilter's Newsletter Magazine (www.qnm.com), which reports on industry news and also publishes projects for all skill levels. Other general quilting magazines are American Patchwork & Quilting, American Quilter, and McCall's Quilting. More specialized titles include Piecework, which covers other forms of needlework, and Quilting Arts, which emphasizes fine art quilts.

It can be a challenge to keep up with all the new titles on contemporary quilting techniques. Major publishers include Martingale (www.martingale-pub.com), C&T Publishing (www.ctpub.com), Sterling (www.sterlingpub.com), and KP Books, formerly Krause Publications (www.krause.com).

Still, for the best collection development advice, seriously consider the opinions of your quilting patrons. In soliciting the suggestions of almost 50 online quilting friends for this article, I heard many complaints about their libraries' outdated collections. Libraries holding on to technique and instruction books from the 1970s or 1980s should remember that new books will repackage enduring techniques and incorporate cutting-edge developments. However, they should retain classic o.p. titles that offer still valuable information (i.e, Harriet Hargrave's From Fiber to Fabric).

Starred (*) items below are core purchases for most public libraries.

*Fons, Marianne & Liz Porter. Quilter's Complete Guide. 2d rev. ed. Leisure Arts: Oxmoor House. 2001. 272p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8487-2466-6. pap. $22.95.A favorite of many quilters, this update of the 1993 original includes tips on how to use computers, photo transfers, and more. Clear photographs and explicit step-by-step instructions illustrate techniques from simple to sophisticated. Making a sample from each lesson results in an Americana sampler quilt. The authors also have their own magazine, Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting.

*Hargrave, Harriet & Sharyn Craig. The Art of Classic Quiltmaking. C&T. 2000. 240p. illus. index. ISBN 1-57120-070-3. pap. $34.95. Hargrave prefers traditional designs based on antique quilts. Craig likes to discover innovative settings for well-known block patterns. The result is a basic guide that helps new quilters discover their own preferred approaches to quiltmaking.

*McClun, Diana & Laura Nownes. Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!: The Complete Guide to Quiltmaking. 2d ed. Quilt Digest: McGraw-Hill. 1997. 192p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8442-2617-3. pap. $24.95.This abundantly illustrated manual by two noted instructors is another title recommended by quilters in the know. Eight sampler quilts provide practice using tools, techniques, stitches, and shortcuts.

*The Quilter's Ultimate Visual Guide: From A to Z--Hundreds of Tips for Successful Quiltmaking. Rodale. 1998. 288p. ed. by Ellen Pahl. illus. index. ISBN 0-87596-987-9. pap. $19.95.Photographs and illustrations demonstrate every conceivable technique for selecting patterns and fabric, cutting, piecing, setting, and machine- or hand-quilting.

*Brackman, Barbara. Encyclopedia of Applique: An Illustrated, Numerical Index to Traditional and Modern Patterns. EPM: Howell. 1993. 200p. illus. ISBN 0-939009-75-7. pap. $32.95..Brackman, Barbara. Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. American Quilter's Society. 1993. 551p. illus. ISBN 0-89145-815-8. $34.95. (LJ 12/93) Quilt historian Brackman identifies more than 4000 quilt block patterns first published between 1830 and 1970. She cites the source of each design and provides a line drawing. The appliqué volume has 1,795 patterns published between 1800 and 1950.

McKim, Ruby Short. One Hundred and One Patchwork Patterns. Dover. 1962. 124p. illus. index. ISBN 0-486-20773-0. pap. $7.95.McKim (1891-1976) designed quilt patterns published in the Kansas City Star and other publications and later created a successful mail-order pattern business. Published in 1931, this is one of the first quilt pattern anthologies and "modern" instruction books for the quilt revival of the early 20th century.

Malone, Maggie. 5500 Quilt Block Designs. Sterling. 2003. 448p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8069-7749-3. $24.95. The heyday of quilt block naming was the early 20th century, when many block patterns were published in newspapers. This comprehensive dictionary of quilt block patterns from more than 75 publications organizes the designs first by the number or type of pieces (nine-patch, curves and circle). The color illustrations list all the names associated with each design and the source for each. Despite a few flaws (no bibliography), this is an excellent, affordable reference. (LJ 4/15/04)

Trestain, Eileen. Dating Fabrics: A Color Guide 1800-1960. American Quilter's Society. 1998. 206p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 0-89145-884-0. spiralbound. $24.95. Quilt appraiser Trestain divides fabrics into six U.S. historical periods, with notes about fabric patterns and colors and quilt designs. Many of the photographed swatches are from her extensive collection. (LJ 4/15/99)

*Beyer, Jinny. Quiltmaking by Hand: Simple Stitches, Exquisite Quilts. Breckling Pr. 2004. 262p. illus. ISBN 0-9721218-2-X. pap. $29.95. Noted quilt and fabric designer Beyer steps ahead by stepping back to the most traditional methods of quilt assembly--all by hand. She begins with threading the needle and progresses to perfecting hand quilting stitches.

*Chainey, Barbara. Quilt It! Quilting Ideas and Inspiration for Patchwork and Appliqué. David & Charles. 2003. 192p. illus. ISBN 0-7153-1220-0. pap. $19.95. Easy-to-follow photographs and detailed drawings present several options for quilting the same block.

*Cleland, Lee. Quilting Makes the Quilt. That Patchwork Place: Martingale. 1994. 134p. pattern sheet. illus. ISBN 1-56477-075-3. $24.95. A dozen quilt patterns are pieced five different times with the same fabrics. Each is quilted a different way. Photographs show the methods clearly.

Gaudynski, Diane. Guide to Machine Quilting. American Quilter's Society. 2002. 143p. illus. ISBN 1-57432-796-8. pap. $24.95. Having won major awards for her breathtaking machine quilting, Gaudynski shares her techniques along with recommendations for supplies and equipment. (LJ8/02)

*Hargrave, Harriet. Heirloom Machine Quilting: Comprehensive Guide to Hand-Quilting Effects Using Your Sewing Machine. 4th ed. 2004. C&T. 176p. illus. index. ISBN 1-57120-236-6. spiralbound. $29.95. For more than 25 years, Hargrave has demonstrated mastery of "quilting with an electric needle." This update of her 1995 edition addresses everything from choosing a chair to selecting thread and batting to marking, basting, and sewing. Exquisite examples of finished quilts will inspire.

Sandbach, Kathy. Show Me How To Create Quilting Designs. C&T. 2004. 64p. illus. ISBN 1-57120-273-0. pap. $19.95. What a liberating idea! Quilters "draw" with thread to create free-form quilting designs. Flowers, words, and shapes are all possibilities. A pattern sheet is provided.

*Craig, Sharyn. Setting Solutions. C&T. 2001. 96p. illus. ISBN 1-57120-117-3. $23.95. How to make odd-sized or mismatched blocks work together by using imaginative settings.

*Doak, Carol. 40 Bright and Bold Paper-Pieced Blocks. Martingale. 2002. 127p. illus. ISBN 1-56477-394-9. $24.95..Doak, Carol. Your First Quilt Book (or It Should Be!). That Patchwork Place: Martingale. 1997. 224p. illus. ISBN 1-56477-198-9 $21.95. The prolific and popular Doak is known for her expertise in foundation piecing. Drawing an outline on a paper or cloth base and sewing fabric to the base allows precision piecing for small shapes.

*Hanisko, Dorothy. Simply Seminole: Techniques & Designs in Quilt Making. Quilt Digest: McGraw-Hill. 1997. 102p. illus. ISBN 0-8442-2647-5. pap. $24.95. A century ago Florida's Seminole Indians translated their basketry designs to pieced fabric. The geometric shapes and bright colors are not difficult to make; here are instructions for creating 36 Seminole band patterns and combining them into wall quilts. (LJ12/97)

*Hopkins, Judy. Around the Block with Judy Hopkins: 200 Rotary-Cut Blocks in 6 Sizes. That Patchwork Place: Martingale. 1994. 136p. illus. ISBN 1-56477-079-6. pap. $21.95. A sourcebook of 200 different quilt blocks with cutting and assembly instructions for six different sizes. Other titles in the series include Around the Block Again and Once More Around the Block.

*Jefferson, Jan & MAggi Gordon. The Quilter's Guide to Amish Quilts. Collins & Brown. 1998. 127p. illus. ISBN 1-85585-655-7. pap. $14.95. Amish quilts are renowned for their stark graphic simplicity and for their exquisite hand quilting. Information about Amish life is interspersed with step-by-step instructions for ten popular patterns.

Jensen, Lynette. Thimbleberries® Beginner's Luck: Over 20 Tried and True Quilts. 2003. ISBN 0-9725580-1-2. Jensen, Lynette. Thimbleberries® Pint-Size Traditions. 2004. ISBN 1-932533-03-6. ea. vol: Publishing Solutions. 119p. illus. pap. $22.95. Jensen is a designer well known for her Thimbleberries® line of quilt fabric. Her simple, graphic quilts are excellent for beginning and intermediate quilters.

Mathews, Kate. Molas!: Patterns, Techniques & Projects for Colorful Appliqués. Lark: Sterling. 2001. 128p. illus. bibliog. ISBN 1-57990-223-5. pap. $16.95. Detailed instructions allow experienced quilters to create new versions of the colorful folk appliqués that originated among the Kuna of the San Blas islands in Panama. Projects include large quilts, clothing, and greeting cards. (LJ 6/15/98)

*Montano, Judith Baker. Crazy Quilt Handbook. 2d ed.C&T. 2001. 80p. illus. ISBN 1-57120-173-4. pap. $19.95. Montano is widely regarded as the expert on crazy quilts, which are characterized by the use of luxurious satin and velvet fabrics, generous embellishment, and elaborate embroidery. This recent revision has new projects and many color photographs.

*Sienkiewicz, Elly. Appliqué 12 Easy Ways! C&T. 1991. 80p. illus. ISBN 0-914881-42-6. pap. $16.95. Sienkiewicz revived interest in the intricate appliqué characteristic of 19th-century Baltimore album quilts.

Wilson, Johanna. Prairie Quilts. KP Bks. 2004. 128p. illus. ISBN 0-87349-773-2. pap. $21.99." Projects for the home inspired by the life and times of Laura Ingalls Wilder," this technique book features 27 patterns.

Quilter's Cache www.quilterscache.com Quilter Marsha Hone provides hundreds of free quilt block patterns.

Quilting at About.com quilting.about.com Hosted by textiles and quilting expert Susan Druding, this site includes an extensive glossary for beginners, as well as links to quilting articles and resources.

World Wide Quilting Page www.quilt.com Started in 1994, the oldest of the quilting sites covers quilting how-tos; quilt blocks; and a beginner's guide, with links to users' pages, regional information, online shopping, and other related quilting web sites.