There are some amazing books coming out now, or very soon, and quite a range too – I currently have my eye on 500 Quilt Blocks, Modern One-Block Quilts and Modern Bee. I realised I’m drawn to quilt block books. I already have Tula Pink’s City Sampler and Modern Blocks, plus a few other whole quilt books. I’m not sure why, maybe because I like to get more inspiration in one book? But at the same time, I do love a good quilt book for all the inspirational photography and quilt designs!
And then I got to thinking, I wonder what kinds of books other quilters prefer to buy and why. I asked on my Facebook page to see what you guys think, and Deborah made a very good point:
I buy for whole projects as there are so many block designs available on the internet. I like a mix of quilts and smaller projects, and love having photos or well-drawn diagrams for instructions rather than just text.
This is very true. The internet is full of fabulous quilt block designs and tutorials – I have a Pinterest board dedicated to them! It’s so easy to just do a quick search for “star quilt blocks” or “HST quilt blocks” and find something you like.
So what do you say… Are you the kind of person who loves buying quilt books to ogle all the amazing quilts and be inspired by the whole quilts? Or do you like to collect quilt block books for referencing? And why?!
pippa says
I tend to buy a mixture of coffee table quilt books and ebooks. Online quilting mags are also a huge favourite with me. The ebooks are usually whole quilts or project type books and the coffee table books are *themed* or samplers, Tula’s City Sampler (that book is just a joy to look at, the illustrations, I could just flick through it all day). I do think the quilt book market is currently a bit too saturated for my liking, it seems everyone has a new book out and a large number are just different takes on traditional blocks that you can search out on the internet or flick through a quilting magazine. I know lots of people prefer books to web tutorials and that’s fine, just because i’m not one of them 🙂
Lynne@boutschoisis says
I had to go and look 🙂 It turns out that I have more whole quilt books than block books – and more jelly roll/strip quilting and charm pack quilt books than anything else! I do love books but I’m beginning to feel that I really do have enough now…
Jennie T. says
Good question! I have liked whole quilt books in the past, but glancing through my pile of them, I’ve found I’ve not used a single one! I do love a big, encyclopedia of quilt blocks. Love the inspiration and history. It’s interesting reading.
I do need to remedy my non-use of the quilt books though. I have so many favorites. I think the reason I don’t use them is because they are often written for just one size quilt (usually lap) and I want bigger, so I’m going to have to do the math no matter what. And if I’m going to have to figure out my own math, I might as well just look at blocks!
Sandra says
I love quilt books, but have now so many that I only buy a new book if it would really add something new. Many books mainly cover the basics, and I am now at a stage that I’d rather design my own than follow a book.
Flying Blind says
I just love books, and if they are related to sewing the more the better!!
I have made blocks and quilts from books; I like to have some bigger project inspiration along with the blocks in a book for the perfect mix x
DeborahGun says
500 quilt blocks is on my wish list definitely – because it gives patterns for blocks as well as things to make with them 🙂 I also love the new Love Quilting and Patchwork magazine from the UK – great to browse through and has full instructions for quilts/bags and other gorgeous things!!
Carrie @Gotcha Covered Quilting says
I have probably way more quilt books than I need, but I always buy whole quilt books (except I just bought a block book recently). I like the inspiration of seeing the whole quilt and I also just love to look at the pictures, the fabric choices, the machine quilting, etc, even if I’m not going to make more than one or two designs from the book.
Cassandra says
I will admit to have stopped purchasing books. I haven’t bought a book in a long time. I am an avid (as in once a week) library patron and bring home tons of books. As for quilt inspiration specifically, pinterest and blogs! I’ve started pinning some favorites and also have a couple quilt blogs I follow. I wish I could convince myself to buy books because I do love them, just don’t have the money or the space to keep them!