Skill Building Books

A complete step-by-step guide to every embroidery stitch you need to know.  Presented in a quick and easy-to-understand format, this essential guide includes 30 favorite embroidery stitches to practice and inspire your creativity!

That family quilt is even more special when you have a glimpse of the life and times of the quiltmaker. Agnes M. Pool, a longtime quilter, teacher, appraiser and author, offers a step-by-step guide to help you document your projects. Here are tips for gathering information and photographing the quilts, staging an exhibition, hanging the quilts, labeling, and getting an appraisal and insurance. Also included are forms for ensuring that the information is complete. Author: Agnes M. Pool; Softcover; 32 pages.

It's never been easier to make Lone Star-style quilts!
Shelley has simplified the intricate-looking traditional design by breaking it into easy-to-piece units, without a set-in seam or bias edge in sight. You won't be using templates or cutting angled pieces from strip sets, either. Instead, each of the eight designs begins with familiar stitch-and-flip units that are then sewn into blocks. Yes, blocks! From there, arrange blocks to create a variety of stellar designs that even a novice can complete with ease. If you can stitch on a marked line, you're ready to make these heavenly quilts!
Intricate-looking designs reimagined with simplified piecing. These beginner-friendly blocks will make everyone feel at ease.  Author: Shelley Cavanna; Softcover; 80 pages.

Second issue of the scrap-loving Lab Manual Series featuring 1 1/2" wide fabric strips/strings. Six more projects and plans for your favorite scrap strips. One thing is certain: the longer you quilt, the more scraps you are going to generate! Whether you are inspired by your scraps or overwhelmed by them, it's time to bring them together for some fresh and contemporary string projects.  Author: Tonya Alexander; Softcover; 37 pages.

Make pinwheels the fun, fast and easy way.  Let’s Twist features a dozen patterns from Marsha Bergren using both the Lil’ Twister and the Twister Tools. Quilts, table runners, an apron, a mantle hanging and more!  Author: Marsha Bergren; Softcover; 24 pages.

If you thought you had fun with the first book, just wait!  The pinwheel craze continues with Let’s Twist Again, with more patterns using the Lil’ Twister and Twister tools and takes you to the next level of creativeness using strips, blocks and disappearing pinwheels. Keep On Twisting! Author: Marsha Bergren; Softcover; 28 pages.

What do you do with all the T-shirts that family members no longer wear but can't bear to throw out because of the memories involved? Linda Causee shows how to use the best parts of those treasured T-shirts to make quilts to hang on your walls or keep you warm. Seven example quilts include Our Favorite Team, Family Reunions, Favorite Pastimes, High School Memories, Our Family, Walk for a Cure, and A Few of Dad's Favorites. Four designs give bonus alternate sizes. If you've never made a quilt before, or if you're not sure of your quilting ability, basic instructions are included. So look in your closets and dresser drawers. You're sure to find lots of material to keep your quilting fingers busy for a long time! Author: Linda Causee; Softcover; 64 pages.

Take yourself on a pinwheel journey. Learn how to make unique pinwheels starting with the easy and working your way up to more challenging. Let these 8 unique quilts inspire you to stitch new and exciting quilted projects. You'll never think of pinwheel blocks in the same way once you explore these possibilities. Tutorial sidebars included in this book: 1. Spinning Centers to Reduce Bulk 2. Triangle Alignment 3. Using Half-Square Triangle Piecing Papers 4. Using a 60-Degree Triangle Ruler.  Author: Annie's Quilting; Softcover; 48 pages.

To the quilters who live in the Rocky Mountains, its beauty and wonder is a daily source of inspiration that oftentimes is translated into their quilts. Join Konda Luckau and eight of these designers as they show you what spring means to them in 15 projects. Softcover; 94 pages.

Elegant, Subtle Quilts that Harmonize with Any Décor.  This book includes 7 quilts that add elegance to any decorating scheme-in colors that never go out of style! Learn to use neutral colors, light/dark contrasts, and a variety of print textures to create beautiful fabric blends. Scrap-friendly projects designed for confident beginners, plus a chapter on quilting basics. Clear your color palette with a refreshing taste of neutrals! Master quilt teacher Alex shows you how to create subtle visual effects by varying the color, contrast, and texture of your fabrics, then tops it off with 7 easy-to-make quilts that show off all the elegance of tans, grays, creams and whites. You'll see neutrals in a whole new way!  Author: Alex Anderson; Softcover; 55 pages.

It's time for new fun with an old favorite--crayons! Using the new Melt-n-Blend technique, anyone can create beautiful applique designs with a dimensional, hand-painted look that brings quilts to life. Learn to tint and shade luscious fruits, gorgeous blossoms, and more--using crayons, colored pencils, and markers Choose from seven inspiring projects of increasing complexity, with something for every skill level Make one-of-a-kind applique designs that can be used in any project--simply fuse them into place. Please note that the fusible web Terrie recommends in this book is no longer available. As an alternative, she suggests EZ-Steam II by Pellon.  Author: Terrie Linn Kygar; Softcover; 80 pages.

The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide: From A to Z by Ellen Pahl will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about quilting! You've hit the jackpot with this quilter's ultimate answer book. From A to Z you'll find combined wisdom from a star-studded cast of 60 expert quilters. Lavishly illustrated, this fun "look-and-learn" reference book covers every aspect of quiltmaking: basic quiltmaking techniques, hard-to-find information on specialized techniques, reviews of tools and supplies, basic quilt types explained and illustrated, and definitions of terms every quiltmaker should know.  Author: Ellen Pahl; Hardcover; 288 pages.

Explains how to select patterns and fabrics, make templates, cut patches, and piece and assemble a quilt, and presents an introduction to designing original quilts.  Author: Sandra Millett; Softcover; 158 pages.

Bring the classroom into your sewing space as you learn from expert quilters how to get the scrappy look you love. Following the wildly popular Sisterhood of Scraps, author and designer Lissa Alexander has gathered more super-talented designer friends to share a dozen scraptastic quilt designs. Not feeling confident with color selection? Unsure of what fabrics to add to the mix? Want to know what makes a scrap quilt sing? Tips and tricks are inside for all this and so much more to help you make the most of your fabric stash! Lissa and her handpicked crew of "instructors" show you how to get an A+ (for awesome) on your next scrap quilts. Scrap School is in session! Lisa Bongean · Gudrun Erla· Sarah Huechteman · Susan Ache· Kim Diehl· Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene· Sherri McConnell· Amy Smart · Amanda Jean Nyberg; Softcover; 96 pages.

A folding pocket guide to basic bow making.  Clear instructions and illustrations will have you tying perfect bows in no time!

Designed to compliment Jason Yenter's Garden of Dreams II fabric collection, this book includes six different quilt patterns, all shown on the cover. Patterns and Templates are included for the six quilts. Patterns include Trip of Dreams, Purple Petals, Magic Garden, Garden Blooms, Garden Trails, and Periwinkle Dreams. Author: Jason Yenter; In the Beginning; soft cover.

The 14 quilts in this book were inspired by antique quilts from unknown quilt makers. This two-color combination has captured hearts throughout the years and you can continue the traditional with favorites of your own from this collection. Patchwork, applique and medallion quilts are all featured. Author: Various; Martingale; 96 pages; softcover.

Author Jen Eskridge shows you how to use faced appliques to achieve the look of curved quilt seams with your sewing machine. Nine contemporary applique designs, from cute mug rugs to color quilts, will have you turning curves into works of art! Author: Jen Eskridge; Leisure Arts; 64 pages; softcover.

This book shows you how to make 13 vibrant quilts using solid colored fabric. By top designers, this new collection of bright and simple-to-stitch designs use colorful Kona Cottons. Recreating each quilt is a snap, thanks to comprehensive color keys and color names included with each pattern. Author: Karen M. Burns; Martingale Press; 64 pages, softcover.