Today is National Book Lover’s Day. Are you a Book Lover?
Moda is doing a blog hop to celebrate National Book Lover’s Day. They asked us what book inspired us to start quilting. While I confess, that it wasn’t a book that inspired me to START quilting, there are books that draw me into quilting more and more.
Probably the first books that inspired me were ones from my Grandmother’s personal library, like Patchwork Simplified or Complete Guide to Needlework. I used to have Complete Guide to Sewing, which is really wonderful sewing book. Sadly, it never made it through our move to Maryland a few years ago. I have reached for it several times only to remember I no longer have it. Sigh. But I digress. Back to my Grandmother’s personal library. I would sit in the hallway, in front of the book shelf and thumb through her how-to books. The images were often not in color.
The books were absolutely dated to the 70’s by designs in them.
The ideas were fairly simple because this was well before rotary cutters and specialty rulers. And the ones that did have color, heavily used calicos and washed out fabrics.
There was something wonderful about the feeling I had sitting at Grandma’s house and looking through her books. I have a couple of them now. Either she gave them to me, or I sought them out to have in my own personal library. They are by far my favorite books. I find myself thumbing through them over and over.
Of course, there are also contemporary quilting books that inspire me to quilt. One of my favorites is Simplify by Camille Roskelley. I had to buy it when it first came out. The colors were just so bright and cheery. The patterns are fairly simple and the photography is lovely.
Is there a book that inspired you to start quilting? What is your favorite quilting book?
Stop by the other bloggers on the hop and see what books inspired them to start quilting. Also stop by Moda The Cutting Table for your chance to win one of 6 books to inspire you!
Anjeanette
Thanks for sharing your sewing books saga. My favorite is The Quilters Album of Patchwork Patterns by Jinny Beyer.
ReplyDeleteI love old books. They're classics! I don't really have a favorite. It is hard to choose!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to want every quilt book that comes out! So many wonderful ideas and so little time.
ReplyDeleteWish I had started quilting earlier.
Donna in SC
I have the complete guide to needle work - looks exactly like the one in your photo! And I also have the complete guide to sewing. Haven't actually taken them out to look at them in years :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could remember why I ever got interested in quilting, but I can't. I guess it is because it was the early 80's, my friends were having babies, and it seemed like the thing to do. The "women's" magazines had articles on quilting, and the color pictures drew me in. Not that I did any of those quilts, but I think that's where I first saw the art. Thanks for sharing your faves. I, too, love the old quilt books.
ReplyDeleteI too spend many hours (that could be spent sewing) just looking through the books on my shelf, sigh!
ReplyDeleteI have several quilt books that have black and white pictures. I remember a store called Calico Corners. I have no idea what the store sold - I always thought it was just calico fabric and I certainly wasn't into calico at that stage of my life. Thanks for participating and sharing your inspirations. This is fun to see the various inspirations.
ReplyDeleteI remember those black & white days well. I think it ironic that I also love Camille Roskelley's Simplify. It's clean and fresh designs are wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete