Best Books for Quilting

Whether you are a beginning quilter, or an advanced practitioner of the craft, you will find many books on quilting that will help advance your knowledge. Quilting books fall roughly into several categories, and numerous titles abound in each. The categories of books are how-to, pattern encyclopedias, historical, books about the joy of quilting, and art books.

How-to books are probably the most popular, and the first stop for the beginning quilter. They range from books which discuss the overall craft of quilting and give step-by-step instructions, to books which will take one aspect of quilting and explain how to do it. The instructional books start with such basics as fabric selection and which tools you'll need and proceed through instructions for assembling the blocks of the quilt top and the quilt itself, down to explanations of quilting, both hand and machine. Every quilter needs at least one of these books in her library, and usually will manage to collect a number of them. It's amazing how many times you need a ready reference when you are in the middle of a quilting project.

Another type of book that every quilter will want to have on hand is an encyclopedia of patterns. These books collect many different quilt block patterns and show the basics of their assemblies. Because their aim is to cover a lot of ground, these books are valuable starting points but won't go into intimate detail. For that you need to turn to books which feature instruction on a specific pattern. With the wide variety of quilting block patterns and techniques, you can imagine that this category of quilting books is quite extensive and stocked with titles. Books in this category may devote an entire volume to explaining the nuances of, for instance, the Log Cabin pattern.

Because quilting has its roots in American history, quilts and the craft of quilting have been studied extensively, and many historical quilting books exist. Looking at these books and seeing what our ancestors did with a fraction of the materials and supplies available today can be a great source of inspiration to modern quilters. Along the same lines are books which discuss the pleasures to be derived from quilting, both in its social form (such as quilting bees) or as a solitary pursuit. Finally, there is a whole segment of quilters who have advanced the craft into art. These quilters regularly show their work in galleries and museums, and publish books not only about their quilts, but the thoughts and processes that went into making them. Sometimes collectors of quilts will publish books, too. These art quilt books are as inspiring in their way as the historical quilting books.

A good way to choose quilting books that will become a permanent part of your library is to choose a time when you'll have a couple hours of uninterrupted time. Go to the library, or your local bookstore, or fire up your computer and look at books on the internet. Take your time, browse, and get a feel for the vast number of titles out there. You'll no doubt end up with a much longer list than you have time or money for at the moment, but you can purchase or check out a few titles and start a wish list for more.

Part of the joy of quilting is finding books on the topic, and luckily for modern quilters, there is a huge array of titles to choose from.

Nineteen Minutes

I have finished Nineteen Minutes this morning. It is good. This one is about high school shoot out by a student that was bullied throughout his school life. It is very gripping and disturbing as any of Jodi Picoult's novels. The incidents mirrored a lot of real life happenings even to the details of the shooting. Of course, since this is a fiction novel, there is also a twist towards the conclusion.

My Sister's Keeper

I have finished reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I am totally hooked by her books now. This novel is about a 13 year old girl who is suing her parents because they make all the medical decision for her to keep her 16 year old sister alive. Her sister has leukemia and needed blood marrow transplant which later led to a need for a kidney. Her parents in fact conceive her to make sure she is a perfect match for donor to their older child.

As usual Picoult's novels are never a straight forward story. As you follow along the protagonist's voice and along with her family members, you will find yourself asking what would you do if you were put in similar situation? And I must say that the ending will blow you away. Not at all what I had expected but still satisfying in a way. This book will make you question life...

Perfect Match

I am really hooked on Jodi Picoult's books now. She is my new favourite author. The last can't put it down book that I read was Perfect Match. Again this is her second book after Plain Truth that I just had to read in one sitting. With a title like that one would have thought that this is another romance story but not so. Actually Picoult deals with very soul searching topics and contemporary issues.

Perfect Match is actually about child abuse, what does being a good parent in trial some situations means and what happens when you take a morally right but legally wrong course of action? Since the topic itself is gripping with great believable characterizations, I could not help but feel for the abuse victim, the kid. It is heart wrenching but also I can't keep away from reading it.

Highly recommended.

I read an interesting book

Last Saturday, I was at the bookshop for a long time browsing at new releases and special offers. There was some offer for Jodi Picoult's books. This is the first time I heard of her but she already wrote and published many books. I bought a few that were on offer. I like her books very much. They are soul searching and thought provoking.

As I was not feeling too good yesterday, I had the opportunity to read the whole day I was in bed. I picked up Jodi Picoult's - Plain Truth and I can't put it down. I read the whole book of 482 pages in two sittings. No doubt I had to finished the last few pages this morning but it was a really interesting book. I learned a lot about the Amish people, their beliefs and life style from the book. I highly recommend it.

My reading progress

I have just finished A Cup of Comfort for Weddings and now going to another series named A Cup of Comfort for Dog Lovers. In A Cup of Comfort for Weddings, the book tells about stories from the brides, the bridegrooms, the father of the brides and mothers too. Many heart warming stories of true love and marriages that survived until the great great grandchildren.

Those days people married really young. About in their teens. With the World War 2 in progress many form long lasting relationships before and shortly after the war. When they give their word, most will fulfill their promises. I really enjoyed reading these inspiring books.

Some stories from my reading

So as I have said in a previous post, my reading of A Cup of Comfort for Sisters (look at my sidebar on the right) which is half way through by now have yielded some rather inspiring, funny and even psychic connections between sisterhood. I am now on page 106 of the 323 paged book. Of course the last few pages are the editor's notes, credits to the contributors since this is like a compilation of many stories and also an appeal to anyone who is interested to write for A Cup of Comfort. (http://www.cupofcomfort.com/)

I like the story Psychic Sisters' Hotline on pages 87-93 about the close bond that these two sisters shared. Although they had six years of difference in age, they have the uncanny connection in matters of buying stuffs. Like one sister would be telling or thinking about a product such as sandals, brand of green tea, bras, sliders for furniture, cup holders and other stuff only to see and know that the other sister is already using them or purchased them on the SAME day without prior knowledge of the other's latest find!

There is another Sister Power about 5 sisters who can say each a word to finish a sentence! They rallied around one another through difficult times in helping one sister to get pregnant though they lived in different states. When it finally happened through the sacrifice of all five sisters and their families, the five sisters said:
"Mom..."
"We..."
"Have..."
"A..."
"Baby..."

Power Thoughts

In my reading, I have come across some interesting points that I would like to share with you folks.

1. You can have everything you want if you help enough other people get what they want.

This is a popular quotation from famous author Zig Ziglar. I read some of his books and he is a good and sensible author. I find that his quotation here is especially useful to bloggers whereby the interchange of experiences, knowledge, skills and talents are the ultimate resources one can have. If we are generous in the area of sharing, we will win the audiences’ return and participation.

2. When the going gets tough-laugh.

I think this thought explains itself. Laughter is not only the best medicine there is, it relieves stress without the side effects. It reduces tension and the tense situation.

3. Don't miss the best things in life.

4. Fix the problem, not the blame.

This is the same as saying, attack the problem and not the person. We can have the attitude that when a problem arises in a relationship, there is usually no winner in the situation. If both parties worked at resolving the issues, then both wins.

5. Share the credit.

6. Treasure time like gold.

Hmm...indeed many felt that 2007 just whizzed past us quickly. So cherish and live in 2008. This is more like a reminder to myself.

7. Never judge reality by your limited experiences.

This is something that I learned the hard way. Nevertheless, it is never too late to open our minds to new things. Being part of the blogosphere and a blogger that needs to "socialized" through networking, I have met many wonderful folks and I read of their challenges and things that they faced and this in turn helped me to be more empathetic and sympathetic as a person.

8. Success without conflict is unrealistic.

9. Make sure your dreams are big enough for God to fit in.

In other words, have God in your considerations and decision making.

10. Never let a problem become an excuse.

This is certainly something that I need. Sometimes it is easier to give excuses than to work harder to achieve a goal. Combine this with #8, we can have better success at achieving worthwhile goals. Hahaha...probably something that I need to work at with my goal of losing weight!


Some other points are mentioned at my other blog: CoolChatBlog

My Library

Hello friends,

Did you see my newly installed bookshelves? The one at the right sidebar are the books that I am reading now and the bookshelf at the bottom are for books that I have read. As I have just set them up, I have not really written any reviews or added more books to it. Actually I have given away, thrown away or even sold many of my books as I have moved a number of times after my marriage. These books in my online library now are the ones that I remembered reading or are still in my collection now. I will add more as days go by or when I specifically remember the title or author of books that I have read.

Please let me know what you think about my library and all suggestions and reviews about new books that you find interesting are welcome for sure. Happy reading!


PS: I am also following a daily bible reading schedule. Although I have listed the schedule here, I will give allowance for the days that I might miss the reading and compensate by reading more on the days that I am able to.

Serena