What is your favorite quilting pattern book?

[coffeebreak]

What is your most favorite quilting book? One that has lots of patterns, ideas and good instruction? One that has lot of different ideas/patterns but no strip/jelly roll quilts. One that isn't so huge on intricate 2" squares, but has more than just a bunch of charms sewn together. One that is intermediate and puts you on your way to advanced.

I want to buy one, but look in the stores and they all are boring. Have the same patterns, the same jelly roll stuff, nothing really different or appealing. I subscribe to 2 quilt magazines..and some of them are more work than they are worth (least it seems to me that way) and most of them ar for queen/king size quilts, which I don't do. Blanket size is the biggest I will go. Some have the tiny 2" squares all sewn together like a tiny checkerboard and to me...more trouble than it is worth, what with all those seams and allowances pressed this way or that and all that resulting bulkiness. Also one that has fun patterns, not just the usual "same old, same old" kind of patterns.

So can you name a few good ones? I want to try to get one soon on the next 50% off coupon day at Joann's if they have them. Otherwise I will get it off Amazon.com

[cyndiofthevortex]

My very favorite book is Marsha McCloskey's "Block Party: A Quilter's Extravaganza of 120 Rotary-Cut Block Patterns." It was published in 1998 and there are some quicker ways to rotary cut today than we knew about back then, but I just adjust the patterns a bit. I took this out of the library so many times I finally bought my own off Amazon. I have so many patterns bookmarked with little slips of paper I might as well not do it. Simple to complex, different shading options, a color photograph for each and every block. This book rocks. It's my go-to book when I want to come up with a new idea for a quilt.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

I like jelly roll quilt books because they usually have some very interesting uses for jelly rolls. I'm not much for 2" squares, and a certain hot place may need to freeze over before I attempt a postage stamp quilt. I'm making my peace with curves ( Drunkard's Path). I don't applique, if a book has a lot of that, I don't go for it. I like quilts that create a 3-D image by clever positioning of color gradients. Is there a book that has all of that in it? I don't know, I haven't found it yet. What about magazines? They are less expensive.
Right now I have 2 jelly roll Books, one called "Big Block Quilts" That uses 4 basic blocks to create all kinds of designs. "24 Hour Baby Quilts", that has a lot of great pattern ideas that don't have to be used just for babies or kids. I just like things that don't require three days of cutting, and weeks of sewing. I like to Git 'er done and move on to the next project. Borderline ADHD, I suppose!

[KerriS]

@Jean
I don't know a book, in which you can find 3D-patterns, but do you know this site?

http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-w...e-patterns.cfm

There are a lot of free patterns with this 3D-effect you mentioned..

[Jean Sewing Machine]

@Jean
I don't know a book, in which you can find 3D-patterns, but do you know this site?

http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-w...e-patterns.cfm

There are a lot of free patterns with this 3D-effect you mentioned..

There are some cool patterns on that site! Thanks for giving me the link.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

My very favorite book is Marsha McCloskey's "Block Party: A Quilter's Extravaganza of 120 Rotary-Cut Block Patterns." It was published in 1998 and there are some quicker ways to rotary cut today than we knew about back then, but I just adjust the patterns a bit. I took this out of the library so many times I finally bought my own off Amazon. I have so many patterns bookmarked with little slips of paper I might as well not do it. Simple to complex, different shading options, a color photograph for each and every block. This book rocks. It's my go-to book when I want to come up with a new idea for a quilt.

I will look for this book!

[toggpine]

I have three books of the Perfect Patchwork System, Encyclopedia of Patchwork Blocks from Marti Michell. Volumes one and two are my all time favorite pattern books. They are not very bulky, but boy are they packed with good stuff!
She uses a strip-cutting and template method for her piece cutting, but she also includes full-sized paper templates in the back if you don't want to buy the acrylic ones. The books run about $10 and I have seen them in some LQS stores, or you can order them online. I imagine that you could improvise with a marking pencil and ruler.
I LOVE the fact that there are multiple sizes given for each block and that there are about 80 block patterns in each book. They are not printed in full color, but in shades of purple and black. I know that sounds kind of odd, but it works well enough to let you see the contrasts. There are also line drawings, so you can color in your own pattern, although I'd suggest making a copy or using graph paper.
Some of the blocks have the optical illusion feel that you were talking about, and others are actually three dimensional. I suggest you check out her website, as there is a way to view some of the patterns before you buy the books. www.frommarti.com

I have other quilting books and I do use them for ideas and inspiration. I usually try to check them out from the library before I commit to buying them. I have limited shelf space and limited funds these days, so I am trying to shop smarter. If there is only one pattern that intrigues me, I'll bring the book home, sketch it out, add that to the inspiration binder, and return the book to the library.
These are also some fun ones that I have added over the years:
Big Book of Quick Rotary Cutter Quilts - Pam Bono Designs (Small pieces warning here!)
Quilts a la Carte - Pam Bono Designs (Table cloths & place mats)
501 Quilt blocks - Better Homes & Gardens (Super small pieces warning, but blocks can be enlarged from 4" size)
Our Best Seasonal Quilts from Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting - Leisure Arts (All sorts of techniques used in here)

If you decide to buy off of Amazon and you check the Used section, make sure they state that any included pattern sheets are still attached! I never though too much about that, until one of the sellers actually listed that in their blurb.

Happy Book Hunting!

[CrazyMtnLady]

I have a couple quilting books but no real favorite. I find I can just search the web and find a lot of wonderful, inspiring and free patterns. I love the internet!

[Carolyn23]

I'm with Mtn.lady! Love the free patterns on Moda's Bakeshop site!

[coffeebreak]

If I browse the interent for ideas/blocks...literally..I am there for hours! I enjoy it, but don't find things my speed or that I really like. I literally have to turn the pC offf ( or not turn it on at all!) or I don't get any quilting done! Not sure what is wrong with me!

Ijust want a book to take out to the patio in the evenings. I have 2 mag subscriptions, but they only come every other month...I hate that, but that is all that I have found. I really hate that! I want one every month!

I guess I'll check the library this weekend, it is a bit away from me and then the problem is keeping track of the day of return and having to drive clear back there while gas is $4.35 a gallon!

Thanks everyone for your fav's. I will check them all out!