Barbara Brackman, author, quilt collector, and researcher, has become famous in the quilting world for her books on quilt history and fabric dating.  I’m always intrigued by her work.
I came across a fascinating blog entry, Clues in the Calico: A Short History, in which Barbara tells how she came to write her first book, Clues in the Calico. She was a schoolteacher and a quilt collector, who decided to delve further and share what she found in quilt history and fabric dating with others.
Now, 20 years later, this book which is out of print as a traditional book, is available …read more

Quiltmaker’s Gift Quilts

As I researched The Quiltmaker’s Gift, in order to answer a question from one of my readers, I discovered there were follow-up books involving quilts and quiltmaking instructions.  These are Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift and More Quilts from the Quiltmaker’s Gift. 
These books also received rave reviews for being well done and providing easy to understand instuctions and illustrations.
So these books may answer a question from the reader who wanted magazines about quilting for her Czech friend.  I’ve e-mailed her and suggested she check the books out to see if they might be what she’s looking for.  …read more

Quilt Book – Part 1

When I blogged at Home Biz Notes, a reader asked me to expand upon my involvement with self-publishing.  One of my projects that might interest quilters is my book, The Magic of Patchwork.
I actually wrote the book upon receiving a “go-ahead” from the editor at a traditional publishing house.  It was slanted for youngsters and beginning quilters.  However, when I finished the manuscript, photos and illustrations and submitted the package (within the time frame the editor indicated), I discovered that editor had left that publisher.  The editor taking her place was not interested in this project. 
So….I let …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com 
Quilting Qutations Celebrating an American Legacy, compiled by Joyce S. Steward, is a fascinating and fun miniature book.  Only about 2 x 3-inches, it consists of quotations about quilts found in American literature.  There also are lovely color photos of quilts.  An added attraction is the bookmark with thimble at the end.
This is the Quilting and Patchwork giveaway for this month, starting today and running until midnight, Saturday, Sept. 20.  Leave a comment below.  If you have a favorite quote or quilting book, share with us there.
Make sure you include your e-mail on the designated line. Unfortunately, only those living in …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
 My next give giveaway  will be the book What I Learned from God While Quilting, by Ruth McHaney Danner and Cristine Bolley. 
Leave a comment with your name and e-mail (this will be available only to me, but is the way I can contact the winner).  Share with us something about your quilting/fabric art experiences.  If you’re just getting started, share that with us, too.
What I learned from God While Quilting consists of 50 short meditations based on experiences and insights the author gained from her quilting world and at the quilting frame.  Also, at the end of each chapter you’ll find the “Scrap …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
The Magic of Patchwork, my book about quilting, is the prize for the drawing mentioned in the Bloggy Giveways. Readers at Quilting and Patchwork were to:
Leave a comment about your quilting experiences by April 24 (deadline), and I’ll put it in a random drawing for a copy of my book, The Magic of Patchwork.
There were so many interesting comments.  I thank you for sharing your quilting experiences and aspirations.  Even though only one could win, I’d like to include some of the comments in future posts at Quilting and Patchwork.
 I utilized a random drawing system. The handy, dandy Random.org drew the name …read more

HomeBizNotes.com 
“Mary, will you talk to us about quilting?”
What quilter doesn’t love to hear about quilts and share his/her knowledge, too?  When I’m ask to speak to groups, whether adults or children, I feel a thrill that someone wants to hear what I have to say about my quiltmaking adventures and heritage.
It’s the same with writing this blog.  I share with you, in a conversational way, my joy in this art…whether it’s about history, other quilters, or something my daughter and I are working on.
How about you?  Will you share with me? 
Leave a comment about your quilting experiences by April 24  (deadline), …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com 
 I wrote about Jennifer Chiaverini’s latest Elm Creek Quilts series book, The Winding Ways Quilt, and have found a number of my readers enjoy these books as much as my daughter and I. 
In additon to the novels, Jennifer has written books with quilt patterns.  She also designs fabrics for Red Rooster Fabrics.
It’s difficult to chose among the books.  They all center around the Elm Creek farm and quilters past and present. 
 I think mine may be the Runaway Quilt about the Civil War era.  Jennifer weaves a mystery connectiing that era to the present and revealing more of Sylvia Compson’s heritage.
 Do you have …read more