In celebration of National Book Lover’s Day, Moda & United Notions is hosting a fun book blog tour! At each stop on the tour you’ll be able to learn about the books that inspired each participant to become a quilter. If you go to the Moda Cutting Table you can find links to all of the participating blogs and enter to win–Moda is giving away 6 new quilting books!
If you’ve read my blog for a little while, you might know that the first quilt I made was a Double Irish Chain quilt for my oldest son. I used Eleanor Burns’ Irish Chain in a Day: Single and Double
book and went on to make only Irish Chain quilts for a couple of years. But there was another book that really influenced me as a new quilter, and that book was Little Quilts All Through the House (Designer Series)
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I loved the small project in that book and used many of the patterns to make things for my home and for gifts. Above are two small table toppers I made and hand quilted. I still get them out every year and use them for part of my fall décor.
The first Log Cabin quilt I made also came from the Little Quilts book…this one is also still used at Christmas each year.
And I made patriotic projects from Little Quilts. Again, pretty much everything I made back then I hand quilted. As you can tell…I was learning with these early projects.
My first sampler was also a Little Quilts project. If you could see the wavy borders on this one… Anyway, I feel that my quilting today is still inspired by these books. When I wrote my book, A Quilting Life: Creating a Handmade Home
I specifically included small projects that could be used for home décor and gifts…because I’ve always felt that giving our quilts and using them in our every day lives is a big part of being involved with this art.
As for my favorite book today…well, I have so many favorites–I could make quite a long list! I love the projects in Camille’s Simply Retro with Camille Roskelley: Fresh Quilts from Classic Blocks. Her projects are also fun for home decorating and for gift-giving. And I also love the variety of large and small projects in Joanna’s With Fabric and Thread: More Than 20 Inspired Quilting and Sewing Patterns
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Be sure to head over to the Moda Cutting Table to find links to all of the other National Book Lover’s Day (quilting style) posts…and remember you can comment on their blog to be entered in the giveaway.
What book started you on your way to becoming a quilter?
Podunkpretties says
I thought when I bought my first quilting book "101 rotary cut quilts" that I'd never need another quilting book. I made one quilt from the book. And so began the quilting obsession! Now I remind myself I don't need another book or magazine before I purchase it. Myself says "Just this one more!"
gailss says
Nice little minis Sherri and always a great project in between lg. quilts. My first book was 101 Blocks book and have to say that I do go back to it time and again to look at blocks when doing new quilts or for references. Have many more now but still love that little book.
JoAnne says
Little Quilts All Through the House was also my major inspiration! How fun! I decided to blog about it, too today. If you are interested visit me at the Patriotic Quilter to see my quilts. I love yours!
JoyceLM says
When I first started quilting I bought the BHG Complete Guide to Quilting – it's still my go-to book for quilting help. But I love to read & now I have a huge collection of quilting books. Thanks.
Stephanie says
I started with Debbie Mumm, Thimbleberries, and Laura Nownes and Diane McClun and Little Quilts came a bit later. So many wonderful quilt mentors "in the beginning."
Anjeanette says
Loving this blog hop! I saw your picture of the Irish Chain quilt yesterday. I adore them so much. Fun to see where you learned from! Can't wait for your book to be in my hands;)
Lee Ann L. says
I have the Little Quilts book. I love it but never made a quilt out of it. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly L. says
I have the Little Quilts book…I've made many, many gifts from that book!
Loris says
A new sewing machine that included a great beginners quilting class and Debbie Mumm's Noah's Ark 🙂
joanna says
Thank you Sherri! You are the sweetest ever!
Joanna
Nita says
That was also my very first quilt book (and very first quilt, too!) Quilt in a Day: Irish Chain by Eleanor Burns. I still have it.
Learn How To Make Quilts says
I have to say that no book inspired me to be a quilter. I grew up in a german mennonite community, so making quilts and sewing circles were part of my every day life. I began as a young child, piecing some blocks together for a doll blanket, and then in my teenage years, began with some applique and embroidery, and included that in some baby quilts.
momto1 says
I think my first ever must have been the Eleanor Burns Log Cabin book. I tried to make a quilt before that one, but my efforts ended up in the trash. I, too, made several from the Burns book before moving on. Ah, good times…
Helen L says
That Little Quilts book was one of my first ones also! It has so many good quilts in it!
Peg says
Oh my gosh, I came upon your blog for block 1 for the quilting Bee and wow it was like falling into quilt heaven!
I'm following you via email so won't miss any of your new posts, thank you for Block 1 I look forward to making it.
Peg xx
annieb says
My first book was "Quilts, Quilts, Quilts." My quilting library has grown over the last 19 years.
Suze says
I need to learn that not every quilt has to be queen size for my bed. They aren't all, but most are. Thanks for participating and sharing and hope your Tessie quilt is progressing. I got my pattern and have collected some fabrics.
Kalynn's Creations says
Love to read all kinds of books, but quilt books are my fav.
Pat says
My first quilt was made from Eleanor Burns' book, Make a Log Cabin Quilt In a Day. I was so proud of that quilt.
Phyllis says
What lovely little quilts. Love quilt books, as with fabrics, can't resist them. I have 2 Little Quilts books: Little Quilts All Through The House and Living With Little Quilts. I see your patriotic miniquilt on page 22 of the second book, but no pattern. Maybe there was a separate pattern sheet for this book (I bought it second hand from Amazon)? Or did you find the pattern in another book?