Friday, December 10, 2010

Favorite Things Friday - December 10th

TGIF!!!!  On the other hand, Christmas is only 2 weeks from tomorrow!  How did that happen!  For the moment, let's forget all the holiday stress and concentrate on Favorite Things Friday over at Quilting in My Pyjamas.  I could definitely use a coffee break and a brain break to check out all the cool Favorite Things everyone has posted. 

I have a confession to make.  My name is Kate and I'm a quilt book addict. 

  
I love quilt books (don't ask me if I love quilt books more than fabric, I'd have a hard time choosing between those two).  A cup of  coffee and a few quilt books to ponder over is for me better than a long soak in the tub.  I couldn't pick just one favorite book from my library.  The one book I've probably actually used the most is Sharyn Craig's Setting Solutions. 


It outlines a number of ways to set blocks together.  When I was first starting out and wanting to design my own quilts, this book was a great help.  

I love BOMs.  For the 2008 Brown bag quilt I had to come up with my own blocks (the story of that 2008 BOM is posted here, here and here).  Though I pulled a number off the Internet, I also used a number of "block" books to find blocks for the BOM. 


I also have a number of quilt designer's that I follow fairly religiously.  That includes Carrie L. Nelson, Kaffe Fassett, Judy Laquidara, and Lynette Jensen. 



I also have quite a collection of fat quarter and scrap quilt books.  If I had to force myself to choose a favorite category, this would be it.  I'm working on my first scrap quilt using Bonnie Hunter's Leaders and Enders technique.



I do use my books, though if I were to take stock, only 2 projects have been made from patterns in a book.  Though there are a lot that I would like to make.  So many quilts, so little time!  

Thanks for letting me share some of my favorite quilting books.  Do you have a favorite quilting book?  

13 comments:

Unknown said...

OMG...you could start a book store!
What do you do with them? How often do you go back and look at them?
I'm just thinking of the investments! I've never seen so many other than in the quilt shop..
You are totally addicted!

Larri said...

Wow, Kate! I'm in total lust over your quilt book collection. It makes me want to learn to quilt. LOL I think I could drool over your fabulous Favourite! Thanks for sharing. Happy FTF! :o)

Marie said...

oh kate .. you aren't the only one ... i have the same good habit! i was going to say problem but well one can never have to many books of any kind!

Sarcastic Quilter said...

That's a lot of books but I'll be happy to remember to add to it when I feel like any of my books are clutter. Of course, I can't promise that will happen anytime soon but, well, as Ms. P might say, I'll keep you on my list! :D

Paulette said...

Girl, that's a lot of quilt books! I'd love to just sit in front of that bookshelf and look through your quilt books all day. Such inspiration!

Michelle said...

Can I come and play at your house? Your collection is just so enticing. Wonderful FTF!

Marg said...

So many quilt books, I would love to be able to browse through those too. Alas, my cook book collection takes up so much space I would never have room for that many quilt books (which is probably a good thing.)
A fabulous FTF.

Shay said...

Thats a rather impressive collection Kate.

As for not having made a lot of actual quilts from the books - I think that quilting books are to quilters what picture books are to a 4 year old- eye candy.

I dont have a lot of quilting books- maybe 20 in total but I love the Material Obsession books. Fresh and funky!

The sheer size of your collection is staggering! I know where to come when Im stumped for ideas next time!

thea said...

Very impressive! Maybe not a bookstore, but a lending library ... :)

Janet said...

I am a fellow addict. Love the quilt books. I can spend all day looking at quilt books. If only I could sew all day. I don't have favorites. I love them all. I'm so glad to see some one else with "the addiction".

Shruti said...

I haven't had a fortune to have a look at many books, but I have recently bought Elizabeth Hartman's Practical Guide to Patchwork and its wonderful1!!

Elizabeth said...

The books that you spotlighted from your collection look really interesting and fun and I can totally see why you love them. What a great FTF. I might have to start collecting quilt books now.

xo -El

Jennifer said...

I can see some books in your collection that are also in mine! I don't make many projects from books, but I do use them for inspiration. That's my excuse anyway.....