WHAT TYPE OF QUILTING BOOKS DO YOU BUY

[Sewdreamy]

What kind of QUILTING BOOKS do you BUY?

I have been looking through my library of books and what stands out is 75% or more are technique books. I might by several different books by different authors showing how to do different techniques. I do not think I have ever bought a book for just the patterns as I tend to end up designing my own quilts regardless of what the pattern starts out as. Also most design books have enough patterns in them to keep me busy.

What type of books do you buy?

Patterns?
technique & how to instructions?
Color and Design ?
Machine Quilting
Hand quilting and piecing books?
Art Quilts
Traditional and quilt history

Any others I have not thought of?

.

[Sewdreamy]

I prefer books that teach me a technique that I can then run with. I also like books with lots of pictures--like the Dover books-- that I can use for the ideas.

[kathyst2]

Oh gosh, I must have hundreds of quilt books. Techniques mostly, but also use of color, composition, dyeing, history of fabrics or quilts, books on quilting from other cultures ie Japanese or African. Not too many books with just patterns. I'm always hoping for a new wrinkle on a technique and I love to see what other people have done. Lately my buying has slowed down, as I now have 6 shelves full of books! Kathy

[Lorchen]

What kind?.... Any kind!

I wish I had the time (and opportunity) to search more for books that are out of print and pre-date the time when I started quilting (2002). One of my most treasured finds is a book about miniature quilts (I don't do miniature, but the quilts in this book are sooooo pretty) that I found in a sale somewhere in Vermont during my only visit to the US. At that time I hadn't even started quilting. I just liked the book. It's also the cheapest quilt book I own. It cost me 50 cents.

Lorchen

[Lorchen]

I agree with Ritzy, but have also purchased quilt books that are more coffee table type - full of pictures and inspirations....and a delight to look through over and over and over....

[Lorchen]

I agree with Ritzy, but have also purchased quilt books that are more coffee table type - full of pictures and inspirations....and a delight to look through over and over and over....

I buy Kaffe Fassett's books for two reasons: the designs and ideas are fabulous (because of his fabrics), and the books are just delicious to peruse any time, just gorgeous.
Brita

[Keith]

I needed a break from packing... Do you think it's as important to inventory your quilt books as it is to inventory your fabric stash?

I tried to stay with LadyRag's categories. I had some trouble categorizing my books, but here goes (and I didn't include any of the patterns I've bought that weren't books):

PATTERN BOOKS (piecing, applique, and quilting pattern books) 25
PIECING SKILLS (basic how-to and advanced) 23
MACHINE QUILTING 5
MACHINE APPLIQUE TECHNIQUES 6
HAND APPLIQUE TECHNIQUES 4
COLOR AND DESIGN 19
ART QUILTS 9
QUILTING TRADITION and HISTORY 8
NON QUILTING INSPIRATION 3

I have way more pattern and mechanical how-to books than I thought and I don't pull most of them out very often after the few weeks I've owned them...

[BethMI]

The kind with pages in them...

BethMI

[SuperJudy]

To answer Keith's question: I've found it necessary to categorize my books by title or author, so I don't buy the same book twice.

[Keith]

I really was surprised that I had so many pattern and how-to-piece books. It was kind of like waking up and realizing your stash was all mediums, calicos, and mostly blue...

And there's nothing wrong with medium blue calicos, or how-to books - I just wouldn't want all medium blue calicos no matter how much I liked them.

I have bought the same fabric twice, unintentionally. I don't think I've done that with a book... Yet.

[PDQuilt]

I am into DVD's - I have all the books. :shock: