Staff Favorites from our Book Collection

I recently asked the staff to share their favorite books from the ones we carry in the shop and we’re sharing their recommendations for you to consider adding to your own library.

I was pleasantly surprised by some of the books staffers chose, as it shows they’re continually adding to their own set of strengths and learning new skills and techniques!

The Ultimate Guide to Free-Motion Quilting by Angela Walters
Recommended by Leda Farbstein

Leda notes that this is a comprehensive guide perfect for quilters of all skill levels. “It covers everything you need to begin, detailing how and why to select and utilize various designs. The easy-to-follow instructions are complemented by beautiful examples demonstrating how to apply each design. Additionally, the book provides guidelines for modifying existing designs and creating your own, featuring a total of 104 designs.”

Creative Stitching, Second Edition by Sue Spargo
Recommended by Barb Daly

Barb’s soaking up new skills, and noted that this her current favorite. “This resource is ideal for beginners with a fantastic section on needles and threads and an explanation on how to match thread types to the various hand stitching needles. Stitch designs are organized into chapters, complete with sequential diagrams and vibrant photographs showcasing stitching on wool. The color choices in the photos make the techniques inviting to try. Its spiral format allows the pages to lie flat, preventing any bending, and its compact 7-inch by 6-inch size makes it perfect for taking to stitch nights or during long commutes.”

The Quilt BInding Bible by Marci Baker
Recommeed by Leslie Gill-Brassfield

This is an example of a staff submission that was surprise to me, as Leslie’s work focuses on machine embroidery and garment sewing. Leslie shared that this book was her selection because learning new and different binding options are also very useful for those who sew garments and bags/accessories. Leslie reports that The Quilt Binding Bible is well illustrated with clear instructions for the various styles of binding and unique options.

FreeSpirit Block Party: 40 Quilt Blocks, 5 Samplers, 20 Modern Designers
Recommended by Katelyn Grandy

“My favorite book at the shop is FreeSpirit Block Party,” wrote Katelyn. “This is the book that Dudley uses when she teaches Beginning Quilting, so I purchased it when I took that class and learned multiple different techniques in the four sessions. I’ve pulled it out many times since then as a great reference for inspiration, as well as specifics about the techniques used by the different designers who contributed to the book. “As a beginning quilter, it has been very helpful!”

Photo Memory Quilts by Lesley Riley
Recommended by Sharon McDonagh

“I’ve always loved Lesley Riley’s artwork and have several of her previous titles and have been fortunate to take classes from her. Her Photo Memory Quilts: The Ultimate Guide to Contemporary Heirloom Quilts to Showcase Ancestry, History, & Treasured Times truly is an ‘ultimate guide’ — plus Judy and Chris have projects featured in it! Art principles, design concepts, and modern technology are all thoroughly covered. The information she shares on how to how to repair, enhance, and manipulate your photos using your phone (with app recommendations) to further enhance alone is worth the purchase,” Sharon writes. Lesley offers advice on fabric selection, using repurposed fabrics, vintage textiles, using her Transfer Artist Paper and much more.

Modern Hand Stitching by Ruth Chandler
Recommended by Kira Wharton

“The book provides clear instructions for various embroidery stitches and shows how they can be utilized to create texture, lines, and shapes in projects. It serves as an invaluable reference for hand stitchers,” explains Kira, an essential to every fiber artist and hand stitcher I agree with her on this recommendation! It’s one I consider as a must-have in any stitcher’s library — I hope to be teaching a class this year or early next using Ruth’s Stitch Book as my resource.

And why am I not surprised that Chris Vinh found it hard to narrow down to just one book! She has recommendations for quilters and those who also enjoy hand stitching.

For quilters, Chris finds the Master Your Stripology Rulers by Gudrun Erla an invaluable resource, filled with tips on using different sizes of rulers for cutting and trimming, along with insights on how many strips can be obtained from various cuts. She notes that she frequently refers to it when cutting strips at 1/4-inch intervals for the quilt samples she makes for the shop. You can also visit our YouTube channel for Chris’ Cut Straight, Sew Straight with Stripology Rulers presentation, where she reviewed this book and demonstrated some techniques from it.

Chris agrees with Kira on her choice of Modern Hand Stitching. She took the class with Ruth Chandler (the author) here at Artistic Artifacts when the book was first published, and created the stitch sampler book project detailed within. Chris keeps the book alongside her current hand stitching projects for ideas, and especially likes referencing the ‘No Boundaries’ (creative free-form variations) feature that follows the instructions for each stitch.

First Steps to Free-Motion Quilting by Christina Cameli
Recommended by Barbara Rowe

A great suggestion came from Barbara, who does stunning free motion quilting herself but is always working on refining her skills. She appreciates this book for two main reasons: it clearly describes and illustrates the fundamentals of free-motion quilting, teaching how to create and practice motifs. Barbara often revisits these steps when she has taken a break from quilting. Reason 2, it’s an excellent source of inspiration; Barbara finds herself thoughtfully browsing through it while planning how to quilt her projects. With the selection of completed quilts featured in the book helps her visualize what she will be stitching. “I love the organic style of the author; she encourages creativity without the pressure of perfection,” shares Barbara. We have multiple titles from Christina Cameli on quilting and you’ll be sure to find useful information in any of them.

Barbara also offers a great tip: “After purchasing First Steps, take it to your nearest office supply store to have it spiral-bound. You’ll be glad you did!” This service isn’t expensive and can apply to any book with a softcover spine — the spiral-bounding makes it easy to lay the book open flat next to your sewing machine or on your studio work table for reference while you’re sewing, quilting, collaging, etc.

Having reviewed the staff suggestions, there are a few books I’m going to have to check out myself! And I will close with my own recommendation:

Know Your Needles: A Carry-Along Guide for Choosing Hand and Machine Needles by Liz Kettle
Recommended by Judy Gula

This pocket guide answers the questions we all have about which needle to use for our projects, whether hand stitching or machine sewing. The many types of needles (and their sizing) can be confusing, and Liz breaks her book into the two sections with clearly written descriptions and detailed photographs. It’s a perfect size to include in your Analog Project Bag!