My Must-Have Quilting Books

TBS Must Have Quilt Books Numbered
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Guys - there are SO many books out there about quilting! I haven’t read them all, but there are some that I absolutely love and wanted to share with you here.

As most of you know by now, modern quilting is my jam. So, you’ll notice that most of the books are around modern quilting and design. But, I made sure to include some that are helpful (or just awesome) no matter where you are on your journey. 

I’ve added as many as I could to my Amazon Storefronts, if you’re wanting to grab some for yourself! I have a US shop and a Canadian one

1. Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century

This book is so darn pretty to look at! It has large, colourful photographs of more than 200 quilts curated by the Modern Quilt Guild. You can learn the history and hallmarks of modern quilting in such a beautiful way. 

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

2. Quilted 

Quilted is Volume Q in the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration, an ongoing series of books on creative topics! It has in-depth profiles and stories of individual quilters, plus stories from the author’s years publishing UPPERCASE Magazine and designing three fabric collections for Windham Fabrics.

UPPERCASE Magazine Link

TBS Must Have Quilt Books: Quilted and Coffee

3. The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place

This book can be hard to find, but wow is it worth the hunt! The women of Gee’s Bend in southern Alabama have been creating stunning, vibrant quilts since the 19th century. Basically, they created the art of modern quilting before it was even called that! The book includes 110 beautiful illustrations and a historical overview of the extraordinary quilt-making in this African-American community.

Canada Amazon Link

4. Denyse Schmidt: Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration

Denyse Schmidt is one of the leading quilters of our time! She’s known for reinterpreting traditional quilt designs and putting her modern twist on them. You can follow along with her patterns through illustrated instructions and full-size pattern sheets that are included within the book! 

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

5. Quilt Modern Curves & Bold Stripes

This book is full of retro-inspired circles and bold stripes - a modern quilter’s dream! It includes 15 inspired designs, with easy instructions on piecing circles, half circles and quarter circles.

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

6. WALK: Master Machine Quilting With Your Walking Foot

Free motion isn’t for everyone! That’s why Jacquie Gering put together this guide on how to go from walking foot basics to intricate designs - it’s the best resource for learning how to master machine quilting with your walking foot! She also has a follow-up book called "WALK 2.0", where she talks about new ways to take your walking-foot quilting to the next level.  

WALK

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

WALK 2.0

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link 

TBS Must Have Quilt Books: Stack

7. Gemology: Transforming Fabrics into Facets

I love this book for many reasons. First of all, Andrea (the author) is Canadian and a total sweetheart! She walks through the steps to achieve effective transparency and light with fabric selection. It’s also the perfect book for intermediate quilters because she includes speedy chain-piecing techniques for paper piecing, graded patterns for the perfect finished block sizes, and more! 

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

8. Southwest Modern: From Marfa to New Mexico

I love this book because it’s one part travel guide and one part sewing guide! It includes 18 easy-to-piece modern quilts that reflect the colours and mystery of the Southwestern United States. Rich oranges and reds, sandy whites and creams - need I say more?

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

9. Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition

I love how this book truly breaks down complex colour theory principles! Fifty years after its original publication, this new edition has an expanded selection of colour studies, explaining principles like relativity, intensity and temperature. 

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

10. Simple Geometric Quilting 

This book contains 20 stunning contemporary projects from designer Laura Preston. She uses simple shapes and solid colours, as well as methods to streamline the traditional quilting process (and save time)! This book also follows Laura on her travels around the United States in her Airstream trailer. Her designs really speak to the American West’s striking landscapes! 

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

TBS Must Have Quilt Books: Stack

11. Big Dreams Daily Joys 

This one isn’t a quilting book, but I feel like everyone needs it in their life! It’s a productivity book filled with easy techniques and exercises for accomplishing day-to-day tasks and making progress on bigger goals. For people like me who feel overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, this book makes productivity actually feel simple and achievable.

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

12. The Designer’s Dictionary of Color

This book is great because it shows an in-depth look at 30 colours that are fundamental in art and design. It organizes each colour by spectrum, with hue charts and colour palette variations!

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

13. PANTONE: The 20th Century in Color 

I have a major obsession with Pantone! Anyone else? They’re known as the worldwide colour authority and this book gives a visual tour of 100 years of Pantone colours.

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

14. The Patchwork Quilt Design & Coloring Book 

This one is close to my heart! My mom had this book when I was growing up, and I still have her copy to this day. I didn’t think it still existed since it’s from the 70s, but this gem is on Amazon.com!! It’s a workbook with pattern grids for experimenting with colour and design, yardage charts and directions for enlarging or reducing patterns. 

US Amazon Link

TBS Must Have Quilt Books: Patchwork

15. Quilting with a Modern Slant: People, Patterns, and Techniques

One of the reasons why I love modern quilting so much is because it allows you the freedom to use fabrics, patterns, colours and stitching in fresh and exciting ways! In Quilting with a Modern Slant, Rachel May introduces more than 70 inspiring modern quilters who have developed their own styles, methods and aesthetics. 

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

16. Beginner’s Guide To Quilting: 16 Projects To Learn To Quilt

If you’re just starting out in the world of quilting, this book is for you! It covers the basics including techniques, terms, piecing, basting and binding. It also has simple patterns for a wall hanging, tote bag and more - plus, you’ll learn how to properly read those patterns!

Canada Amazon Link
US Amazon Link

TBS Must Have Quilt Books: Coffee & Notions
Have questions? Please reach out to hello@theblanketstatement.ca and we’ll help you out! 
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