The year is quickly coming to a close—and when it comes to inspiring quilt books, it’s been a wonderful year for quilters! Today we reveal your top 10 quilt books of 2015—the ones YOU voted for every time you bought a new book. So thanks for being a passionate book buyer; read on to see which books reached the top. Click on any cover to purchase or save a book to your wish list at ShopMartingale.com.
Yarn lovers, take note! Scroll down to see the top 5 knitting and top 5 crochet books of the year—did your favorites make our lists?
#10: Simple Quilts from Me and My Sister Designs
Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson
Sometimes you just want to start something new, finish it quickly, and feel accomplished when it’s done. These weekend-worthy quilts are perfect to make whenever you feel the need for creative speed!
Praise via Amazon.com: “I’m a quilter with 30 years of experience and I don’t always want an involved quilt. I am making a baby quilt from one of these patterns. It’s going quick and I’m really enjoying the experience.”
See all 12 “Easy as 1, 2, 3” quilts >
#9: Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners
Molly Hanson
Dream of free-motion quilting on your home sewing machine? Molly’s helped thousands of quilters reach that goal. Her no-sweat approach includes 10 quilting designs and 15 projects.
Praise via Amazon.com: “Instead of saying ‘practice this technique on a scrap,’ she turns each practice piece into something functional—a make-up bag, a small tote, a zipper pouch. Being able to turn practice pieces into something I can use is like a two-for-one deal!”
See Molly’s free-motion quilting motifs >
#8: Tributes and Treasures
Paula Barnes and Mary Ellen Robison
Quilters with stashes of reproduction fabrics have found quilts worth cutting them for! The first-ever book from Red Crinoline Quilts offers spectacular reinventions of yesterday’s quilts, plus fascinating true stories from the 1800s.
Praise via Amazon.com: “It takes a book like this to remind us that variability and originality have an important role in modern-day quilts based on 1800s tradition. You can appreciate why some of us will never tire of the repro genre.”
#7: All About Strips
Susan Guzman
All fabric strips welcome: the more the merrier! Use strips from 1½" to 10½" wide to create timeless quilts with a modern kick that’ll show off your favorite stash fabrics or designer collections.
Praise via Amazon.com: “. . . clever creations go beyond simple strip quilts. Susan provides great tips about how to combine all those colors to make a scrappy quilt very attractive. A must-have!”
See all 15 strip-happy quilts >
#6: The Big Book of Scrappy Quilts
There’s not a scrap stash around that can outlive this indispensable resource! This colossal collection features patterns from favorite Martingale designers: Kim Brackett, Kim Diehl, Country Threads, and many more.
Praise via Amazon.com: “They weren’t kidding when they named this book. It is BIG! I want to make every one! If you love to quilt and need a stash-busting book, this book is it.”
See all 77 projects—less than 40¢ per pattern! >
#5: Stitches to Savor – 2016 Wall-Art Calendar of Designs by Sue Spargo
You won’t believe it until you see it—when this calendar hangs, it looks like a gorgeous quilt on the wall! An at-a-glance calendar format shows off Sue Spargo’s exquisite stitchery in rich-close up photography that will inspire you all year long.
Praise via Amazon.com: “Each page is a big beautiful close-up of Sue’s work. The detail is amazing and inspiring. The calendar is about 3″ on the page and doesn’t distract.”
Order now—limited quantity is selling fast >
#4: Stitches to Savor: A Celebration of Designs by Sue Spargo
Jaws have been dropping at quilt shops around the country—thumb through this stunning coffee-table book and you’ll see why. Indulge in 200 lush, color-splashed photographs of Sue Spargo’s inspiring stitcheries. Close-up details look so real, you can’t help but pet the pages.
Praise via Amazon.com: “. . . showcases Sue’s intricate pieces in both full images and extreme close-ups. You will gain a deep appreciation for this art and I bet it will inspire you to create a bit of your own.”
Treat someone (or yourself) to a copy for Christmas >
#3: Civil War Remembered
Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene
Fan of Civil War-era quilts? This bestseller will make your spirit soar. Piece scrappy-to-the-max quilts using the signature color palette of the time period, from sour greens and double pinks to shirting prints.
Praise via Amazon.com: “. . . a lovely book by a pair who have collected and obviously love Civil War quilts. Of all the books I’ve looked at for Civil War-era quilts, this is my favorite so far.”
Can you spot the American flag block in the gallery? >
#2: Simple Appliqué
Kim Diehl
Seriously…who doesn’t want to appliqué like Kim Diehl? Her latest book shares all the secrets her students have learned in her sold-out classes. Learn six different appliqué techniques—you’ll never be at a loss for an appliqué answer again. (Add Kim Diehl’s Best Applique Freezer Paper for an extra-smooth stitching experience.)
Praise via Amazon.com: “Kim’s approach has gotten me back into quilting because of her streamlined ideas that make quilting easy, fast, and fun. The best designer out there!”
See how-to photos from Simple Appliqué >
#1: The New Hexagon
Katja Marek
Who knew there were so many possibilities hidden inside a hexagon? Author Katja Marek did, and her book inspired what just might be the quilt-along of the year! The Facebook group, where the quilt-along lives and breathes, boasts 7,700+ members. Get the book (which contains the block patterns needed) and join the fun!
Praise via Amazon.com: “This book offers a lot of inspiration with endless possibilities. Yes, I am hooked on The New Hexagon!”
See more from The New Hexagon >
Click on a cover to learn more about each bestseller.
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Click on a cover to learn more about each bestseller.
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We can’t wait to share all the exciting books coming your way in 2016! Don’t miss a thing—subscribe to our blog and get the latest buzz delivered to your inbox.
Which bestsellers do you own—and which are must-haves? Tell us in the comments!
Stitches to savor tempts me to drag out the fabric and borrow a neighbors sewing machine, kindly offered since wire to pedal is broken…hoping can repair. And huge roll of batting to be decided if I will use or find it other person to better serve….
—Tabitha D. Bezalel on December 23, 2015What number one again… Amazing! Congratulations Katja… Your book was truly a hit… Consequently I’m hooked on hexies.
—Betty on December 23, 2015I own three of these books and Sue’s beautiful calendar, but I think I’m going to need that Big Book of Scrappy Quilts too!
—Karen in Breezy Point on December 24, 2015Simple Applique is still on my list to purchase. Pretty sure it won’t be until next year sometime. Merry Christmas!
—Renea on December 25, 2015I’ll be using the quiet time this week to finish up a project that just lacks a day’s worth of quilting. Then I’ll put some sections of blocks together from Leigh McDonald’s book Adventures in Circles. I’m doing the "Balls in the Air" pattern, but doing Sashiko stitching in the circles instead of the pieced circles.
—Janet on December 25, 2015Appliqué is on my radar since I have not tried them. Hopefully in the next few months I will get it and give it a try.
—Debbie on January 27, 2016