I tend to keep more reference books than pattern books, but here are my top ten recommendations if you are looking to add to your library, or considering a gift for a quilty friend.

 

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns – Barbara Brackman

This is absolute gold reference for identifying quilt blocks. While I have a version from the 90s (with hand drawn images!) the latest version is in full color illustrations

501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks – Judy Hopkins

Hundreds of classic quilting blocks with instructions for making them in multiple sizes

Sew Healthy & Happy – Rose Parr

A great reference book for getting the ergonomics of your studio right so that you protect your body

Modern Quilts Traditional Inspiration – Denyse Schmidt

Every time I thumb through this book I’m inspired by the dynamic quilts made with seemingly simple changes of color or orientation

A Field Guide to Fabric Design – Kim Kight

A great reference for designing fabric – and now that we have print-on-demand fabric companies, this will help you design your own fabrics

Dear Jane – Brenda Manges Papadakis

This is a book of the patterns needed to make the Dear Jane Quilt (search for images of this one on the googles – SO MANY amazing versions). And I still keep it on the shelf because one day I’ll get to it… one day…

Sew – The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge – Barbara Emodi

I know, technically not a quilting book, but a valuable reference for making and altering garments that is very helpful for those of us without “standard” proportions

Piecing Makeover – Patty Murphy 

Another amazing reference book, this time about skills for better piecing. Quilting is a LOT more fun when you don’t fight with your skills to do it. I feel like even the most seasoned quilter can get a few new nuggets of wisdom from it, and that it is a “must-have” for our newest quilters

Walk and Walk 2.0 – Jacquie Gering 

Both of these gorgeous books take using your walking foot beyond stitch-in-the-ditch.

First Steps to Free Motion Quilting, Step-by-Step Free Motion Quilting, and Free Motion Combinations – Christina Cameli

If you plan to up your free-motion quilting game, these three books are a solid reference set that build on each other.

 

 

Please drop your favorites in the comments!

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