This is the type of book I would normally check out at the library. Receiving a complimentary copy from the publisher is even better, the lucky winner will get to keep it! Beautifully photographed and designed, American Folk Art Quilts by Maggi McCormick Gordon is chock full of folk art history seen through a quilted lens. I’m a true lover of traditional quilt patterns. The raw folk art edge of the quilts presented in her book inspired and reminded me once again the universal connection quilt art carries across generations.
How many times have I seen a Chinese Coins quilt only to be awed by yet another? This one was made between 1875 to 1900. It made me want to drop everything and play with my scrap basket.
One section of the book is dedicated to doll quilts. This Brick Wall quilt dates between 1870 and 1880 and measures 29″ x 26″.
The Workbook section features blocks reproduced from six of the quilts with step-by-step instructions on how to create them. Inspiration can be turned into action.
As I leaf through this type of book I’m always appreciative that the author has taken on the task of documenting in print another slice of quilting history. Works we would never have the opportunity to view otherwise.
A second prize winner will receive 52 Projects: Random Acts of Everyday Creativity by Jeffrey Yamaguchi. I realize this book is now 3 years old (yikes! doesn’t it seem like it just came out yesterday?). I won a second copy of the book on Whip Up and I’m just now getting around to passing it along. I was looking through the book again with fresh eyes and found the projects as compelling today as they were then. And if you thought I had a long sidebar, check out Jeffrey’s.
To be eligible for this book drawing leave a comment on this post with the name of your favorite traditional block. I’d also love to hear why you like it. My favorite block is Grandmother’s Fan. I like the scrappy versions where each piece of the fan is a different fabric. I also think it’s fun to stitch that curved edge at the bottom.
Winners for each drawing this week will be chosen on Monday, Jaunary 26. I’m going to wrap up giveaway week tomorrow with some really fun prizes. Think cool vendor booty!
I made two quilts called “Minnesota Hot Dish”, one for my best friend, and one for myself, which hold very special meaning for me. Thank you so much for the link to Jeffrey’s site — so inspiring!! I loved the article about “The Secret to Being Insanely Creative”.
What generous prizes…
My favourite traditional block has to be Irish chain. It’s the only pattern that I have made more than once…I just love it!
Log cabin blocks. So simple and traditional but now endlessly modern.
I think that Log Cabin blocks are my favorite, traditional or funky/wonky. I just love the way each block builds upon the center piece, getting prettier and prettier.
My favorite block is the Churn Dash. I love the symmetry and the different types of designs you can make with it.
What a lovely book. I think I have checked it out of the library. I really like the churn dash block. I think I have made at least four churn dash quilts. What a fun week of give aways!
I love the rail fence block because of it’s simplicity and lack of triangles. I find triangles harsh except for in a very uncomplicated design like a pinwheel block done with lovely variety of scraps.
I don’t really know the names of any traditional quilt blocks, being new to quilting. I have wonderful memories of the ladies from the church getting together and creating a quilt for each of the families that were moving away or when a new baby arrived. The quilts were made up of individual cotton squares and they were embroidered or painted with names or various motifs and the quilts were always hand tied. There was always such a sense of community surrounding the process and the finished gift. To this day I love hand tied quilts, they brings back such wonderful memories and a sense of a being a part of a larger family.
I love the log cabin block. It can be traditional or modern – so many possibilities.
I’ve got to go with the log cabin block. It’s so versatile–many variations like Courthouse steps, or making the entire block “wonky,” etc. Not to mention the variations you can create in the quilt with the lights and darks. Thanks for the awesome giveaways, Kathy!
I agree with all the above who vote for log cabin. I can’t stand triangles! Too many points to try to match, they drive me nuts.
I like this question, because it made me stop to think about which block I would choose as my favourite. There are so many blocks that I love, but I guess if I had to chose only one, it would be the log cabin. I like it’s versatality. I like how you can put the blocks together in many different ways, and how it conveys different feelings in each different setting. At it’s heart, it conveys house, home, hearth – what’s not to love about that.
Thanks for your generosity and kindness in your giveaways.
Marsha
Wow there are a lot of comments here! I just went over to this website: http://www.blockcentral.com/blocklibrary.shtml and the spider is so neat. There are so many different patterns that jump out of it depending on how you look at it.
I actually have two favorite blocks. The nine patch because I love the simplicity and how it can be interpreted so many ways just through fabric choice. The pinwheel block I love because of the movement inherent in the block and how that can be manipulated across a quilt. Both of these blocks remind me of quilts made by my great-grandmother.
I love pinwheels! they are so fun to make!*wink*
It’s very hard to pick a favorite block. I’ll go with a 9 patch, as that’s what I’m working on right now.
I love the log cabin blocks!!! Mainly because it holds a traditional memory for me…the first quilt my mother-in-law made, given to us as a wedding present. I’m a “newbie” quilter — feeling very inspired. Would love to drool over these books. thanks for the fun giveaway and all the inspiration!!!!!
I am probably too late for this giveaway, and that’s okay. I really love a good, traditional quilt book. My mother’s been quilting since the mid 70’s and she has a quilting library most quilt stores would salivate for. I don’t quilt (yet), but I enjoy a good fire, a warm Mama made quilt, and a stack of her awesome (and some out of print) books to browse.
Spools is definitely my favorite!
I like the log cabin block. It’s versatile, easy, and the variations are endless.
log cabin! especially wonky ones