National Book Lover's Day with Moda Bake Shop

August 9th is National Book Lover's Day! Many thanks to all the wonderful authors of quilting books for sharing your expertise and inspiration!

I don’t remember using any quilting books when my Mom and Mom-in-law were teaching me to quilt. However, they did. In the late 60s and 70s it was “The Standard Book of Quilt Making and Collecting” by Marguerite Ickis, Ruby McKim's “101 Patchwork Patterns, and “Patchwork & Appliqué” by Exeter Books. There is a great forward in Margerite Ickis’ book. Here's a quote.

“But when it comes to cuttin’ out the quilt, why you’re free to choose your own pattern. You give the same kind of pieces to two persons and one’ll make a `Nine-Patch’ and the other one’ll make a `Wild-goose-Chase’ and so there’ll be two quilts made of the same kind of pieces but jest as different as can be. That’s the way of livin’.”
                                                                                                                                Aunt Jane, Kentucky

Later in the 80s I learned and made quilts from books by Eleanor Burns and Georgia Bonesteel. "Irish Chain
in a Day", Eleanor made it easy and motivating to make more quilts!

At least for me, it's too hard to choose just one favorite book. There are so many great ones. Some of my favorites are from Kumiko Sudo, Silvia Pippin, and Elizabeth Root. Their work is inspiring and has I’m sure, influenced my Hawaiian and Asian themed patterns and quilts.