A week at a well-known crafters’ haven sounds like just the ticket when Harriet Truman’s friend Lauren invites the Loose Threads to join her there. That’s just what it is—at first. Then Harriet’s aunt Beth says a quilt attributed to the program’s owner is identical to one she saw on a recent trip to Europe, and Lauren doesn’t hesitate to accuse Selestina Bainbridge of plagiarism. Then Selestina collapses, dead of poison, and the tranquility of the school-cum-resort explodes in a flurry of death and danger.
Machine-quilting pro Lori Kennedy has taught hundreds of quilters how to start and, more importantly, how to improve their machine quilting. Now she's packed her vast knowledge, and more than 150 up-close photos, into 25 hands-on lessons you can turn to anytime you need guidance. Each lesson has a practice session and questions to help you evaluate what worked and where you may need a bit more practice. Whether you stitch your way through a lesson a day or save them for weekend quilting time, you'll soon be building skills and confidence, and quilting your projects with ease. You'll learn: Why it's important to start doodling (page 19) How to prevent drag or resistance when quilting a big quilt (page 44) When to mark, and ways to avoid marking pitfalls (page 72) How to create focal points and contrast with your quilting (page 116)
Hundreds of full-color photos, charts, and diagrams accompany start-to-finish lessons on quilting styles — hand, machine, trapunto, appliqué — plus a wealth of patterns and sewing tips. Suitable for beginners to experts.
Welcome to San Fernando Valley, California, where Martha Rose and her coterie of quilters are enjoying life on the good side of retirement--until murder pulls a stitch out of their plans. . . Martha and her besties Lucy and Birdie are set to expand their Quilty Tuesdays by inviting newcomer Claire Terry into their group. Though at forty Claire's a tad younger than their average age, her crafty reputation could perk up their patchwork proceedings, especially as they prepare for the fancy quilt show coming to town. But when they arrive at Claire's home and find her dead inside the front door, and her exquisite, prize-winning quilts soon missing, Martha is not one to leave a mystery unraveled. Especially if she wants to stop a killer from establishing a deadly pattern. . . "Mary Marks had me on pins and needles and wanting to wrap myself up in a warm quilt while reading her cozy debut!" --Lee Hollis, author of Death of a Chocoholic "Mary Marks has stitched together a very clever plot with a cast of engaging characters in this funny, fast-paced debut mystery. I loved Martha Rose and her posse of crime-solving quilters and can't wait to read what they're up to next!" --Laura Levine, author of Killing Cupid
“With its diverse selection of fabrics and designs, A Quilting Life is a fine pick for any quilter looking to produce family-oriented keepsake results.” —The Needlecraft Shelf Bring the handmade tradition home with these charming quilts and home accessories. Inspired by a grandmother who loved to sew for her family, quilter and blogger Sherri McConnell gives traditional patterns like hexagons, stars, snowballs, and Dresden Plates a new look featuring fabrics by some of today’s most popular designers. Nineteen cozy projects include pillows, tote bags, table runners, and larger quilts—quick and easy designs that make great gifts. “Sherri’s book is a treasure! It’s full of fun and straight-forward patterns for quilts, table toppers, pillows, bags and more—all the goodies to make a cozy home.” —Thimbleanna “Would you like the opportunity to make tomorrow’s heirlooms in today’s vast selection of prints? . . . If so, this could be the reference book that will get you started. There are 19 projects, mainly focusing on handmade household items but including some larger quilts too.” —Fabrications Quilting for You “Beautiful inspiration if you are a seasoned quilter, but also a great resource with clear and in some cases, simple patterns for newbies as well.” —Diary of a Quilter “Color photos of finished needlework projects accompany step-by-step diagrams and assembly patterns, while at-a-glance sidebars covering materials and cutting allow needleworkers to gauge the complexity of each project.” —The Needlecraft Shelf
“Be prepared for one delightful surprise after another as decades old secrets are revealed” in a tangled mystery by the author of Gone but Knot Forgotten (Kings River Life Magazine). Funerals can be patchy affairs for Martha Rose and her close-knit circle of friends—especially in the case of a missing body . . . When Birdie Watson’s husband Russell is killed during a bank robbery, Martha just wants to support her grieving friend. But en route to the burial plot in Oregon, Martha makes a harrowing discovery about the casket’s contents—instead of Russell, she finds an unidentified man. Now Martha and her quilting klatch can’t rest in peace until they unspool the truth behind the macabre mix up . . . Praise for the Quilting Mysteries “What’s knot to love? Mary Marks has crafted another winner stitched together with humor and heart—Martha Rose is one gutsy lady.” —Rochelle Staab, national bestselling author of the Mind for Murder Mysteries “Mary Marks had me on pins and needles and wanting to wrap myself up in a warm quilt while reading her cozy debut!” —Lee Hollis, author of the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries “A pleasurable and satisfying addition to any quilting mystery fan’s reading list. Recommend to those who cannot get enough of Terri Thayer, Elizabeth Craig, or Earlene Fowler.” —Library Journal
Did you know that the biggest struggle for quilters of all types is color selection? Unlock the secrets to winning color combinations from best-selling author Becky Goldsmith of Piece O’ Cake Designs. Learn how every quilt has a foreground and a background, how to use clear versus gray colors—plus other essentials that will shake up your design process. Quilters of all skill levels will appreciate Becky’s practical, easy-to-understand advice. Put your newfound knowledge to the test with 10 pieced and appliquéd projects designed to focus on specific aspects of color. Includes visual examples to explain all color topics.
