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.
“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
“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
Book #1 of the Someday Quilts Mystery series In the tradition of Jennifer Chiaverini and Emilie Richards, a debut quilting mystery Nell Fitzgerald is thrilled when she receives a gorgeous handmade quilt in a lover's knot pattern from her grandmother Eleanor as an engagement gift. Her joy is short-lived, however, when her fiancé announces he's calling off the wedding. Heartbroken, 25-year-old Nell flees New York City for her grandmother's home in quaint Archers Rest. In this small town Eleanor's life revolves around her quilt shop, Someday Quilts, and the members of the shop's quilting circle. When the body of a local handyman known for his flirting is found in the quilt shop, murdered with a pair of quilting scissors, Nell finds herself drawn into the case, and drawn to the handsome police chief. As a pattern of clues begins to emerge, one of the prime suspects is Nell's ex-fiancé, whose arrival in Archers Rest seems suspicious. The ladies of the quilting circle continue to piece together their quilts as Nell unravels the mystery. For quilters and mystery lovers alike, The Lover's Knot is a delightful and promising debut.
"Master the secrets of beautiful hand quilting! [The author] shares her foolproof techniques for marking quilting designs and stitching heirloom-quality quilts. [Includes:] 50 original quilting designs ; 2 complete projects designed to showcase the quilting ; step-by-step photos show you how to perfect your quilting stitch ; tips, techniques, and insider advice to help you create your own award-winning quilts"--from back cover.
