A Selection of the Best Applique Books Available

Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Craft

This comprehensive encyclopedia of sewing and fabric craft is a must have for anyone who is serious about appliqué. It contains every technique the home sewer needs, as well as more than 100 projects – including some inspiring no-sew crafts. This beautifully illustrated visual resource captures not only Stewart’s unsurpassed crafting expertise, but also her breathtaking style and design sense.

There are two main parts in the book:

1. A techniques section that will guide you through embroidery, sewing, quilting, and of course appliqué techniques, as well as dyeing and printing.
2. An ideas section that features more than 150 very clever ideas, and projects listed from A to Z.

Along with this book you will get a CD that includes clothing patterns and templates that you can use to customize your own designs. It also features glossaries for fabric and thread, and tools, to help you understand all of the these better.

 Inspired by Tradition: 50 Applique Blocks in 5 Sizes

This title includes a stunning selection of 50 all-new applique blocks with traditional styling. Quilters can’t get enough of Kay Mackenzie’s applique designs. In this elegant follow-up to Easy Applique Blocks (which was her first published title), she presents 50 all-new designs with a traditional, vintage appeal, such as Whig Rose, Pineapple, and Fleur-de-lis.

Inspired by Tradition also comes with a free CD which features each block in five sizes, from 6 to 12. No need to enlarge – just print the size you need. And there’s more… in addition to the blocks, there is a Little Gallery of Ideas designed to get you thinking. There are also quite extensive illustrated instruction for back-bastin hand appliqué and raw-edge fusible machine appliqué. Plus a question and answers section which the author compiled from real-life questions and answers she has been asked by quilters.

Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Applique

2000 Traditional and Modern Designs, Updated History of Applique – New! 5 Quilt Projects

This book is a treasure trove of 19th- and 20th-century appliqué patterns. Written by the seasoned, and highly knowledgeable author, Barbara Brackman (who is also a consultant for museums) the book is newly updated, and includes 2000 applique designs and 5 quilt projects.

The first part of the book contains a catalogue of appliqué patterns for quilts (Barbara’s great love). This, in itself, has been heralded as a “corner-stone for quilt design identification” making it a textbook of note for not only museums and textile scholars, but also for ordinary quilters like you and me.

Apart from its value as a reference book, Ms Brackman’s encyclopedia is one of the best resources for quilters who want to incorporate traditional appliqué in their designs.

Folk Quilt Applique

Published in June 2011, Folk Quilt Appliqué by Clare Kingslake, contains simple, but effective quilt making and appliqué techniques that you can use for both hand and machine work.

It is an ideal book for those who don’t have experience doing appliqué, because she has included an Applique Focus feature that highlights a wide range of appliqué techniques together with tips to guide even the most amateur sewer.

The author has also created a series of 20 superb projects ranging from quick, easy table mats, bags and purses, to wall hangings and quilts that anyone would be proud to have in their home.

 Flip Your Way to Fabulous Quilts

Take Folded Corners to New Heights

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Donna Lynn Thomas makes brilliant use of the easy folded-corner technique to create striking quilts that only look complex. The quilts are divided into three categories: “Try Me” projects build confidence, “Grow with Me” projects develop skills further, and “Master Me” projects become masterpieces.

Shows how to make striped units without using bias pieces or templates
Features a wide variety of colorways and fabric styles
Provides 13 fascinating projects with broad appeal