List YOUR favorite APPLIQUE BOOKS

[Beverly C.]

We are planning to form a new applique group with the hope of eventually joining the APPLIQUE SOCIETY if we get enough members. We are just starting out.

Can you recommend your favorite APPLIQUE books/ insturctors / classes that help you learn the most about applique. We are going to start a library of applique books because our local library does not have a lot of good quilting books let alone books about applique. My private library is bigger than their entire collection; but I have very few applique books because I was not ready for this type of quilting.

Thank you,

[Beverly C.]

I like the Rodale Library quilting books in general, and find their applique book particularly helpful. Great, clear step by step photos as well as descriptions of each step.

Lisa

[Lynn K.]

Interesting about the Applique Society. We just met here last Saturday and formed a new branch and then individually joined the National Society.

Our guest speaker was Robin Pandolph and I loved her quilts, her technique, AND her philosophy about quilting SHOULD BE FUN!

Her work is beautiful.

She has 2 books out, one (older) has an accompanying DVD I think.

[Lynn K.]

Hi! I just joined here this morning so I hope I'm doing this right...

I LOVE applique! Some of my favorite books are just about anything by Elly Sienkiewicz, but good luck finding some of her older titles at anything resembling reasonable prices. Good grief, I've seen a few of her titles selling for well over $100 each on the used book sites (Baltimore Beauties and Beyond, Volume 2, comes immediately to mind). Elly's original series is a wonderful resource that details numerous different techniques and styles of applique.

Another great little book that helped me a lot when I was just beginning is Ami Simms' Invisible Applique. It was that book and her technique that finally caused the applique light in my brain (and fingers!) to switch on.

As was mentioned above, the Rodale books are also very good, with lots of very clear illustrations. I don't think you could go wrong with those.

[Lynn K.]

I like the Rodale Library quilting books in general, and find their applique book particularly helpful. Great, clear step by step photos as well as descriptions of each step.

Lisa

I found that book on applique at a used book store. It's a great resource for all the different techniques.

[Lynn K.]

I just attended a beginners applique class where we used Alex Anderson's book, Hand Applique with Alex Anderson. We worked on a project in the book that allowed us to try many different techniques. If you are a beginner, you could easily do it without having to take a class. I was taking the class as a refresher because I hadn't really done any applique since my original quilting class many moons ago.

[Lynn K.]

I've taken many applique classes, both hand and machine, but Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins books (Piece O'Cake) finally made needle turn applique come together. Their books and a very good teacher created another obsessive compulsive behavior (in addition to longarming quilting).

[Lynn K.]

I live in New Zealand and love a book by Luixan Newman It includes a DVD and is excellent. You may see the book on her website http://www.thimblelady.com

[Lynn K.]

I vote for Elly, Mimi Dietrich,Susan McKelvey and Karen Kay Buckley.

I am an applique junkie; I admit it.

FW

[Lynn K.]

HAND APPLIQUE: Jane Townswick gives basic applique instructions in each of her books - I find her tips are very useful (and her work is gorgeous!). I believe her latest book is Applique Takes Wing (That Patchwork Place). She gives additional tips with each of the patterns.

INVISIBLE MACHINE APPLIQUE: I think by far the best book on this is The Quiltmaker's Guide to Fine Machine Applique by Karla Menaugh & Cherie Ralston and Barbara Brackman - plus it contains the patterns for a gorgeous folk art style sampler quilt! Each pattern is designed to teach specific challenges in IMA.

[Lynn K.]

I just took an applique class from Gwen Marston. It was for anyone who has been intimidated by applique. She simplifies applique and makes anyone feel like they can accomplish it. It worked -- she is a wonderful teacher. She also has an applique book that is as good as her classes.

[Lynn K.]

Sue Nickels' book, Stitched Raw Edge Machine Applique, is a really good book on that technique. I took a class from her and learned that technique and one on invisible machine applique, too. I believe she also has a book on invisible machine applique. I don't have it yet, though.

Also, Harriet Hargraves' book on machine applique is very good.

[Lynn K.]

Any of the books by Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins, the Piece O' Cake design ladies. I hav the book Applique Delights which has 100 blocks. The blocks are simple for the beginner.

[Lynn K.]

I like the Rodale Library quilting books in general, and find their applique book particularly helpful. Great, clear step by step photos as well as descriptions of each step.

I am a huge fan of the Rodale Library quilting books. I buy them whenever I find them at Half Price Books, and have a nice collection now. They are very clear and instructive. I highly recommend them. I just found the one for applique!! :P

[Lynn K.]

Check out any of Kathy Delaney's books by Kansas City Star books. I'm addicted and have them all.
Sharon in (cooler, yea!) Colorado