If you haven’t had to quarantine yet, we have a list of books you’ll want by your bedside to read for when (if) you do. This list is also our prescription if you’re feeling mid-winter blues.
From Collage to Quilt: Inspirational Quilting From What You Have
by Sarah Hibbert
Published by Lucky Spool
In Sarah Hibbert’s new book,From Collage to Quilt: Inspirational quilting from what you have, she shares her unique method for creating quilts using paper and then translating the creation into the medium of fabric. Hibbert’s organic process involves sifting through stacks of magazines or random papers found lying around her house and selecting pages that resonate. Collaging allows her to test and plan out designs in an inexpensive, upcycling way. The projects in the book have the advantage of being both fun and sophisticated. Hibbert’s playful and kind personality shines out through the stories she tells her book.
Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories
by Pamela A. Parmal, Jennifer M. Swope, and Lauren D. Whitley
Published by MFA Publications: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Fabric of a Nation was created in tandem with an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts that ran through January 17, 2022. The book includes full-page photographs of the 58 works hanging in the exhibition. Made by Americans descended from European, African, Native, and Hispanic heritage over 400 years, the quilts and coverlets tell the stories of the American experience from contrasting voices as well as examining the varied and often incongruent experiences of their makers. From Harriet Power’sBible Quilt to Bisa Butler’s vibrant pictorialTo God and Truthand from wealthy European immigrant women’s whole cloth coverlets to Molly Upton’s dynamicWatchtower the stories of these quilts are powerful and moving. The collection is a step closer to telling the whole story of America and her makers.
Stitching Stolen Lives
by Sara Trail and Teresa Duryea Wong
Published by C&T Publishing
Anyone who is any quilter is by now familiar with the moving work of the Social Justice Sewing Academy (or SJSA). With forewards written by both the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Hillary Rodham Clinton, it is safe to say that the SJSA has made their mark and had an incredible impact on not just the quilting community, but the world at large.Stitching Stolen Lives is an in-depth look at the Academy, its makers, and its purpose. It is evidence of how empowering speaking your truth can be. It’s difficult to not feel moved to tears while looking through the pages and reading the stories of the young people whose lives were taken from them because of racism. The book is a cathartic memorial that educates and inspires while also being a thunderous work of activism.
Quilt made by Syaza Haris
Banner made by Andrea Tsang Jackson
Asian Love Banners
By Berene Campbell (Happy Sew Lucky) and Amy Newbold (Sewtopia)
Though not a book, we are adding this pattern to our library list. We feel confident that making it will help spread a little love and happiness around.Asian Love Banners was designed in response to the sudden increase in hate and violence against Asian communities in 2020. All profits go to supporting Asian communities.
#AsianLoveBanners
www.happysewlucky.com
By Brittany Bowen Burton
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To see more selections from our ‘Curated Library,’purchaseCurated Quilts today.