With her trademark charm and wit, Helen Kelley draws readers in as she discusses the joys of creativity, the challenges of repairing errant stitches, and the pleasures of friendships.

Every quilt tells a story. There is a universality in those stories as well as in the quilts themselves and the threads that hold them together. In the tradition of Erma Bombeck, Helen Kelley shares her tales of quilts and quiltmaking with trademark charm and wit. This gifted storyteller gathers the snippings, threads, and scraps of everyday life and effortlessly stitches them together to create a narrative to which every quilter can relate. Each piece--from the humorous to the heartwarming--touches your soul and makes you smile, reminding you of your own passion for quilts and the stories they tell. Helen Kelley is an author, instructor, and lecturer, but she is, first and foremost, a quiltmaker. For twenty years, this "Erma Bombeck" of the quilting world has parlayed her passion for all things quilt into her enormously popular "Loose Threads" column in "Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine."

After a move to a new home, comfort comes from a surprising place. Long ago, a young girl named Abigail put her beloved patchwork quilt in the attic. Generations later, another young girl discovers the quilt and makes it her own, relying on its warmth to help her feel secure in a new home.

QUILTS -- PIECES OF FABRIC SEWN TOGETHER LIKE MOMENTS IN TIME, AS HANDMADE AS LIFE ITSELF Every quilt has a story to tell, an endearing story that lasts forever. Whether it is a craft-fair find, a generations-old family heirloom, or an art collector's most prized piece, quilts warm our bodies and our hearts. Ever since pioneer women organized sewing circles to combat the harshness and isolation of the American West, women have turned to quilting to celebrate, share, and heal. In this heartwarming collection of inspirational stories, we see the celebrations, joys, and heartaches behind the stitches. One family lovingly pieces together a birthday present for their aging father, while a garage-sale quilt comes to symbolize the ties between a young man and his mother. Thirteen pre-Civil War ladies sew squares for their schoolmate's wedding quilt, while a young boy adds his own square to the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in honor of his father. No matter the circumstances, these stories deliver the spirit of quilting, friendship, and love with every word.

Take on color and creativity with improv quilting! Find inspiration in Improv and start your journey with bold colors and unique designs! Improv expert Cindy Grisdela shares the design principles and construction strategies for successful quilts every time. Explore three different ways to create improvisationally, from the easiest—using one block in different colors and orientations—to combining block units using various techniques—to aspirational, free cutting the entire quilt and designing it on the wall before sewing. Finished creations result in one-of-a-kind artwork! Master three different improvisational styles to create original works of art Design and construction process made easy with expert strategies Guided exercises will have you creating stunning Improv quilts in no time!

"Quilting is an Art Form, and much more. When Tammy pulled out her beautiful quilts from every nook and cranny in her house to loan them to us, she told us about them saying often, "every quilt has a story." This is not a "how-to-quilt" book or one only a serious quilter or professional quilt historian would enjoy. It is a book about old quilts but it has something for everyone! As the result of the Westport Historical Society's Quilt Extravaganza in 2021, which featured 60 out of over 150 quilts belonging to Tammy Reid, you will get to know more about her and her life as the the Head Coach, of the Head Coach, of the World Champion Kansas City Chiefs, and her husband, Andy Reid. The book features sections about the actual Quilt Exhibit in the 1855 Harris-Kearney Historical House Museum in Kansas City, her "trunk show" during Tammy's Talk, photographs and quilting details about each of the quilts in the exhibit, Tammy's personal stories she shared about her quilts, and photos featuring Tammy at home with her quilts and family. Family members and owners such as Tammy may pass down stories about each quilt, such as how it was made or by whom, and during a certain era or year. However, some stories or details which have been passed down through generations or told by individuals who sell old quilts, may or may not always be accurate. The language of quilts is interpreted by quilt historians to help authenticate details. Through the clues and characteristics within or on the surface of each quilt, the historian will recognize a date or date range supported by the evidence of fabrics, thread fibers, dyes, batting or wadding, method of quilting, binding, and patterns. Christine Pembrook's years of experience working with historic quilts is evident in the book as she offers insight into the quilter's style of work or techniques used during the construction of all 60 quilts. EVERY QUILT HAS A STORY: The Tammy Reid Quilt Collection is sure to satisfy anyone's interest whether a serious quilter, a quilt enthusiast, someone simply interested in what Tammy Reid has in her collection, or why she has collected so many quilts. The warmth with which this book illustrates the beloved collection of someone whose life is filled with family, faith, and football, is heartwarming and is sure to make a connection with everyone." -- information from publisher's website

From fussy cutting particular design elements from commercially manufactured fabrics to working with selvages and stripes effectively, Amy offers readers unique patterns that feature precise piecing for graphic and sometimes whimsical results.