You'll love these crisp, eye-catching quilts rooted in tradition but with a refreshingly updated style. In a departure from her much-admired floral patterns, Cindy Lammon demonstrates her range with pretty pieced quilts, stockings, a tree skirt, and much more--all composed of simple shapes. Select from 14 cheery projects that lend themselves to both modern and traditional fabrics Enjoy these quilt patterns year-round; patterns can be used to produce stunning quilts for any season Find easy, confidence-building designs for beginning and intermediate quilters and sewists

In days of old, Christmas was defined by the custom of exchanging simple handmade gifts. Today, it has become a multi-billion industry, synonymous with commercialism and consumption. How did this transformation occur? In this incisive and engaging examination of how Christmas has evolved since 1880, Waits chronicles the history of the holiday, from its origin to its current form. The book is illustrated with dozens of historical photographs and will be of interest to cultural and social historians alike. Christmas was a relatively modest occasion in the English- speaking world, celebrated by the exchange of modest handmade gifts, until the Victorians invested the holiday with immense significance as part of a larger effort to celebrate home, family, and a mythic past of well-ordered communities. By the late 19th century, Christmas had become a major American festival. Today, it is a multi-billion dollar industry and easily the most important seasonal event of the year. In this survey of the modern American Christmas, William Waits shows us how this holiday emerged, tracing its evolution from the days prior to 1880 when people presented one another with simple crafted presents to the turn of the century when industrialization brought with it waves of inexpensive, tawdry gimcracks. In the early twentieth century, reform-minded Americans reflecting on the new Christmas prompted a backlash against this cheapening of the Yule tradition, and the Christmas card was born. Henceforth, family members and close friends exchanged useful, costly items, while cards were sent to acquaintances and distant relatives. These reformers also persuaded retail stores to keep their regular hours of business during the holiday, rather than lengthening them, to give trade workers the opportunity to join in the celebration. They also rationalized the collection and distribution of holiday charity, resulting in the Christmas celebration we have today. Waits's book clearly illustrates that the notion that Christmas is uncontrollable is simply untrue. An incisive and engaging history of giftgiving, The Modern Christmas in Americaalso examines the differing traditions of giftgiving to friends, employees, the poor, and among entire communities. Handsomely illustrated with dozens of historical photographs, this book is not only the perfect holiday gift but will also be of interest to any student of American history and culture.

Learn the secrets to fearless, modern appliqué! Top appliqué designers share 16 innovative projects with full-size patterns. Master 7 classic techniques from invisible machine appliqué to bias tape design, each with step-by-step instructions that make it easy to learn. Then, peek inside the design process with profiles of 9 award-winning quilters, inspiring you to rethink the bounds of appliqué.

The modern Christmas was made by the Victorians and rooted in their belief in commerce, family and religion. Their rituals and traditions persist to the present day but the festival has also been changed by growing affluence, shifting family structures, greater expectations of happiness and material comfort, technological developments and falling religious belief. Christmas became a battleground for arguments over consumerism, holiday entitlements, social obligations, communal behaviour and the influence of church, state and media. Even in private, it encouraged reflection on social change and the march of time. Amongst those unhappy at the state of the world or their own lives, Christmas could induce much cynicism and even loathing but for a quieter majority it was a happy time, a moment of a joy in a sometimes difficult world that made the festival more than just an integral feature of the calendar: Christmas was one of British culture's emotional high points. Moreover, it was also a testimony to the enduring importance of family, shared values and a common culture in the UK. Martin Johnes shows how Christmas and its traditions have been lived, adapted and thought about in Britain since 1914. Christmas and the British is about the festival's social, cultural and economic functions, and its often forgotten status as both the most unusual and important day of the year

In days of old, Christmas was defined by the custom of exchanging simple handmade gifts. Today, it has become a multibillion-dollar industry, synonymous with commercialism and consumption. How did this transformation occur? In this incisive examination of how Christmas has evolved since 1880, historian/anthropologist Waits chronicles the history of the holiday, from its origin to its current form. The book is illustrated with dozens of historical photographs and is of interest to cultural and social historians alike.

Have yourself a merry little Country Living Christmas with this gorgeous guide to decorating, cooking, and celebrating the best holiday ever! Country Living knows how to make Christmas memorable, and that’s why this spectacular book will become your new go-to resource every year. It’s filled with more than 200 beautiful decorating ideas, recipes, and crafts, plus tips galore. Stunning photos show festive table settings; splendidly decorated trees; fun and easy Christmas projects, from wreaths to no-sew stockings; gifts from the kitchen; and gourmet-worthy recipes like Turkey Roulade with Sausage-Cornbread Filling, Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes, Slow-Cooker Apple Cider, and sweet treats like Red Velvet Snowballs and Chocolate & Cranberry Fudge.

Hundreds of quilt blocks from today's top designers! Quiltmaker magazine has long been regarded as the place to find blocks that range from innovative to traditional, whimsical to sophisticated, classic to unique! Now, these blocks are together in Quiltmaker's 1,000 Blocks. This comprehensive guide covers every block-making approach including applique, foundation-pieced, mixed techniques and pieced. It also features settings and yardages for turning your blocks into beautiful quilts, and quilt-making techniques for easy reference. The editors of Quiltmaker magazine have compiled an extensive block collection that is sure to be a quilter's best friend!