Make your mark on a special quilt and preserve memories for a lifetime! Signature quilts contain signed or inscribed blocks that are pieced together to create treasured souvenirs of times and memories shared. From choosing a design to organizing participants, every aspect of making a signature quilt is provided in this book. The 24 block patterns offer a unique way to honor someone special. Commemorate occasions such as births, marriages, and anniversaries, as well as milestones in life, such as graduations, reunions, and retirements. Various techniques are offered for signature methods, including stencils, stamps, computer, embroidery, and more. The traditional designs are easy to accomplish with step-by-step instructions.

"Historically, societies of women gathering together for the purpose of quiltmaking have been referred to as quiltings, frolicks and bees. This book presents actual American newspaper articles about this needlework activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inscribed with hundreds of people's names including makers of the quilt blocks, these quilts are known as "signature quilts" and they reflect the cultural service the quilts had when first made and today as historical records. Family, patriotic, community and religious themes are represented among these highly cherished textile documents."--Publisher's description.

Add to your quilting repertoire with the universally popular plus sign! These 16 bold, graphic designs range from modern to traditional, with something for every skill level and style. Detailed instructions and illustrations walk confident beginners and intermediate quilters through traditional piecing, paper piecing, and fusible machine appliqué to create baby quilts, throw quilts, bed quilts, and more. Use your favorite types of fabric—solids, prints, precuts, or scraps—to make the projects your own.

In 2010 an old, stained muslin sheet made of 42 blocks sewn together, many covered in embroidered names, was passed down five generations of the Hermans family (originally from Academy Hill Road in the hamlet of Jackson Corners, Town of Milan, Dutchess County). By the time it found its way to the 21st century, all record of why or by whom the homely quilt was made was believed lost. Besides the 260 names on the quilt, many of which belong to families still in the area, there was one obvious clue, the date 1903 on one of the blocks.The author spent a decade researching these people and the place they called home-a hamlet only a town over from her own home. What resulted was not only a pleasant and enriching pastime, but an examination of this rural area and its inhabitants at the turn of the 20th century when the "simple" life was coming to an end.

For crafters “looking for patterns based on ethnic designs, modern quilters who love blocks with asymmetry and anyone who loves bright, exciting quilts!” (Sleeping Dog Quilts) Bold, vibrant, striking—and amazingly easy to make! This collection of 15 modern quilts draws on handmade crafts from India, the American South, and Africa to create a style that’s at once traditional and contemporary, artistic and practical. A simple stack, cut, shuffle, and stitch technique makes the sewing fun for quilters of any level, and also makes every quilt a one-of-a-kind creation. No two are ever alike! The author provides alternate settings, plus an inspiring photo gallery of the crafts that shaped her style. Use these projects to enrich your quilting by bringing in textures, patterns, and colors from around the world. “An inspired designer . . . The 15 free form block projects featured in this book are a celebration of this ‘melting pot,’ and brim with ideas. The book is accompanied, refreshingly, with photographs illustrating some of the inspirations and stories behind the projects, and it’s a pleasure to see how Sujata has translated them into works of quilted excellence.” —Popular Patchwork “A graphic designer and quilter, she finds inspiration all over the world—in the quilts from Gee’s Bend, the Indian godharis and the bold, colorful fabrics from Africa . . . A colorful and inspiring book. Highly recommended!” —Down Under Quilts Magazine “Sujata Shah takes a different look at traditional blocks and adds her interpretation with 15 simple and fun free-form block projects.” —McCall’s Quick Quilt