Here's a book I read that I thought other quilters might like.

It's called North Carolina Quilts, edited by Ruth Roberson.  Here's the cover:



Here's an excerpt from the inside flap:

"This magnificent volume features color photographs of more than 100 quilts crafted in North Carolina between the early nineteenth century and 1976.  Included are chintz appliqué quilts, intricately pieced and appliquéd quilts, crazy quilts,  and examples of ingenious thrift in quilting with found and salvaged materials.

The quilts were chosen from more than 10,000 that owners brought to be records by the North Carolina Quilt Project during a statewide series of Quilt Documentation Days in 1985-86.  Because the quilts are privately owned, many have never been seen publicly.  The text presents the lives and times of the quiltmakers, accompanied by many vintage photographs from family collections."

This is one of those great books that has images of beautiful quilts as well as the history of quilting in the area.  It is purely a reference book as there are no projects, it would seem that I tend to buy books that are reference only and not project based.  I love looking at the quilts and wondering how it was put together and how long it took to make, all without the aid of a sewing machine in most cases.  It really makes my day when I figure out how some of the more intricate quilts were put together and then can figure how to do it with a sewing machine.

I find myself still flipping through this book rereading different articles and marvelling over some of the quilts.
I find old quilts a great source of inspiration especially when it comes to trying to make some of the reproduction fabrics work together although tastes change and we tend to look at some of the color combinations and think my god, what were they thinking?

Best,

Fiona