Mimi Dietrich has quilted for over 30 years and has applied her extensive knowledge to write 15 quilt books, teach, and design fabric.   I should further state that she has published 15 quilt books which have sold over 500,000 copies.   Wow. 

Here's her website:  Mimi Dietrich!

And an image of Ms. Dietrich:

I have at least two of her books ("Quilts:  An American Legacy" and "Quilts from the Smithsonian") and I have definitely given these and other books as presents to quilting friends.   Her books are great.  For example, in "Quilts:  An American Legacy" she presents images of beautiful, historic quilts from the Smithsonian along with her own designs.  She then provides quilting instructions on her design.  There are a dozen projects in this book!  There's also a detailed section entitled Quiltmaking Basics for Patchwork and Appliqué.  Great book, great images.  The 1849 Jane Barr Quilt and Mid-1800s Appliquéd Quilt are simply beautiful.   The black-eyed susans in the background of her picture reappear in the quilt "Black-Eyed Susans" which is her designed quilt that goes with the Jane Barr Quilt! 

Her site includes a Quilt Gallery of images from her books.  Here are two images from her site:

"Quilts from the Smithsonian"                                        "Quilts:  An American Legacy"
          
"Chesapeake Rose"                                                      "Wedding Quilt"

I think the "Chesapeake Rose" is absolutely gorgeous.

Ms. Dietrich's site does include an opportunity to buy her in-print and out-of-print (signed!) books along with cds and other items.  So, there is a great way to get signed books!

Without question, she has dedicated herself to the Baltimore Album Quilt.  She is a founder of the Baltimore Appliqué Society.   She's been teaching Baltimore classes for over 20 years.  For anyone interested in these quilts, her book "Baltimore Quilts:  Album Quilts from Start to Finish" is a must-have.  Actually, anyone interested in appliqué would want her books, too, since her appliqué skill is incredible.

There's a link to the Baltimore Appliqué Society and I highly recommend going to their "What's New" section.  In it you will find some wonderful articles and a list of related Baltimore quilts material.

AND, her site includes three free patterns.  As it should be, one is a Baltimore!  Here's the link:  Free Patterns! 

Her site is rounded out by a number of links, notes on lectures and workshops she delivers, and a nice biography.

I hope you visit her site.

Best,

Fiona