Book about quilting

[MsPrufrock]

I would really like to start making patchwork quilts. I 'get' the very basics (have made a dolls quilt) and have spent some happy hours perusing sewing and quilting blogs...
... but I am starting to think that I should probably get a book of some kind.

I want to make two smallish quilts (toddler bed sized) for my two girls. So I suppose I'm looking for something with some good patterns. I am a bit bamboozled by the mechanics of finding a pattern, and fabrics, so what would be really good would be some patterns based on fat quarters or similar, so I can just order a load of material once I've found the pattern I like. If that makes sense?

So - please recommend me a quilting book!

If you google images for the "nine patch" you will get some excellent photos of quilts made of simple squares (usually 5 inch, sometimes 3 inch). you can really make these your own, they are perfect for children's quilts.

Sorry, not a book recommendation - but this is how I found the pattern and ideas for the first quilt I designed and sewed. You can really make it your own.

there are a number of books about for quilts for baby/toddlers. I'd recommend having a look at your local library first, if they have a website search their quilting books, as you can often reserve them or order them from another branch. Much cheaper than buying books. Our library charges 60p to reserve any book. It's great to see the books first before you buy this way too, a few books I loaned I have gone on to purchase but very often not as I have got the pattern I wanted.

You can also find patterns for charm quilts online.

Amy Butler does free patterns/tutorials on her website. Worth having a look too.

I do find it quite handy to have a book so I don't need to keep switching the computer on.

this is an excellent overview of all the techniques. However you may find that one of the books like this one is better as it is more about the designs but includes instructions for all the techniques you'll need.

the Kaffe Fassett books are glorious for inspiration and general drooling but his projects are pretty ambitious; just building up all the fabrics you'll need is a bit of a job whereas with a jelly roll quilt you can just buy a roll and get going immediately.

I got the jelly roll book linked for SIL for Xmas and by the middle of Feb she had already done her quilt top.

Not a book, but the Moda Bake Shop website has lots of different patterns and tutorials (they call them recipes!) and they are made with layer cakes, charm packs and jelly rolls. They give detailed fabric reqirements and instructions

If you look at websites like cottonpatch.co.uk there are often lovely kits that include fabric and instructions. They can be a good starting point. There are also quilting clubs and classes which I have found better than books tbh. YouTube is great too. I have some Amy butler software which allows you to see how various patterns would look when finished. I have a few books, and the best for starting out, with a combination of the above, is one called 'quilting in no time' which has lots of funky designs and techniques.

My mum does a lot of quilts and she likes the woman who does "quilt in a day". This is an annoying american woman but according to my mum her methods of cutting the fabric means you produce quilts really fast. sorry I can't remember the annoying womans name but google quilt in a day and loads of patterns come up.

Wow, lots of amazing recommendations- thanks all. Much appreciated.

There's a book called 'quilts, quilts quilts' which is excellent. here it is

Another good book is Kid's Quilts in a Weekend. It has some lovely quilts and would be suitable for a beginner, and for using a set of co-ordinated fat quarters.