American Patchwork: True Stories from Quilters

by Sonja Hakala (Editor)

For those who enjoyed the honesty and insight of How to Make an American Quilt, this is a moving collection of personal stories that highlight the laughter, sadness, friendships, frustrations, and triumphs shared by the more than 21 million people across the country who call themselves quilters.

These touching tales from sixty-seven contributors nationwide form a patchwork of their own in the words of each individual's unique narrative. From the quilt that reunited a family divided by war and an ocean to the twenty-two foot banner that accompanied a dying woman on her last journey, American Patchwork is sure to capture the hearts of quilters and quilt lovers everywhere.

Wonderfully varied, instructive, nostalgic, amusing, and often poignantly written, this gem of a book will be treasured for years to come.

Genres: Quilting

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2007

Reviews

[Ruth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as patch work quilts are made from 'bits and pieces' of mismatched fabrics, this delightful patch work book is made up of short quilting stories. Each story is written by a quilter and the stories reflect their experiences with quilts. Some stories are funny, some are touching and profound. As quilters will tell one, the individual squares of fabric that make up a quilt are colorful and eye catching on their own, However, when pieced together with other 'spares' and 'left overs' facbris, the over all effect of the completed quilt is more than the sum of the individual pieces. The same can be said of this book: individual stories are entertaining, informative, touching and meaningful. But when read together with the other stories, the overall effect of the book is worth one's time. I know quilters will relate to many if not all of the stories. Who knows, a non-quilter who reads this book must might be bitten by the quilting bug! Wonderful book and worth one's time that it takes to read it.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this! It made me want to make a quilt and I'm not a quilter.

[Tricia M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved this book. The stories were short, quick & easy to read. With in the book there are close to 70 stories that are shared from the likes of Earlene Fowler, Jeanine Williams, Jacqueline Campbell, you find a variety of authors to enjoy. It is has titles that include A Guy That Sews, A Box of Tears and Project Linus that you can find in the Table of Contents. There were a few names that I recognized from the quilt industry. Others not so much.
As I read the stories, it was like I was getting a small peek into their personal life.

I have found the quilters are generous people and they are willing to share their fabrics, talents and so much more with others around them. They are quick to rally to a cause when the need is seen. Not only here in our community, state or country, it is a calling that is heard around the world. No matter the skill level a quilter might be at. They are always sewing, donating and gifting a bit of happiness will things have been dark & dreary.

It really does take a quilter to really understand the underlined meanings of each story as we all have probably be in the same situation ourselves. It shows me the reach that quilts have had one person's life and how it has caused a small ripple in a pond. As the ripple moves out, the ripple grows far bigger and impacting even more of those farthest out in the moving ripple. I believe this book would also have that effect on it's readers. It goes across so many states of emotions that will have you looking forward to each one.

The desire to understand human kindest, emotions and forgiveness are some examples of the stories in this wonderful book. If you need time away from the sewing machine for one reason or another, this collection of short stories is one way to unplug with a world around us that never seems to slow down. I found that when I was having to wait on something or someone for any number of reasons, this book give me the "food for thought" reading that would have me slow down and ponder what I have read. I have recommended this book to several of the ladies in my little quilting group where it is making the rounds quickly. We enjoy talking about the stories and it seems that we a variety of favorites that various as much as we do. I do believe in it's a strong contender at 4.5 out of 5 stars personally and with the group it goes from 4.5 all the way to 5 stars.

[Theresa F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because the stories in this book were submitted by various authors, and because the theme is so broad, aspects like tone and writing style are not consistent. Even readers who are quilting devotees and have far ranging tastes in reading material will likely find one or two stories in this collection that they don't care for. But then, that's pretty much expected with a book of this nature. Overall, the work was an enjoyable read.
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly some of the individual stories.
Would I recommend it? Maybe.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining short stories from quilters and quilt appreciators.