Wise Craft Quilts: A Guide to Turning Beloved Fabrics into Meaningful Patchwork

by Blair Stocker, Stephanie Congdon Barnes (Photographer)

Infuse your quilts with love--how to add your personal story and more meaning to your handmade quilts.

In Wise Craft Quilts, celebrated quilt designer and crafter Blair Stocker shares ways to use cherished fabrics to make quilts with more meaning. Each of the twenty-one quilts featured here gathers a special collection of fabric, outlines a new technique, and spins a story. By using special fabrics as the starting point for each project--from a wedding dress to baby's first clothes, worn denim, Tyvek race numbers, and more--the finished quilt is made even more special. Create quilts that have a story to tell and you'll find a whole new level of appreciation for what they represent in your life and the lives of the ones you love.

Genres: Quilting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing, Art

192 pages, Hardcover

Published March 14, 2017

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading Wise Craft for.....10ish years? I've taken to skimming or skipping most of the time now because my interests don't really align with her current asthetic. Same with this book, I suppose; there are some nice things here but not a lot that I want to make. One exception is Cyanotype; I've been curious about sun printing, and the effect of this particular sample is really cool.

[June Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite quilt books. The author's writing style is warm and welcoming; her original quilt designs are beautiful.

The author's premise of using her family's treasured textiles and thrift store finds to make memorable quilts is unique and well done. Each project is accompanied by a brief narrative explaining what she was thinking as she designed the quilt. Very inspirational!

My favorite project in this book is the 'Sensory' quilt dedicated to making a tactile quilt for dementia patients. The purpose of the quilt is to help alleviate their anxiety by sewing a variety of textures {buttons, lace, textured fabrics, sequins, beads, etc.} on the quilt top for patients to touch while holding the quilt in their lap.

The photography and instructions are concise and user-friendly.

Highly recommended for quilters, sewers, and those interested in textile history.

I borrowed this book from our library system.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a full time, self employed, quilter, I really enjoyed Blair Stocker's book, mostly for its ability to show different ways to use various materials. Over the years I've accumulated lots of fabrics of different sorts, and this book has examples of ways to use some of this inventory to create some beautiful (and meaningful) quilts from what I have on hand. I especially like the Denim quilt she calls "Indigo" and realistically suggests to tie the quilt when finished. I regret bringing jeans to the clothes recycle box now! "Boro" is another really beautiful project in the book, made from a collection of rice bags and Japanese hand dyed indigo fabrics. All of the projects can be looked at as a 'jumping off" point to go in your own direction with whatever you have to use. Take it and put your own signature style into it. The photos are really beautiful too.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a surprise every time you turn a page. These quilts appeal to me because I like to make one-of-a-kind quilts that have a meaning and a story. These quilts fit that bill, as well as showing materials and techniques off the beaten path. I like that the Resources page not only lists resources, but gives you a reminder of why you want to remember these!
I am a big fan of Blair Stocker, and I never knew she existed until I picked this book up off of the new book shelf at the library!
2 things I want to try after reading this: using wool batting, and using my mom's handkerchiefs to make a quilted project.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about this author through a quilting magazine, and her subtitle says it all. This is about using/recycling/upcycling fabrics into quilts and art. Nothing startling and nothing that called out "make me." The Value quilt was interesting (also links with her best-selling Ruby Ruler, not mentioned in the book, for deciding values) but 3-1/4 inch squares are both hard for me to cut and take too many for a decent-sized quilt of triangles. The other, more unique idea, with a quilt made from someone's wedding dress, using dress, lining, and overlay in a courthouse steps pattern with brightly colored centers, inprovised on muslin foundations; lovely, with slippery fabrics to sew.

[Ambur Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great quilt book - I love the use of recycled materials...either from the thrift store or from family heirlooms/saved kids favorite t-shirts. Blair is very talented and this was the push I needed to start cutting up saved things...and follow a few very talented quirky quilters on Instagram to keep the motivation up.

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring ideas for using recycled materials (old handkerchiefs, your jeans, thrift store shirts, even your wedding dress) in quilts that are simply designed but very effective. The best parts are her "My Color and Design Notes," reflections on how she came to make each one. It's all about the process!

[Colleenish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent quilting book with projects that go beyond your traditional quilting book. Stocker brings an artistic eye to her quilts, showing you how to pick the right project for your fabric and how to make it surprising.

[Heather Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a quilt book like this that is more than just a collection of patterns. I don't think I would make any of these quilts in particular but I enjoyed reading about her fabric and design choices.

[Linda Harkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully photographed by Stephanie Congdon Barnes, the pictures make this book!

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this blog, but the style seems to be somewhere between traditional and modern. I especially liked the cyanotype quilt and the section on washing vintage fabrics.

[Phobean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring. In particular, I liked the jean quilt ideas. Great photos & clear instructions.

[Amberwench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use up those beloved, worn clothes in a quilt! Simple tutorials for easy designs, this would work great for the beginner who wants to make their own memory quilt.

[Leslie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of beautiful, creative quilt ideas that incorporate special “cherished” fabrics. I borrowed this one from my library, but it’s going on my wish-list.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide if you have vintage fabrics or hankies, or a loved-one's clothes and you want to make a quilt from them.

[Janice Haug · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so useful that I purchased it for my library.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed because I wanted inspiration to use,my grandmother fabric and wedding gown. I didn't find it here.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful layout, design and photography. Particularly like Stocker's personal My Color and Design Notes. The piecing isn't that precise, nor is the quilting but I do appreciate her reuse of fabrics and the way she gives "permission to cut into that special fabric."

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

upcycling for the win!

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently working on a quilt for my daughter’s room. I am incorporating several ideas that I found in Wise Craft Quilts. My fabric choices were also inspired by this helpful and easy to use book! Old time quilting principles fill the pages of Wise Craft Quits and encouraged me to pick cherished fabrics that hold memories for my daughter. Twenty-one quilts with clear directions are included! Beautifully photographed using vintage fabric and loaded with creativity.

[kerrycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked up some helpful tips (as well as encouragement) from this easy to follow guide.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great ideas that would work just as well with new fabric as with the heirloom items for which they are suggested. Plenty of can-do quilts for newbies.