Recently had a little flutter on abebooks.com and found some what I call "oldies but goodies". Books published quite some time ago, but which still play an important part in a quilter's library...some are not really eye candy, more i-deas books.
Three by British author Averil Colby: Patchwork published 1958, Patchwork Quilts published 1965, and Quilting published 1972.
Averil Colby was the first to be inducted into The Quilters Hall of Fame from the United Kingdom. Nearing the age of 60, she began her writing career on a subject she so enjoyed. Patchwork, published in 1958, has been reprinted twelve times. Her books are classics and show the depth of Averil’s research abilities.
Never deemed a quilter per se, Averil reported that her scrapbag of fabrics spanned nearly 200 years.
As chairman of the Handicraft Committee of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, she helped reawaken an interest in quilting in the United Kingdom.
Although there is a little double-up between the books, and many black and white photos (a bit frustrating) they were a crazy 82 pence each, so worth the purchase.
Small Endearments by Sandi Fox (1985) showcases crib quilts and other small quilted treasures - from pillow shams and sewing cases to dimunitive crazy quilts. The second edition includes more recent research and additional information including a chapter on early chintz quilts. The newer edition also has larger full color photographs and additional pictures including close ups of motifs on some of the quilts.
Quilts in America by Patsy & Myron Orlofsky (1974) a consummate body of work that both surveys the topic and gets into details, written with a passion and sensitivity that sheds new light on some very old cloth.
Quite taken with this eagle from the front of Crib Quilts. He seems to have a lot to say!
I managed to score all 6 including shipping from either the UK or US to Australia for under $50 total. All but 1 are new, in perfect condition, Crib Quilts is ex-library but still as new.
I'm impressed. Lots of reading to do now!
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8 comments:
I recognize a couple of those books. We have a great bookstore here in Portland, Oregon, called Powell's. They often have used, rare, quilt books. I picked up an old copy of Quilts in America there.
Are there any museums in Australia that display antique American quilts? I'm curious, because I'd love to show quilts in Australia some day.
thanks for the book suggestions I didn't have all of the Colby books so of course I had to order them!
any book by Sandi Fox is amazing. great book choices...I love that eagle too!
Kathie
I was lucky enough to find the Averil Colby books soon after I started quilting ..... learned heaps from them, and still refer to them ocasionally.
Judy B
You have gotten some of my all time favorite books. The last group of 3 are such great books to pull down and look through!
great prices - congrats.
Great books...love Sandi Fox's on little quilts. Sometimes it is nice to just curl up with a cup of tea and a good quilt history book....(though I am with you on the black and white photos - uhgggg.)
Lots of wonderful books to curl up with :0)
Crispy
What a wonderful addition to your library. I love the Eagle quilt!!
They are all great books - I have them too and refer to them regularly. Only wished more like them were published instead of more and more project books.
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