Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As usual, the book arrived in just a few days. It was a used library book in very good condition exactly as the seller had described. I have never had a used book arrive in a disappointing condition and I am building my reference library at a much lower cost than buying new books all the time.

This book does contain a large collection of quilt blocks, however, I just don't find it very useful. The illustrations are all hand drawn in black and white, and are not good quality. More like sketches than anything. I heard this was an updated edition of this book, and thought it would have better illustrations than this. It is sometimes difficult to tell what exactly the picture is trying to portray. There are no patterns, which was as expected, but it would be difficult to even draft a pattern from many of these sketches. The book could be greatly improved by either using photos, or computer graphics of the blocks. Colour would help a lot too.

As well, the title is misleading. It is called an Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, but there are no patterns in the book.

This book only shows how to identify the type of block and known names. It does not tell any history, except where the name came from (like a publication). I was hoping this would be about the folklore associated with the block names (like what Kansas Troubles and Bachelor's Puzzle mean). Although I know the stories collected about quilt blocks would be purely speculation, it would be fun to read a book about collected histories.

I have wanted this book ever since i heard of its existance, because i can't even count how many times i've found myself in the position of trying to describe a quilt pattern that I *know* has a recognizable name that i just can't remember, or wanting to look up patterns by name for one reason or another (for example: "Hrm, i wonder if there are any quilt patterns with Tennessee in the name, something like a Tennessee Star...?")

It is pretty much exactly what i imagined it to be, a compendium of as many patterns as the author could track down (over 4000 total), sorted using a grouping system that makes it pretty easy to look up a pattern to find its name if you know what the block looks like but not what it's called. I imagine it would be a valuable resource for museum curators, quilt collectors, and quilt scholars, in terms of identifying antique quilts or writing about them, and also perhaps for instructors. If you are looking for actual patterns, you won't find them here; it does not provide templates or any piecing instructions. It is not a how-to book, but more of a reference book.

The patterns are depicted in small black-and-white drawings, so that several can fit on a page, and they are shaded to show how they are traditionally pieced using lights and darks, if applicable. Brackman lists each pattern and the name(s) by which it is known, along with the earliest known source mentioning the pattern by name. It's interesting to see how "old" some of the patterns we think of as "traditional" really are! (A lot that i thought went back a couple hundred years actually cropped up in the 1930s, according to this book!) The book covers up to as recent as the 1970s.

Another amusing note: The author, Barbara Brackman, is--no surprise--a serious quilt scholar, but was also involved in that "The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue" project, with the quilt blocks depicting Sunbonnet Sue dying in horrible ways....

I have mixed feelings about this book. The collection of patterns is priceless if you're seeking a specific, obscure pattern difficult to find elsewhere. Unfortunately, however, nothing is shown in color (or with clearly delineated components), so I couldn't visualize how they'd look as quilts. I, myself, much prefer BH&G's _501 Quilt Blocks_, which shows each in color (gorgeous!), along with a block clearly showing each segment, and directions for assembling it. That one is so gorgeous (it just arrived) that I'm about to see if I can buy it in hardcover; it sparks my creativity whenever I look at it. If this (the Bannister book) had included color photos, I would be wildly enthusiastic about it -- but the tiny black and white blocks seem very uninspiring, with no hint how they might look good, tips toward assembling them, etc. I'm returning my copy; it just cost too much and takes up too much room for something this plebeian. However, if you're just seeking basic sketches of obscure old blocks, you'll adore this one -- which is obviously a million times more complete than the BH&G book I just raved about (or any other book I've ever heard of, for that matter).

This is probably the most used book in my quilting library, both for researching the names of patterns I've seen, and for inspiration for new quilts.

This book is definitely an encyclopedia. Very useful tool for practiced quilters to beginners. Every quilt pattern and lots of ideas, plus references upon references. A must have for your quilting reference library. One really needs to see to fully enjoy the power behind this book!

This book must have almost every quilt pattern known to man! I find it very helpful in identifying patterns - it would be a worthy addition to any quilt collector's library.

I am writing to see if this book has a pattern for the spin star. It looks like several cards fanned out right in the center of the quilt. I've seen one in a craft store, but no pattern.

I found this encyclopdia to be an excellent reference guide for different quilt blocks. I was able to identify several antiques quilts that are variations of well known blocks. I recommend this book!