Book Review: The Quilter's Catalog

Tuesday, March 18

When I first heard that a new book, "The Quilter's Catalog" by Meg Cox, I imagined a source where you could look up various topics on quilting. I never dreamed it would be a such a fascinating book.

I wasn't surprised that well known quilting teachers were included, but I never imagined I would learn so much about each of them. Whether you are an art quilter or traditional your favorites are likely there. Almost 100 pages are devoted to famous quilting personalities. Do you know which teacher and quilt artist once made a quilt based on a brain scan? Can you imagine which writer and teacher is known by her colorful shawls and elegant brooches?

Other topics in this book include the quilters on the Internet, quilt shows and the amazing fabrics used for quilt making. You will even find complete quilt projects by notable quilters. If you are a beginner you will learn how to get started yet old-timers in quilting will still find information that will be new to them.

You may wonder how this all fits into quilt history. I wondered too, so I checked out the information on sewing machines. Sure enough, sewing machine history was there right from the beginning including a bit of racy information about the infamous Isaac Singer. If there is anything you ever wondered about sewing machines from the first ones ever made to the latest computerized embroidery machines and long arm machines you will find it there.

Another way to look at this in terms of history is to realize that this book is the most complete record imaginable of the state of quilting in the first decade of the twenty first century. Can't you just imagine your great granddaughter reading it in amazement. What would she think of quilting back in the old days?