Ann Wasserman’s New Book: Preserving Our Quilt Legacy

Ann Wasserman’s New Book: Preserving Our Quilt Legacy

Ann Wasserman has repaired and rehabilitated countless quilts over the last 30 years. She has vast experience and a curator’s attitude towards the work. And a great deal of common sense. Most quilters think that they know about repairing quilts. We also think we know about storing quilts. 


It’s not necessarily so. We know about stitching and color, but the skills to repair a  really damaged quilt are really different. Machine quilting isn’t any help here. Repair and conservation require a knowledge of fabric history, a skilled set of stitches and a sense of restraint.  Ann’s new book, Preserving Our Quilt Legacy provides all that.

There is a mountain of information about fabrics from different periods of time, bats, and nicely drawn stitch diagrams. But more than that, there’s a wealth of information about the difference between  restoration and conservation. She offers a very sensible set of guidelines for when to repair and when to simply preserve a quilt that respects the quilt as an historic document. And a huge base of information about storage, care, and sensible display. 

If you have a lovely old quilt in your life, this book is solid information for it’s care. For a collector of old quilts it would be an invaluable resource. For anyone doing restoration or conservation, a bible.
She also answers the age old question," When should I wash an old quilt."

Ann is also an established contemporary quilter. You’ll find her own work and her book for sale on her web site at www.annquilts.com.

Book Corner Gold: Thinking Way Outside the Box

There's a secret treasure in the back of Threadbenders. Henry would tell you it's his food bowl. Well, treasure is always in the eye of the beholder. Here's mine. There's a book rack loaded with ideas, projects, information and wacky thinking that can change everything.When an author offers you new vantage points and possibilities, It's thinking way outside the box. It's the best way to stretch what you know, how you think and what you do.

We were flipping through Cheryl Phillips beautiful book, Quilts without Corners, and found this amazing idea.

She'd taken her gorgeous round quilts and turned them into a tree skirt. Who'd have thought?
And how pretty!

She only did that to one of them but any of her designs could be used that way.They were simple, easy to cut and sew piecing that makes an absolutely heirloom tree skirt. Great thinking outside the box!

Then there are classic reference books. Most books last 2-3 years before the companies stop printing them. Mimi Dietrich's Happy Endings has been in print for over 20 years. Why?
Because it's the smartest book on edges and finishes anyone every wrote. If you're a quilter with questions about binding and edging, you need this book.

There are so many other treasures in the book shelf at Threadbenders. And, unlike his food bowl, Henry's happy to share them with you.

Jackie's Favorite Modern Quilt Books

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Jackie's a relatively new quilter. That doesn't mean she isn't an invaluable resource at Threadbenders. She brings the passion of a new hobbyist and an unerring good eye to her own work and to her projects for the store.

She also loves the modern quilt movement.

Modern Quilting is perfect for people beginning to quilt. It's simple, graphically exciting quilting with a contemporary flair. 

She also knows the value of a great book. She knows it's the best way to feed your eye and your soul. And to send you off on new projects and new passions.

Here are some of her newest picks. 

Cozy Modern Quilts features great graphic quilts that are scrappy and snazzy.

                                   

Who could resist this darling baby quilt?

Ready to learn about hand quilting? Utility Quilting will show you hand quilting techniques that are quick, easy and classic.

Come in and ask Jackie about all our Modern Quilt books. She'll share her excitement with you.

Threadbenders also hosts the Michiana Modern Quilt Guild every 1st Thursday night at 6 PM. Come and share your passion for this exciting fresh quilting movement.