| Quilting is a fabulous way to learn some of | | | | This is an excellent book. It is about an old |
| the basic skills in sewing. Although there | | | | lady that makes quilts for all the poor |
| are some very intricate and complicated | | | | people in the town. Everyone loves the lady, |
| quilts, there are also a huge amount of very | | | | even the animals. One day a greedy king comes |
| simple patterns. Not only are they full of | | | | to town and sees the beautiful quilts. He |
| straight lines, the finished products are | | | | wants one very badly, so he goes and demands |
| magnificent, and plentiful. | | | | that she make him a quilt. The old lady tells |
| | | | the king that before she makes him a quilt he |
| What we love the most is, despite the | | | | must learn to give to others. |
| simplicity of some patterns, the finished | | | | |
| products look quite difficult. When my | | | | Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quiltby Lisa |
| daughter started sewing, at the age of 3, she | | | | Campbell Ernst |
| completed several quilting projects. They | | | | |
| truly are easy! Yes, straight lines are | | | | This book is about a man named Sam Johnson. |
| important for quilting, BUT they are NOT | | | | Sam's sister goes once a week to a quilting |
| critical at this point. If you look closely | | | | club for all the women in town. While his |
| at the projects my daughter completed, you | | | | sister was in town quilting, Sam found her |
| will see many imperfections. However, we do | | | | fabric scrap basket, a needle, and some |
| not call them that - we call it character! | | | | thread and he starting sewing a quilt. When |
| | | | Sam wasn't allowed to join the women's |
| We have used quilting to make pillows, | | | | quilting club he asked some of the men in |
| purses, bags, blankets, and are venturing | | | | town if they would like to start their own. |
| into clothes. Today we saw book covers, | | | | They said yes. |
| wallets, and hats that were quilted. The | | | | |
| possibilities are unlimited. | | | | The Josefina Story Quiltby Eleanor Coerr |
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| The other great thing about quilting is that | | | | This book is about a little girl named Faith |
| the history is fascinating and rich with | | | | and her chicken, Josephina. Faith's family is |
| stories of the past. To get you and your | | | | going west, in a covered wagon. Faith wanted |
| children even more excited about the world of | | | | to bring Josephina, but her father said no |
| quilting I highly recommend reading stories | | | | because Josephina could not lay eggs. Faith |
| to your kids about them. | | | | goes around asking all of her neighbors if |
| | | | they would take her hen, but nobody wanted a |
| We own all of the books that are listed at | | | | hen that couldn't lay eggs. Faith's father |
| the bottom of the page, and we have continued | | | | decided that Faith could take her chicken, |
| to enjoy them over the years during our | | | | but if she caused any trouble she would be |
| reading time. My oldest daughter has included | | | | let out no matter where they were. Along the |
| a brief summary under each one. They have all | | | | way Faith sews quilt squares to remember |
| inspired my girls, and me, to want to learn | | | | their journey. |
| the art of quilting in order to continue the | | | | |
| quilting legacy. | | | | Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quiltby Deborah |
| | | | Hopkinson |
| I encourage you and your child to try at | | | | |
| least one quilting project; but be careful - | | | | This book is about a girl named Clara that |
| it is addicting! | | | | wants to run away from the plantation that |
| | | | she works at, so that she can be free. She |
| Again, I highly recommend each of these books | | | | needs a map to get there, so she asks some |
| to spark imagination and excitement! They | | | | people around the plantation for directions. |
| will make great gifts for your kids. | | | | With scrap fabrics Clara makes a quilt with |
| | | | the map on it, to help others after she is |
| The Quilt Maker's Giftby Jeff Brumbeau | | | | gone. She then heads for freedom. Based on a |
| | | | true story. |