Books

It's that time again, where we're getting ready for our next My Stars book. We're up to Volume III already in the series! People just love collecting the old Kansas City Star patterns - can you imagine how cool it's going to be when we have these books all complete?! It will be the official guide to the historical patterns - you will have them all!

I have attached a pdf of the next patterns we're seeking. Please send pictures of the quilts you have of these patterns. We'll go through them, and hopefully yours will be picked to be published in the book! If it is selected, we'll send you a free copy of the book once it's complete!

Please send your photos to me at dmclendon@kcstar.com. I can't wait to see all the beautiful quilts again!

Four days a year, I get a huge rush from my job. Okay, well it happens more than four times a year, but these four days in particular are significant moments. It’s the day that I send out information about all of our new titles.

Today was the big day for our September books. Today was the day I saw the culmination of efforts that started a year or more ago. Today I announced that we have 10 new books available for sale. TEN! This is the most we have ever released at one time. And that feels good.

Juniper and Mistletoe by Karla Menaugh & Barbara BrackmanBut we didn’t just release any ol’ 10 books. We released 10 outstanding, beautiful books that feature amazing work and detailed histories. We have a new Maggie Bonanomi book and books from historians such as Betsy Chutchian, Cindy Brick and Bettina Havig. We have some beautiful appliqué books such as Ruby Red Dots, Flags of the American Revolution and Juniper and Mistletoe, and an embroidery book Route 66. We’re also continuing on with our My Stars series with the second book. And we can’t forget our block-of-the-month book, Women of Influence!

Flora Botanica by Barbara BrackmanQuilt historian Barbara Brackman, honorary curator for the Spencer Museum of Art, chose carefully from the museum’s exquisite quilt collection to assemble the quilts for this exhibit, Flora Botanica. On view at the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, July 12-October 12, 2008, the exhibit examined sources and symbolism in floral pattern from various perspectives. The selected quilts ranged in age from the late-18th century to the recent past.

This 96 page catalog includes photos of all the quilts included in the exhibit. Also included are five new quilt projects drawn from the old patterns, plus an introduction by Barbara about how many of these quilts found their way into the Spencer collection.
Click here to view pages from ins

Wedding Ring, Pickle Dish and MoreCarolyn Cullinan McCormick, inventor of the Add-A-Quarter Ruler, takes paper piecing to a new level. Wedding Ring, Pickle Dish and other heretofore mind-boggling, difficult, curved patterns are suddenly made easy using her paper piecing method. She uses all straight pieces to create the curved look!

This 128 page book includes other old favorites such as Rob Peter and Pay Paul, Hands All 'Round, Lafayette Orange Peel, The Flower Ring just to name a few. There are also projects included for quilters who would rather try out something small rather than committing to a large quilt.

Click here to view pages from inside the book, or click here to purchase the book.

Making Memories by Deb RowdenPreserve your treasured memories by stitching them into keepsake quilts!

Often our most special memories are attached to clothing or other fabrics from our past. Join Deb Rowden as she shows us how to create one-of-a-kind quilts from these cherished textiles and bring your memories out of storage and back to life.

Learn how Deb made a unique mother-daughter quilt for her friend, Paula Ellis, using Paula’s mother's 1940s fashions and her own childhood clothing. This quilt is now a treasured possession of Paula's showcasing the fabrics that represent a lifetime of memories. Deb walks you through the entire process she used to make this quilt.

Pots de FleursIn Pots de Fleurs, Kathy Delaney has created a beautiful quilt with her graceful and colorful appliquéd flower designs. This book is rich in clearly written and detailed information about the process of making your quilt, including a discussion about a variety of techniques, appliqué methods and supplies. Close-up, detailed photographs will make you feel like you're having a private lesson.

Kathy Delaney is a national quilting teacher and the author of Hearts and Flowers: Hand Applique From Start to Finish, The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking, and Beyond the Basics: A Potpourri of Quiltmaking Techniques.

Click here to view pages from inside the book, or click here if you'd like to purchase the book.

Whew! It’s been a whirlwind here the past few months, and it doesn’t look like the end is near – which is great! I haven’t posted a blog for awhile, but it’s time to update you all. A lot has been going on!

To start, we have new books GALORE. There is definitely something for everyone in our new lineup. At the end of this post, I have listed all of the new books with a short description and a link to learn more.

Also, we are now carrying self-published patterns from Denise Sheehan’s A Graceful Stitch and Liz & Beth Hawkins of Lizzie B Cre8ive. Be sure to check out these up-and-coming designers – their patterns are beautiful AND fun!

Thanks to all of you who submitted pictures of your quilts for our new book My Stars: Patterns from The Kansas City Star, Vol. I. We received several submissions – and all of them were beautiful! Unfortunately we could only go with a few, but don’t despair! There will be a My Stars Vol. II coming up soon, as well as III, IV, V, and so on and so on.

In May, we plan to release a book that includes a selection of 25 of the first patterns offered to My Star Collection subscribers. The book, called "My Stars: Patterns from The Kansas City Star, Vol. I," will include redrafted patterns that were published in The Kansas City Star newspaper sometime between 1928 and 1961. Each pattern will include templates, fabric requirements, and assembly instructions, as well as the history of the block. But we’re missing one thing – quilts made up of these blocks!

This is where you come in! If you have a quilt made up of any of the blocks listed below and would like to have it published in our book, please email us a sample picture. If chosen, we’ll ship your quilt to our studios to be photographed and then back again – we pay for shipping – and we’ll give you a free copy of the book once it is released.

Below are the patterns we'd like to see quilts made of:

Broken Sugar Bowl
Caps for Witches and Dunces
Carrie Nation
Christmas Tree
Coffee Cups
Cog Wheels
Contrary Husband
Contrary Wife
Crystal Star
Economy
Flying Colors
Four Patch Fox and Goose

When the Cold Wind Blows by Blackbird DesignsBundle up with Barb Adams and Alma Allen, best-selling authors from Blackbird Designs, as they warm your heart with beautiful quilts and many other fine projects inspired by the winter months.

When the Cold Wind Blows features one main quilt in two wonderfully creative versions – Barb’s "Winter Garden" and Alma’s "Love Letters" -- plus five other quilts, a hooked rug, a cross-stitch pillow sham and two wool projects.

The book is beautifully photographed at the Christmastime home of friends Ginger and Ron Schrader. Ginger’s treasured collections and fresh greenery will inspire you this holiday season.

Whether it’s Barb’s "Trick or Treat" quilt, perfect for the autumn months, or the comfy "Holly and Mistletoe" quilt, these projects will bring new warmth to the meaning of, "When the Cold Wind Blows."

Reminiscing by Terri DegenkolbPopular quilt designer and author Terri Degenkolb offers "a mix of primitive and folk art, with a healthy dose of tradition thrown in" in this collection of Whimsical quilt projects. Terri shares personal observations of what inspired her imaginative quilts and projects. Her variety of styles, rich textures and unique touch will add a welcoming feel to your home.

Click here to purchase this book.