Calling All Groupies!

If you're a quilter, you've got books, and if you've got books, you probably have a few favorite authors. You can meet your faves during the Book Fair at any AQS show, collect autographs and buy the latest, greatest AQS publications. Here's the author line-up for the AQS Knoxville Quilt Expo July 22-25:

Pepper Cory, Pepper Cory's Quilting Pattern Collection
Margie Engel, Bodacious Applique a la Carte
Rita Fishel, Mystery Quilts
Klaudeen Hansen, Quilt Art Engagement Calendar 2010
Sandy Hart & Gudny Campbell, Piecing with Pixels
Deb Karasik, Quilts with Attitude
Rami Kim, Quilted Elegance
Ann S. Lainhart, Fussy Cut Mariner's Compass
Laura Patrick, Heart for a Hero
Marsha D. Radtke, A Baltimore Album
Florence Riesen, Heirloom Quilted Nursery
Sharon Sebrow, Kaleidoscope the Smart Way
Lynda Smith, Quilt This!
Helen Squire, Quilting UFOs
Alice Wilhoit, Crazy Patchwork

See you in Tennessee!

Being an Author with AQS

Thankfully, there is more than one correct way to make a quilt and to write the how-to instructions. This has given rise to several major quilt book publishers, and AQS is proud to be among the leaders.

If you're considering authoring a quilt book, this is what you can expect from AQS:

• Clear, succinct proposal and manuscript guidelines
• A fast consideration of your proposal
• Transparency in the publication process
• Generous contract terms
• A close working relationship with editorial staff and individual attention
• Retention of your author's voice; no cookie-cutter books here
  
• Regular contact and communication, from concept through post-publication
  
• Offers to teach at AQS shows once you're published
• The opportunity to tape online classes that provide college credit for students
• Expansive marketing and advertising efforts and assistance, wholesale and retail
  
• Friendly support and advice every step of the way

We offer a lecture at every AQS show that details what it is like to be published by us. If you're considering writing a how-to quilt book, treat yourself to the facts and join us in Knoxville, July 22-25, for "Writing a Quilt Book: The Reality Show," or Des Moines, October 28-31, for "Putting Pen to Paper: Publishing with AQS." Our proposal guidelines are posted under the "Authors" tab at www.americanquilter.com. And you may always contact us at 270-898-7903 or andi@aqsquilt.com. There are a lot of talented, creative quilters out there! We look forward to hearing from you!

Inchie Quilts Are in the House!

What started as a "just between friends" trading card-like pasttime has been turned into a hot new quilting trend. Leading the way is AQS author Nadine Ruggles with her book, Inchie Quilts.

Inchie quilts really are just that - tiny, one-inch square quilts. They are adorable, addictive, and oh-so-fun to embellish! You can make inchies the star of the quilt or use them as accents. They are equally at home on traditional, contemporary and art quilts.

And because Nadine explains how to attach the inchies in a semi-permanent way, you can move them around! She even gives you an Inchies Chess quilt pattern!

You will have hours of fun creating inchies and hours more thinking of creative ways to use them. Enjoy!

Call 1-800-626-5420 to order. Ask for item # 8021.

Spring Market 2009

Spring Market 2009 is history. It was the usual colorful, lively, interesting mix of companies, businesses and individuals in the quilt industry. While attendance seemed down, most vendors said they had a good show, which is welcome news for anyone interested in quilting. AQS is certainly pleased with the number of book ideas that came our way. The citizens of Pittsburgh were super friendly, and we could see the Pirates play from the hotel!

We were delighted to have three authors teach during Schoolhouse: Karen Gibbs, whose Bits of Bargello was so hot off the press, she saw it for the first time when her session began!; Terry White, who demonstrated three of the techniques from All Beaded Up by Machine; and Alice Wilhoit, whose Crazy Patchwork projects had the audience oohing and aahing like - well, like crazy! You can learn more about these three new titles on our website's "Buy Books" page and order them by calling 800-626-5420.

Collectible Books

The annual AQS Catalogue of Show Quilts is here! Whether you attend the 2009 25th anniversary show in Paducah or not, this highly collectible book showcases all of this year's entires in a beautifully formatted presentation. The quilts are shown by contest category with the entry number, quilt title, quilt size, maker's name and maker's location. True keepsakes, these books document the trend in today's quilting world. AQS item #7931.

Another gem of a book is Collection of The National Quilt Museum. Dedicated to the founders of the American Quilter's Society, Bill and Meredith Schroeder, it summarizes the history of the quilt collection that is the nucleus of the museum. Each quilt is shown with a statement from the artist or a summation of their work, to give the reader insight into how these beautiful works of art came to be. Although some of the museum's collection quilts are always on display and rotated, this book is the definitive catalogue and a real photo essay on how quilting has evolved since the early 1980s. A limited print run makes this a book to buy quickly and keep for posterity. AQS item #7933.

Beautiful Baby Bibs and More!

Just in time for Spring, Florence Riesen's Heirloom Quilted Nursery is here! Using simple patterns for bibs, bonnets, gowns and quilts, Florence shows you how to completely decorate a nursery and the newest member of your family with heirloom quality machine quilting. Achieve stunning results quickly and easily using her original designs, motifs and alphabets. Although they look precious, these made-to-be-used items can be laundered, and will certainly be beautiful on display, whether on a pretty baby or in a pretty room.

Have Something to Say?

Did you know you can write a review of any AQS book and post it on our web site (www.americanquilter.com)? It's true! Simply log on, go to that book's detail page, and click on "Write a Review." Reviews are a fun way to connect with other quilters and helpful when someone is looking for that certain book. Let your writer's muse escape and join the fun!

From Across the Atlantic

AQS is delighted to announce delivery of Quilt the Beloved Country by Jenny Williamson and Pat Parker. These South African sisters co-authored Quilt Africa in 2004, and we were privileged to be the North American distributor for that title, also.

Their quilting style is distinctive and their fabric and color choices are unusual to us Yanks, but their quilts are fun, fresh and deeply reflective of their home country. Wild Dog Press, their publisher, has produced a beautiful book with stunning photographs of the land and people that inspire the sisters' 13 pieced and appliqued original designs, including a few dolls.

If you like to travel vicariously, if you're interested in other cultures, and if appreciating new looks in quilting revs your creativity engine, Quilt the Beloved Country is a book you will enjoy.

Good Things Come in Threes

We are pleased to announce the release of three new books from AQS Publishing:

Piecing with Pixels by Sandra Hart and Gudny Campbell; Hearts & Tulips by Margaret Docherty; and Fussy-cut Mariner's Compass by Ann S. Lainhart.

It's no secret that there is a happy marriage between photos and quilts, and between computers and quilts. Sandy and Gudny have combined their passion for all three and their years of experience teaching into an excellent reference book that includes nine great projects. Using Adobe Photoshop Elements software, they show how you can take a favorite photo and transform it into beautiful fabric to incorporate into a quilt. Piecing with Pixels is not printing photos on fabric; it's sophisticated design work simplified and explained. This is a must-have book for quilters on the cutting edge.

Margaret Docherty has added a third Applique Masterpiece series book to her body of work. Like Little Brown Bird and Birds 'n Roses, Hearts & Tulips is a pattern book for a single, exquisite quilt, or a resource for the 42 patterns for any elegant project calling for applique. As always, Margaret's directions are easy to follow and her fabric and color use is extraordinary and instructive. Applique fans, whether beginners or experienced, will love Hearts & Tulips.

If you've admired Mariner's Compass quilts and you love the elegant look of fussy-cutting fabrics to achieve stunning designs, Ann S. Lainhart has read your mind. Her straightforward method for drafting your own Mariner's Compass blocks will put you at ease creating super sharp points. Use her 12-inch, 18-inch or 30-inch instructions or templates to create wallhangings, framed "pictures," or quilts. Ann's tips for choosing the right fabrics for fussy-cutting and calculating yardage will work equally well in any project. Fussy-cut Mariner's Compass is a marvelous book for beginners wanting to spread their wings and experienced quilters alike.

All three of these books are now available at www.americanquilter.com or 1-800-626-5420.

Ice Storm Update

It's being called the Winter Storm of 2009, but for old timers in Western Kentucky, that's an understatement about last week's devastating ice storm.

Like most businesses in the Paducah area, AQS was without power, phone and cable most of the week of January 27. Today is Groundhog Day (P. Phil saw his shadow) and we're back in the business of publishing the best quilt books around.

If you've tried to reach us, please try again! We're always happy to hear from you.

More Than One Hat

Congratulations to AQS author Karen Combs on her just-announced fabric designing partnership with Avlyn, Inc. It's exciting and inspiring when creative people use their talents in multiple ways, as Karen has done for many years. Check out her wonderful vision and skills in her books at www.americanquilter.com or 1-800-626-5420 in these titles:

Combing Through Your Scraps CD-ROM (7480)
Celtic Pieced Illusions (7014)
3 Quilters Celebrate the 4 Seasons (6408)
Floral Illusions for Quilters (6213)
Optical Illusions for Quilters (4831)

(Note: Combing Through Your Scraps (5759) is out of print but the CD listed above is available.)

Teacher of the Year Nominee

Congratulations to AQS author Margie Engel! She's been nominated for Professional Teacher's magazine's Teacher of the Year 2009 honors! Margie's 2008 book, Bodacious Applique a la Carte, is a colorful feast for the eye and full of great tips for using fusibles in applique. She's been teaching adults and kids for many years and is perennially popular in her home state of Florida (where she'd rather stay inside and sew than walk on the beach just outside her door). If her classes are half as informative as her book, this is a well-deserved nomination.

Want to Write a Quilt Book?

If you've been thinking about writing a quilt book (or your friends, family, the cat, etc., have been bugging you to do it), come to the "So You Think You Want to Write a Quilt Book?" lecture at the 2009 Paducah show. On Wednesday, April 22, from 9 to 10 am, the AQS Executive Book Editor will talk about what's involved generally, and answer specific questions. If you have an idea in mind to discuss and the lecture isn't the right place (or you're shy about bringing up your idea in public), you can make an appointment to talk to her privately during the show.

If you're the "always prepared" type, check out the book proposal guidelines on our web site (www.americanquilter.com) and bring your completed proposal with you. She will take it back to the office and put it into the review cycle. Note: We're now asking for one or two completed projects to accompany proposals, so there might be a touch of show and tell at this lecture. Oh joy! Hope to see you there!

Faux Applique is in the House!

Our latest book, Faux Applique, by Helen Stubbings, is available and what perfect timing for a holiday gift! Helen's Colourque (a registered name) technique allows anyone - anyone! - to master perfect applique by using colored pencils, shading, machine quilting and textile medium. No needle turning, no raw edges, no fraying! Helen creates her show-stopping, award-winning masterpiece quilts with her sister, Tracey Browning, from their homes in Tasmania, Australia. Pick up a copy (or several) of her elegant book today from our web site: www.americanquilter.com to make your holiday gift-giving even to the non-quilters on your list complete.

Three New Books Are Available!

It's always a great day when a new book comes back from the printer, so imagine how grand it is to have three new releases at once! Get your reading glasses on:

Beyond the Block by the Crafty Ol' Broads (wonderfully fun sisters Linda K. Johnson and Jane K. Wells) lets you let go of block "block." Instead of being trapped by size restrictions or shape limitations, the C.O.B.s show you how to improvise in a controlled way. The results are wild, colorful yet still traditional. Show your flair for color and thinking "outside the block" with this bright, inspiring book.

If you love beads but hate hand work, All Beaded Up by Machine is the book for you. Terry White, author of Thread Painting Made Easy (AQS, 2008), once again shows how the sewing machine can be a terrific artistic asset. Her super simple techniques yield amazing results; no one will ever know how easy all that beading really was. A must-have for embellishment addicts.

If you spend your days in a cubicle dreaming about the quilting you'll do that night, Quilts in My Cubicle will hit the spot. Barb Holtzman, herself a cubicle dweller, has created 12 quilts that are small enough to actually finish and delightful enough to cheer up any cubicle anywhere. Smart tips and hanging suggestions round out this happy little book that will keep you stitching and have your colleagues glad you did.

Talented people work at AQS (if I may say so) and graphic designer Lynda Smith proves it with her first-ever author effort, Quilt This! Practical Patterns for Everyday Quilting. Her original designs are shown as motifs and borders and are suitable for hand quilters or those using any type of machine. No more dreaded "quilt as desired." Instead, Quilt This!

It's been a busy autumn for AQS; stay tuned for three more books coming soon!

Ten Years of Magic

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bethany Reynolds' amazing Stack-N-Whack technique with her latest book, Stack-n-Whack-ipedia.

Bethany revolutionized quilting design and brought back fussy cutting when she unveiled Stack-n-Whack ten years ago. Legions of quilters have made extraordinary quilts using her technique, and now here are more lovely patterns and ways to amaze.

Whether you have tried Stack-n-Whack or not, you will love Bethany's clear, concise instructions and cutting charts. Light some candles and celebrate this milestone in quilting history with AQS's newly released anniversary edition!

New Release

We're excited to announce the first book by well-known pattern designers Linda K. Johnson and Jane K. Wells, a.k.a. the Crafty Ol' Broads. If you like to experiment and innovate, then Beyond the Block is for you. Use their tips and techniques and gallery to jump start your own unique quilt creation. If you like a bit more structure, re-create one of their eight projects in your own inimitable style. Either way, you'll have a blast as you sew along with these amazingly creative sisters.

AQS Quilt Expo Nashville

Time does fly when you're having fun, and it was all fun in Nashville last week. With more than 500 quilts on display and so many vendors to visit along with potential authors, the week was over quickly.

Back in Paducah, we're pleased to announce the release of three great books: Ribbon Treasures from Celia's Garden by Faye Labanaris; 100 Tips from Award Winning Quilters by Ann Hazelwood; and Hooked on Feathers by Sally Terry.

Ribbon Treasures is another fount of inspiration based on Celia Thaxter's marvelous garden on White Island off the New Hampshire coast. This beautiful book will surely help you enhance any item you can think of with Faye's lovely ribbon flowers.

Even if you have no desire to enter quilts in a contest or show, the tips Ann has corralled from 100 award-winning quilters will improve your quilting life. Some are advisory, some are technical, but all are smart ways to think about your quilting.

Whether you quilt by hand or machine, and whether your machine is a home sewing machine or a longarm, Sally's clever no backtracking quilting designs will have you, too, hooked on feathers. Every design is charming and has a place in your next quilt.

Nashville or Bust

Two weeks from today we'll be putting the finishing touches on the Quilt Expo in Nashville. Doors will open Wednesday at 9 am to welcome an expected 25,000 people eager to view more than 300 of the world's best quilts, shop with vendors and meet old friends.

AQSpublishing is looking forward to making new friends, especially authors and quilters thinking about writing a quilting book. Please stop by the Admissions desk and ask for me, Andi Reynolds, so we can meet!

Have a book in mind? Check out our proposal guidelines at www.amercianquilter.com under the "Authors" tab. Have a finished proposal ready to submit? Bring it with you to Nashville!

Hope to see you there!

Seeking authors for these book ideas

American Quilter's Society (AQS) publishing seeks authors to query us about writing these books:

A how-to-quilt book for beginners. Very basic, covering hand and machine techniques from concept through binding. We're looking for a fresh, complete approach to well-covered territory.

A home dec project book whose designs are contemporary art quilt style. Kitchen, dining and living area projects should appeal to masculine and feminine tastes.

Your query should identify which book you're interested in proposing and why, and your qualifications. Only experienced quilters need apply; no third party authors. We will work with first time authors. Send your query via email to andi@AQSquilt.com. Use either "beginner query" or "home dec query" in the subject line.