The Lord's Supper Pattern Book: Imagining Harriet Powers' Lost Bible Story Quilt

Technology can be wondrous! I've enjoyed self-publishing for the last few years. I've wanted to try and use print-on-demand to publish a full-color interior book.

Here is "The Lord's Supper Pattern Book" that includes a pattern for 12 blocks. You can enlarge the blocks to match the size you want to make a wall-hanging or bed quilt.

I had a great time considering different Bible verses to use and trying to consider what Mrs. Harriet Powers would have selected. If you know me, you know I can't draw! I worked with Elyse Whittaker-Paek, who took my stick drawings and research to draw the blocks. Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi created the quilt seen on the book cover.

Hope you enjoy!

The Quilt That Wouldn't Quit - CreateSpace

Createspace is the self-publishing arm for Amazon. Just today I saw this 30-page illustrated children's book titled "The Quilt That Wouldn't Quilt" by Cynthia Gibson and illustrated by Oklahoma graphic artist Kiamichi Goodbear. According to one source: "This is a story of courage, prayer, and the faith of one young girl who stopped the tribal wars of her country Kenya, Africa with her amazing quilt." This paperback book is $12.95 and published by CreateSpace. Enjoy.

Dolores A. Hinson - A Bed for Dolly published 1970

Self-publishing in quilting is not new. I recently became acquainted with the quilt history articles by Dolores A. Hinson. She was prolific! She wrote for Nimble Needle Treasures, Stitch 'n Sew Quilts, and had a column called "Quilter's Catalog" in Popular Needlework magazine.

Mrs. Hinson published "D'Ann Originals" - a series of quilt patterns, one pattern per 6 - 8 stapled pages - under Almy Publications. She also published "A Bed for Dolly", another from Almy Publications in 1970. "A Bed for Dolly" is a 46 page pattern book with her own hand-drawn illustrations which she dedicated to "Karyn." The chapters included:

• Piecing a Quilt for Dolly
• Embroidering a Quilt for Dolly
• Appliqueing a Quilt for Dolly
• A Crewelwork Spread for Dolly
• Embroidering a Sheet and Pillowcase for Dolly
• Making a Mattress and Pillowcase for Dolly
• Plans for Dolly's Bed
• A Sampler for You
  

I wish I had met her! I hope one of the quilt museum libraries does include a file on the articles and booklets Mrs. Hinson published over the years! If you know where such a collection is, do please leave a note here on the blog for others to enjoy her work. I'd like to thank the quilt historian who loaned me such a file recently - I'm off to return it now. Enjoy!

Stories That Cover Us - new book by the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters

When you can, do add yo your library "Stories That Cover Us: Meditations and Fiber Art by the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters" by Lynne K. Varner-Hollie and Deborah Boone. Edited by Gwen Maxwell-Williams. Foreword by Rachel Clark. This book is available on Blurb.com.

This coffee-table, gorgeous full-color catalog is 75 pages and includes quilts and short biographical sketches from sistah quilters including: Patricia Batiste-Brown, Deborah Boone, Carol Flanagan-Frank, Iris Franklin, Lynnette Gallon-Harrell, Antoinette Hall, Annie Harper, Antoinette Lewis Bush, Oneda Elizabeth Harris, Cheryl Haskins, Chistine Jordan-Bell, Donna Kimbrough, Paula Maranan, Gwen Maxwell-Williams, Johnnie Miller, Wadiyah Nelson-Shimabukuro, Vera Patterson, Lynne K. Varner-Hollie, Brenetta Ward, and Marilyn Wilson-Hanseling. The hardcover is $45. The softcover is $32. I love that the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters guild are documenting and sharing their work with us! Enjoy!

The Needle Rules! Society of Detroit publishes One Stitch At A Time on Blurb.com

Sistah quilters of the Needle Rules! Society have published "One Stitch At a Time," a 24 page full-color book documenting an inter-generational quiltmaking workshop. The text was written by Louise Hamm and photographs taken by Christina Drane. The book is available via the website Blurb for $50 softback and $60 hardback. Congratulations!

This I Accomplish - New book on Harriet Powers

Wanted to share with you my new book "This I Accomplish: Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt and Other Pieces." What an adventure doing the research on this book. It is a print-on-demand 180-page non-fiction resource on one of American's most beloved quilters - Harriet Powers (1837-1910). Enjoy!

President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts - exhibit catalog

Sue Whalen and the 60-member strong ObamaQuilters have collaborated on both an exhibit of Obama-themed quilts and a catalog. The group published their 120-page, full-color catalog via Blurb.com. President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts is available in softback, hardback with dust jacket and hardback with an image wrap (photo printed on the hard cover). The softback is $24.95.

Blurb.com has free software to assist you in the bookmaking process. The software allows even the non-techie among us to create photo books of our own quilts. With Blurb.com your book is printed after it is ordered online. This process is called print-on-demand printing. Little more expensive than other print methods, but better for the environment. The one downside to a Blurb.com book? No ISBN - the 13 digit code that unlocks the world of other book distribution. You won't see a Blurb.com book on Amazon or other online sellers, for the most part.

I've just ordered my copy of President Obama: A Celebration in Art Quilts and look forward to seeing the glorious quilts included. Congratulations to the ObamaQuilters. Enjoy!

Portraits for Fabric Lovers by Marilyn Belford

In 2006 Marilyn Belford published "Portraits for Fabric Lovers" on Lulu.com. This 95-page, 8.5" x 11" soft cover book has full-color inside. It retails for $32.68 (yes, a crazy, odd price point). The book has thirteen chapters:

• Introduction
• Choosing Your Photograph
• Posterizing Your Photograph (great step-by-step)
• Tracing and Translation to Muslin
• Line Drawings
• Fabric Choices
• Fusible Web
• Constructing the Face
• Introduction to Threadpainting
• Threadpainting
• Finishing the Quilt
• Gallery of Quilts
• About the Author

Seems like a great instruction book.

Jan 2012 update: This book is no longer available on Lulu.com. You might find a copy on Amazon. Click here. Enjoy!

Needle Culture: Contemporary Mixed Media Textiles

Needle Culture: Contemporary Mixed Media Textiles is a terrific exhibition catalog. The original show was on display from May 20 - June 24, 2006 at the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona. Needle Culture is by Darcy Falk and Juliarose Loffredo. This soft cover, print-on-demand book is printed by Lulu.com is 8.5" x 11" and is 50 pages long. The catalog retails for $23.46. The print quality is excellent.

The layout of the book is quite simple: one page has image of the art, the facing page has the text about the piece. There is an introductory essay. I wish the authors had thought to allow Lulu.com visitors to "Preview" the book to encourage browsing and sales. Needle Culture seems to be available online only at Lulu.com. There is no ISBN number associated with the book, which limits it's distribution beyond this one website.

This is a lovely, affordable book. The layout and price point are very approachable. More galleries should consider publishing catalogs is such a manner! Enjoy!

AAQC of Durham, NC self-publishes

The African American Quilt Circle of Durham, North Carolina self-published an 84-page full-color catalog in 2008. ISBN: 978-0-615-17337-5. Each guild's 34 members had a two-page spread to feature at least one of their quilts, include a personal statement and self-portrait. You can read an interview about how the AAQC guild created their book by clicking here.

There was a limited number of books published. It is my understanding the book is $29.95 + US shipping and handling $6.75. You can order the book from the African American Quilt Circle, 4706 High Meadow Road, Durham, NC 27712.

Thinking about creating your own quilt book?

Hello! Welcome to this blog, Publish Your Quilts. This summer I hope to create a catalog featuring a few of my quilts as a way to document my work. My goal is to use a printing technique called "print-on-demand" or POD. Print on demand will allow me to publish a book without having to invest in physical inventory. With POD, my book will be printed when someone orders it online.

This blog will help me to keep track of the various steps or thoughts along the way:

• Are there good examples of self-published books to review
  
• What to publish
• What are the elements of a book
• How should I publish a book
• How can I afford to publish a book
• What materials or tools do I need to publish
• What title should I select to attract the most potential readers
• How many pages should I have so the retail price is attractive
  
• What print-on-demand company should I use (e.g., Lulu.com, CreateSpace.com, Blurb.com)
• Getting Started

I am NOT a writing consultant, or an editor, or a publisher, or book publicist, a tax consultant or anyone you should depend upon for professional advice. You are, however, invited to join me on this journey. Enjoy!