My Stars VI: Patterns from The Kansas City Star, Volume VI
Welcome to the sixth book in our My Stars series – we’re trucking right along! The books are going to be such great collector’s items once we get them all completed. It’s fun offering these patterns in a random order because there is sure to be something for everyone in each book. Patterns in this book include Marble Quilt, Honey Bee, The Dogwood Blossom, Pineapple, and Granny’s Choice, just to name a few. It seems that most of these patterns are more unique than some of the more popular ones, and thus provide endless opportunities for quiltmaking. Be sure to check out the photographs of the gorgeous quilts that accompany some of the blocks. The quilt contributors are people just like you – fans of the historical patterns who enjoy making new quilts with historical blocks. It’s always exciting to see a new twist! The My Stars series is Kansas City Star Quilts’ effort to redraft the entire 1,000+ pattern historical collection, and offer it in bound printed volumes for pattern lovers to stitch and collect. Each of the 25 patterns in this book includes fabric requirements, templates and assembly instructions, as well as the original sketch and caption that were printed in the newspaper.

by Kylie Irvine
Be inspired by the soft gentle colors of Japanese Taupes and Kylie Irvine’s charming designs. The colors give a soothing comfort to these modern quilts while the naïve flowers lend a sense of whimsy. These quilts and projects will add a designer touch to your décor and be beautifully functional. Quilts, cushion covers, sewing cases, bags and more, each one full of inspiration.

by Polly Minick & Laurie Simpson
Talented sisters Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson collaborate to bring you this stunning collection of their latest work - quilts, rugs, and stitcheries. Their inspiration was the brave women who kept the home fires burning during World War II. Laurie created an eye-popping nine-block appliqué quilt to commemorate the achievements of these Victory Girls. Two other clever quilts are included – one pieced, one embroidered with kitties, along with designs to embellish a Land of the Free denim jacket. And that’s not all! Polly provides Basic Rug Hooking instructions and designs for four new primitive rugs.

by Jenifer Dick
Inspired by everything from the view out her kitchen window to old quilt patterns to childhood memories, Jenifer Dick takes you on a journey of inspiration and design to create 11 original quilts and projects. She guides you through the quilt design process - from inspiration to completion - encouraging you to make your own choices every step of the way. These contemporary, often quirky, designs evoke nostalgia, '70s vintage fabrics and graphics as well as organic designs. They're easy to make with today's popular solids and big prints. Complete instructions are included, along with inspiration so you can put your own spin on each design. Jenifer also offers her tips for invisible machine applique,

By Sarah Maxwell & Dolores Smith
When Charles Tenney, a young Union soldier, has a chance meeting with the sister of one of his officers, he is instantly captivated. After one meeting, he asks her if he could write her while he is away. To his delight, she agrees. With the Civil War raging around them, Charles and Adelaide fall in love through a series of remarkably preserved letters. We read as Charles courts Adelaide while witnessing to her his experiences in battle. And in her letters to Charles, we watch as she recounts her experiences on the home front all while her feelings for him develop from simple friendship to deep and profound love. Celebrate Charles and Adelaide's memory with this quilted interpretation of their love story. Authors and quilt designers Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith of Homestead Hearth in Mexico, Mo., show us how to create two quilts based on the same 12 pieced blocks. One quilt, Adelaide, is created in rosy reds and greens. Charlie is made in soft blues, browns and creams. Four additional quilts inspired by Charles and Adelaide are included.

by Maggie Bonanomi Visions of blue and white pillow ticking … a stone farmhouse belonging to a distant relative … Both inspired this collection of 19 projects by primitive artist Maggie Bonanomi. She’s created a stunning wool bedcover, a blue and white quilt, pillows, hooked rugs, a few sewing necessities, and much more. Come along with her to explore Buttonwood Farm, where her creativity and sense of whimsy are right at home.

Inspired by the enduring charm of one-room schoolhouses, Liberty Star designer Renee Plains has created a diverse collection of 19 projects that honor the legacy of these humble classrooms of the past. With lessons in quilting, rug hooking, cross stitch and more, this book offers something for everyone. The five classic quilt patterns will please patchwork and applique lovers alike, while stitchery fans will enjoy the trio of samplers that echo a simpler time. For those who prefer to make smaller-scale projects, Renee has designed a delightful array of sewing accessories, including a pinkeep, sewing kit and needle book. In addition, her helpful primers in applique and stitching give you all the basics necessary to successfully complete your projects.

The Welcome Home Sampler Quilt is by self-confessed quilt-aholic and pattern designer Cheryl Wall. Welcome Home was inspired by house motifs, often used in her designs, and the pleasure she feels when being welcomed into someone's home. The quilt depicts many homes, each with a unique personality, made up of different pieced blocks and some applique for interest. Cheryl encourages you to use your own personality and fabrics you have on hand to make this quilt reflect who you are. Welcome Home contains a second charming quilt, One House, Two House, and several smaller projects, including a wallhanging, a tablerunner, a picture, and a pillow, which include a variety of techniques including embroidery and working with wool. All of them were inspired by the idea of "home." Along the way, she gives you mini tutorials on quilting details, from "Making Half-Square Triangles" to "Finishing Your Quilt." Cheryl also tells how she innocently began her quilting addiction with a Complete-in-a-Weekend project that led down the slippery slope to becoming a quilt-aholic.

by Betsy Chutchian & Carol Staehle Making a quilt is easier than you might think when you gather some friends and exchange blocks. Let the 19th-Century Patchwork Divas show you how. Inspired by their love of antique 19th-century quilts, this Texas-based block exchange group recreates these quilted treasures of the past with 1800s reproduction fabrics. The group’s co-founders, Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle, have assembled a captivating collection of quilts from past block exchanges. Ranging from the simplicity of the Double Nine-Patch block to the more challenging Carolina Lily block, there is a project for every skill level among this book’s 16 classic quilts. Each of the chapters features detailed block instructions that you can easily adapt for your own block exchange as well as one to three setting options for completing your quilts. And for those who prefer to make the quilts individually, each setting option also includes all the necessary block instructions to help you successfully complete the projects from start to finish. To give you even more setting and color palette ideas, most of the chapters include an inspiring photo gallery of additional quilts by the Patchwork Divas.

by Jacquelynne Steves There was a time when the fruit of one's hands was a necessity to keep our families clothed and fed. Today, we don't have to accomplish any of these tasks ourselves, unless we want to. And many of us do want to achieve a feeling of accomplishment by using our creative spirits to express ourselves through home decor and other items that offer comfort to family and friends. By using the gifts and skills that God gave us to make the world a more beautiful place, we can connect with other people and at the same time, allow our inner self to grow through experiences. Fruitful Hands offers a variety of projects for both machine sewing and hand stitching, and a yummy recipe that is "family approved" accompanies each project. Includes 14 projects - from the "Citrus Peel Quilt," to the "Cheery Cherry Punchneedle Pillow," to the "Heartfelt Home Floor Mat." Indulge your appetite with "Pineapple Bread Pudding," "Blueberry Chutney," and "BLT Macaroni & Cheese Cups."

Martha Walker of Wagon's West Designs offers some sweet touches when decorating for the holidays. You'll want to make one of the six original quilts to brighten your home for the season. And if you need something for a quick gift, there are ten projects from which to choose. Journal covers, penny rugs, punch needle, cross stitch, ornaments - there's something for everyone between the covers of Be Merry!

If you’ve got quilts in every room of the house, it’s time to start on the kitchen! Sandy Klop of American Jane presents 13 designs — a Baker’s Dozen — to use throughout your kitchen: on the walls, and as tablerunners too. Many feature Sandy’s signature appliqué designs — several are pieced patterns. All are cheery, bright and just right for this favorite gathering place of every home.

by Edie McGinnis
During the Civil War, not all the border raids took place between Kansas and Missouri. Lt. Jim Jackson and his band of bushwackers made a foray into Iowa and wreaked havoc on Davis County. Added to the great story of the raid is the pattern for the Bird in a Cherry Tree Quilt, an exquisite red and green applique quilt, as well as the story and pattern of a quilt made for a wounded Iowa soldier.

by Anni Downs
Welcome to the whimsical world of Hatched and Patched designer Anni Downs. Whether you love appliqué, patchwork, punchneedle, or hand stitchery, you’ll find the perfect project in this diverse array of quilts, sewing accessories, bags, and home accents. Each of the 16 lighthearted designs reflects Anni’s favorite things—relaxing at home, shopping, traveling, and of course, sewing. Her passion for hand stitching plays a fanciful role in most all the projects with her signature quirky embroidery designs. Among the projects are three charming quilts as well as a pillow, table runner, and other decorative accessories to warm your everyday surroundings. Whether you’re running to the local mall or traveling abroad, Anni’s handy bag, coin purse, and travel document holder will keep everything in its place. And every quilter can use Anni’s delightful pincushion, needle book, and sewing case to keep his or her sewing accessories organized!