Quilting Isn't Funny by Megan Dougherty

Are you a quilter? Do you have a quilter in your life? Because this book is hilarious.

I've been a fan of Megan Dougherty since her first column appeared in Quilter's Home magazine years ago. When I read that first column, I knew this was a chick who understood humor - she can look at an everyday situation (like a quilt guild meeting) and mine it for pure comedy gold. It's the familiarity of Megan's comedy that makes it truly shine; you've been in these situations, but somehow you completely overlooked the humor she found there. She's the chick you want to sit next to in the back row to misbehave and snark with. 

This book is a compilation of material previously published in magazines or on her blog (bitchystitcher.com) with a bit of new to keep things fresh. This book is laugh-out-loud funny; read too much in a single sitting and I guarantee it'll build up to tears. I bought copies for all my quilting besties as holiday gifts.

Granted, if you're not a quilter this one's probably not your cup of tea. Don't know a fat quarter from a quarter auction from Fat Tuesday? It's probably going to sail right over your head. But that's the least of your problems - sheesh, I mean, all the cool kids are quilting these days. What's wrong with you?

Caveat: I helped copy-edited this book for Megan pre-production. But seriously - I've read this book multiple times and I LOVE, love, LOVE it.

Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham

After the loss of several previous pregnancies, everyone is understandably nervous when Mama starts coughing. When her terrible cough brings the baby early, 10-year-old Ludelphia must step up to help.

Ludelphia's courage and determination drive the story along - everything Lu does is driven by her desire to help. That drive gets her into (and out of) some major scrapes throughout the book.

While this book is being marketed to young readers, I would also recommend it to quilters; Gee's Bend has become legendary amongst quilters, and the quilts are a major element in this story.

Threadwork Unraveled

by Sarah Ann Smith

What a wonderful resource! Everything you have ever wanted to know about thread (and more) is in this title. This is the kind of book that should sit just inches from the sewing machine. There are tips for every problem, and ways to avoid them before they happen.

Rolling Along by Nancy J. Martin

I'm always looking for new ideas and inspirations on quilting with pre-cut fabrics (those charms and strips that are so popular right now). This book contains all patterns that are "jelly roll friendly."

I was slightly disappointed with the massive "quilt 101" in the front of the book - it takes up nearly 1/3 of the pages. I thought it was too much - if a new quilter needs that much help, they can look to other quilting basics books for that info.

In all, I thought there were some cute ideas here. But there's only one pattern I'm tempted to make. Overall, I think there are better jelly roll books available.