This review is from: The Quilt Encyclopedia Illustrated (Hardcover)
The Quilt Encyclopedia
by Carter Houck
The Quilt Encyclopedia is a lush art book with premium paper, printing,
photography and content. 8 1/2 x 11, 145 pages, 266 illustrations, 200
full color photos. Published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Forward by Robert
Bishop and Elizabeth Warren, Copyright Museum of American Folk Art,
isbn 0-8109, 1457-4.
Although this volume qualifies as a coffee table/art book, it is so much
more than that. Carter Houck needs no introduction, she is known to the
quilt world and the art world alike. She knows everything and writes like
a dream with no pretense or self serving. What can I say, the book is just
plain beautiful. A joy to have, hold and savor in small doses or large gulps.
It contains excellent information on every quilting topic under the sun,
with illustrations and photography: pithy but comprehensive and just enough
to whet your appetite if the subject matter needs more in depth plumbing
for your particular purposes.
There is nothing cute or trendy about this book, it is a reference book for
serious quilters and collectors. It has stood the test of time being a
decade old, but its age does not show. It is, of course, pre longarm
quilting and some of the gadgets and videos so prevalent today.
If you are committed to quilting and/or collecting this book is a must have.
Catherine Smith
6/1/10
