Review: Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

Barbara Brackman is to be commended for her work in the compilation of this encyclopedia. What a daunting task she took on when creating this work begun before the Personal Computers were common and affordable.

The 552 page book contains over 4,000 block patterns. Twenty-five different pattern categories group the blocks together. Simplest blocks in the category are shown at the section beginning followed by those of increasing complexity. Instruction is provided for how to locate any specific block.

The table of contents is indexed by category, type of block, major seam division each category having its own "Key". Two indexes round out this major work: an alphabetical Pattern Name Index and a Pattern Category Index. Resource references are noted for those wanting more information.

I could (and have) spend hours leafing through this book. Looking at the visual block representations. Reading all the different names for the same block. Comparing differences in blocks with the same name. Imagining what kind of overall pattern can be created by combining different blocks.

I highly recommend this book for your personal quilting library. Think of it as inspiration at your fingertips.