picture books quilts

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Meaningful Activities for Learning & Creating

January 24, 2015 By Chelsey

Children’s Book List: Picture Books about Quilts

Our newest children’s book list is all about quilts ! Books about quilts provide all kinds of opportunities to explore quality fiction and nonfiction and also inspire all kinds of math and art projects for kids. We share some of favorite picture books about quilts below!

Be sure to check out all our activities for kids inspired by children’s books !

Quilts make a fascinating topic to learn about with children. Kids are always intrigued by the various designs in different quilt patterns, providing all kinds of learning opportunities for both math and art. (Be sure to check out our 9 Square Math Activity , our Quilt Activity Using Triangles , and our Quilt-Inspired Family Tree Activity for Kids .)

I also love that many stories about quilts also share the common themes of tradition and story telling. You’ll find examples of this in many of the quilt-themed books in the list below.

I’ve provided an age range for each book to give you a general idea which kids the books are geared towards , but I’m a firm believer in listening to your child. You might be surprised which books your child relates to- even if they are not in the suggested age range!  (This post contains affiliate links.)

 Children’s Picture Books about Quilts

Sweet clara and the freedom quilt by deborah hopkinson.

Clara is a slave who has been separated from her mother. She is taught to sew in order to work in the big house. Eventually she begins to stitch a quilt, which is really a map of the area around the plantation, that will aid her in one day finding the Underground Railroad. This book is based on a true story. (Ages 5 and up)

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

We love Patricia Polacco books (especially Rechenka’s Eggs ,   Chicken Sunday  and Babushka’s Doll , so we were excited to find this one she had written inspired by her own family. In this book a quilt is an heirloom that was created from many old items of clothing from various family members . The story shows how the quilt becomes a part of many important traditions and occasions over the years. (Ages 5 and up)

Luka’s Quilt by Georgia Guback

Luka and her grandmother, Tutu, have always been best friends. One day Tutu presents Luka with a traditional Hawaiian quilt she has made her. Luka is disappointed with the quilt and says some hurtful words to Tutu leaving them both feeling sad. Later in the story they attend Lei Day which inspires some changes that make them both feel better. (Ages 5 and up)

The Quilting Bee by Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons is one of our favorite nonfiction authors. In this book you learn about how quilts are made, the history of quilts, and even more facts about quilts. This book has lots of illustrations of different quilt squares and patterns perfect for inspiring some quilt artwork. This is one book we loved so much that we ended up buying it rather than checking out from the library. (Ages 4 and up)

The Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days by Mary Cobb

This book not only teaches children about the life of the pioneers, but also has some fun, related projects for them to try at home! (Ages 7 and up)

The Quilt Story by Tony Johnston

One special family quilt comforts two little girls generations apart.  This book is full of beautiful illustrations by Tomie dePaola! (Ages 4 and up)

Stitchin’ and Pullin’ by Patricia C. McKissack

The author of this story was inspired by the unique quilts of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. In this book the main character grows up observing the women quilting together as they sing and tell stories to pass the time. One day years later, the time finally comes when she is able to take part in the special tradition herself. (Ages 7 and up)

The Elephant Quilt by Susan Lowell

I love that this book is based on the diary and journal entries of 19th-century settlers.  This story depicts a family’s journey by covered wagon from Missouri to California in the year 1859. As the family travels, the experiences throughout their journey are stitched into a quilt. You can see the finished quilt at the end of the story. My favorite quote from the book- “Every quilt tells a story. You write it with your needle and you read it with your heart.” (Ages 6 and up)

The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy

Tanya enjoys helping her Grandma make a special patchwork quilt, as Grandma tells stories behind the fabric she uses while they work. They work on it together for many months. One day Grandma becomes ill so Tanya picks up the pieces and to continue working on the quilt with the help of her Mama. When the quilt is finally finished the whole family is reminded of special events throughout the year that are now included in the quilt! (Ages 4 and up)

The Quilt by Ann Jonas

This book is perfect for younger children. In this story a little girl tells all about her new quilt and later uses it to tell an imaginative story. (Ages 3 and up)

The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

The main character in this story is a quiltmaker who makes the most beautiful quilts anyone has ever seen. After she has finishes a quilt, the quiltmaker gives it to the poor and homeless and will not sell the quilts for any amount of money. A greedy king wants one of the quilts, but the quiltmaker will not sell him one. As the story progresses the greedy king eventually learns, with help from the quiltmaker, that you can actually find happiness through the gift of giving. This is another book worth owning. (Ages 5 and up)

The Josefina Story Quilt by Eleanor Coerr

Faith’s family is beginning a journey to California in 1850, and Faith wants to bring her old hen, Josefina. Despite her father’s protests, Josefina gets to go on the journey west. All the events that ensue over the journey inspire different squares of a quilt that Faith works throughout the trip. The finished quilt reminds Faith or her journey with Josefina after her hen passes away. This is a great book for children just starting to read chapter books! (Ages 4 and up)

Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines

This book contains nineteen poems arranged by season. Each poem is illustrated with photos of real quilting. This book is great for exposing your child or students to a different genre of writing, as well as perfect for inspiring quilt-themed artwork! (Ages 5 and up)

Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet by Ann Whitford Paul

Both Theo and Lucy (ages 3 and 6) enjoyed this book.  Theo loved it because it was an alphabet book (he’s super interested in letters right now), and Lucy enjoyed learning about pioneer life. (Ages 3 and up)

Love using children’s books to encourage a love of learning and creating? Be sure to check out our book, Exploring Books Through Play !

The Best Picture Books About Quilts

by Jamie Bills | Dec 10, 2021 | Lists | 2 comments

Before we get to the picture books about quilts, I want to talk a little about the craft itself…

I come from a long line of quilters and blanket makers and still have the blanket my grandma made for me when I was a baby.

I Started Quilting in High School

My mom and older sister taught me the basics of sewing. Then I took a sewing class in high school. That is where I started my first quilt. A puff quilt for my older sister.

Here is a quilt I finished right after graduation. These are t-shirts and special photos from my time in high school.

Favorite Quilts

Since that time I have made many quilts. Here are a few of my favorites.

Passing along the tradition.

I told myself I needed to teach my girls how to sew, but we were always so busy with sports and other things. Well, during the pandemic, when the girls were home and everything was canceled, all my excuses went away and I did it. I taught my girls to sew and taught them several basic quilting blocks, sewing the blocks together, and tying a quilt. It was quality time together and I think their quilt turned out beautifully.

Okay, okay…I’ll get to the books.

Hahaha. I know. This is a picture book blog. Not a quilting blog. BUT at least now you know a little of the history of my connection with quilting and why I was so delighted to read through a pile of quilting books to find my favorites!

THE QUILTMAKER’S GIFT by Jeff Brumbeau and Gall de Marken

This is a fable of a marvelous quiltmaker and a miserable greedy king. The king requests a quilt, but the quiltmaker will not make him one unless he agrees to give away all that he owns.

The king is angry and tries to have the quiltmaker killed.

When that fails to work, he reluctantly decides to try giving things away.

The more he gives away, the happier the king feels inside until one day the quiltmaker delivers the promised quilt to the king who now has few possessions, but a happy heart.

What a great message! And the illustrations are gorgeous!

NANCY BESS HAD A DRESS is a darling story about a little girl who makes a dress out of a flour sack. When she outgrows that dress, she makes an apron. When the apron rips, she makes a bag. And so on. She makes things do. I love that attitude. Just how my grandpa always lived. This is a great story. I think I would be good friends with Nancy.

When Kanzi and her family moved from Egypt to America, Kanzi brought along a beautiful quilt from her Grandma. One day Kanzi takes the quilt to school to share with her class. Then each member learns what their name looks like in Arabic and they make a class quilt with those letters to hang in the hall.

This book is full of emotion and warmth, showing the comfort of a quilt from a loved one and from an old home, the struggle of wanting to fit into a new culture, and the beauty of what someone with a different culture can add to those around them. I love this book on so many levels.

THE KINDNESS QUILT by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

Minna and the other kids in her class are working on a project where they create a paper quilt. Each quilt block represents kind things they have done for others. In the end, they have a beautifully covered bulletin board.

What a great idea! This is a great book to read during kindness week and make a similar kindness quilt in class or at home.

Based on a true story, THE ALL-TOGETHER QUILT by Lizzy Rockwell is about a community center where older citizens and other adults join with kids in the neighborhood to create quilts.

I love that this book actually shows how to put fabric together to sew a block. It also includes quite a few of the simple quilt blocks. It is a vibrant and heartwarming story.

I know most people are in love with Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco, but my favorite one of her books is The Keeping Quilt. Maybe it is because I am a quilter myself, but I think it is more likely because of the heart, family, and family history of a story with a special family quilt. I always feel loved when I hold blankets from my mom or grandmas.

PAPA AND THE PIONEER QUILT by Jean Van Leeuwen and Rebecca Bond

Perhaps because of my own pioneer heritage and love for Little House On The Praire, I found this book endearing.

Rebecca is crossing the plains to Oregon with her family. As they go along, Rebecca collects pieces of fabric to remember their journey and in the end, her Mama helps her create a memory quilt. (I am telling you, I am a sucker for a good memory quilt.)

I love this simple story.

Do you have any suggestions for me?

I am always looking for great book suggestions! If you know of a wonderful picture book about quilts I missed, I would LOVE to hear about it! Let me know in the comments below.

Jamie Bills

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Gah! I loved this perfect book match of quilting! You are such a talent! I’ve always wanted to learn to sew. What a beautiful thing you are teaching your girls. ❤️

Im very happy to find this website. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every part of it and i also have you book-marked to look at new stuff on your website.

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7 great quilt books for kids

Looking for a great book for a kid? Want to share your love of quilting with a child in your life? I’ve rounded up seven quilting/sewing related books that are sure to engage! Pick up a copy at your local bookshop, online, or through your local library!

The Quiltmaker’s Gift written by Jeff Brumbeau and illustrated by Gail De Marcken

Recommended for ages 4-8 (grades: preschool-3) When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.

Cassie’s Word Quilt written and illustrated by Faith Ringgold

Recommended for ages 3-7  (grades: preschool-2) Join Cassie as she takes us on a tour of her home, neighborhood, and school. Young readers will love the simple story line and all the new words they’ll encounter. Each book spread is designed with its own quilt motif.

Stitchin’ and Pullin’: A Gee’s Bend Quilt written by Patricia McKissack and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera 

Recommended for ages 5-9 (grades Kindergarten–4) This collection of poems that tell the story of the quilt-making community in Gee’s Bend, Alabama. For generations, the women of Gee’s Bend have made quilts to keep a family warm, as a pastime accompanied by sharing and singing, or to memorialize loved ones. Today, the same quilts hang on museum walls as modern masterpieces of color and design. Inspired by these quilts and the women who made them, award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack traveled to Alabama to learn their stories.

The Quilts of Gee’s Bend written by Susan Goldman Rubin

Recommended for ages 8-12 (grades 3–7) The Quilts of Gee’s Bend shares specifics about this rare community and its rich traditions, allowing children to pause to consider history through the eyes of the people who lived it and through a legacy that is passed on to the next generation. This book should be of great interest to those interested in African American art in the United States, in addition to quilting, life in early emancipated colonies in the South, and Gee’s Bends importance in the Civil Right’s movement. The quilts and the incredible stories behind them are powerful motivators for anyone who wishes to accomplish anything. A map, directions on how to make a quilt square, endnotes, and an index round out this nonfiction book.

The All-Together Quilt written and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell

Shipping in October 2020— available for pre-order now ! Recommended for ages 5-8 (grades Kindergarten–3) Lizzy is an amazing children’s book author and illustrator (as well as a friend of mine!) She is also the artistic director and organizer of the Norwalk Community Quilt Project: Peace by Piece . This book is inspired by the people who have gathered over the years to make beautiful community quilts together. Quilters and crafters rejoice! This story of a community coming together to make a quilt is a heartwarming celebration of creativity and teamwork. The kids and grown-ups at a community center begin with lots of colorful fabrics and an idea. Then step by step they make that idea a reality. They design, cut, stitch, layer, and quilt. It’s the work of many hands, many hours, and many stories. And the result is something warm and wonderful they all can share.

My First Sewing Machine Book: 35 fun and easy projects for children aged 7 years + by Emma Hardy

Recommended for ages 7 and older (grades 2 and up) Learn how to use a sewing machine while making fantastic projects! This book contains 35 projects to make clothes, accessories, bags, cases, toys, games, and more!

Sewing School ® Quilts: 15 Projects Kids Will Love to Make by  Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle 

Recommended for ages 8–12 (grades 4–6) As part of the Sewing School ® series, this book introduces kids to the creativity of stitching patchwork, appliqué, and quilts. Using how-to photos and step-by-step instructions, learn a variety of techniques using both hand and machine sewing. The 15 projects range from decorative to practical, including an appliquéd family crest wall hanging, a patchwork pet bed, a crazy-quilt journal cover, and a quilt made from recycled T-shirts. Every project features encouraging suggestions for making truly one-of-a-kind items that express the creative spirit of each young maker.

Do you have a quilting/sewing children’s book recommendation? Please share by leaving a comment below.

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Top 10 Sewing And Quilting Books

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16 Children’s Books about Sewing and Quilting

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Enjoy these children’s books about sewing with beautiful pictures. Get kids excited about sewing and quilting with these fun stories.

I love reading, and I really want to pass that on to my children. To encourage a love of reading, my husband and I often read to our kids. We read all sorts of picture books and chapter books to them.

Since I also love sewing, I started researching children’s books about sewing and quilting, and now I want all of these books! These books are stories about sewing and quilting, they do not teach children how to sew.

Are you looking for more sewing books or gift ideas for a seamstress?

• Sewing Books for Beginners
• Sewing magazines to enjoy
• sewing Facebook groups to join
• sewing subscription boxes
• Easy bookmarks to sew
• Best Craftsy sewing classes
• Sewing and Craft Subscription boxes for kids

I’ve added a small description of each book, but since I can only fit a short amount I recommend clicking over to read more of the synopsis. There are actually one or two that are non-fiction books that are still about sewing.

Children's Books about Sewing

Enjoy these children's books about sewing with beautiful pictures. Get kids excited about sewing and quilting with these fun stories.

Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers' Journey from Slave to Artist

Harriet Powers learned to sew and quilt as a young slave girl on a Georgia plantation. She lived through the Civil War and Reconstruction, and eventually owned a cotton farm with her family, all the while relying on her skills with the needle to clothe and feed her children. Later she began making pictorial quilts, using each square to illustrate Bible stories and local legends.

The Many Quilt Squares of Mrs. Sinclaire

In this story, you’ll read of dear Mrs. Sinclaire, and you’ll learn of her plentiful stacks of quilt squares. Those in her town each had quilts of their own, carefully crafted by her. But one lived nearby and he had a BIG reason, that he was left cold in the harsh winter season.

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can't whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot. He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can't keep up. But one Halloween, everything changes.

Made by Maxine

Maxine loves making new things from old things. She loves tinkering until she has solved a problem. She also loves her pet goldfish, Milton. So when it's time for her school's pet parade, she's determined to create something that will allow Milton to march with the other animals.

The Quiltmaker's Gift

When a rich, dissatisfied king insists that she give him one of her quilts, she gives him what seems an impossible task: to give away all he owns. One by one, the king gives away his many possessions, and finds that the more he gives away, the happier he is. Finally, when the king has nothing, the quiltmaker gives him the promised quilt.

Where Did My Clothes Come From?

Visit farms, forests, and factories all over the world to find out how everything you wear has a story behind it.

The Sew Zoey Collection Books 1-4

When Zoey’s school gets rid of uniforms, it’s the best news ever for a girl who loves clothes. Then Zoey’s best friends, Kate and Priti, encourage her to sew her own clothes and start a fashion design blog! The Sew Zoey blog takes off, quickly putting Zoey on the A-list in the fashion world…but will things unravel at middle school?

The Quilt Story

Long ago, a young girl named Abigail put her beloved patchwork quilt in the attic. Generations later, another young girl discovers the quilt and makes it her own, relying on its warmth to help her feel secure in a new home.

The new quilt is finished, and what a quilt it is! Here is a square from the proud owner's baby pajamas, and one from the shirt she wore on her second birthday. There is even a square of the same material from which her mother made her stuffed dog Sally. How can she possibly sleep when there is so much to look at, and remember, and dream about . . . ?

Just a Quilt?

When is a quilt more than a quilt? When it’s placed in the hands of six-year-old Chase at an age when imagination knows no limits.

The All-Together Quilt

The kids and grown-ups at a community center begin with lots of colorful fabrics and an idea. Then step by step they make that idea a reality. They design, cut, stitch, layer, and quilt. It's the work of many hands, many hours, and many stories. And the result is something warm and wonderful they all can share.

The Keeping Quilt

"We will make a quilt to help us always remember home," Anna's mother said. "It will be like heaving the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night." And so it was.

Oma's Quilt

The time has come for Emily's grandmother to move. At the retirement home, Oma complains about everything! Emily wants to see Oma happy again, but she doesn't know what to do. At home, Emily and her mother begin to sort through Oma's possessions. They find ribbons, lace, curtains and blankets. Surrounded by the faded fabrics, Emily now knows the perfect way to keep Oma's memories by her side -- by stitching a one-of-a-kind patchwork quilt!

The Kindness Quilt

Minna and her classmates have been asked by their teacher, Mrs. Bloom, to work on a Kindness Project. Mrs. Bloom wants them to do and draw and share an act of kindness. Minna and her family do lots of kind things, but Minna can’t decide which one is right for her project. Then she starts writing and drawing and cutting—and an idea for a paper quilt picturing many acts of kindness begins to take shape!

The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom

Now that Hannah’s papa has decided to make the run for freedom, her patchwork quilt is not just a precious memento of Mama — it’s a series of hidden clues that will guide them along the Underground Railroad to Canada.

Handkerchief Quilt

For many years, Monday through Friday, Miss Anderson has walked to Parkland School, eager to begin her day's work in her classroom. She is a devoted teacher, beloved by the many children she has taught over the years. After one holiday weekend, Parkland School suffers a devastating flood. But it's not just the building that has been damaged. New supplies and materials, especially books, are needed. Miss Anderson cannot bear to think of her beloved school closed and her students left without materials. And when the answer comes to her, Miss Anderson knows what to do and whom to ask for assistance.

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “ right ” way to sew. -Heather

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site BooksInTheClassroom.com

Quilts and children's literature.

Soonie's great-grandmother was a slave, sold away from her parents when she was just seven years old with nothing but a scrap of muslin from her mother. On her new plantation, Soonie's great-grandmother listened to the tales of freedom whispered to her in the night by Big Mama, who also taught her how to sew quilts into maps of the way to freedom. Based on the author's own family history, this beautiful picture book is illustrated with mixed media.

For the math and art connection, encourage children to look at some quilt patterns as clever ways to break up a square. They can categorize patterns as those that are self-contained within a square and those that involve several squares to make one pattern. Brainstorm other ways of categorizing. With older students, do the geometry necessary to create quilt blocks and their measurements.

(Continued Below)

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Encourage the kids to get as involved in quilting as their interests take them. Some will be content with designing paper quilts, others may want to quilt some real squares. It's not impossible to make it a community project. One school I ( Carol ) know of sent out word that they needed quilting help from anyone in the community willing to come to the school for an hour or two. They had so many volunteers that they decided to create a community quilt, asking the kids to design the squares and then getting adults to transform them into a beautiful work of art. They sold tickets, had a drawing for the winner, and raised a lot of money.

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Quilts go to the library!

Friday, june 11, 2021.

43 comments:

What a delightful project!!! I have grands the perfect read to me age...... wonder if they could find me some pictures of quilts to make...... I sure the fabric to use....

That was a spectacular idea. I would think that Barnes and Noble might like to display some of those quilts. The books would be quick sellers. You seemed to duplicate those quilts perfectly. Thanks for sharing and leaving a quilting legacy for the library and for your children.

Oh, how wonderful and magical for a little one to see these darling quilts come alive! (Pretty awesome for me, too!) Thank you so very much for sharing this. :-)

So fun! I bet the kids love seeing the quilts and books together! Great job. Sandy

Oh Laura, thanks for the inspiration! I've seen quilts in children's books for years but never thought to make a collection of them! I'm about to retire and have a bunch of grands that would love these!

This was a delightful post. It is such a great idea and your rendering of the book quilts captured the essence. I hope that it encourages children and their parents to look for quilts in their picture books.

This is awesome - great job!!

Love this! I recently got the Little Ghost Who Thought He was Quilt book. One if my new favorite children's books! I might start doing this for extra special baby gifts. I wish I lived close enough to visit your display!

I smiled the whole time I read this. What a wonderful quilt gift to the community!

As a retired teacher, I am thrilled to see these books come to life. Please consider "The Keeping Quilt" by Patricia Polacco. Definitely more of a challenge, the story is good.

This is absolutely amazing! How sweet it would be to replicate the quilt in a book and give the book and quilt as a gift at a baby shower! I agree with a previous commenter about Barnes and Noble displaying them. The library they are currently at could probably help with finding other libraries that would be interested in displaying them. Happy quilting!

What a wonderful idea, and good for you for offering your library this wonderful project! You better be careful, someone may want one or two, commissions?!

Such an amazing collection and creative idea! These are just terrific!

Amazing Collection..and so well done! May I suggest you send your collection To Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Wow! You are an amazing and creative and gifted quilter. What a great show! I loved reading about all the quilts and all the books

Such an amazing collection, Laura. I am pinning pictures from this post so that when I make baby quilts I can gift a book and the matching quilt from the book. Thank you for the inspiration.

Thank you for this. I so enjoyed reading about and seeing each quilt along with the book. You did an outstanding job.

I read, "Ten in the Bed" so many times before I really saw the quilt. I made the quilt with the help of a granddaughter and a grandson.

Congratulations on achieving your dream. This is a wonderful post and a fantastic project. I so enjoyed the different quilts, the books and the techniques you use. Each quilt really is a precious gift. I like the idea of a quilt from a book and the book being given to a new mother. Many of these books were ones I read to my kids and grandkids.

What a wonderful collection of quilts! I loved seeing the illustrations from the children’s books brought to life. Thank you for the inspiration.!

Okay, I already liked you, but now you are my heroine and I'm in awe of you! As a retired elementary teacher who LOVES children's literature, you have just pleased my heart so much with this project. I wish it could travel to my library, but we don't have a display case anyway. What a fabulous project - children will be attracted even more to those books and others now.

These are so awesome! Many of us love books as much as quilts, so this post was just perfect. Love that you took the care and time to do the quilts so fresh and fun!

This is so very cool! During covid I made about 12 children's quilts out of theme fabric. . . Very hungry caterpillar, Brown Bear, Guess How much I love you?, Wizard of oz, Dick and Jane, Sock Monkey and more. it was fabric I have had for years and I decided to finally use do it. I still have enough fabric to do more from these themes! BUT, I love your idea so very much and I think I will start investigating doing something like this! you did a fabulous job! Thank you for the inspiration!

What a fantastic idea. And you really made beautiful quilts. Congratulations on your project.

So fun, Laura!!! And awesome that they're on display at your library for the month of June! I love children's books that have quilts in them. Fun that you have made your quilt dream come true!!

Wow!! I am so impressed. Great idea, wonderful quilts...You get the trophy for genius. !!!

This is a fantastic idea, and you executed it perfectly. Brava!!!

Amazing! Such a super fun idea!

This is such a fantastic idea Laura, I feel super inspired by this! Our guild does a lot of quilts for local children groups and I'm thinking of incorporating this into our donations, maybe book bags with the book and matching quilt... so many ideas swirling around. 😁 Now to implement it without having to be in charge of it... Brandy

Beautiful quilts with excellent meaning to you and your children both. Makes me think of the quilts seen in the little Bear cartoons I watched with my children. I know for some TV isn't the same as a book, but little bear was a very special cartoon. Kind, caring, nature, play, acceptance so many wonderful memories of watching those shows with my kids. Think I'll do some digging too! Thanks for inspiring me on a different yet similar journey.

This is wonderful. I am sure you will inspire a lot of others to do the same. I see Red Dog quilts and my children's favorites when they were small Frog and Toad.

What a fabulous project! I am thinking I could do some of these for my grandnieces!

Great idea! As a retired elementary school librarian AND a quilter I loved this post! I also learned of a new book...will check out The Little Ghost who was a quilt! That's new to me. There are others if you are interested: Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and The Quiltmaker's Gift, The Keeping Quilt, etc!

You are amazing to tackle this project and do it to such intricate detail of matching the books! I admire your skill and determination!

@fsq_publicity on Instagram has a whole series called FSQ in the Library. Promotion for guild member's quilts, membership and joy. Beautiful stuff!!

I love this so much! Please consider adding the illustrators' names to your book list, as it really is their work providing the inspiration. Authors usually have nothing to do with the illustrations - wild, I know. The editors pick the illustrator and they often don't have any communication with the author.

Sorry I see some of them are included. Helen Craig illustrates the Angelina books

What a clever idea! Thanks for sharing all the books that inspired you!

This is amazing!! Love it so much!

I have my very first grandbaby coming in April of 2022 and recently bought a Llama-Llama book that has a quilt in it and seeing your posts this past summer has made me want to create a small quilt to go with the book to gift my daughter when the time for a shower comes around. Your quilting is inspiring. Thank you.

Wow I love this idea. I was an owner of a daycare and early educator the child would have love seeing the quilt has the book was being read. I have to check my book collection

Just finished pressing my fabrics for “The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt” Our local library did not have this book, but when I told her about it, she was hooked! Then, I went to a little bookshop in our town and ordered it. The shop owner ordered one for her shop and one for a quilting friend. Lol😀 Thanks for the inspiration. My First Graders will love this come October!

Wow! I love this. You did an amazing job on all of these quilts. You are such an inspiration!

Thank you for visiting and for your comments! I try to reply to comments via email, so if you're expecting a response and don't hear from me, check if you're a no-reply blogger. Happy sewing!

• Homefront Diary
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• Friendship Album: Forget-Me-Not
• Diary of a Mad Quilter
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• Friendship Album, 1933
• Aunt Jane of Kentucky
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• Margaret Goes Modern
• Forthcoming Titles

Quilts in Children’s Books, Part I

Children’s book author and illustrator Denise Fleming has this to say about what makes a good picture book:

1. Rhythm in both text and art.

2. A tight text rich in language.

3. Use of repetition or refrain which encourages the listeners to participate.

4. A sense of playfulness and joy.

5. And rhyme, when it works, is a plus.

Sort of sounds like what makes a good quilt, doesn’t it? Okay, so instead of tight text, I guess we should substitute tight stitches, but otherwise, I’m sold.

It’s not surprising that quilts frequently appear in children’s books. Quilts bring to mind comfort and being comforted; they’re an emblem of home.

And there’s something elemental about a quilt. Sometimes I think we mis-remember childhood as being simple (it’s not) because when we’re young, the pieces of our lives are few. There’s home, there’s the dog that lives across the street, there’s the car, there’s the shopping center. As we get older, we accumulate experiences, responsibilities, and debts of all sorts. Things get complicated.

But the quilt your mom pulls out of the linen closet when you’re five and you’ve got the flu isn’t complicated at all; it’s essential. (Just like your mom.)

The quilt in Grandmother Winter is a very special quilt, although some of the quilters among us might wonder if a quilt stuffed with goose feathers (as Grandmother Winter’s quilt is) wouldn’t more accurately be called a duvet. No matter; the fact is, it wouldn’t be the same story if, after spending summer and fall collecting feathers from her flock of geese, Grandmother Winter shook her duvet over the town to make it snow.

No, it’s much better to read,

When Grandmother shakes her quilt

children come running from their homes,

catching snowflakes cold on their tongues.

Grown-ups build their woodpiles high

and scurry for sweaters, mittens and skis.

Grandmother Winter (Houghton-Mifflin, 1999) was written by Phyllis Root and illustrated by the marvelous Beth Krommes. It’s a perfect read for when the snow starts to fall.

I’m a quilter, and I assume most of you reading this are quilters, too. Many of us live in houses virtually overrun by quilts (and I say, keep ’em coming!). But in some families, quilts are rare. In fact, if there’s a quilt at all, it’s often one that’s been passed down from generation to generation, a prized heirloom only taken out for special occasions.

In Patricia Palacco’s family, the heirloom quilt was made soon after Palacco’s great-grandmother, Anna, a Russian immigrant, arrived in the U.S. as a girl. In Palacco’s book, The Keeping Quilt , we learn that the quilt began its life as Anna’s babushka, Uncle Vladimir’s shirt, and Aunt Havalah’s nightdress, which were cut into animals and flowers and appliqued onto a white background.

The quilt serves over the years as the sabbath table tablecloth, a ground cover for picnics, and when Great-Grandma Anna marries Great-Grandfather Sasha, the quilt becomes a wedding huppa. The quilt is passed down to Grandma Carle, to Palacco’s mother Mary Ellen, and eventually to Palacco, who one day will pass the quilt onto her own daughter, Traci Denise.

Patricia Palacco is one of my favorite children’s book writers and illustrators. If I could draw, I would want to draw exactly the way she does. The illustrations in The Keeping Quilt are lively in spite of the fact that except when depicting the quilt itself, all the drawings are in shades of brown.

If you would like to hear The Keeping Quilt read as you look at the pictures, watch this YouTube video.

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, 1988)

Finally for today, we have Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Set in a small farming community, in an unspecified, way-back time, Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt is a sweet story of a man who discovers the joy of stitching. Sam wants to join his wife’s quilting bee, but is soundly rejected (“‘Don’t be silly,’ the club president said. ‘We can’t have a man here bungling everything!'”). Sam convinces the men of the community to start their own quilting bee and to make a quilt to compete against the women’s in the County Fair.

This is a light, lively book with folksy illustrations that mirror the story’s tone. A note at the end of the book informs the reader that the border designs for each picture are actual quilt patterns and then gives the names in order of their appearance. Very fun!

Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt by Lisa Campbell Ernst (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1983).

Stay tuned for Part II of Quilts in Children’s Books, where we’ll take a look at that beloved myth: the use of quilts in the Underground Railroad.

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Pictorial Art Quilt Guidebook: Secrets to Capturing Your Photos in Fabric Paperback – July 7, 2014

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Print length 128 pages
• Language English
• Publisher C&T Publishing
• Publication date July 7, 2014
• Dimensions 8.52 x 0.37 x 10.94 inches
• ISBN-10 1607057441
• ISBN-13 978-1607057444
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ C&T Publishing (July 7, 2014)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1607057441
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1607057444
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.18 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.52 x 0.37 x 10.94 inches
• #867 in Quilts & Quilting (Books)

About the author

Leni levenson wiener.

Leni Levenson Wiener has published four books, Thread Painting, Photo-inspired Art Quilts, 3-Fabric Quilts and the newly released Pictorial Art Quilt Guidebook. Her art quilts are exhibited around the world, and she is a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of Exhibitions for SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates), an international organization of art quilters.

Besides teaching a variety of quilt classes locally, Leni also gives workshops based on all four books and does talks and trunk shows of her work. She has a blog: http://blog.leniwiener.com/ and a website www.leniwiener.com.

Pictorial Art Quilt Guidebook is now available. This book is essentially a workshop with Leni you can do at home, the book will take you through each step from photo to finish and even include some mis-steps so you can see how Leni evaluates things that aren't going well and makes changes. You will also find a guide for common elements in art quilts and how to achieve each with a single fabric, two fabrics or multiple fabrics. These include things like water, grass, hair, skin, animal feathers and fur and a whole lot more. You will also find a helpful Art Quilters Value card that you can cut out of the book and use to help make fabric decisions--or you can purchase a laminated card --visit www.leniwiener.com for more information.

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