Gardens are sources of inspiration for all sorts of craft projects. Here are some craft books featuring garden quilts and other garden-related projects.

“Thimbleberries-Quilting a Patchwork Garden” by Lynette Jensen was published by Landauer Books. One look at the cover lets you know you’re in for a treat. This high quality hardcover features 16 garden-inspired projects. These include everything from pillows and table runners to wall quilts, bed quilts, table toppers, and place mats.

Some of the quilts are of a seasonal nature. Most of the projects would be suitable for beginners. There are all sort of delightful projects, such as tulip wall hangings and melon place mats. For each project, there is a list of materials and supplies along with color illustrated directions from start to finish.

Lushly illustrated in full color, this also shows how to use your garden crafts to create appealing outdoor rooms. Throughout the book are ideas on decorating your garden with seasonal touches. This also features a glossary and all the basic techniques.

Also from Landauer comes another wonderful Thimbleberries title. “You’re Invited-Projects for Special Occasions All Year Long” by Lynette Jensen and Marilyn Ginsburg features 13 projects. There are both seasonal projects as well as ones for special occasions, such as birthdays.

Featuring all the basic quilting techniques, this title will have special appeal to gardeners for most all of the projects feature garden and nature motifs. The projects include a Thanksgiving quilt with pine trees, a garden party table runner, party pillow cases for slumber parties, and a pumpkin wall banner as well as a pumpkin tablecloth. There are also projects for special occasions, including a gorgeous flower table quilt for Mother’s Day.

For each occasion, there are quilts or other sewing projects along with tips for decorating, gifts, and party invitations. This title even features dozens of recipes and menu ideas.

For each quilt/sewing project, there is a list of the fabrics and supplies needed with easy to follow, full color illustrations. The appliqué templates
are full size. Some of these are on a pull-out pattern sheet.

Applique is one of the favored techniques for garden quilt projects. For
that reason, I highly recommend “Appliqué-The Basics and Beyond” by Janet Pittman. This was also published by Landauer. This hardcover has a hidden wire-o binding so the pages open flat.

This is by far the most comprehensive title on the subject. It is suitable for both novice and experienced quilters and sewers.

With these fool-proof directions, you can’t go wrong. One chapter is devoted to the supplies and quilting/sewing aids that are needed. The author walks you through every step of the appliqué process from choosing and preparing your fabrics to stitching and adding decorative embellishments. This features over 550 full color photos and full-size template pieces.

This in-depth guide covers both basic methods as well as advanced techniques. It features all sorts of small quilts and wall hangings, all of which have garden motifs. These range from flowers and fruits to wildlife and nature. There are enough garden patterns and projects here to decorate your whole house and keep you busy throughout the winter.

For starters, there are seven projects with a dozen alternate layouts, including small and large quilts, and wall hangings. Beginners might want to start with the small flower blocks, which are only 10 inches by 12 inches. This has the easiest landscape quilts that you can possibly imagine.

In addition, there are 16 flower and leaf patterns that you can mix or match to create shadow-box style wall hangings. The projects are arranged by skill level from beginner to intermediate.