Any time of the year is perfect for garden crafts. Here are some books that will be especially appealing to gardeners.


American Jane’s Quilts for All Seasons And Some For No Reason

Released by Martingale/That Patchwork Place, this title by Sandy Klop puts the fun back in quilting. This has 14 light hearted, enjoyable projects with a vintage flair that will have special appeal to gardeners. The techniques include appliqué and piecing. Most of these quilt projects are suitable for beginners.

For each season, this offers exquisite quilts. Start the spring season with the gorgeous appliquéd and pieced daisy quilt.

For summer this has a lovely whimsical checkered quilt with cherries and chickens. The designs for fall feature apples and fall foliage. Two of the autumn quilts are in traditional autumn colors. This has a gorgeous appliquéd folk art Christmas quilt decorated with holly leaves and berries, pineapples, and a Christmas tree.

These wall quilts come in a range of sizes. For each quilt, this has a list of fabrics, a cutting chart, and color illustrated, easy to follow, step by step directions. There are full size templates and layouts as well as suggested quilting designs.

The introduction covers all of the basic sewing and quilting techniques, including the binding and quilting. The author carefully explains strip piecing and appliqué.


Positively Postcards-Quilted Keepsakes To Save Or Send

By Bonnie Sabel and Louis-Philippe O’Donnell this was published by Martingale/That Patchwork Place. Whether you give these quick and easy projects as gifts or use them as decorations, mini postcard quilts are ideal projects for busy folks.

With this simple and easy guide, anyone can learn to create unique four by six inch fabric cards using various sewing and quilting techniques. The authors explain how to choose the fabric and create different styles. There are color illustrated, easy to follow directions for each technique, such as appliqué. This provides no fail instructions from beginning to end.

Readers can learn all about the different piecing options. The authors offer various ways to finish the edges and embellish the cards. They explain how to choose designs for the fronts and backs of the cards. There are detailed instructions for a spring birdhouse project that will have special appeal to gardeners.

This has an extensive quilt gallery with over 85 breathtaking fabric cards made with various techniques. This has details on how each card was created. Many of these designs feature flowers, plants, and nature themes. One of my favorites is the flower fairies card.


Dressed-Up Denim

By the Denim Divas Laurie I. Malm and Cheri Meineke-Johnson, this guide from the American Quilter’s Society features two delightful appliqué and embroidery projects that add pizzazz to everyday denim. These projects will have special appeal for gardeners.

This wonderful title offers innovative ways for gardeners to turn ordinary denim items into unique designer-style clothing. These projects are made with special appliqués, machine embroidery, and Swarovski crystals. The edges of the clothing are finished with Lollipops Designer binding.

For each project, this guide has a list of materials and supplies, and color illustrated, fool-proof instructions from beginning to end.

Both projects feature garden flowers, including roses. These designs are especially suitable for denim jackets and vests. You’ll fall in love with these embellished denims. They’re sure to become your favorite garments.