Victory Quilts: 1940's Sampler Quilts

This is a wonderful book if you have any interest in the 1940's. With each quilt block, there is an explanation of some aspect of the history at that time. It's a storybook/history book, as well as a great quilt book!

Although done in Eleanor's breezy style, the historical view is surfacy, but fun. The quilts and directions, however, are worth every penny of the book. I found myself thinking that even I could make the airplane quilt which is one of my favorites.

I purchased this book for myself and 5 of my quilting friends. Beginning in August we are all going to make a Victory Quilt following the directions from this book Victory Quilts. So far we have only looked over directions to begin selecting our material. But if you have ever used an Eleanor Burns book before you know that it is easy to follow and includes ALL of the information that you will need to make a Victory Quilt. The book includes directions for over 20 different squares and different ways they can be put together. Each quilt will be unique! Our only disappointment is that the book is not spiral bound so that it stays open to the directions while you are working.

This book was well worth the money. Outstanding bargin, one of Eleanor Burns best books. SLE

My copy of Ms. Burns' Victory Quilts book arrived yesterday, and I've already gone through it cover to cover - and can't wait to go through it again to start planning my first project! The book is about 1940's sampler quilts - which can be made using 20 different sampler blocks, each of which is rated according to degree of difficulty, making this a book that will appeal to quilters of all skill levels. Each block has its own chapter - giving the history of the block and wonderfully complete illustrated instructions on how to make it. Woven throughout the book are photos and articles from the 1940s giving the flavor of the time period, such as family life and the impact of the economic and political events of the day - which in turn give meaningful background on each block pattern. Also sprinkled throughout are photos of antique quilts together with new variations using the sampler blocks featured in the book - showing different borders, fabrics etc, which are very helpful in visualizing my own project (there are also pictures of quilts made using single blocks which are really beautiful too!) Ms Burns' also uses many photos from her own family, many featuring her parents who were war time newlyweds. All of these things breath life into the book, making it personal, interesting and alltogether wonderful.