Must-Have Quilting Books for Beginners and Beyond

I’ve been meaning to share my favorite quilting reference books for a long time—and I’m finally sitting down to do it! These days, there are endless tutorials and tips available online, and many talented quilters generously share their knowledge through videos and courses. But there’s something uniquely special about learning from a well-written book.

I’ve always loved collecting quilting books. For me, they offer a quiet, focused kind of inspiration—something I can revisit anytime without screens or subscriptions. Online classes can be wonderful, but they haven’t always been within my budget, so books have been my go-to teachers over the years.

In this post, I’m excited to share the titles that have truly helped me grow as a quilter, both technically and creatively. Out of all the books on my shelf, I’ve chosen five that I consider essential—resources that every quilter, whether beginner or experienced, should have in their collection.

Rulerwork Quilting Idea Book by Amanda Murphy

This is a fantastic resource for beginner quilters who want to explore rulerwork quilting with confidence. Amanda Murphy clearly explains the basic concepts behind ruler quilting, and the book walks you through a wide range of motifs—from simple to more intricate—that can be adapted to different quilt styles and layouts.

One thing I love about this book is that it doesn’t just focus on ruler shapes—it also includes ideas for filler designs that complement your rulerwork beautifully. While Amanda uses a variety of Bernina rulers in the examples, most of the designs can easily be recreated using basic rulers you may already have.

If you're wondering which rulers are best to start with, be sure to check out my post: My Favorite Rulers for Longarm Quilting.

This book truly opened up new creative options for me, and I still reference it often when planning custom quilting.

365 Quilt Block Designs by Natalia Bonner

If you love geometric blocks and enjoy rulerwork, this book is an incredible source of inspiration! Natalia Bonner has created a beautifully organized collection of 365 quilting designs, each tailored to basic shapes—squares, triangles, and circles. The book is divided by each shape, making it easy to find inspiration for the exact design you're working on.

One of my favorite features is the QR code included with each design, which links to a short video demonstration. It's like having a mini class built right into the book—perfect for visual learners!

Best of all, every design in the book can be stitched using just two tools: a straight ruler and a curved ruler. As I mentioned in My Favorite Rulers for Longarm Quilting, I highly recommend Natalia’s 4-in-1 ruler, which makes these designs even more accessible and versatile.

This is a go-to reference whenever I need fresh ideas for custom block quilting.

Dream Feathers by Peggy Holt

I love quilting feathers, and over the years I’ve collected several resources dedicated to them. Out of all those books, I’ve chosen two that truly stand out—and Dream Feathers by Peggy Holt is one of them.

I actually found this book at a local resale shop, and it quickly became a favorite. What makes it so valuable is its clear, straightforward instruction. It’s a fantastic option for beginners who want to explore fancy feather quilting without feeling overwhelmed.

Peggy introduces feather designs specifically for borders and focal areas, helping you ease into more decorative custom quilting. The book also includes templates, which are especially helpful when you’re starting out or want a little extra guidance as you practice.

If you’re looking for a gentle, encouraging way to start quilting feathers, this book is a great place to begin.

Fearless Feathers by Margaret Solomon Gunn

No words are really needed to describe the brilliance of Margaret Solomon Gunn’s work—she is an award-winning quilter whose artistry I deeply admire. I was so excited when I discovered her books, and Fearless Feathers quickly became one of my most treasured quilting resources.

What sets this book apart is how beautifully Margaret integrates detailed instruction with examples from her own award-winning quilts. You’re not just learning technique—you’re seeing how it’s applied in real custom work at the highest level.

The book begins with feathers in borders exploring structure, spacing, and flowing design. Then it moves into filling common shapes and blocks and finishes with feather wreaths, offering a complete path from foundational skills to elegant, intricate compositions. The examples throughout are both inspiring and practical.

This book is ideal for intermediate to experienced quilters who want to push their feather quilting further. If you're serious about custom quilting, Fearless Feathers deserves a spot on your shelf.

Beautiful Backgrounds: Grid-Based Fills by Margaret Solomon Gunn

When it comes to quilting, choosing the right filler design can be one of the most challenging decisions. Grid-based fills are a fantastic option—they work beautifully in both modern and traditional quilts, offering structure and beautiful texture.

In Beautiful Backgrounds: Grid-Based Fills, Margaret Solomon Gunn introduces the basics of grid work and guides you through a range of design options suitable for both beginners and experienced quilters. Just like her feather book, I love how she demonstrates each design in her own award-winning quilts, showing just how much subtle background quilting can elevate the overall look of a piece.

She also offers online courses that expand on the techniques in this book—perfect if you enjoy learning by watching and want to dive even deeper into grid-based fills.

This book is an excellent reference for anyone looking to add elegant texture and intentional detail to their custom quilting.

I hope this post inspires you with your quilting journey, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Happy Quilting!