Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns
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Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns
Item #: B-ENCYC
ISBN #: 978-1-893824-97-3
This book is the perfect resource for identifying blocks and getting inspiration for your quilts! You’ll find line drawings and colored versions of 4,000+ blocks, plus their names and publishing information! Sewing patterns are not included.
If you’re interested in rotary-cutting charts, templates, or foundation patterns for the blocks, check out BlockBase+ software!
Shipping to Canada or outside the U.S.? Please read this.
As with all our shippable products, any destination outside of the U.S. using any carrier, is extremely expensive for our small company. This book is no exception at 4 pounds. We urge you to ask for this book at your local quilt shop or preferred online reseller. Many of these international options will be better than what we can offer directly from our website. Click here for UK and EU Retailers.Shipping to Canada or outside the U.S.? Please read this.
$59.95
Details
Details
A Fan-Favorite in its Third Edition!
Barbara Brackman’s classic quilter’s resource, the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, is fully modernized, updated with over 160 new blocks, and presented in full color for the first time in this third edition! All of the 4,000+ pieced quilt blocks found in this book are illustrated with both a line drawing and sample color suggestions to ensure that you will never run out of inspiration! Quilters, quilt historians, and textile enthusiasts will love the detailed information on pattern names and publication sources included with each block.
Want to print templates, rotary-cutting charts, or foundation patterns for all the blocks? Check out BlockBase+ software!
If you sew anything from the book or BlockBase+, submit a photo to our gallery so others can see!
What exactly is the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns?
The Encyclopedia is a reference primarily on how to identify quilt blocks. In the intro to the book, Barbara explains that she used 20th century magazines and articles, mainly between 1920 and 1950, and mostly from the midwest, to attempt to put a name with a block and when it was first published. This book is the result of all her research. It is organized like an encyclopedia and a great way to figure out the name of a block. With SO many blocks to look at in this book, it’s also a very inspirational tool for designing your own quilts. To learn more about how to use the book for block identification, read our blog post.
Book Details
Page count: 522
Size: 8½” x 11″
Style: Softcover with flaps, perfect binding, full-color content
About the Author
Barbara Brackman is a quilt historian and author from Lawrence, Kansas. She’s been fascinated by quilt patterns for forty years and could not rest until she’d indexed more than 4,000 pieced patterns for her Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. BlockBase+ is that index for the computer age. She writes several blogs about quilt history and patterns including Material Culture. She was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame of Marion, Indiana in 2001 and is a founding member of the American Quilt Study Group.
Video: The History Behind Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia Book
Copyright Info
Copyright Info
The entirety of this book, including the indexing scheme and numbering system, are copyrighted by Barbara Brackman. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or author.
Permission for any non-commercial use of the block patterns in the book is not required. For any commercial use of block patterns, consult the original pattern source and date as listed in the book. Many of the original sources no longer exist or have dates that grant entry to the public domain. If there is no date, assume the block is in public domain. Any blocks after 1970 (there are a few) will most likely still be copyrighted.
Preview the Book
FAQ
FAQ
The Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns book goes hand-in-hand with BlockBase+ software, but you don't need to have one in order to use the other. The book is a wonderful resource on its own, and BlockBase+ is the perfect tool to print rotary-cutting charts, templates, and foundation patterns for the blocks from the book at any size! Watch a video for more information!
Purchasing Questions about the Encyclopedia and BlockBase+
Is there upgrade pricing for BlockBase+ software or the Encyclopedia book?
If you own previous versions, both are still great products! In March 2021, we offered special, introductory discounts on both products. This was a limited-time introductory offer. Check other stores for pricing or sign up for our emails to be notified of a future sale.
Can I purchase either product from my local quilt shop?
Yes, your quilt shop can purchase both products directly from EQ or from their favorite distributor and sell them in their shop. Ask for them!
I live in the EU/UK. Can I purchase BlockBase+ software?
We have resellers in the UK and EU that are selling both products. Please check them out as you could save on shipping costs buying from them instead of from us. We cannot sell downloads to customers in the EU or UK.
I do not live in the United States. Is the Encyclopedia book available for purchase from resellers in my area?
Ask for these products at your local quilt shops or check other online stores. (We sell to distributors all over the world!)
Product Questions about the Encyclopedia and BlockBase+
What exactly is the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns book?
This book is a reference primarily on how to identify quilt blocks. In the intro to the book, Barbara explains that she used 20th century magazines and articles, mainly between 1920 and 1950, and mostly from the midwest, to attempt to put a name with a block and when it was first published. This book is the result of all her research. It is organized like an encyclopedia and a great way to figure out the name of a block. With SO many blocks to look at in this book, it's also a very inspirational tool for designing your own quilts. Watch a video for more information!
Is the Encyclopedia book digital or printed?
It is a printed, 4lb book. It has 522 full-color pages. The book is 8.5” x 11” soft cover with inside flaps.
In what format is BlockBase+ software available?
BlockBase+ software is a download from The Electric Quilt Company website. A gift option is available in a physical format. Click the License Card button for more information.
How is this third edition of the Encyclopedia book different from the first and second editions?
The book content does not stray much at all from the 1993 edition. One of the main enhancements is that the blocks are displayed in full color with a line-drawing version as well. The line drawing gives you the option to view the block’s piecing more easily, while not being distracted by the way it’s colored. Plus new blocks! Watch a video for more information!
Are there any new blocks in the Encyclopedia book and BlockBase+ software?
Yes! Barbara has added 161 new blocks to this version! The new blocks are also in BlockBase+ software.
Do I need the new Encyclopedia book if I have an older version?
That’s completely up to you! The same great content is included in the new version so if you love your original version of the book, terrific! Watch a video for more information!
Do I need the new BlockBase+ software if I have the older version?
Again, it’s completely up to you. The new version has been improved from the original to maximize the block view so you can see more blocks on your screen at a time. We have also made it easier to view source information for each block without having to dig for the information. Searching has been enhanced too! Blocks have been redrawn to make them more pieceable! And 161 new blocks have been added! Plus, lots of printing enhancements for rotary cutting, templates, and foundation patterns!! AND FOR THE FIRST TIME - you can export to an SVG file for digital cutting machines, embroidery machines, long arm software, and more. Watch a video for more information!
Do I need to uninstall my older version of BlockBase before installing BlockBase+?
No. If you have the original BlockBase installed, you can keep it on your computer or uninstall it to save space. BlockBase+ is a separate program.
Is EQ required for BlockBase+?
No. BlockBase+ is a standalone program for Windows or Mac computers. If you do own EQ8, you can link all the BlockBase+ blocks to the EQ8 Block Library!
Is there overlap between the BlockBase+ blocks and EQ8 blocks?
Between the 4,200+ BlockBase+ blocks and 6,700+ EQ8 blocks, there are probably a couple hundred duplicates, but those will be the more generic blocks like a 9-patch, Ohio Star, Bear’s Paw, etc. So, you’ll still have thousands of unique blocks to play with!
What is the copyright information for the blocks?
Copyright info for BlockBase+ is here.
Free Gift
Free Gift
Sampler Quilt Booklet PDF with BlockBase+ Printouts
17 Quilt Blocks from the Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns! Includes templates, rotary cutting charts, or foundations at the size needed to complete the Sampler Quilt. Great way to preview what you can do with the BlockBase+ software!
The booklet will be available as a free download from your EQ Account. (Only applicable to purchases made from ElectricQuilt.com.)
If you sew anything from this PDF, show us!
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Reviews
Reviews
23 Reviews
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I have been quilting for a number of years and this resource is truly a delight! It is 500 pages of quilt blocks that will keep me motivated for many more years! Wish it was hardbound as I know it is going to be out and utilized. Looking forward to the matching EQ software. Thank you!
I just wanted to tell you I received my Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns yesterday, and am delighted with it! I’m always looking for new and interesting block patterns, and, with over 4000 to choose from, I think I can stay busy with these for several (!) years! I have long had the old version of this book; the new book’s clear line drawings, colored illustrations, and photos are beautiful, and a big inspirational plus.
Thank you so much for this book! I’m looking forward to the EQ8 Block Base software to accompany it!
I have loved my well-worn and dog-eared copy of Barbara Brackman’s popular 1993 edition Encyclopedia of Quilt Block Patterns since it was first published. I turn to it all of the time and, though I have EQ’s BlockBase on my computer at my fingertips, have often wished for an updated in-print version, as I am one who loves to slowly turn paper pages rather than click a mouse. To see the blocks in actual fabric and thread as well as full-color digital images is just WONDERFUL! Every quilter, no matter their quilting-style needs this updated encyclopedia in their quilt reference library. Color me sew excited!
No matter how much we evolve as quilters our foundation will always remain rooted in the traditional building blocks of patchwork. Barbara Brackman’s earlier (1993) edition of this book has been on my desk for many years as a constant source of inspiration and reference. The new updated version with more detailed illustrations and even more historical background is an essential primer for anyone who is passionate about quilts, whether you are a collector, a maker, a designer, or a historian.
I love Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns and reference it often. It sits on the shelf behind my sewing table. I’m excited to add this updated Encyclopedia with all the blocks in color to my collection. Barbara is a quilting treasure and so is this book.
When Barbara’s first edition of her book was released, it instantly became the most valuable, helpful, and necessary quilt reference work ever written. It has been my go-to inspiration for any project that involves traditional blocks. I still have that copy and use it to this day, but even so, I am thrilled at this updated volume. I recently purged 90% of my quilt books, but with the additional blocks, full-color illustrations, and the brilliant partnership with Electric Quilt, it too, will have pride of place on my bookshelf. I did not think Barbara could top her first classic opus, but she has!
With this new edition of Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, literally ANY quilter, whether experienced or a newbie, can become their own quilt pattern designer. With over 4,000 quilt blocks to choose from, the sky is only limited by our imagination!
Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns is the only available resource on pattern names and sources and comprises a meticulously recorded and illustrated collection. At the IQM we use Brackman’s system to consistently organize and identify the patterns of the thousands of quilts in our collection and to provide sources to the many individuals who regularly contact us for help in identifying their family quilts. Our copies of the book are dogged eared and in constant use! This third edition makes the information even more accessible and so much easier to use. It is so exciting to see this vital resource updated to include color images, which makes the various elements of design stand out! And now, once you’ve found a pattern you like, you can find its history in the book and then use the Electric Quilt Company’s BlockBase software for help in constructing it. What an amazing partnership!
Brackman’s Encyclopedia is now a twenty-first-century resource that will be invaluable for any quilt lover! Whether you are a collector or a maker, this resource gives you thousands of patterns for identifying your special historic quilts or for creating new exciting ones!
This is the definitive reference guide of pieced blocks and is a MUST have in every quilter’s library!
You’ll find yourself referring to this masterpiece collection of pieced blocks again and again.
Every quilt designer — from the most basic to the most advanced — needs this book. It is the ultimate collect of pieced blocks. Period. If you could only have one guide for pieced blocks, THIS is it.
My very first quilt class was from a small quilt shop near my house almost 20 years ago. I learned how to hand sew four patches and found out that I was good at sewing! I wish I had this book when I was first learning to quilt! It shows you all the possibilities from basic patterns to the most adventurous designs. This book helps me to challenge myself to become an even more skilled quilter!
It is wonderful to see an updated version of quilt historian Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. Her original book, long out of print, has been a must for quilters, quilt historians, folk artists, or anyone interested in geometric design. The impeccable decades-long research that Barbara has done makes this updated version the most thorough reference there is for identifying pieced quilt patterns and the various names associated with them.
The new edition of Barbara Brackman’s essential reference, Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns exceeds all expectations. Barbara’s research is invaluable, and her system for organizing blocks by their construction basis is genius. It allows you to easily find a pattern and learn its name, based on what it looks like. You will want this new volume even if you already possess an earlier edition. This volume includes a precise line drawing as well as a color image of each block. The color images are truly inspiring! This book belongs in the library of every quilt collector, quilt historian, quilt guild, or quilt maker.
The one thing our diverse quilting community truly celebrates together is our rich visual history. Everyone from quilt historians, to traditional quilters, to cutting-edge fiber artists draw upon our common treasure, which is so comprehensively compiled by Barbara. Personally, I eagerly anticipate her new Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, and know I will love it to tatters as it informs and inspires my work. Thank you, Barbara, for making it easy for all of us!
I can’t state how incredible this encyclopedia is as a resource for quilt designers. Many historical quilt blocks share names or seem nameless, so categorizing them by theme and appearance is immensely helpful and makes these quilt blocks more accessible. I love reviving old blocks in my quilts and I can’t wait to explore every page.
As a modern quilter and pattern designer, sometimes I have a modern block or quilt design idea and I want to research similar types of blocks that have been used by quilters in the past. I wonder “who might have created a block like this?” or “how long has this traditional version of the block been around?” The Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns is organized to make it easy to find the block that you are looking for when you do not know the original or common name for a block! It includes source and date of publication for each block–it is so cool to have this info at our fingertips. I find that conducting this kind of quilt block research always sparks several new ideas for “making it modern.” The Encyclopedia is in my library of must have tools.
With the 3rd edition, I am thrilled that every quilter will have access to the most comprehensive and useful guide to quilt blocks. With exciting new graphics, it helps you visualize what the quilt blocks will look like when made in fabric. It is a must have for every quilter!
Barbara Brackman’s updated Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns is an incredibly detailed reference guide for identifying and learning the history of a vast variety of quilt blocks. This book is also a great source of inspiration for quilt designers today, who are taking these timeless designs and breathing new life into them for fresh, contemporary takes on classic quilts.
As a trained art historian, I really appreciate Barbara Brackman’s research and the fact that beside every block diagram is its original source. It’s so great to have a resource like this available when someone shares a family quilt or antique quilt and asks for help identifying a repeated block. With a little knowledge about block construction, I can easily locate the correct section of the book and try to identify the block for them.
I am so excited for this new addition to my quilt book library. I own a copy of the 2nd edition, which was in black and white and am thrilled the new version is in color. I often refer to this book when designing my original, modern quilts. It’s fun to start with a traditional quilt block and see where it can go. What a fabulous resource for any quilter!
Barbara Brackman has done the work for you! In a comprehensive, easy to read display, this book will be your best friend when you’re dreaming and needing inspiration to create something new or as a reference to identify your next flea market find. It’s overwhelming, in a good way, how much information is included.
Brackman’s Encyclopedia is well-established as the standard—in fact, only—reference for identifying and classifying quilt patterns, and is used as such by museum and private collections in their cataloging. With multiple names for a design and vice versa being common, “Brackman numbers” provide a much-needed, common frame of reference. With new drawings in color, this edition will prove even more accessible and is even more user-friendly.
The new edition of this classic — which every quilter should have on their desk — is a quilter’s dream come true. It has clean illustrations of the blocks, as well as a depiction of the same blocks in full color. I reach for my original version almost daily as I try to puzzle out a block, or dream up new combinations in making my quilts. While I didn’t think Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns could be improved, I was wrong. This new version will make it easier to find interesting blocks to make, to research the history of our work, as well as to link us to our rich heritage of quilting.
As a dealer, appraiser, and historian, I always have this treasure right at hand. Nowhere else can I find names of patterns so brilliantly organized for easy searching. And now in full color! My customers enjoy knowing as much as they can about the quilts they buy. This source is well… encyclopedic… and absolutely invaluable.