Hard cover, paper back, ebooks or magazine?
 

I'm curious to know what you all prefer when you are looking for quilting information. Other than just here and on line, do you prefer books to be hardcover, paper back, an ebook such as kindle or do you just go with the magazines?

This is for books that help with general information and to help beginners and those wanting to learn a new method, but not a writing solely for the patterns.

I have a mixture of all of them buy an ebook as I've not gotten into that media yet.

And do you have a favorite one?
Do you find that they lack something and what is that 'something' that they lack?



Phyllis
QG

Most of what I really want to know right now is on the net through different written or video instruction. I bookmark some of those addresses so I can return to the ones I want.

Otherwise, I would strongly suggest a newbie attend classes first, esp if they learn well in that manner. It also introduces the newbie to the comraderie among quilters and connects them to our community.

ali

I buy soft cover books. Never hard cover! Never! I buy magazines. I don't have an Ipad yet. I have a kindle but it's in black and white. I get magazines online on my desktop but I don't enjoy them the way that I do when they arrive in the mail or I buy them at the store. Some of the fine print you can't read.

I have all of the above, but I prefer soft cover. I take the book to Staples and have a spiral put on. That way the book will lay flat. Why Staples? It's the cheapest around my house. It only costs $6.00 to $8.00. I also love the magazines, but not for instructions, for the patterns and techniques.
Sue

I have mostly hard copy: soft cover, hard cover & magazines. I am an Amazon junkie, especially the older used publications you can get for a few dollars, often less than a new magazine. I have an Ipad, but you have to watch what you buy. First of all, you can often get a used one for less money. and second: I have made several One Block Wonders and have her first book. Even tho I found the pattern for the open cubes on line, I decided to buy her 3rd book from the Kindle store. When I got it, I was surprized to find that it was black and white. I couldn't decipher many of the illustrations and finally had to get a hard copy version. The kindle does not have color capabilities, but I had purchased a couple other quilting books from Kindle and they came across in color. I went back and read the info on the OBW book and the other color quilting ebook I purchased and nothing in the description indicated whether the file was B&W or color. A query to Amazon went unanswered.
Oh, I also have binding equipment, so if I find I'm using a book or magazine a lot, I will rebind it with a spiral spine.

A mix of all. I find I am buying fewer magazines. There is such a lot of info online now which I can store (electronic trash instead of paper trash smile)) Having an iPad has made a world of difference. I can now sit on the couch with it and read online very much like I had paper. Just found a new ezine called Fat Quarterly. Am going to try a sample.

I read both "real" books and ebooks.

For general purpose quilting information I prefer hard copy books. I don't care whether they're soft cover or hard cover. If possible I get one from the library (either guild library or public library) before buying, to see if I like it.

For ease of handling, I like soft cover books best. For 'survival' - I like hard cover books better.

But now that I know that I can get a book spiral bound, that makes rebinding an option for my favorite soft cover books that are falling apart.

Of the x number of books I have, I think I've actually read 'most of' only about four or five of them.

I have both hardcover and paperback. I do not like e-books, for reference. If I find something online, I print it and keep it in a binder.

WOW, big question. I think the soft cover/paper back work well once you get to a point after magazines that you wish more in detail at 3 or 4 a.m. Let's face it, what quilt class is held at that time for beginners or people trying to perfect techniques? Best magazine for entry level as far as techniques and details probably Fons and Porter or one of the McCalls or BHG special publications. I am a tactile learner so having the hard copy helps rather than beating myself up with a cursor!

I buy both soft and hard cover books and take a good many of the magazines. I hate ebooks as I love to set and look at the beautiful pictures when I have the time. I also use the internet a lot.

I have a mixture of it all. I am not loyal to any one magazine, but if I see a pattern or article or set of instructions I like, I purchase it.
I now have an iPad but still have a stash of magazines with stuff I like. Also have a few hard cover and some soft cover books. I love it all, I guess!!

You do have to be careful buying used books though because I purchased one and it was missing the actual paper pattern in the back, so just be careful and know what you're buying

Recently, the books I have purchased have been soft cover. I enjoy a couple of quilting magazines; but I get most of my instruction, here, watching YouTube videos, or taking Craftsy quilting classes on my iPad. I do not like to read quilting magazines on my iPad. I've never checked to see if my library has quilting e-books. I'm going to check now.

My library does have quilting e-books. I have reserved two. I'd never have thought to do that without your question. Thanks!

Most of my books for quilting are soft cover - I like magazine but when I am done with them I confess I remove the quilt pattern i bought the magazine for, out the pages in soft sleeves and put them in a note book. My hard cover books were more than likely given to me. Except 2 Georgia Bonesteel's lap quilting books I believe I found them and could't resist. I do not use the e-books for anything yet. I am still too into the touch and smell of a book.

I have all of the above, but I prefer a nice, big, soft cover quilting book with multiple patterns, and good, easy to follow cutting and sewing instructions.

I prefer the soft cover quilting books. I have some of all types, but my favorite are the big soft cover ones.

I like the hard and soft cover books I do not like quilting books or mags on my kindle fire the screen just isnt big enough to give you a real good view of pattern and directions I subscribed to 2 beading mag on my kindle and hardly ever access them just to hard to get a good idea of what you want

All except e-books...either soft-cover or hard-cover...I have both, and I love browsing through a magazine.

Magazines, u-tube, and HERE of course is the BEST!!!

I have one good reference book, 'The ultimate Quilters Guide', which is a paperback book that has a wealth of info and techniques. Most of my hoards of books are paperback and I like having them for reference and ideas. Then there are the three magazines I get which also have loads of info but mostly inspiration inside. I use the QB for great tutorials and once again, inspiration. Never used a e-book. I like having a paper pattern in front of me to refer to. I pin it to my design board so it is handy to see.

I choose a book mostly because something in it caught my eye and I want to learn more about the technique.
Every book I own I love, for info, patterns and the shear beauty of them.
peace

I just got an e-book on quilting from my public library. I can't believe it, I love reading it on my iPad much better than reading a hard cover book. I only get to keep it 21 days; but that is long enough. I was surprised that I like reading the book so well as I do not like reading quilting magazines on my iPad.

I love books and magazines...doesnt matter if the book is hard cover or soft cover...of course I think hard cover is more durable. I haven't gotten any ezines, I dont have an Ipad, I'd rahter have more fabric...lol. I no longer buy magazines because I can get a wealth of info online. I would rather sit on the couch pattern or info searching than online in my computer room.

I'm all about the magazines. I try not to buy books unless I can't find the pattern any other way.

I much prefer my Nook Color for all of my reading choices. I'm trying really hard to get rid of paper, hardcover and mags from my house . I'm not the type of person that reads them when they come in the door and then gets rid of them. I keep thinking I might just need that one day. No clutter with my Nook and the pictures are great and take up almost no space.

I do not like the e-books for reference. I get either hard or soft cover -- before I buy one I check the used book store or I check Amazon for used books. I like writing notes in the margins and I find them easier to navigate and leave open when I am trying to do some technique.

I like books, hard cover and soft cover, and paper magazines, Tried an online magazine and hated it. Asked for my money back and it was refunded. I print off what I find and like online.

Quilt mags are just eye candy. Never have made a quilt from one, the instructions use methods I dont care for.
The only books I buy are by Eleanor Burns. She uses the best and easiest methods.
I have bought books thru Edward R. Hamilton because they are under $5 and shipping is 3.50 for the whole order. I highly recommend this book seller for all kinds of books.
I have a Kindle Fire but would not use it for quilting books or mags. It is great for free books but have not found any quilting ones as yet.
used to live by the Library and loved it. Great for checking out quilt books.
There are so many free patterns on line that buying them is a waste of money.