A Christmas quilt takes ten to fourteen weeks from first cut to final binding, which makes late summer the moment to pick your project rather than the moment to think about picking one. The books here span that whole range: full-size quilts and block-of-the-month samplers for anyone starting now, and table runners, wall hangings, and small gifts that still finish comfortably if you're reading this in October.

Most are project books rather than reference — clear instructions, full cutting lists, and finished quilts you'd actually want on the wall.