They are all different, they are all the same! Get them at the newsstand until you figure out the best ones for you. I stopped some subscriptions when they posted just too many "chicken quilts", or, bunnies, that kind of stuff.

I never thought I'd see the day that I'd let all five of my quilt magazine subscriptions run out, especially QN. The old issues of QN, which I've carefully saved for many years, have better content, better workshops, more inventive quilt patterns. As for the other magazines, I no longer need their content after gleaning so much information for so many years. Plus, there's TQS and other Internet sources to keep a quilter abreast of trends and new products. And, practically speaking, I don't have enough lifetimes to make all the quilts I like (and noted) from those stockpiled magazines, books, DVDs, saved PDF files, calendars, etc.

Having taught myself quilting from books and magazines, I know how important it is to build a library of resources so I wouldn't want to discourage a new quilter from subscribing to magazines based on my feelings. In all their variety, they remain gateways to the thrill of learning a new art form. Plus, there's nothing like waiting by the mailbox for your glossy magazine, even if it's just six times a year.

I like Down Under Quilts, which is an Australian magazine. It has a really nice mix of articles on art quits, traditional quilts and quilters themselves. It's not very "pattern" oriented, so if you like that kind of thing, you might not like this magazine. It's a little pricey because it's shipped from Aus...this is one of the few magazines I've found that is cheaper to buy on the newstand.

While I can't put my finger on exactly why, this magazine has a different feel than a US magazine, and it's refreshing. That's diverisity for you!

The other cool thing is that since Australia is "down-Under" and their winter is our summer... when our magazines are showing fall and winter colors, they are showing spring and summer colors!

MEG

Some of those old magazines are still the best!

I've tried almost all of them and never felt that I got my money's worth. Once I joined TQS, I let all of my subscriptions expire. Now, I get my quilt information from the internet or the library. Also, I have an extensive collection of quilting magazine back issues.

Recently, I found and purchased four old issues of the "Traditional Quilter Magazine" for 10 cents each at the public library. For me, they were the best quilting magazines I've ever read. This magazine is no longer in publication, but was replaced years ago by the "Quilter Magazine". Check it out online at http://www.thequiltermag.com/ . This website gives you a great review of what the magazine includes--be sure to check out the back issues link.

Nancy

I have let all but McCalls and F&P love of quilting lapse... tooo much of the same amoung all the publications... too many of the same fabrics used for the same blocks... nothing new or challenging.....

I am also tired of all the advertisement for the same thing magzaine to magazine.... why don't they use different pictures ... everything looks the same to me.

Julie so glad your gallbladder journey is over except for the recovery. Glad you're doing better.

Julie somehow I missed this whole thread (not surprising since I have had a few absences this summer) so I'm glad to find it at a time you're recovering not still in pain & miserable! Take care!

AND interesting discussion on the state of print media-- since I work for a newspaper, let me just say, I'm glad I have my quilting for stress relief! Lynn, you just keep on reading the print paper! We LOVE readers...

Florence

I feel weird posting this here since this is supposed to be about magazines,but somehow we ended up talking about nintendo ds,brainage,brain games,freecell,bookworm and gall bladders!!So, I just wanted to say, I'm recovering from gall bladder surgery.I ended up in the emergency room 2 weeks ago and due to some complications with liver function tests,spent 4 days in the hospital.Fortunately, we have a small local hospital with many kind and caring nurses and doctors.And,you were all right,I feel so much better!Thanks for sharing your stories with me and thanks for caring. Julie

How crazy that your story was similar to mine, Mandy! Gosh! But my gee-golly Midwife said I had the baby blues, this was after #1 child was born btw a boy, and I was breastfeeding at the time. What a crazy, stressful time it was. After my surgery I was sent home with what I called "accesories" for two weeks and then at the follow up the surgeon removed my accesories w/out even telling me that was the plan, went thru shock I don't think he passed Bedside Manner 101 or 201 for that matter. But your defintely right, whole new woman once your healed up!

Lissette

Oh, Julie, I do so envy you sitting out on your porch in the summer! I'm banished to the inside in the summer - because for me, summer in Houston is almost unbearable! The heat and humidity are not my friend, although they do make for lovely gardens when well attended. Summer is mostly for quilting! ha

First,thank you all for your kind thoughts.Its good to have kindred spirits out there in the world.Mandy,I felt stupid saying it,but I thought I was having a heart attack too.Thanks for sharing your experience.And since I had to cancell my vacation,I now have 3 quilt magazines stacked up waiting to be read.I know,its a tuff job but someone has to do it!That's what front porches are for in the summer. Julie

I don't envy the gall bladder problems Julie, but rest assured once the !@#$ thing is out of there you will feel better than you have in years. Just count yourself lucky you will get to plan for this - mine was taken out 8 years ago in emergency surgery while I was out of town!!! I didn't know what had been causing my on and off pain for years, and being a college student I did not have money to see a doctor. One month after my first child was born I went to stay at my mother's for a week and found my self on the floor with severe pains - I thought I was having a heart attack! Went to the ER where they told me my gall bladder was WAAAYYY out of wack and had to be removed immediately - it had in essence turned to stone. After that thing was out I felt like a completely new person! Dr. said the pains I had been feeling for the last 4 years had probably been the gall bladder all along, and I have not had anything like that since. It was a pain in the behind at the time, but the surgery was SOOO worth it in the end. Good luck.

Julie, sorry to hear about your gallbladder. Get better soon. Praying for you.