Complete Guide to Quilting

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Simply the best quilting book I have seen - Rated
When I first started quilting I had never sown anything and never used a sewing machine. I needed a book that would show the basics of quilting and sewing patchwork as well as how to design and plan your quilt. The majority of the books that I had looked at only covered some aspects, but not everything that a quilter would need in one book. I looked through umpteen books and this is by far the very best book that I have seen.

It starts off with the basic design and planning techniques and then goes into the different sewing techniques. The step-by-step photos clearly and easily explain the techniques. They also show you several options for each technique. So, for example, if you want to try paper piecing or foundation piecing the books shows at least 2-3 ways of doing the piecing. Therefore, you can decide which technique works best for you. The chapters follow the progress of your quilt, so it starts with colours and overall design, then goes into different types of blocks and patterns, then putting the blocks, borders and quilt together, then styles of quilting stitches and finally binding and applique. The book is easily accessible and the index is very thorough so it is easy to find the info that you need.

It covers a broad range of styles so whether you like traditional samplers, crazy patchwork or more modern styles this is the book for you. It doesn't give you actual instructions for a particular quilt, but with this book I have become much more confident with my own designs and techniques. I am always looking for more quilting books, but I haven't bought any since I bought this book because frankly, none can top it.