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That Perfect Stitch
Roxanne McElroy expertly explains the complexities behind proper stitching and teaches quilters of all levels how they can improve their skills. Quilters will learn to achieve more stitches per inch and create even quilting lines, resulting in a finer quality quilt that both showcases the quilter's creative and technical skills and withstands the test of time. Features include: - End-of-chapter "workshops" that help quilters practice and build skills - 20 original quilting designs for block, borders, and whole quilts - Drawings and photographs that show precise methods for making perfect stitches Award-wining quilter and quilt designer Roxanne McElroy was one of the best known and most in-demand instructors in the country. Her company, Roxanne International, develops and distributes a line of fine quality quilting products.
- GenresQuiltingNonfiction
138 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 6, 2016
I love this book so much. It is an excellent reference on how to hand quilt in a way that not only gives beautiful consistent results, but is also easy on the hands. Before reading this book I had no idea there was a way to quilt that didn't result in hand fatigue. I also enjoyed the product comparisons. Yes she rates her products highest, but I think she developed her products after other products didn't measure up to what she wanted.
August 13, 2016
Loved the scientific approach taken in this book. Her little at-home-activities were really fun to do and I learned loads. Such a good resource especially when you want to know the intricacies of quilting.
January 7, 2020
All I hoped for, and more!
March 7, 2020
Excellent book to learn hand quilting.
November 3, 2016
I found this book at a thrift store for a dollar. The title caught my attention, and at a glance it seemed to have a variety of information helpful for a beginning quilter.
The book is divided into chapters and sections that explain many aspects of hand quilting in depth. Attention is given to specific tools that will help with technique. The author mentions here and there that some of the supplies can be purchased from her company but the book does not read as a sales catalog. Fabric, batting, needles, thread, thimbles, frames, and markers are all discussed in sufficient detail to encourage and advise, with plenty of attention given to suppliers other than the author's company. I found this information quite fascinating and helpful to read prior to embarking on a quilt project. About 20+ pages of the 138 page softbound book are devoted to the specifics of "how to hand quilt", including a section providing a Q&A. I did look online and discovered a short video produced by the author's daughter, Dierdra McElroy, who demonstrated the techniques in the book.
At the end of each chapter is a Quilter's Workshop box, giving tasks for the quilter to learn from. How these tasks are designed to help the quilter is evident in the outline. These instructions add another layer of information from the book in the form of self-taught workshops.
The book includes some lovely photographs of finished quilts and the author talks about noticing the perfect stitching of the example quilts, but none are a close-up of the actual quilting stitches to see what she is referring to. The book includes a small selection of quilting patterns but does not include instructions for how exactly one would utilize the line drawings for quilting. It assumes that the reader understands how to mark a quilt top for quilting. Although I realize the book is devoted specifically to teaching the technique of hand quilting and the factors that affect the performance of hand quilting, it seems an oversight not to include the specifics of how to mark a quilt and utilize patterns. For these reasons I gave the book four stars.
Finally, the author mentions details specific to competition quilt judging, which may or may not be helpful information to the average reader. I did not find this annoying to read, since the mentions were small and in the friendly voice of the author as a well-known authority on the subject.
I read this book from cover to cover in two days. It was well written and edited. The author engaged in a personal way with snippets of her life woven into the how-to text. The sub-headings helped the information to flow in a logical fashion. This would be a good addition to a quilt maker's library, especially one starting out in this craft.
The book is divided into chapters and sections that explain many aspects of hand quilting in depth. Attention is given to specific tools that will help with technique. The author mentions here and there that some of the supplies can be purchased from her company but the book does not read as a sales catalog. Fabric, batting, needles, thread, thimbles, frames, and markers are all discussed in sufficient detail to encourage and advise, with plenty of attention given to suppliers other than the author's company. I found this information quite fascinating and helpful to read prior to embarking on a quilt project. About 20+ pages of the 138 page softbound book are devoted to the specifics of "how to hand quilt", including a section providing a Q&A. I did look online and discovered a short video produced by the author's daughter, Dierdra McElroy, who demonstrated the techniques in the book.
At the end of each chapter is a Quilter's Workshop box, giving tasks for the quilter to learn from. How these tasks are designed to help the quilter is evident in the outline. These instructions add another layer of information from the book in the form of self-taught workshops.
The book includes some lovely photographs of finished quilts and the author talks about noticing the perfect stitching of the example quilts, but none are a close-up of the actual quilting stitches to see what she is referring to. The book includes a small selection of quilting patterns but does not include instructions for how exactly one would utilize the line drawings for quilting. It assumes that the reader understands how to mark a quilt top for quilting. Although I realize the book is devoted specifically to teaching the technique of hand quilting and the factors that affect the performance of hand quilting, it seems an oversight not to include the specifics of how to mark a quilt and utilize patterns. For these reasons I gave the book four stars.
Finally, the author mentions details specific to competition quilt judging, which may or may not be helpful information to the average reader. I did not find this annoying to read, since the mentions were small and in the friendly voice of the author as a well-known authority on the subject.
I read this book from cover to cover in two days. It was well written and edited. The author engaged in a personal way with snippets of her life woven into the how-to text. The sub-headings helped the information to flow in a logical fashion. This would be a good addition to a quilt maker's library, especially one starting out in this craft.
August 20, 2014
The title indicates one of my biggest complaints about this book. Perfection? Not possible. My own quilting philosophy is not about that but about enjoying the process of creating a quilt from start to finish. I am not a fan of 'judging' quilts at shows. The 'best' quilt in anyone else's opinion is rarely the quilt I like the most. Technique is important and I try to do my best work - to the level that satisfies me. I do not think all quilts are 'heirloom' pieces nor should they be treated as such. Though I do make wall quilts and other quilted items, for me bed quilts are to use on beds to keep people warm. I am not an 'artist'. I do not compete in shows for prizes. Yet I strive to do a good job and read this kind of book to get new ideas and learn more.
She does discuss the obvious aspects of hand quilting; thimbles, needles, thread,technique, (always rating her products highest!)and I did get a few ideas; one for quilting through seams (use a #9 needle and backstitch vs. stab stitch) but I found my self writing my disagreements in the margins by the end.
I guess anyone can write a book...and she did and I haven't!
She does discuss the obvious aspects of hand quilting; thimbles, needles, thread,technique, (always rating her products highest!)and I did get a few ideas; one for quilting through seams (use a #9 needle and backstitch vs. stab stitch) but I found my self writing my disagreements in the margins by the end.
I guess anyone can write a book...and she did and I haven't!
March 6, 2008
Excellent hand quilting reference for technique, tools, and all sorts of handy tips. I learned her technique in a hand quilting class and mastered neat, consistently sized small stitches in no time. I will say, however, that even taking into consideration that the author was a very knowledgeable, well known instructor and uses the book to promote her design of thimble (which I do prefer using), at times, she's entirely too taken with herself and it can get a little annoying. So, as a technical resource, the book almost gets a 5, but because she was a nudge (I know, it doesn't do to speak ill of the dead), I'm giving it a flat 4.
February 3, 2015
most beautiful informational book about making "that" perfect hand quilting stitch. the subtitle is the secrets of fine hand quilting. let me emphasize: a whole book with twelve chapters about those tiny stitches. the examples naturally show off nice quilts, especially from the Pacific islands. definitely worth having. it is a treasure.
September 23, 2008
Tried to find book to buy but was unable.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews