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The Quilter's Companion: The Complete Guide to Machine and Hand Quilting
A one-stop reference to quilting techniques and designs uses step-by-step instructions and hundreds of photographs to spotlight the tools, tactics, fabrics, equipment, quilt design, stitching techniques, cutting styles, sashing, borders, machine quilting, and latest ideas surrounding this popular activity.
- GenresQuilting
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 17, 2011
Quilter's Companion / 1-58923-243-7
I have so many quilting books that I almost didn't buy this one when I first passed it in the store, but I'm very glad that I did buy it - what a treasure! This isn't just another quilting book; this book has a beautiful "modern" look and feel throughout, and all the classic quilt blocks featured here have had their look and feel gently updated. New quilt blocks and quilting techniques are also introduced in the most lovely ways - this isn't post-modern Picasso quilting and it isn't your grandmother's country quilting; it walks a careful middle road between tradition and modern tastes and it does so effortlessly.
This book is huge, and every page is informative and useful. The emphasis between machine techniques and hand techniques is split fairly equally, and it's wonderful to finally find a resource which shows how to properly machine quilt a lot of traditional blocks that don't lend themselves easily to machine quilting. All the pictures are in color, with careful detail, and you can actually understand what you are being told to accomplish, step-by-step. I'm also thrilled to say that this is the first quilting book I've ever owned which actually presented an understandable, practical approach to machine applique.
There's a wealth of variety here. There are plenty of beginner's blocks and quilting styles, but the author also provides suggested "projects" to practice techniques - including a gorgeous wall hanging of a basket of flowers and a butterfly, all appliqued carefully so that the butterfly wings are not attached to the picture and can "flap" gently. Definitely, this book teaches but is also gently challenges the reader to take steps in a new direction if they want to expand their repertoire.
I can't recommend this quilting book highly enough. At one point, I seriously considered selling the rest of my books and only keeping this one - it's that helpful and comprehensive. I finally decided to keep the others for inspiration and because I'm a pack-rat, but this one is definitely the one I go to for instructions and technique refinement.
~ Ana Mardoll
I have so many quilting books that I almost didn't buy this one when I first passed it in the store, but I'm very glad that I did buy it - what a treasure! This isn't just another quilting book; this book has a beautiful "modern" look and feel throughout, and all the classic quilt blocks featured here have had their look and feel gently updated. New quilt blocks and quilting techniques are also introduced in the most lovely ways - this isn't post-modern Picasso quilting and it isn't your grandmother's country quilting; it walks a careful middle road between tradition and modern tastes and it does so effortlessly.
This book is huge, and every page is informative and useful. The emphasis between machine techniques and hand techniques is split fairly equally, and it's wonderful to finally find a resource which shows how to properly machine quilt a lot of traditional blocks that don't lend themselves easily to machine quilting. All the pictures are in color, with careful detail, and you can actually understand what you are being told to accomplish, step-by-step. I'm also thrilled to say that this is the first quilting book I've ever owned which actually presented an understandable, practical approach to machine applique.
There's a wealth of variety here. There are plenty of beginner's blocks and quilting styles, but the author also provides suggested "projects" to practice techniques - including a gorgeous wall hanging of a basket of flowers and a butterfly, all appliqued carefully so that the butterfly wings are not attached to the picture and can "flap" gently. Definitely, this book teaches but is also gently challenges the reader to take steps in a new direction if they want to expand their repertoire.
I can't recommend this quilting book highly enough. At one point, I seriously considered selling the rest of my books and only keeping this one - it's that helpful and comprehensive. I finally decided to keep the others for inspiration and because I'm a pack-rat, but this one is definitely the one I go to for instructions and technique refinement.
~ Ana Mardoll
June 7, 2008
Deirdre (http://www.deirdreabbotts.com/wordpress/) sent this book to me as a byproduct of clearing out her studio. The subtitle kind of says it all about the content of the book, but it doesn't tell you what great photos the book has. The photos are numerous, clear and detailed, just what I like in a quiltmaking book. Across from the title page is a page of off center star blocks all created in different fabrics.
The first chapter has numerous quilts in different styles including a Baltimore Album quilt, a lone star, a 19th century pinwheel as well as a gorgeous orange whole cloth quilt. The book goes on to discuss fabric and supplies, including embroidery thread and machine feet.
The section on cutting and stitching techniques covers templates as well as rotary cutting along with tips on sewing curved seams and inset seams. Hooray! I am really glad to see this information covered, because I think quiltmakers need to know the full gamut of quiltmaking techniques so they can make informed choices about their work. Pressing, preparing applique' shapes and how blocks can be broken down are also all covered in this section.
The book goes on to discuss projects, but in an interesting way. There is a sampler project, a Pineapple Project, Lone Star, log cabin and foundation piecing.
The book finishes up with quilting, of course. The chapter is quite comprehensive, starting with preparing your equipment, marking and using stencils, straight line and free motion quilting and hand quilting.
I think this is a great reference book, because it covers all the things that you might have a question about. It shows how to make the Cathedral Windows block, which I may never want to make, but I am interested in blocks so I would definitely like to know how it is done. The author also talks about corded quilting, which I actually might want to do someday. This book is modern also, because it covers newer products such as spray baste and those spoon type thimbles.
This is a very comprehensive book with a lot of great pictures.
The first chapter has numerous quilts in different styles including a Baltimore Album quilt, a lone star, a 19th century pinwheel as well as a gorgeous orange whole cloth quilt. The book goes on to discuss fabric and supplies, including embroidery thread and machine feet.
The section on cutting and stitching techniques covers templates as well as rotary cutting along with tips on sewing curved seams and inset seams. Hooray! I am really glad to see this information covered, because I think quiltmakers need to know the full gamut of quiltmaking techniques so they can make informed choices about their work. Pressing, preparing applique' shapes and how blocks can be broken down are also all covered in this section.
The book goes on to discuss projects, but in an interesting way. There is a sampler project, a Pineapple Project, Lone Star, log cabin and foundation piecing.
The book finishes up with quilting, of course. The chapter is quite comprehensive, starting with preparing your equipment, marking and using stencils, straight line and free motion quilting and hand quilting.
I think this is a great reference book, because it covers all the things that you might have a question about. It shows how to make the Cathedral Windows block, which I may never want to make, but I am interested in blocks so I would definitely like to know how it is done. The author also talks about corded quilting, which I actually might want to do someday. This book is modern also, because it covers newer products such as spray baste and those spoon type thimbles.
This is a very comprehensive book with a lot of great pictures.
September 18, 2012
This book really helps the reader to understand the quilting process. It also references more cultural quilts than I have read anywhere else. This is definitely a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about quilting and about making quilts. It is also perfect for any quilter looking to add a new element to her quilting repertoire such as knitted blocks and woven blocks.
I would actually give this a 4.5 since tips and strategies are dispersed throughout the book. Some great gems are hidden in specific projects. And some of the step-by-step photos were of previous tips and when the following step diverged, a new fabric was introduced. It made following along a little more difficult than needed. However, since it is overall a great resource, I rounded up to a 5.
I would actually give this a 4.5 since tips and strategies are dispersed throughout the book. Some great gems are hidden in specific projects. And some of the step-by-step photos were of previous tips and when the following step diverged, a new fabric was introduced. It made following along a little more difficult than needed. However, since it is overall a great resource, I rounded up to a 5.
April 20, 2014
If I was only going to buy one book about quilting-- it would be this one!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews