I think more quilters have learned how to quilt from this book then any other basic quilting book written. It starts the very basic techniques (hand piecing) and then works to more modern techniques. First released 1993 and revised in 2000. From what I could tell from comparing an older, first release book there were not many changes or revisions. Some of the techniques are dated and there are newer methods to use when you make your patches and blocks. I think it is important to know all the methods you can old and new, because there will come a time when the older method will be the only one that works.
F&P stress accuracy in a quite unassuming manner. AS far as I am concern learn to DO IT RIGHT the first time and you will not have to undo bad habits later.
Although my skills are pretty basic (mostly hemming and easy projects like pillows), I've always enjoyed sewing and have made some pretty nifty things in the past. But I've always wanted to get better at quilting (as the one project I started was part of a quilting class and unfortunately due to circumstances, I was never able to finish it) and thought this book would be a great start.
My future in-laws bought this book for me as a Christmas gift, and having read through it, I'm really not that impressed.
For a beginner quilter, the pictures are limited and instructions hard to understand. Perhaps it's just the wording they used, or maybe it's my brain refusing to comprehend, but I wasn't really all that impressed. A good resource for someone with experience, surely, or a nice reference for a seasoned quilter but for a beginner, I wouldn't recommend.
Complete Guide to Quilting seems to be a better resource, with more illustrations demonstrating technique, and easier to understand instructions.
I have been quilting for over 30 years and I own more than 100 quilting books. This one is truly my “go to” for instruction on techniques and other great things! Sometimes I like to page through it and I always learn something.
Excellent information on all kinds of aspects of quilting. I read the entire book with interest. i wil use this book to teach quilting skills to others.
This is one of the best I've seen to learn how to make traditional pieced or appliqued quilts. Fons and Porter cover tools and supplies, basic piecing methods, drafting blocks, using a rotary cutter, settings and borders, and both hand and machine quilting. Their directions are clear and easy to follow, and there are abundant pictures to illustrate the techniques they present. All along the way there are small projects for the reader to complete to practice each new skill.
My copy is falling apart because I've referred back to it so often over the years.
Quilting has two meanings - (1) the entire process of putting together a quilt, including making the blocks, and (2) sewing a variety of patterns or designs through the layers of the quilt to hold the front, back, and the batting together.
This book covers all the basics for the first definition of quilting, and it's the one basic quilting reference I turn to again and again.
There is lots of good information for new and experienced quilters. However the one thing I don't like about the book is that instead of just being about making blocks with all the technique there are a lot of wall hanging projects for practicing the techniques.
The Quilter's Complete Guide was a gift from my Mother and my first quilting book. I absolutely love it. When I first received it, I was obsessed with it and read it over and over again throughout each of my beginning quilting projects. I definitely recommend it for beginning quilters!
Good introduction to quilting. I'll refer to it periodically but it's not one you read from cover to cover. I did a good overview and now keep it for reference as I learn more about quilting techinques.
Good introduction to quilting. I'll refer to it periodically but it's not one you read from cover to cover. I did a good overview and now keep it for reference as I learn more about quilting techniques.
This is another must have quilting book from two of the most dedicated quilters around. It shows the basics and gets you started on some very common quilt blocks.