Quilting: The Basics & Beyond
There s a reason why quilts are considered heirlooms. These beautiful pieces of folk art seem to speak of history and family through every stitch. Quilt designs range from very simple to impossibly complex and making the decision to learn this beautiful craft can be somewhat daunting. Jeri Simons Quilting: The Basics and Beyond takes the fear out of learning to quilt, offering step-by-step instructions that will have even the complete novice creating pieces that can be enjoyed today and passed down to future generations. Photographs complement the easy-to-follow directions. The book starts with an explanation of the tools one will need to begin quilting and offers advice on how to choose colors, textures, and patterns in fabric. The author meticulously moves the reader through cutting and sewing blocks, making appliquÃ© blocks, assembling pieces, creating borders, and finishing a quilt. The instructions are enhanced by helpful tips scattered throughout the pages. For example: When determining the layout of a quilt top, it helps to see all the pieces put together before sewing. This gives you the opportunity to move blocks or add another color to enhance the quilt design. The accompanying DVD demonstrates the techniques in the book so that the reader will have a chance to see the actions involved in each step. Once the basics have been covered, the book offers instructions for making seven quilts, each one building the reader's quilting skills. Creating a reference for the true novice can be difficult; it s all too easy to omit steps and procedures that are taken for granted by seasoned quilter. Simon manages to avoid that mistake. The detailed instructions and photographs, patterns with appeal to a broad range of quilters, and a DVD demonstrating each critical step make this a must-have book for anyone who wishes to learn to quilt. --ForeWord Reviews by Catherine Thureson Sept 2010I have taught Beginning Quilting for the last 7 years. We offer three semesters a year and usually have 16 students each semester. I have hunted for 7 years for "THE" book for my students. I finally found it with Jeri Simon's, "Quilting, The Basics and Beyond." It is clear, concise, has great graphics, and a DVD to boot! Thanks to you and Jeri for publishing the best book on the market for beginning students. And yes, you can quote me! --Janice Joyner, Owner, Sisters' Scraps Quilt Shop