Quilting 101: A Beginner's Guide to Quilting

Got this book for my wife, who hadn't really sewn much before she decided to try quilting. This book walks you through the basics of how to sew, then gives great advice on how to start quilting... washing and ironing the fabric, how to sew large sections to save time, etc. Great book for starters. There are lots of patterns in here, but only one "quilt", the rest are smaller projects to get you started -- so if you're looking for a book with a bunch of quilt patterns, this isn't it. However, this is a great book for anyone just getting into quilting.

This book has been a great help. I am a beginning quilter and it has guided me through learning to quilt smoothly. This book has great illustrations, easy projects (16 total), and clear explanations. I definitely did not encounter the frustration that I did with other books, it truely is a beginner's guide. I have already completed the hot pad, and pillow projects which turned out great compared to the projects in other books. The step-by-step instructions were so much help. The spiral binding is great because it allows my hands to be free while I am quilting and following the instructions.The book contains information on how to use your machine (including seam allowance information), the equipment/tools you will need to quilt (and information on what to look for when shopping),fabric information, batting information, cutting, layering and basting (the best step-by-step instructions I have encountered), quilting techniques (hand and machine), and binding. I recommend this book for anyone who is learning to quilt or just learning to sew with a machine.

As a self-taught quilting novice, I've looked at several books and bought a handful of them. But I'm a little daunted by the amount there is to learn about the subject (especially for someone who isn't "handy"), and I wish I had someone sitting next to me, showing how it's supposed to be done. Of all the books I've encountered, Quilting 101 is the closest to this experience. First, it doesn't assume any sewing background. It starts out with an explanation of how bobbins work, for example, rather than blithely expecting that you've been using at least the super-easy sewing patterns for years. (I'm in the latter category, but far from confident.)Also, this book has the best set of photos and diagrams that I've found. Many books try to get across how to straighten your fabric, for example, but this book uses four photos to make the process clear. Some of the pictures are a little *too* small (I'm still trying to figure out if I understand how to do a binding, and peering at the photo doesn't help much), but this is far better than I've seen elsewhere.Finally, I really appreciate the gradient of the projects presented. After a section that shows you each of the quilt-making steps, you start out with a hot pad and a an appliqued zippered bag -- not a lap quilt. You work your way up to checkerboard placemats and a table runner before you take on a flannel lap quilt. (I kept looking for placemat instructions, figuring that I'd rather make my really dumb mistakes on very small projects. This is the first book I found that had them.)There may be better books out there; you can certainly find a lot of them with 'quilting for beginners' labels. But this one has finally gotten me almost all the way through my first quilting project. (I expect to finish this weekend. Wish me luck with that binding.)

This is an excellent book for someone who has never sewed before and wants to learn how to quilt. It includes content on how to use a sewing machine, fabric selection, what tools and gadgets you need, and all the other information you would need to know to create a quilt. Definitions are included for all quilting terms and there are many helpful tips and hints throughout the book. The book includes several easy patterns geared towards beginners. I had never sewed before but wanted to learn how to quilt. Following the step by step instructions including full color photos, I learned how to use my sewing machine and I am well on the way to completing my first quilting project. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who wants an easy instruction manual for learning how to quilt.

I don't like to buy books that don't have sample pages or haven't been reviewed yet, but I took a chance on it anyway. I haven't the first clue how to quilt but I really want to learn so I bought this book. I was not disappointed at all. It has many projects to begin your journey in the quilting world. Cute Christmas stockings, drink coasters, place mats, etc. I really like this book because it is hardcover format yet it is spiral bound to keep beside your machine while it lays flat. The Sewing 101 book is also this way, and just as good as this one.