Beginner's Guide to Quilting: 16 Projects to Learn to Quilt

by Elizabeth Betts

Learn how to make beautiful quilts with this comprehensive guide to patchwork and quilting for beginners.

Covers all aspects of quilting from piecing and patchwork to quilting and binding. Includes quick and clever techniques with step-by-step illustrated instructions. Choose from 16 small and large projects including bed quilts, bags and wall hangings. Features a quilting glossary explaining common quilting and sewing terms.

Genres: Quilting, Crafts, Sewing, Nonfiction, Reference

128 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Arlian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is an good introduction to quilting. It lays a solid foundation of skills you can then build upon later. However, the aesthetic of the quilts patterns presented here are a little more...boring. Well, they are technically very traditional but the color choices and patterns aren't very modern or really that appealing to 20 somethings. I think the quilts in this book are designed with middle-aged moms in mind more than the younger "craft class" as its being called. I think a person with a good eye could easily envision these same patterns as very striking and interesting, but the key is you'll have to use your imagination to get inspired by these patterns since they aren't very stand-out on their own.

Let me reiterate that I think that in terms of technical content, this is a great book. It only drags a bit in it's ability to appeal to younger people.

[Lesli Wright-Bobholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good starting book for me

I borrowed the Kindle version from the library first. Elizabeth Betts is a British author who does an excellent job explaining hand piecing/machine piecing in both metric and Imperial terms. She states in the beginning of the book that she wants to be that friend helping guide you with your first quilting projects. She gives great tips throughout the book. I want to make the needle book and the tote now. I’m not as wary to try English paper piecing now after seeing clear instructions/photos in this book. I bought a hard copy of this book. Highly recommended for us beginners.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid beginner's guide to quilting - a clear, illustrated and full -colour photography-filled introduction to the craft, techniques, and a range of fairly beginner friendly projects. I especially liked the list of suppliers at the back - although not exhaustive or necessarily up to date, I appreciated the pointers in a beginner's book. I also liked the use of both metric/imperial measurements for everything, and clarifications for US/British English terms for things.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview on quilting

The author wrote this book in very clear & easy to understand language, and employed plenty of helpful pictures to further assist in explaining techniques, etc. I really enjoyed this a lot, and a couple of the projects caught my eye that might be fun to do!

[Tilden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a quilt top that was given to me and I need to add the backing, the batting, and the quilt top, as well as quilt the top. I need very specific instructions and this book is not it. I think it is more for the patterns that are included with the book.

[Sonja H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent beginners book.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is alright if you're looking for real basic basic projects. I wouldn't say it's the best for detailed information. It gives some general outlines for how to create 16 quilted projects including a tote bag, a small quilt, table mat, table runner, cushion.

It contains just one or two full-sized quilt project. So if you're looking to start small and really basic, this is fine. In my opinion, I thought a lot of the projects were kind of filler, but maybe it's because my expectation was for actual quilts instead of what the title really implies - projects that will get you ready to quilt.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't see anything that knocked my socks off here, but there is nothing wrong with the book, either. Many projects are small and not quilts at all making it good for those who want to start with techniques. I didn't like that a lot of the step-by-step for the projects used illustrations instead of photos, something I found harder to interpret.

Projects I liked:
Simple Seedheads Table Mat, page 44 (Especially for the quilting design and large-stitch quilting)

Blooming Marvellous Bed Quilt, page 110 and featured on the cover. I really like the buttons in between the blocks but think it might make lying on top of the quilt uncomfortable.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts at the beginning--everything from choosing fabrics, cutting, piecing, assembling, & binding the quilt. Great photos & fun beginner to intermediate projects. Liked the table runner & ALL of the quilts! Great projects. Great photos. Great colors!

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginner projects. Made the wall hanging that the author shows with the Vespa/moped fussy cut, easy but very cute quilting pattern. Directions slightly convoluted, but made my own drawings & little notes on graph paper & all went smoothly... worth the effort!

[Jude Grebeldinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

pg 72. Scooter Strips Wall Hanging.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of basics.

[Shammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and lovely patterns 😊

[Mills College Library]

746.46041 B5657 2013