Quilting For Dummies

by Cheryl Fall

Get the know-how you need to create beautiful quilts and decorative quilted items
Quilting is a fun hobby -- but where do you begin? From selecting fabrics and designing a quilt to stitching by hand or machine, this friendly guide shows you how to put all the pieces together -- and create a wide variety of quilted keepsakes for your home. We'll have you in stitches in no time
Discover how to
* Select the right fabrics and threads
* Design your masterpiece
* Use quilting software
* Save time with rotary cutters and other cool tools
* Quilt by hand or machine
* Get creative with applique

Genres: Nonfiction, Quilting, Crafts, Sewing, Reference

392 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 1999

About the author

Cheryl Fall hosts the NeedleKnowle site and has been one of America's favorite needlework, craft and quilting designers since 1986. She has created designs for major companies including DMC, Coats & Clark, HTC, Zweigart, Pellon and others.
She is an active member of the Needlework and How-To Communities, has served as Guide for About.com's Needlepoint and Embroidery sites, and as the Social Media Liason for DMC Threads. Cheryl is a Life Member of EGA (Embroiderers' Guild of America).
In addition to over a dozen published book titles, Cheryl is also the author of several thousand articles for publication in craft and needlework magazines including Woman's Day, Country Living, Traditional Quilter, Crafts and many more. She has also hosted a nationally-distributed PBS Series called "The Creative Life," which featured over 78 episodes full of creative ideas.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book for anyone wanting to start quilting from scratch. Author uses clear, easy to understand language combined with detailed pictures and even injects lots of humour to help you remember how and what to do (or what not to do)to avoid mistakes. She tells you what tools you definitely need to get started and what you can make yourself or choose to buy later as your confidence and ability improve. Also which fabrics are best for beginners and which to use to get the best results. If you follow this book you will be quilting with confidence in no time. Well done Cheryl - you are a natural teacher and a great inspiration.

[Helen Sews-Knits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I'd like to address some of the comments.

Firstly it's a book on quilting for newbies, why would you read and rate it if you have no interest in quilting? Secondly, all the steps are there. Thirdly, they are the basic patches, some of the quilts looks ugly because they have to show them with contrasting materials so they are easier to understand, see also; the patch designs. If you actually read the first chapters in the book rather than skipping to the projects bit at the end then you will see that they teach you how to make and design your own patches and appliqués, the projects are just a demonstration of what you have already learned. Lastly, it's a beginners book on quilting *What were you expecting it to be?*

It's actually very good, and made me go "ah ha! of course" on many occasions. If you want to learn the fundamentals behind patchwork then this is for you, however it concentrates more on creating original works and is not a design book.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handy tips: use masking tape to mark lines for quilting - it comes in a variety of widths.

Lick a spot of blood on the fabric to remove it quickly. Ew, but handy.

Chain piecing saves time. I have got to remember that.

Be brave and bind.

For backing use one full piece in the middle and two halves on either side - harder to tell if you didn't center properly.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this to take forward a project we started 3 years ago after seeing all these beautiful handmade quilts in USA and Canada. So we bought the materials and basic instructions and the tools. We have even cut out some of the pieces but have hesitated when it comes to sewing up accurately. The Dummies book was to help us over this hurdle. It was readable and clearly set out so one day soon we will get out the sewing machine and complete the job...I hope!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful. Let me know that my attempts to teach myself to quilt were not that far off base. Gave me a short list of supplies that I do not have that will be necessary and/or helpful. Excited to start a project!

[sjams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I didn't actually finish this before it was due back at the library but I DID realize that this is a great book for those getting into quilting, and when I want to learn to quilt for real I'll come back to this book.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the ultimate book of quilting for the complete beginner. It tells you everything you need to get started on your new hobby, techniques and tips to make life easier, fabric advice, problem solving and a few easy patterns to try. Everything you need to know in one handy book!

[Joyce..... · Rating 5 out of 5]

i absoulty love this book.. its detail is empeckable and easy to read and understand.. its fun making a quilt..

[Mikel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! It contained all the information I was looking for.

[Amanda Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very clear cut and basic. Since I have no experience with quilting, it did get me excited and inspired to think of color combinations and pattern design.

[Beverley Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly useful

[Stephanie Stagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource! This was a library find, but I'll be buying it for my resource library.

[Rita Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use it often as a reference tool and it's very easy to understand.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great hints and tips for the novice.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been quilting & sewing for many years & found this little nugget very helpful. It would be a great gift for a new quilter.

[Mary Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

good information

[Alyson Mutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy way to learn the fundamentals of quilting. I learned a lot and it has helped me.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to like this book. There is simply too much information for the beginner to even begin! There isn't enough to make it a really good reference book either. I can't really recommend it. It does have some strengths. I thought the applique and binding sections were quite good. I'm going to enjoy trying a couple of new techniques. Another two paragraphs and they would have been perfect.

If you got the book, make the star project. Do a machine applique wallhanging following her suggestions in that section. You will then feel good about getting the book. It's not that this is a bad book, but there were at least half a dozen popular books out there before this went to press that were far superior.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very helpful. I could get a feel for a lot of the steps of quilting. I did skip a few chapters that didn't seem relevant to me at this time. I also wish there had been more "pure" quilt projects instead of a lot of mixed projects including applique which I'm not interested in at the moment. Some of the instructions I had to read a few times. The diagrams were often of great help. The author is clearly familiar with her field yet was able to remember the basics that a beginner would be struggling to learn. She clearly enjoyed her hobby.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this cover-to-cover before starting my first quilt. Actually, I read this and a handful of other quilting books before starting my first quilt. The instructions in this one were good, but why oh why did they choose such ugly quilts for the photos? For a book with very few photos, they picked some really bad ones.

[Wifey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first "For Dummies" and it's awesome. I'm reading it over and over.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good starter, but I think it lacked some details that should have been included. But then again what do I know, I'm reading a "for Dummies" book.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I'm reading a book on quilting...not sure if I'll actually take it up, but maybe this will help me decide if I want to try it.

6/8 - yeah, not my thing.

[Jennifer Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure I do know how to quilt. There seemed to have been some steps missing. But I am going to go ahead and try anyway.

[Mibelle Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Marie Isabell · Rating 3 out of 5]

great book as far as the instruction but the patterns could have been prettier. I guess this is where you change things up and use your own imagination!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for the total newbie, like me. Clear instructions. I think I'm ready to go!

[Mills College Library]

746.46041 F194 2006