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The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker
Quilting Basics with Modern Flair Try a fresh, relaxed approach to making quilts with this new "go-to" book. The bright aesthetic and clear, simple instructions guide beginners and intermediates alike through the entire process of creating fun and useful quilts that they'll be proud to call their own.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
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490 people want to read
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September 1, 2011I am really looking for a comprehensive basic guide to quiltmaking. I am beginning to think that such a book does not exist and may not be possible to create. Granted, I haven't read every single book purporting to be a "comprehensive guide". Why do I care? I want my students to have a resource to which they can refer when they get stuck. The resource should be comprehensive, basic, detailed and POSITIVE. Skills are important, but the quilt police are not. I want to get people to their sewing machine to experience the joys of quiltmaking.
The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker by Elizabeth Hartman, of Oh! Fransson fame, is another entry into my contest on 'ultimate guides'. This is a beautiful book. It is a nice size, the photos are wonderful and the fabrics are appealing. I also like the way she arranged the projects: "Projects to get you started," Projects for the a Confident Beginner," and "Intermediate-Level Projects." No advanced projects, but no big surprise there.
Hartman talks about supplies in a good amount of detail. Her advice, which I agree with, is to "...buy the best-quality materials you can afford." I keep my supplies for a long time, so it makes no sense for me to buy poor quality. I have the first ruler I ever bought and still use it. She talks about using different types of fabrics, such as linen and mentions madras plaids, vintage bed linens and shirting cottons. I think this approach is interesting, because she is giving permission to use what people have on hand. Also, quiltmakers were told for a long time that sheets were too tightly woven to use successfully. This isn't even mentioned and I like the tone of trying things out with which the book starts. I used a Japanese fabric that was thicker and more loosely woven than quilting cotton and lived to tell the tale. She has good example photos of fabrics she is discussing.
The author includes organizing tips as well as teaching the reader how to make a quilt (pg.17). organizing can often be a critical piece of the quiltmaking process and I don't remember another book that talks about it. Often, the value of organizing your projects is overlooked. Hartman uses organizer cards and labels. I didn't quite understand her process, but think it is similar to my Post-it note method.
She has an interesting way of hanging quilts. She shows a quilt with corner triangles as a hanging method rather than a sleeve. She says that this method works for smaller pieces (pg.19). She also talks about piecing the back, which is something I also don't remember seeing in many other books.
The author includes some information on color. In it, she reviews a variety of color wheel concepts. There are a couple of paragraphs on each concept, such as the definition of a monochromatic color scheme. This section is like candy, because it is so well illustrated. The fabrics and colors she selected to illustrate her concepts are fantastic! Another addition is a short discussion of negative space, eg background. Again, I don't remember other books even mentioning negative space. I could look at these pages for a long time.
I thought it was interesting that her idea of dots is completely at odds with Harriet Hargrave in the book Quilter's Academy Vol. 1Freshman Year: A SkillBuilding Course in Quiltmaking where she said "Dots can add interest, but as with calicoes, too many can become very busy and detract from the design of the quilt. The fewer fabrics your quilt design has, the more important it becomes to limit the use of this type of print. (pg.69)" Elizabeth Hartman says "...but don't discount the importance of basics, such as dots, stripes, smaller floras, and other small- and medium scale prints. (pg.24)" This might be the 'modern quilter' flash in the pan talking, but I think the dichotomy illustrates how individual fabric selection is.
Speaking of fabric, Ms. Hartman uses such appealing fabrics throughout the book, even for the most mundane of tasks, such as how to rotary cut (not mundane, I know, for those who are learning to rotary cut!), that I want to run up and pull out some fabric and practice rotary cutting.
This book has a little of everything. A new quiltmaker could really get started using this book, with only a little bit of additional help from Quilty. She talks about quilting the quilt sandwich and points out that it is better to avoid stitching in the ditch, because it looks bad if you miss it. This is so true!
The basics section covers 44 pages of a 127 page book, then she gets on to the projects. Right before the project section starts, Elizabeth Hartman writes one of the most important elements in the whole book "...and get you thinking about how to make your quilting projects more uniquely you. (pg.44)"
Most of the projects cover 4-6 pages of instructions. Ms. Hartman shows the back as well as alternate color ideas in fabric, not computer generated, for each project. She also does not rehash what she has already written about, but refers readers back to previous pages in the first part of the book. The projects section also has tips, tricks and new concepts. In The Small Plates pattern, pg.56-61, she describes fussy cutting. In Batch of Brownies, pg.62-69, she talks about the idea of resting places for the eye, which can be used in other projects as well.
Hartman doesn't always explain her fabric choices. While you might have gotten too much of that in Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking, I find it useful to understand why an author selected certain fabrics. It helps me learn and improve my own choices.
At the end, Elizabeth Hartman has a page of resources, but the book contains no index. I think it would benefit from an index as a tool for those who wanted to refer to certain sections.
The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker by Elizabeth Hartman, of Oh! Fransson fame, is another entry into my contest on 'ultimate guides'. This is a beautiful book. It is a nice size, the photos are wonderful and the fabrics are appealing. I also like the way she arranged the projects: "Projects to get you started," Projects for the a Confident Beginner," and "Intermediate-Level Projects." No advanced projects, but no big surprise there.
Hartman talks about supplies in a good amount of detail. Her advice, which I agree with, is to "...buy the best-quality materials you can afford." I keep my supplies for a long time, so it makes no sense for me to buy poor quality. I have the first ruler I ever bought and still use it. She talks about using different types of fabrics, such as linen and mentions madras plaids, vintage bed linens and shirting cottons. I think this approach is interesting, because she is giving permission to use what people have on hand. Also, quiltmakers were told for a long time that sheets were too tightly woven to use successfully. This isn't even mentioned and I like the tone of trying things out with which the book starts. I used a Japanese fabric that was thicker and more loosely woven than quilting cotton and lived to tell the tale. She has good example photos of fabrics she is discussing.
The author includes organizing tips as well as teaching the reader how to make a quilt (pg.17). organizing can often be a critical piece of the quiltmaking process and I don't remember another book that talks about it. Often, the value of organizing your projects is overlooked. Hartman uses organizer cards and labels. I didn't quite understand her process, but think it is similar to my Post-it note method.
She has an interesting way of hanging quilts. She shows a quilt with corner triangles as a hanging method rather than a sleeve. She says that this method works for smaller pieces (pg.19). She also talks about piecing the back, which is something I also don't remember seeing in many other books.
The author includes some information on color. In it, she reviews a variety of color wheel concepts. There are a couple of paragraphs on each concept, such as the definition of a monochromatic color scheme. This section is like candy, because it is so well illustrated. The fabrics and colors she selected to illustrate her concepts are fantastic! Another addition is a short discussion of negative space, eg background. Again, I don't remember other books even mentioning negative space. I could look at these pages for a long time.
I thought it was interesting that her idea of dots is completely at odds with Harriet Hargrave in the book Quilter's Academy Vol. 1Freshman Year: A SkillBuilding Course in Quiltmaking where she said "Dots can add interest, but as with calicoes, too many can become very busy and detract from the design of the quilt. The fewer fabrics your quilt design has, the more important it becomes to limit the use of this type of print. (pg.69)" Elizabeth Hartman says "...but don't discount the importance of basics, such as dots, stripes, smaller floras, and other small- and medium scale prints. (pg.24)" This might be the 'modern quilter' flash in the pan talking, but I think the dichotomy illustrates how individual fabric selection is.
Speaking of fabric, Ms. Hartman uses such appealing fabrics throughout the book, even for the most mundane of tasks, such as how to rotary cut (not mundane, I know, for those who are learning to rotary cut!), that I want to run up and pull out some fabric and practice rotary cutting.
This book has a little of everything. A new quiltmaker could really get started using this book, with only a little bit of additional help from Quilty. She talks about quilting the quilt sandwich and points out that it is better to avoid stitching in the ditch, because it looks bad if you miss it. This is so true!
The basics section covers 44 pages of a 127 page book, then she gets on to the projects. Right before the project section starts, Elizabeth Hartman writes one of the most important elements in the whole book "...and get you thinking about how to make your quilting projects more uniquely you. (pg.44)"
Most of the projects cover 4-6 pages of instructions. Ms. Hartman shows the back as well as alternate color ideas in fabric, not computer generated, for each project. She also does not rehash what she has already written about, but refers readers back to previous pages in the first part of the book. The projects section also has tips, tricks and new concepts. In The Small Plates pattern, pg.56-61, she describes fussy cutting. In Batch of Brownies, pg.62-69, she talks about the idea of resting places for the eye, which can be used in other projects as well.
Hartman doesn't always explain her fabric choices. While you might have gotten too much of that in Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking, I find it useful to understand why an author selected certain fabrics. It helps me learn and improve my own choices.
At the end, Elizabeth Hartman has a page of resources, but the book contains no index. I think it would benefit from an index as a tool for those who wanted to refer to certain sections.
January 29, 2011
I admit, I was skeptical that I'd learn anything new from this book, especially after I read the introduction and saw she had been quilting for 10 years, while I've racked up more years than that. But I was wrong and I found a few things I hadn't seen before, like great corners to add to small quilts for easy hanging (page 19), some good ideas for fussy-cutting (page 28), and some great stuff on binding that will make my next project much easier (pages 40-44).
I also really like how she gives different options for each quilt, like "make it with solids" or "make it scrappy." You only see one block of each of the two additional options for each quilt, but it's enough to give you some ideas.
The only pattern I was really interested in was "Little Leaves" on page 88, but many patterns are great for beginners or new quilters who want fairly simply but nice looking patterns.
I also really like how she gives different options for each quilt, like "make it with solids" or "make it scrappy." You only see one block of each of the two additional options for each quilt, but it's enough to give you some ideas.
The only pattern I was really interested in was "Little Leaves" on page 88, but many patterns are great for beginners or new quilters who want fairly simply but nice looking patterns.
August 18, 2024
Lovely designs with contemporary colors and fabrics so a nice change from older works. Really no new basics, the basics are the basics. Piecing is great but wish the quilting was considered and not edge to edge because the photography is excellent. Nice to see the work of a Portland, Oregon sewer!
July 20, 2013
i LOVED this book! i realized after i bought it that it's the same book i paged through last summer when i was looking for quilt ideas for the baby quilt i was going to make for ramona. elizabeth's "snapshots" quilt inspired me to try fussy-cutting. that quilt is still not finished & i'm not wild about how it turned out, but now that i have more sewing experience (including quiltmaking) under my belt, i realize what i did wrong. i was impatient & i was trying to cut corners & speed up the process, not realizing that the little details do matter quite a bit when it comes to quiltmaking.
since i made that quilt top, i have learned a lot of about quiltmaking just by reading blogs, watching tutorials, experimenting with my sewing machine, & picking the brains of experienced quilters. therefore, i already had a lot of the basics down when i got this book. i was surprised & impressed with how thorough a resource it can be to a beginner. i mean, it explains how to use a rotary cutter! using a rotary cutter is totally easy, but i guess i can recall being intimidated the first time i used one & wondering why we couldn't just use scissors.
i have yet to get as far as making a quilt sandwich, pin-basting, quilting, & binding. i'm a little nervous because learning to piece was a lot of fun, but also a lot of error. but when you fuck up your piecing, you can just get out the seam ripper & start over (assuming you have the patience for that). i am more scared about fucking up the quilting because it just seems scarier & harder. but elizabeth's book has a lot beginner-friendly ideas & tips, & the only way i'll learn is to try...
i haven't tried any of her patterns. even when i made the snapshots quilt, i just kind of ran with the idea & concocted my own pattern. i made another quilt top this week, also of my own design, & discovered later that it's kind of similar to her kitchen window quilt. even if you don't follow her patterns, they can be good inspiration. there are lots of interesting ideas in there, & she has won me over to pieced backs. i'd pretty much only ever seen really ugly pieced backs & i couldn't understand why someone would want to mar a lovely quilt like that when they could just do a solid back & call it a day. elizabeth has shown me the light & i plan to do a pieced back for the quilt top i made this week. i feel inspired to have another forum for showcasing the lovely fabrics i have.
i do wish that she'd found a way to list the fabrics that were showcased in each of her quilts, because i recognized a few & i really liked others & wondered what they were.
it's true that this book is for the beginning quiltmaker. if you've made a few quilts already, you probably won't get much out of this. you might pick up a few tips here & there, but elizabeth's blog, oh fransson!, is full of tips & tutorials as well. (& lovely quilts!)
since i made that quilt top, i have learned a lot of about quiltmaking just by reading blogs, watching tutorials, experimenting with my sewing machine, & picking the brains of experienced quilters. therefore, i already had a lot of the basics down when i got this book. i was surprised & impressed with how thorough a resource it can be to a beginner. i mean, it explains how to use a rotary cutter! using a rotary cutter is totally easy, but i guess i can recall being intimidated the first time i used one & wondering why we couldn't just use scissors.
i have yet to get as far as making a quilt sandwich, pin-basting, quilting, & binding. i'm a little nervous because learning to piece was a lot of fun, but also a lot of error. but when you fuck up your piecing, you can just get out the seam ripper & start over (assuming you have the patience for that). i am more scared about fucking up the quilting because it just seems scarier & harder. but elizabeth's book has a lot beginner-friendly ideas & tips, & the only way i'll learn is to try...
i haven't tried any of her patterns. even when i made the snapshots quilt, i just kind of ran with the idea & concocted my own pattern. i made another quilt top this week, also of my own design, & discovered later that it's kind of similar to her kitchen window quilt. even if you don't follow her patterns, they can be good inspiration. there are lots of interesting ideas in there, & she has won me over to pieced backs. i'd pretty much only ever seen really ugly pieced backs & i couldn't understand why someone would want to mar a lovely quilt like that when they could just do a solid back & call it a day. elizabeth has shown me the light & i plan to do a pieced back for the quilt top i made this week. i feel inspired to have another forum for showcasing the lovely fabrics i have.
i do wish that she'd found a way to list the fabrics that were showcased in each of her quilts, because i recognized a few & i really liked others & wondered what they were.
it's true that this book is for the beginning quiltmaker. if you've made a few quilts already, you probably won't get much out of this. you might pick up a few tips here & there, but elizabeth's blog, oh fransson!, is full of tips & tutorials as well. (& lovely quilts!)
July 28, 2011
Elizabeth Hartman’s Blog is FUN and so is her book "The Practical Guide to Patchwork". In the introduction Elizabeth points out that “a quilt is something you’re likely to work on for weeks or even months. There are many steps, each of which may involve learning a new technique.” I was delighted to see that Elizabeth shows the steps in the quiltmaking process in a way that makes it fun and interesting. The first three chapters cover the basics on how to plan and construct a quilt for start to finish. I liked information on use of charm squares and precut rolls of fabric and the patterns in the that use them. There are 12 projects in the book for beginners to intermediate quilters. The book gives suggestions for contemporary color schemes and ways to use whites and solid colors to show off prints to their best advantage. For each project Elizabeth gives suggestions for at least two alternate color combinations. All the projects have suggestions for interesting pieced quilt backs. I would definitely recommend this book to any quilter looking for a good reference book or ideas for quilts that are fresh and modern.
July 27, 2016
Elizabeth Hartman has written an excellent book for quilting beginners. As in her blog, the writing in The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker is friendly, the instructions clear and she makes it look achievable - an important point since quilting can be intimidating in so many ways.
Hartman covers the basics of patchwork and quilting very succinctly, giving instructions and suggestions for materials, tools, fabric choices, color combinations, adjusting pattern sizes, and quilting and binding of course. I love her fabric choices and the fresh and modern designs of the quilts. But since most of the quilt patterns in this book are catered to beginners, with a couple for intermediate sewers, they are mostly quite simple. While appealing, they are not as fun or exciting as some of the works you can see on her blog.
If you're an experienced quilter, this book may not appeal to you as you're unlikely to learn much from it. But for beginners, there's much here to help you get started or gain confidence in your skills in making quilts.
Hartman covers the basics of patchwork and quilting very succinctly, giving instructions and suggestions for materials, tools, fabric choices, color combinations, adjusting pattern sizes, and quilting and binding of course. I love her fabric choices and the fresh and modern designs of the quilts. But since most of the quilt patterns in this book are catered to beginners, with a couple for intermediate sewers, they are mostly quite simple. While appealing, they are not as fun or exciting as some of the works you can see on her blog.
If you're an experienced quilter, this book may not appeal to you as you're unlikely to learn much from it. But for beginners, there's much here to help you get started or gain confidence in your skills in making quilts.
January 1, 2014
When you look at a quilting book there are some that are completely your style and you end up keeping them forever and paying a ridiculous amount of fines at the library until you return the darn thing and buy it.
Elizabeth covers the basics helping a novice quilter along from start to finish. Full of helpful hints, an amazing attention to detail, and an type A organization style that seriously does it for me. Seriously, home organization stores, fabric and office supplies do it for me. Sorry, I will stop being creepy, back to the book.
All of the quilt designs have a modern, yet timeless feel, so the book feels fresh. The bright colored prints mixed with neutral solids are wonderful and each quilt comes with alternate suggestions for colors besides the one sewn for the book.
I think the time has come for me to return the book, the fines and all and just go out and buy it already, you should too.
Elizabeth covers the basics helping a novice quilter along from start to finish. Full of helpful hints, an amazing attention to detail, and an type A organization style that seriously does it for me. Seriously, home organization stores, fabric and office supplies do it for me. Sorry, I will stop being creepy, back to the book.
All of the quilt designs have a modern, yet timeless feel, so the book feels fresh. The bright colored prints mixed with neutral solids are wonderful and each quilt comes with alternate suggestions for colors besides the one sewn for the book.
I think the time has come for me to return the book, the fines and all and just go out and buy it already, you should too.
January 17, 2011
I think this is a very approachable book for quilt owners and wannabes to own. The pages aren't horribly busy. I like that I own some of the fabrics she uses in her book. The projects all seem to realisitic for the sections they are in, and I'm inspired to make some quilts I haven't made in a long time like Fenced in, and I want to try Rain or Shine.
As a mostly self taught quilter I found some useful tips and explanations on how to use some of the "new" tools, like binding clips. I own them, but have never used them because they do look like the kind of barrettes that never worked on my hair :) so how could they work on my quilt? Now, I might try them on my next quilt.
As a mostly self taught quilter I found some useful tips and explanations on how to use some of the "new" tools, like binding clips. I own them, but have never used them because they do look like the kind of barrettes that never worked on my hair :) so how could they work on my quilt? Now, I might try them on my next quilt.
May 2, 2012
A beautifully-composed look at the basics of quilting. Projects are contemporary and fresh--lots of white and light gray backgrounds to show off clean, brightly-colored designer prints--and the language is friendly and approachable. Reads very much like an extended post from Hartman's enjoyable quilting blog "Oh, Fransson!" Won't take the intermediate quilter far, but would make a great gift for someone new to the craft who doesn't want to make "grandma quilts."
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April 22, 2023When I think of patchwork my mind goes somewhere similar to crazy quilts. When this also talks about patchwork, she’s talking about what I think of as traditional quilting techniques. I love how she makes the quilts, simple and accessible, while explaining step-by-step, how to construct them. I did read this as an e-book, and much of the book involved measurements and how to cut the fabric so as to have the appropriate number of pieces in the correct sizes. It almost feels like cheating to call this as a book that I read, however, I did read all of it so I’m going to put it on my list. If you’re looking for some beginner quilt blocks that don’t involve a lot of piecing to create corners that you have to worry about then this is a good start. The quilts that she created were gorgeous, and sort of makes me wish that I was more math medical than I am.
July 24, 2023
Road map
I felt like the book took me on a journey from wanting to make your first quilt to exploring challenging patterns. Each step contained an attention keeping amount of explanation. All the while keeping a focus on modern fabrics and patterns or suggestions on updating the old. Sewing books seem to blur but I was surprisingly impressed. I would suggest adding this one to any quilt library, for the beginner especially but also for the experienced to have the basic patterns at hand.
I felt like the book took me on a journey from wanting to make your first quilt to exploring challenging patterns. Each step contained an attention keeping amount of explanation. All the while keeping a focus on modern fabrics and patterns or suggestions on updating the old. Sewing books seem to blur but I was surprisingly impressed. I would suggest adding this one to any quilt library, for the beginner especially but also for the experienced to have the basic patterns at hand.
July 13, 2018
(The Practical Guide to Patchwork, by Elizabeth Hartman) I noted several good tips from this book.
To create a knotless start for hand finishing, fold a length of thread in half and thread the folded part through the needle. Pull the needle through the quilt back and batting, near the edge of the binding, leaving the end loop sticking out just a bit. Bring the needle through the edge of the binding and back through the loop. Pull until the loop closes and the end of the thread is anchored.
To create a knotless start for hand finishing, fold a length of thread in half and thread the folded part through the needle. Pull the needle through the quilt back and batting, near the edge of the binding, leaving the end loop sticking out just a bit. Bring the needle through the edge of the binding and back through the loop. Pull until the loop closes and the end of the thread is anchored.
August 29, 2017
Great book for beginners as well as for quilters with some experience under their belts. And I just now realized that the author is the designer of a pattern I really want. Which tells me why I was so drawn to this book. Great illustrations and a nice set of quilt designs.
July 8, 2019
Very helpful advice and net designs for the beginning quilter.
February 29, 2020
A refreshingly positive and permissive view on quilting. Hartman encourages readers aka Quilter’s to enjoy quilting and not be too fussy about many details. Several nice projects included.
April 28, 2020
If colour , shape and form inspire you then pick up this book and dream !
January 11, 2021
Her projects are documented well. Made a few
March 20, 2021
Beautiful pictures and well laid out.
December 30, 2022
great idea book
This book has numerous projects with Very good instructions with pictures and alternate options for making the quilts included. Well worth reading.
This book has numerous projects with Very good instructions with pictures and alternate options for making the quilts included. Well worth reading.
August 15, 2023
I haven’t made any of the patterns following her instructions yet so the stars might change. It’s a well-written book with lots of helpful tips and tricks to help beginner and intermediate quilters.
November 18, 2023
A nice, comprehensive book to teach someone how to start the journey to making a quilt. Beginner lessons are well laid-out, and the book goes from easy blocks to more difficult.
July 18, 2025
Loved it. Skill builder from brains, ideas, to creating and fine tuning and stitching.
March 12, 2016
Not all of us are people who make things. Sometimes what stops us is the unknown, the untried, the unfamiliar. Elizabeth Hartman sets down all the basics of quiltmaking in this book. From gathering supplies to color theory to choosing fabric to quilt construction to quilting and binding, she explains it all in easy to understand steps.
I am impressed by the clarity of Hartman’s explanations and instructions. I especially appreciated the sidebars that she calls “tips.” I am a self-taught quilter. I figured out by trial and error what Hartman has included as clearly written “tips.” Oh how I wish I had this book when I started quilting.
The first section of the book is called “All the Basics.” Hartman explains quilt vocabulary, quilting tools and useful supplies, how to plan a quilt, and quilt construction. The first half of the book is dedicated to helping the novice quilter understand the ins and outs of quilting.
Beginning on page 45, Hartman introduces the projects which she delineates by the difficulty of the project. “Projects to Get You Started” are for beginning quilters. The quilts in this section are all straight lines, squares, or rectangles. If you can sew a straight line, you can successfully make one of these quilts.
The next section is called “projects for the Confident Beginner” and things get a tad more difficult but directions are clear and there are tips, many tips. The final section is called “Intermediate-Level Projects” and these quilts offer more of a challenge to the quilter.
One of the things I really liked about this book is that Hartman doesn’t ignore the back of the quilts. Each of the 12 quilt projects has directions for the quilt backs. Some are easy, some are more complicated. All compliment the beautiful quilt tops.
I am impressed by the clarity of Hartman’s explanations and instructions. I especially appreciated the sidebars that she calls “tips.” I am a self-taught quilter. I figured out by trial and error what Hartman has included as clearly written “tips.” Oh how I wish I had this book when I started quilting.
The first section of the book is called “All the Basics.” Hartman explains quilt vocabulary, quilting tools and useful supplies, how to plan a quilt, and quilt construction. The first half of the book is dedicated to helping the novice quilter understand the ins and outs of quilting.
Beginning on page 45, Hartman introduces the projects which she delineates by the difficulty of the project. “Projects to Get You Started” are for beginning quilters. The quilts in this section are all straight lines, squares, or rectangles. If you can sew a straight line, you can successfully make one of these quilts.
The next section is called “projects for the Confident Beginner” and things get a tad more difficult but directions are clear and there are tips, many tips. The final section is called “Intermediate-Level Projects” and these quilts offer more of a challenge to the quilter.
One of the things I really liked about this book is that Hartman doesn’t ignore the back of the quilts. Each of the 12 quilt projects has directions for the quilt backs. Some are easy, some are more complicated. All compliment the beautiful quilt tops.
January 13, 2011
This book is a great beginning for new quilters. Lots of pictures, clear directions and tons of inspiration, the projects seem approachable and interesting. With a jump-in attitude, a newbie, like me, gets all the encouragement needed to start.
I would have liked to see more information on the machine quilting aspect. Different motifs, where and how they might be used might be necessary information closer to completion of a quilt.
Overall, an informative, inspiring beginning to the quilt making process.
I would have liked to see more information on the machine quilting aspect. Different motifs, where and how they might be used might be necessary information closer to completion of a quilt.
Overall, an informative, inspiring beginning to the quilt making process.
September 26, 2013
If you're looking for a book to teach you quilting and you're not an old blue hair who's interested in making something yet another flying geese/Ohio star/sawtooth quilt, this is a great book. The instructions are clear and the tips are great; things that make quilters argue like the pros and cons of pre-washing fabrics are presented evenly. It's like having a good friend who wants to tell you how to make a quilt. The patterns are varied and interesting, and having someone pay as much attention to the backs as the fronts will give people good habits for the rest of their crafty lives.
April 11, 2014
I love the layout of this book. It starts with the most basic of basics and explains some things about quilting that other books take for granted. If you've never even touched a piece of fabric before in your life you'll be able to figure out how to quilt using this book. The photos and colours are fantastic and the instructions are easy to follow. Highly recommended for quilters of all experience level, especially beginners.
December 10, 2011
OMG I love this book. I wish I could find fabrics like these locally (that didn't cost an arm and a leg) to make something similar. I will have to get this book again. This is certainly more of a patchwork than traditional quilting with some quilts shown, which doesn't detract from how beautiful the quilts are that are shown. If you have some lovely fabrics and want an idea of what gorgeous quilts that can be made with that fabric, this book is for you.
December 29, 2011
I really enjoyed Ms Hartman's approach to quiltmaking - modern, flexible, and most importantly with an emphasis on enjoying yourself and making quilts that reflect your own individual taste.
Lots of great photos, lots of beautiful fabrics. Very useful, very detailed instructions about basic quilting techniques. Also very detailed instructions for each quilting project.
I'll add a more detailed review when I've completed one of the projects.
Lots of great photos, lots of beautiful fabrics. Very useful, very detailed instructions about basic quilting techniques. Also very detailed instructions for each quilting project.
I'll add a more detailed review when I've completed one of the projects.
February 23, 2011
There are lots of quick projects I plan to use for gifts. And I finally have an idea for my "To Kill A Mockingbird" fabric I found.
The Practical Guide to Patchwork
The Practical Guide to Patchwork
March 9, 2011
This book is fabulous. I knew nothing about quilting until I found this book. The writing is helpful and the pictures are wonderful. Elizabeth is a master at teaching you what is what in the quilting book. Plus, all of the prodjects are beautiful and something one would actually want in you house. A must for all parties interested in sewing and quilting.
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