Top 10 quilting books

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How do you find the right quilting book for your level and experience? We’ve divided our top ten into two sections; books for the beginner and books for the slightly more advanced art quilter looking to expand their range of techniques. There are books that focus on the ‘how to’ aspects of making a quilt and others that offer inspiration. All the books featured were published in the last few years and we’ve selected the best from both sides of the pond.

Quilting for beginners

1, Beginner’s Guide to Quilting: 16 projects to learn to quilt

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting

About the book

Discover essential techniques for quilting and patchwork with 16 projects for beginners in the Beginner’s Guide to Quilting by Elisabeth Betts. Each project centres on its own technique; you’ll learn how to make cushions, table mats, and bags, as well as larger pieces such as wall hangings. All the basic facets of quilt-making are covered; applique, piecing, binding and much more. The comprehensive illustrations and easy-to-follow steps make it the perfect introduction to this versatile art form, even for the most inexperienced quilter. An accompanying glossary of commonly-used embroidery and quilting terms is included.

About the author

Elizabeth Betts has extensive quilt making experience and a grounding in print design. She is a member of the Quilter’s Guild and runs the popular blog Quilty Pleasures.

See Beginner’s Guide to Quilting: 16 projects to learn to quilt on Amazon UK

2, The Quilter’s Bible: The Indispensable Guide to Patchwork, Quilting and Applique

The Quilter’s Bible

About the book

A comprehensive guide to quilting, applique and patchwork, The Quilter’s Bible is a wonderful resource not only for the beginner seeking definitive advice, but the experienced quilter wishing to expand their knowledge of rare and specialized techniques.

Inspirational examples from world-renowned quilters are used to demonstrate the application of the processes discussed and step-by-step tutorials for over 15 projects make the book highly practical as well as informative and inspirational.

About the author

Linda Clements specializes in writing and editing fabric craft and quilting books, and has had many works published by David & Charles.

3, Quilting For Dummies

Quilting for Dummies

About the book

Don’t be put off by the title. This book is part of the famous Dummies series but the author has brilliant quilting credentials and has put together a volume that covers all the basics of the craft. Aimed very much at beginners, Quilting for Dummies walks the reader through choosing appropriate fabrics, design, and creation of beautiful and decorative items made with classic quilting practices.

The tone of the book is informative but friendly and you won’t be intimidated by lots of technical terminology. Particularly useful is the section on saving time and the correct use of various tools, such as quilting software and rotary cutters.

About the Author

Cheryl Fall has written a dozen guides and many how-to articles for international quilting magazines, such as Easy Quilting, The Quilter, Craftworks, and Quilt World.

4, Quilting Step By Step

Quilting Step by Step

About the book

Quilting Step by Step covers all the basic patchwork techniques so is an invaluable resource for the novice quilter. But there’s also value here for the more committed stitcher, as with over 70 block designs you’re bound to discover a new method or style along the way.

The images are detailed and provide a visual guide to accompany clear and concise step-by-step instructions.

About the author

Maggi Gordon’s interest in needle arts dates back to her childhood and has developed into a career. She has been commissioned to write no less than 12 books on quilting, dressmaking and sewing.

5, Beginner’s Guide to Free-Motion Quilting: 50+ Visual Tutorials to Get You Started Professional-Quality Results

Beginner’s Guide to Free Motion Machine Quilting

About the book

Focusing specifically on free-motion machine quilting, The Beginner’s Guide is the perfect guide for those looking to put a more contemporary twist on their quilts. Classic techniques are used to create modern and visually stunning quilts; 50 designs in total are covered in the book and topics covered include the correct selection of threads and batting, and basting and layering.

No need for fancy equipment with this book either; everything covered is achievable on a home sewing machine. The training supplied by the book culminates in 6 geometric quilting projects using many of the techniques covered.

About the author

Natalie Bonner is a self-confessed quilting addict and has won a plethora of awards for her work. She’s also be featured in Quiltmaker magazine and is co-author of Modern One-Block Quilts.

Art quilting books

6, The Complete Machine Quilting Manual

Complete Machine Quilting Manual

About the book

The main aim of The Complete Machine Quilting Manual is to teach you to use your sewing machine to its fullest potential for quilting. If you’re looking to get started with a range of decorative stitching effects this could well be the book for you. The author also talks through the best machine techniques for various weights of fabric and batting. And if you are considering a sewing machine upgrade, there’s a brilliant guide to which make and model will meet your specific quilting requirements.

About the author

Joanie Zeier Poole is an award-winning quilt maker and author. Her website Heirloom Quilting Designs is a shrine to all-things quilt-based!

7, Journey to Inspired Art Quilting: More Intuitive Color & Design

Journey to Inspired Art Quilting

About the book

For the more experienced art quilter looking to expand their range of reference, Journey to Inspired Art Quilting offers techniques for finding inspiration and translating ideas into practical creation. Tap into your intuition and learn how to develop your design skills with expert quilter Jean Wells.

The vibrant inspirational photos make this quilting book particularly engaging for those looking for new ways to express their creativity.

About the author

Jean Wells is a quilter of great experience and passion. As well as working on commission to create a wide range of art quilts, Jean owns the Quilting Post.

8, Quilting with a Modern Slant

Quilting with a Modern Slant

About the book

Aimed at a younger market, Quilting with a Modern Slant focuses on using traditional sewing techniques as a means of creative expression. The book explores a more improvisational, less restrictive approach to quilting and looks at using fabric in new and exciting ways.

Author Rachel May features 80 modern quilters, and covers the techniques used by these artists as the foundation for their work. Quilting with a Modern Slant offers a wonderful combination of inspiration and practical guidance (in the form of step-by-step tutorials).

About the author

Rachel May is an award-winning writer and founding member of the Boston Modern Quilt Guild.

9, The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting

The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting

About the book

From composition to design, this instructional manual covers everything you need to know about creating beautiful art quilts. There are in-depth explorations of surface design and fabric manipulation, embellishing, and making pieced, whole cloth and appliquéd works.

The Complete Photo Guide to Art Quilting is exactly what it claims to be; the full colour images provide clarification of the step-by-step directions. A gallery of inspirational art quilts by established artists provides examples of the type of finish that be achieved using the methods covered in the book.

About the author

Susan Stein is a renowned quilt artist and has exhibited nationally in the USA. She has also authored a series of books on the subject of textiles and can be found online at www.colorfulquilts.com.

10, 500 Quilt Blocks: The Only Quilt Block Compendium You’ll Ever Need

500 Quilt Blocks

About the book

A brilliant reference for quilters of all levels of skill and experience, 500 Quilt Blocks dedicates its pages to some of the most popular blocks from the world of quilting. Many of the blocks covered are suitable for even the novice, but there’s plenty to satisfy the more experienced quilter looking for a new challenge. Each block is created with the sewing machine; the images and diagrams make patterns easy to follow and the sewing guidelines are clear and understandable.

About the author

Lynne Goldsworthy creates contemporary quilts under the brand Lily’s Quilts. She also co-runs Fat Quarterly, an online textiles magazine. Kerry Green is a teacher and practitioner and shares quilt patterns, hints and tips at VeryKerryBerry.blogspot.co.uk.