Looking for Good Books
 

I am looking for good resources for a new sewer and quilter. I'm not sure where to start at Amazon! Please let me know if you have any recommendations.

I learned how to quilt using Alex Anderson's Start Quilting book. I made the rail fence quilt. The other book I use, and love because it has big, clear pictures was Bits and Pieces Quilt by Anne Dease. I'm into simple so I bought Ursula Reikes Quilts for Baby books (I think there are 3 in all). Any design can be made with non baby fabrics for a whole different look and her instructions and pictures are the best. I'm a visual learner so need those pictures!

As for sewing, I would suggest three things. You read your machine manual cover to cover and then go back and do all the things it shows you so you feel comfortable with your machine. Then take a beginning sewing class. Nothing beats that hands on experience and being with other new sewers. If that is not an option, you could try some of the You Tube tutorials. As for books, I'm lost as to what to recommend. I teach sewing to high school kids and have gotten good information from the books geared to children, they just offer a simpler way to explain things and the projects are useful like pillow cases and removable pillow covers and tote bags.

Ellenor(?) Burns Quilt in a Day gives basic and then some, a quilt sampler teaches all kinds of blocks with cutting techniques and sewing. Amazon is a good place to get new and used books. The quilting magazines all have some basic instructions and some beginner quilt patterns. Good luck and enjoy yourself. Also this board has wonderful Ladies with lots of experience that love to help each other.

For quilting you can't beat the Better Homes & Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting - http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide...+quilting+book

I still refer back to it every once in a while, and it takes you through the entire process of making a quilt.

I have Quilting 101 - A Beginners Guide. I like that book a lot. Here a link to the amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-101-b...s=How+to+Quilt


For general sewing, Simplicity,, Martha Stewart, and Better Homes and Gardens have beginner sewing books out. You can also check out Youtube videos which are wonderful. Crafty Gemini on Youtube will teach you how to insert a zipper and how to make french seams. You can learn a lot by making the quick projects that are done in a 10 minute tutorial. Lots of wonderful resources on the internet.

In addition to the above , I recommend going to the "Sewing with Nancy" site lots of tutorials for more than just quilting.
Here is a link to the past 58 episodes. These are all free .. full episodes..
http://video.wpt2.org/program/sewing-nancy/

If you have a Half-Off Books store near you, I recommend going there. You can find all kinds of these books for really cheap.

check out Sewing for Dummys and Quilting for Dummys. I have the Q. for dummys and it is good. You might be able to get them at a half price store, or Abebooks.com or amazon or ebay.

There are so many utubes that will help you. You would be amazed on how quickly you will learn watching the videos

1001 Patchwork Designs by Maggie Malone. You'll find some copies for next to nothing at Amazon.

I bought a lot of books from Hamilton books...(www.hamiltonbooks.com) Browse by subject and quilting falls under "needlecrafts" A lot of these books are under $5 or $10 .

Not that you really need any more suggestions, but the two I turn to again and again are Quilter's Complete Guide by Fons and Porter and All About Quilting from A to Z from C & T Publishing. I also recommend Elanor Burns because her instructions are always very clear and easy to follow.

Quilters Complete Guide by Fons and Porter is fantastic. Has everything for a beginner quilter. I believe its by Oxmoor House.

I have always loved the "dummies" book. I purchaed "Quilting for Dummies" and it a good basic reference book

Sally Collins "Mastering Precision Piecing". I know the title is "mastering" ... but as far as I'm concerned I wish I had learned her lessons from the very beginning. I call it the "primer". She also has a companion DVD.

For general and other quilting stuff ... I also recommend Quilting for Dummies.

The beginner quilters that come to our guild to learn to cut and piece a top, we always loan them ANITA GROSSMAN SOLOMON's book Rotary Cutting Revolution. The book has simple shortcuts to making the hardest blocks super easy. No one gets bored making the blocks or does tedious sewing and squaring up. Check out her site: She has a free block pattern: http://makeitsimpler.blogspot.com/

I also love Quilter's Complete Guide by Fons and Porter...and another good book is Quilts, Quilts, Quilts by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes.

I concur, its the best overall general quilt book with lots of knowledge

Check out your public library!!! That way you can preview the book and be sure it is something you will use. I can't tell you how much money I have wasted on books with pretty covers! Harriet Hargrave has a learning to quilt series starts with Freshman Year - they aren't necessarily easy but you sure will be well grounded!!

Try Half Price Book. They have books on quilting and sewing in general. Another place might be Tuesday Morning.

And ...I would recommend "Quilters Academy" Vol 1-Freshman Year by Harriet & Carrie Hargrave-can be found on Ebay or Amazon at good prices: Also "The Quilters Ultimate VISUAL GUIDE" is is a Rodal Quilt Book- great tips and suggestions. Also can be found on Ebay or Amazon- last one I got I paid $4.00.

Eleanor Burns
 

I would recommend taking a quilt class for beginners if you can OR starting with one of Eleanor Burns' Quilt in a Day books. Trip Around the World would probably be easiest. She is known for her great illustrations to take you step-by-step....and if you get lost somewhere, there are several thousand of us waiting here for your questions! Good Luck!

I agree with Ellenor Burns books.....you can also go to goodwillbooks.com, I have found quilting books there for hardly nothing. Also another place to go is the find.com

Ditto on BH&G Complete Guide to quilting. When I first was learning to quilt, I asked a long-time-quilter-friend what book I should buy for a "reference" book........she suggested it and glad she did.

Missouri Star Quilt Company videos on U-Tube, Quilt in a Day books/videos, Alex Anderson's books and Quilting magazines
are all great starting places. If you have a quilting Guild close by, join it and have fun learning.

I second this one -- it's my go-to book. I highly recommend it.

I have the Better Homes and Garden Complete Guide to Quilting sitting next to my sewing machine. I taught myself paper piecing with it.

For quilting: Quilts, Quilts, Quilts. Several quilts to make with patterns, how to enlarge a block, etc. I have used it many times over the years. Check your local library or buy it http://www.amazon.com/Quilts-The-Com.../dp/0844226173. I have had great success with the used books here or slightly used.

Annette

Thank you so much. I will look into the books you recommend. I am visual as well with learning. - Karen

I am so grateful to all of you for writing in with all of this helpful info. Many, many thanks! - Karen

I have found that the Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day books have very clear instructions. Also you can go online to her Quilt in a Day website and watch her tutorials, which I have found to be just as informative and easy to follow.

Ditto on using the BH&G Complete Guide to Quilting. The explanations and photos are great. You should be able to get one on Amazon or Books halfdot.com. Good luck.

I was on Amazon.com looking for a couple of quilting books and was amazed how many were being used books were there under a dollar. Yes, you still have to pay for shipping but it was still well under half of a book from a quilt or book store and they tell you if they are written in or highlighted. I got 2 books for less than one book and they were delivered to my house.

I have learned so much just watching Missouri Quilt Co. U-tubes, among others. And of course all the information shared on this board. You just have to sit and watch, just great. Look up U-tube sewing and/or quilting. Have fun!

All of the Quilt In A Day Books by Eleanor Burns are great for beginners. She has a knack for explaining things in easy to understand words. And she doesn't use words like 'always' or 'never!'

I highly recommend this one:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...DL._AA160_.jpg
[h=3]Patchwork Minus the Mathwork: A Quilter's Guide to Planning and Buying Fabrics without a Degree in Mathmatics! by Jeanne Stauffer (Nov 20, 2009)[/h]
I use it all the time to figure out measurements and how much fabric to buy.


I also use this great reference book to carry in my travel case. It comes in so handy at workshops and retreats:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...U01_AA160_.jpg
[h=3]All-In-One Quilter's Reference Tool Easy-To-Follow Charts, Tables and Illustrations, Yardage Requirements, Cutting Instructions, Setting Secrets, Choosing ... Piecing Techniques, Number Conversions by Harriet Hargrave, Sharyn Craig, Alex Anderson and Liz Aneloski (Oct 1, 2004)[/h]

Before you buy any books check out the local library but also check out the internet. There is so much information to be found for free. Free patterns galore - more than you could ever make. There are free lessons on U Tube and so many tutorials here on QB. Also lots of willing helpers which I'm sure you'll have noticed if you've been reading the posts.
Look around first before you spend a lot on books, rulers, etc and save your money for fabric. Ask me how I know this. Google Quilting for Beginners as well as Sewing for beginners.
Welcome to the board and remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. If you don't know just ask.
Happy Quilting.

I have a lot of quilting books that I've bought but the library has a lot of quilting books too and you don't have to spend money on them until you've seen a few and decided what and/or who you like.

Connecting Threads always has great sales on books. In fact, they are having a sale now. I have bought the Quilter's Academy books. I still need to get 2 and 4.

Yes, I have absolutely been reading all of your posts, everyone. I hope that some others might benefit from this thread as well--looks like there have been a lot of readers.