Heirloom Machine Quilting: A Comprehensive Guide to Hand-Quilting Effects Using Your Sewing Machine

I took the third edition of this book out of the library a few years ago, when I was trying to teach myself to expand beyond quilt-in-the-ditch and random meandering around on a quilt top. I learned quite a bit from the third edition before the library demanded that I return their book (Well! the NERVE!). But the fourth edition is a whole 'nother level of instruction, and it's a winner.I bought the book shortly before I took a class with the author, Harriet Hargrave, and I read through about a quarter of the book before the class started. (Once I take a class from someone, I hear their voice when I read their words; since you probably won't have that experience, the rest of this review is about my perceptions _before_ I met her in person. And if you do get a chance to take a class with Harriet, DO. I learned a huge amount in those three days, and my quilting went from "that doesn't suck too much" to "hey, now I know how to do it right! once I practice a bunch more, that is.")The book, however, is fabulous simply as standalone instruction. I had at least a half dozen, "Aha! So THAT is what I was doing wrong!" realizations in the first few chapters. They ranged from the discovery that I was using WAY too few pins to hold the batting in place, to figuring out the order in which to quilt, to a new understanding of which threads and needles to use. (I'd always said Yeah Yeah Sure but this finally made it all make sense.) I also learned about the things I really *don't* need to spend money on; I'm confident that I can now do just about anything I want on my home sewing machine, and that I don't need to send out quilts to a longarm quilter or even to invest in a Bernina stitch regulator. Isn't it nice when a book convinces you that you *don't* need to spend more money?And that's all before getting to the sections on how to quilt in the ditch, and how to choose the right darning foot, and how to practice free-motion quilting. The result is that I have a LOT more confidence in what I'm doing, now... and after a few days learning the techniques, I'm anxious to start making a dent in the pile of unfinished quilt tops. In particular, I earned a new appreciation from Harriet for the beauty that can be added from the quilting, not just from piecing. I can't wait to see what I can accomplish with my quilts, now that I no longer have to dread the "What do I do NOW?" uncertainty when I see a pattern book that ends with "quilt as desired."

Comprehensive guide to machine quilting. I was doing so many things wrong! This really made the process perfect.

I have some of the (mother & daughter) Hargraves' "quilting college" books, and they're all my go-to bibles as I inch my way along as I learn to piece and quilt. This machine quilting book by daughter Harriet includes just about everything you'd want to know in as readable & comprehensive a fashion as you could possibly find in a good go-to book. It's written in an informative & conversational style with lots of excellent tips along the way! She starts with the basics (sewing machine, needles, setting machine tension, setting up workspace, etc.) and moves in logical progression from simple quilting to more complex quilting designs.Quilting enthusiasts who do not have &/or cannot afford an expensive "quilting" sewing machine (let alone a long-arm free-motion quilting machine!) will be happy to hear that Harriet has a beef with machine manufacturers that set out to convince quilters they must have something more expensive in order to quilt at home. Harriet spells out how to configure your machine, set up your workspace & prepare your pieced quilt to optimize what your existing sewing machine can do.

The 4th Ed. is laid out better! I think they moved this book more towards the direction of their latest Quilter's Academy books. Although this Ed. is not in lesson format, it is more sequential, and more in depth for process and newer items used today in quilting. Love the quantity of colored pictures and lots of diagrams, tips, and how to's.I am however very disappointed that it is a PAPERBACK book. The 3rd ed. was a spiral bound, and the item pictures for this edition are also shown as a SPIRAL bound book. Do not be fooled. This is a typical paperback book and does not stay open to a page like the spiral bound books. A severe set back, in my opinion, and a disappointment. This would have been a great improvement had they kept the binding. And, just to top it off, the quilt store sells this edition in the spiral bound version! Just went and checked it out. Amazon has a special paperback version. You are not buying the one you see in the pictures or at the quilt store. Very disappointing.

I am a newby at quilting. I am starting a quilt, my first. I got this book in hopes of some basic information. I looked at books in fabric stores, never saw this one, the selection was pathetic as far as real useful beginners advise, (the nuts and bolts of the craft, not just cute "simple little patterns") This book fills the need. It has important information, such as what needles to use and what to use them for, what thread to use and what the uses of various threads are. It covers sewing attachments needed such as a walking foot, something I hadn't even known about until now. But as a result of having this book, I am now equipped to get started with the actual quilting process. It does not cover piecing or the tricks of that part, unfortunately, but as for the layering of the batting, top, and backing, it gives complete instructions on how, and what you will need for a successful outcome. So all in all, a book worth having. Contains many pictures of quilts that the author has made. She is a very traditional quilter, doing many of the heirloom patterns.

This A4 colour book on machine quilting has some very beautiful photos.This book is designed for advanced quilters, as basic knowledge is presumed. I was disappointed as the basics are not covered and not one example is walked through. Instead the book gives principles and good advice, e.g create a sample.The book is written by a teacher so it clearly written.

brilliant book for anyone interested in machine quilting. A definite must have!

Just brilliant.

A good book to learn from

Brilliant