Customer Reviews

Applique the Basics and Beyond: The Complete Guide to Successful Machine and Hand Techniques with Dozens of Designs to Mix and Match

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If one were to buy only one book on applique techniques, this would be the one. This is by far the clearest explaination of the process. It covers all possible approaches to a project, hand to machine. The illustrations are fabulous. I finally get it--- and you probably should too, if you are at all interested in tackling any applique projects.
The projects contained in the book have a nice simple modern look, and would be worth trying to get a feel for the process.
After this good start the techniques can be applied to all sorts of designs, even ones so advanced as those in another amazing book Little Brown Bird, by Margaret Docherty, a master (or mistress) of hand applique.
The only aspect of applique that is probably not covered fully enough is reverse applique. There is one page discussing this technique, however for a more complete discussion I would recommend Dutch Treat by Judy Garden.
My final favorite applique book is Applique Inside the Lines by Carol Armstrong which combines applique outlined and highlighted with simple hand embroidery, however, many more techniques for embellishing with embroidery are covered in Pittmans book. She has done a magnificent job! So again--- This is the one!

I teach a begining applique class and this book has everything I have been covering in my class. I plan on requiring my students to buy this book and am currently redesigning the class using this book. I love this book and highly recommend it. It covers everything completely with easy to understand directions and beautiful color pictures every step of the way. This is a must have book for your quilting library!

The great thing about this book is that it illustrates every type of applique in simple, easy to understand, full color pictures. Even the "applique impaired" like myself will want to try all the different kinds of applique. The quilt patterns provided are beatiful, functional and modern. A must have guide for the novice or experienced quilter

will be able to learn from and expand the skills I have HERE IT IS: APPLIQUÉ: THE BASICS AND BEYOND. It will be my Bible when I appliqué!

The very first thing that caught my attention was the fact it was done in a spiral ring binding. This allows the book to STAY open which is very important for me as I am sewing and learning at the same time. I no longer have to set weights on the corners of the pages to keep them open. As a visual learner, this is very important.

The book is arranged in five chapters which include: Getting Started - Basics and Beyond, Equipment and Supplies, Preparing Appliqué, Projects and Patterns. Each chapter is very detailed with lots of photos to guide you along with the written instructions. There are tips scattered throughout each section as well.

The Embellishing chapter is jam packed with ideas on how to add that special touch to your project. From cords to beads to embroidery, there is an embellishment that will give your piece a bit of pizzazz.

There are eight different projects but using you own imagination and creativity, you will be able to create dozens of other projects. Five are wall-sized projects and three are quilt-sized. The projects give a difficulty level so you are sure to try the project that is appropriate for your skill level. Then once you have completed a lower level, you can give the next level project a try. All the templates are full-sized so you don't have to make a trip to the copy shop.

A two-page index helps you locate whatever you need to review or learn and the final page is a bio about the author, Janet Pittman. All in all, this book is one that I would highly recommend to anyone because you can add to your present skills or start to learn how. It is definitely a book that will remain in my sewing room library.

I am one of those people who is not at all interested in doing one of those huge beautiful quilts other quilt artists create because it is such a time consuming process. I prefer smaller projects which I know will get finished farily soon, and which can be picked up and put down easily. I love applique and when I found this book I knew I had found the book for me. All of the projects in the book are fairly small and portable, and the book is very well detailed and presented. From start to finish, you get the usual primer in materials, technique, use of fabric and color, then you get plenty of projects to keep you busy if you don't find your own to do. The fact that the book is spiral bound is a great help when laying it out on the table for reference. If you're into smaller projects the way I am then this is another book for you.

Must agree with all the great reviews. Good pictures, great info including stitch lengths, types of thread, machine and hand applique. My first machine applique project was a success using only this one book to guide me. One of the best instruction quilting books out there. Folds flat for easy reading, full color, well-written.

This is a wonderful instruction book on multiple ways to applique. The instructions are clearly written and the photographs are wonderful and easy to follow. This book is a "must have" for anyone interested in applique.

If you're just getting started in applique or want to improve existing skills, APPLIQUE: THE BASICS AND BEYOND is for you: it packs in over a hundred pages and over five hundred color photos and illustrations to survey the art, from equipment and stitches needed to mixing pattern groups and learning from projects. Add lay-flat hardcover binding with spine lettering and you have a fine guide whether you're using a machine or appliqueing by hand.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I couldn't wait to open this book when it came and now I can't seem to put it down. It is so easy to read and follow the instructions. Janet has surely written it for all levels trying applique.

This is a fine book. It explores the latest hand and machine techniques. You don't need one of those super snazzy machines to use this book. I sew on a 30 year old Bernina. I can easily adapt the techniques presented to work with my sewing machine. Clearly written instructions and great photographs make this a pleasure to read and a joy to use. If you can afford only one book about applique, get this one.