The Art of Machine Piecing - Print on Demand Edition [Paperback]

Sally Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Sally shares easy-to-learn piecing methods that will help you attain quality workmanship and extraordinary quilts. • Patterns for 49 traditional-style blocks in 3″, 4″, and 6″ sizes. • Instructions for making a sampler quilt that uses all 49 blocks. • The ultimate how-to guide for precision machine piecing, offering detailed information on choosing appropriate fabrics and drafting patterns. • Inspiration from a gallery of beautiful small quilts and gifts. • Lessons on how to critique your work and correct problems.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Collins (Small-Scale Quiltmaking, C&T, 1996) honed her piecing skills working with miniature blocks, which require even more precision in piecing than standard-size bed quilt blocks. In this book of techniques and tips derived from personal experience, she emphasizes fine craftsmanship and careful mastery rather than speed. Anyone taking the time to learn her precision piecing methods will be rewarded with visible results. Especially noteworthy is her inclusion of pattern-drafting information, often missing from other quilting technique books. An excellent choice for large public libraries and subject collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Sally Collins loves the challenge of combining quality workmanship with small, intricate piecing and traditional blocks. She travels frequently, sharing quilts and teaching workshops across the country. Sally lives in Walnut Creek, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing, Inc. (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157120119X
• ISBN-13: 978-1571201195
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 133 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is definitely one to add to your collection, July 10, 2001

By 

richard bostwick (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Machine Piecing - Print on Demand Edition (Paperback)

Sally Collins has outdone herself with this book. In our modern day society, there is an emphasis on speed - everyone rushes around trying to squeeze in as many activities and projects into each minute of every day. This sometimes has the unfortunate consequence of less attention to detail and the result is sloppiness. In this book, Sally shows the quilter how to slow down and enjoy the process of creating each quilt block.

She starts her book with a chapter on Philosophy and Creativity and her deep love for quilting is very evident in the words that she uses. Phrases such as "..take pleasure in the journey", "..experience the joy and bliss that quiltmaking gives each of us". She views errors as "gifts...opportunities for success" and says that "problem solving is a real key to finding the joy in quiltmaking". With these statements, she removes the fear of making mistakes and turns errors into learning opportunities. She states that quality workmanship is not just about perfect sewing, but also knowing how to solve problems as they occur. One would be tempted to skip this introduction and jump right into the technique and block sections - this is a mistake. It may sound a bit corny, but after reading these pages, I was inspired at the prospect of making miniature blocks rather than being intimidated as I know most quilters are by the tiny pieces used in small scale blocks.

She follows the introduction with a detailed section on tools and explains what they are used for which is very helpful. A chapter on Color and Fabric is next and she does a wonderful job explaining the importance of color and fabric selection in general and also how to select appropriate fabrics for small scale blocks. There are a number of helpful example images that accompany the text. As we progress further into the book, we begin to learn about designing blocks and drafting. She goes into detail on how to draft blocks from beginning to end, a discussion that I found fascinating. Sprinkled throughout this chapter and each of the ones that follow, there are tip boxes titled "Noteworthy" that are filled with valuable information.

For the quilter interested in improving their accuracy in assembling blocks, the chapter entitled "Workmanship" is without question, the most valuable one to read - and should be read through several times to reinforce key concepts. Sally discusses various factors that cause problems from cutting to sewing to pressing. The bottom line is that the quilter needs to pay careful and close attention to each step of the process. Her quilting experience is evident in the tips on pinning, blocking, and measuring that she includes.

The last chapter before starting the block section deals with various construction techniques, such as assembling half square triangles, English Paper Piecing, and using bias bars. But, she does not stop there - she ends the chapter with a detailed and well illustrated tutorial on matching seams, a very important factor in sewing quilt blocks and one that is rarely addressed in instructional quilting books.

The Block Collection consists of forty-nine blocks with familiar names such as Churn Dash, Dresden Plate, or Bear's Paw and six of the blocks are her own designs. Each block is accompanied by a color photograph and includes template outlines and color coded measurements for three, four, and six inch blocks. She always includes a tip or two appropriate to the block, perhaps about construction or color selection. Each of these blocks is used in her quilt that she discusses in the last chapter. I was fortunate to see this quilt at a show and can vouch for its beauty and attention to detail. I spent several minutes looking at various blocks and marvelling at how well she put it together. If you are interested in making a similar one for yourself, she includes the instructions for the quilt along with fabric requirements.

She concludes the book with more eye candy in the form of a Gallery of full color photographs of quilts that she has made using the blocks in the book to whet the appetite of the reader. An alphabetic index and a brief biography of the author can be found on the final pages of the book.

It is well worth taking the time to read the book from cover to cover before embarking on the blocks. The instructions are clear and concise and well presented from a visual standpoint. This is definitely one to add to the collection!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars should be re-issued, July 11, 2005

By 

E Rice (western ny state) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Machine Piecing - Print on Demand Edition (Paperback)

this is a wonderful book for a quilter of any level of skill or experience.

i have no plans (right now!) to work at the scale the author enjoys, and i do not intend to enter any comptetitions, but i still want to do the best work i can. just one quick reading has improved my technique. thanks to ms. collins, i am more aware of how i am cutting, piecing and sewing, and more aware of what the machine is doing, can do, or will do. some of what she writes about i knew, some i never considered, some advice i've seen in other publications, but having all of this information in one source reinforces the lessons.

even if you have other technique or block books on your shelf, you will benefit from this one. as other reviewers have mentioned, ms. collins accepts the time and attention that good craftmanship requires, and encourages her readers to put that time and attention into their work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have, December 2, 2009

By 

Linda L. Hoffman "The Italian Foodie" (Chambersburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Machine Piecing - Print on Demand Edition (Paperback)

No matter how many quilting books you own, this is a must have for your personal library. Sally Collins takes it step by step to help perfect the "Art of Machine Piecing". Will we ever be perfect? No, but striving for consistency is a goal that Ms. Collins covers in detail. Belong to a quilt guild? I strongly suggest this book be included in the guild's library so everyone can improve their stitches. Happy Quilting!!!!