Customer Reviews

Dancing with Thread: Your Guide to Free-Motion Quilting

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In this book Ann Fahl has generously shared her wealth of knowledge.
Beginning with an inspirational gallery of work we are led from the basics of supplies, tools and threads, through the complexities of getting the best from your sewing machine to the point at which the "Color Dances" begin. The book ends with projects of varying intricacy and a troubleshooting guide.

All in all a comprehensive book that manages to instil good practice, inspires experimentation and is still a good read!
This book is staying very close to my machine!

Dancing with Thread by Ann Fahl really simplified machine quilting for me, and makes me want to dance with my machine! Her needle selection guidelines have simplified needle purchases for me and, I'm not having to look through my selection of needles every time I do embroidery on my machine. When I've read about machine embroidery before, the books were very serious, and Fahl lightens the subject and makes it fun to do! I hightly recommend this book to anyone who is learning to do free-motion, or to give the experienced stitcher great tips!

This is an awesome book. Exactly what I was looking for. I am trying to become more creative in my free motion quilting. This book is extremely helpful. Lots of pictures and great details. Easy to read and follow.

Ann Fahl says "you must practice when doing free motion quilting but; after you get the basic idea and become comfortable with the process, you will find that it can become relaxing and calming." In her new book "Dancing with Thread" Ann gives you free spirited quilting techniques that will help you create the perfect design to fit your quilt.
You will find many photos of her quilts and detailed comments on threads and quilting designs for each quilt. Tools and supplies are covered in detail, including thread, needles, marking pencils, bobbins and batting to name a few. You will learn how to create your own quilt motif from doodles as well as the basics of assembling a quilt. The photos and instructions are clear and very easy to understand. There are five projects in the book ranging from beginner to experience that will give you a great chance to create a small project and quilt it. There is a trouble shooting section that offers suggestions on solution to problems you may encounter. Ann is an expert on machine quilting and this book is a must have for all those interested in doing their own machine quilting.
Editor The Appliqué Society newsletter

This book has something for everyone interested in free motion quilting. If you're a beginner it's fantastic and easy to understand. More advanced? I'm sure you'll find one or more techniques in this book that will make free motion quilting easier for you.

With absolutely gorgeous examples of work showing the versatility of machine quilting, this book has all you need to know about machine quilting. The tips and techniques are great. I love the tips on lighting and metallic threads as well as the ones on batting. There are so many little things Ann shares to make your machine quilting go smoothly. Fool proof instructions with appropriate illustrations. This book is excellent for the beginner and intermediate quilter. I love the title too - very expressive.

the final piece to my puzzle. one book with all the patterns and the know how to create them. Wonderful and easy to understand.

If you want to engage in creative projects that involve free-motion quilting, thread, fabric and other quilting topics, this is a course inside a book. I have Pfahl's other title also and both push back the boundaries of what is possible with a home sewing machine, a big stash of thread, fusible webbing, fabric and some creativity. The info on needles, feet, thread and other supplies is superb and really have helped me. Her diagnostics are right on the money also. I am about to embark on her starter projects as practice pieces. Wish I could get to a real class but they are always full.

Anne, makes the effort of attempting to free-motion quilt seem easy, like relax, practice, remember to breath is my favorite bit of advise. Using her system I have improved rapidly, I put on my favorite music and start quilting in the ditch, before venturing out on the real stuff. Have had great results, learned to write my name "Grandma: and the date with ease. I have all of her books and each one just bolsters my ability to be a good machine quilter.

Very well done. Ann is a great teacher in person and in print. Book is very clear with information I have not found in other free-motion books.