Customer Reviews

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

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Harriet Hargrave writes as if she is looking over your shoulder watching you work. This is an easy and entertaining read, packed with practical information on threads (I didn't realize it was possible to choose a thread stronger than my fabric!), needles, grain direction, quilt assembly, binding, etc. I am a beginning quilter, and learned a great deal of beginning information from this book. Harriet even addresses how to package or bundle a quilt you plan to machine quilt, so that it is easier to handle and unfolds as you work.

There are beautiful photographs of antique and contemporary machine quilted quilts for inspiration. There is an excellent section on how to modify quilting patterns for machine quilting.

A side note is that Harriet is one of few quilting authors who addresses the ergonomic needs of the quilter and sewer, with more suggestions about worktable height, chair types, back support, and support for the quilt "package".

This is just a great book, and spiral bound too!

Even if we use a sewing machine to piece the quilt we are left with the daunting task of hand quilting the layers together. There is a solution to this problem and the book "Heirloom Machine Quilting" contains the guidance you need. Using easy to understand instructions it covers every tiny step you need to take from setting up your machine to the final binding.

Learning to machine quilt is not an overnight process. You can learn some basic techniques like stitching "in the ditch" quickly enough and you will find the detailed instructions on this simple procedure to be invaluable. But the true challenge and joy of machine quilting comes when you learn "free motion quilting". So many possibilities are open to you when you can follow your favorite stencil patterns or even create your own freestyle movements to fill in an area. The first key to making "free motion quilting" work is to set up your machine correctly with help from the book. Then you are ready to practice, practice, practice. Be sure to read all the tips provided and try the exercises that Hargrave suggests.

The book includes several beautiful full page pictures showing how a variety of quilts have been machine quilted. You will be amazed how machine quilting can give the look of the original handwork. Don't let the beauty and detail of these quilts scare you away. You can have a wonderful time machine quilting on a far simpler level. Just keep on quilting and perhaps some day you will be ready to take on a quilt much like the ones pictured.

This book covers everything from what tools and accessories are needed, how to choose the batting for the quilt, to how to accomplish simple to elaborate machine quilting. Beginners through advanced quilters will appreciate the straightforward manner in which this is written. It is a well-organized compilation which takes the quilt maker step by step through the machine quilting process. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in machine quilting.

This book not only tells about machine quilting, it describes and tells about other aspects of quilting...binding, lining and batting (good info!), basting and etc. I really like the designs too. I learned a lot about batting from this book. I'm a beginner so I believe beginners would get a lot of use out this book also.

If you plan to purchase one book on machine quilting, this is the one. Harriet Hargrave is a leader in the in the field of machine quilting both nationally and internationally. This book is packed with information on threads, needles and battings to create your desired effect. She will guide you through free-motion and grid quilting, choosing a quilting pattern based on your skill level, marking your quilt top. Harriet also covers how to apply binding, hanging sleeves and most of importantly, care and preservation of finished quilts. With her degree in Clothing and Textiles, she shares a wealth of knowledge with the reader. I was fortunate enough to attend one of Harriet's machine quilting seminars, this book is the essense of that class and more.

I use this book as a desk reference every time I quilt. Everything she covers in her machine quilting seminar is covered in the book. I have a new appreciation for the skill and knowledge needed to master machine quilting. Thank you Harriet!

When I started to quilt a few months ago, I bought many "how to quilt" books. None of them really addressed what to do once you conquered piecing a top unless you wanted to hand-stitch it. This book covers what you need to know to to finish your quilt in style. The patterns are beautiful and just what I wanted. If I had found this book earlier, I would have saved myself from buying all of those useless other books!

This book is good for everyone from beginner to seasoned quilter.

This book is a must have if you're thinking about machine quilting! Harriet Hargrave takes you from preparing your machine to teaching you simple movements to complex patterns. She first breaks down the basics by teaching how to practice sewing straight lines, squares, circles, stars, hearts, and even your name with the feed dogs down. After you've mastered that, Hargrave breaks down designs that look complicated but are actually not! With easy to follow diagrams, steps, and pictures with book is a must have for beginners, intermediates, and seasoned quilters alike!

Very thorough, good pics and narrative. Quilting designs are very nice with a great substitute for feathers that is totally continuous without back-tracking. Love this book; one of the best for your quilting library.

The first book you need on machine quilting. There is no better. The rest just supplement this one.