Customer Reviews

Learn to Machine Quilt with Pat Sloan (Leisure Arts #4596) (Pat's School House)

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Have you done everything in quilting BUT actually quilt the project? This book will get you through the quilting process with ease.

The first 30 pages of the 78 page book goes over the basics of everything a person would need two make their quilt ready to machine quilt. You know, things like types of batting, batting supplies (such as pins and bastings sprays), sewing machine needles, threads, helper tools (like clamps and quilting gloves) and the sewing machine and work space needed to create a successful machine quilting project. Ms. Sloan also explains types of quilting in this section as well so you will understand when a pattern says: "free motion, stippling, in the ditch, outline and echo quilting". There are plenty of photos so you can see what these types of quilting stitches look like.

Ms. Sloan also talks about layering, pin basting, and trouble shooting things like skipped stitches. Her mantra is PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE! And you thought you were through with school! The last bits of information in this section talks about pre-printed panels, table runners, wall hanging and queen sized quilts.

WHEW! If that wasn't enough information for one book, Ms. Sloan goes on to provide projects so you can test out her instructions. The first project is a table runner, complete with fabric requirements and cutting and sewing directions. She then provides other color ways. There are two wall hangings ---little girls sewing and sunflowers, a throw in a snowball block pattern, and a quilt with matching pillow shams done in a Butterfly theme. The final seven pages contain very basic instructions on piecing, appliqué, pressing, cutting and binding your projects.

For anyone interested in learning to machine quilt or anyone who has been afraid to attempt it for fear of ruining all the hard work up to that point, this book will be one of the best you ever purchased. As it states on the cover, "Pat's School House" will get you going in the right direction.

I am a beginner at machine quilting. I like to have books to help get me started, but I can say that I needed my beginner class as much if not more than the book. I felt that the book gave me tips and background that I appreciated having before I had the class at a quilt store near my home. Now I know that there is one thing that I must do that Pat referred to.....PRACTICE. I am slow to pick up new skills and there are many variables involved in maching quilting. This book makes a good tool and starting place.

I bought this book after watching a brief introduction on You Tube. I have no experience with home sewing machine quilting but wanted to learn. The book cost the same as a class at my local quilt shop. Sloan teaches "continuous line" machine quilting for smaller projects, but that is the place to begin.

This book is simple and brief. Pat Sloan tells you everything you will need, including the correct machine foot, needle, thread, batt, and basting options. Included are several attractive projects to piece and then machine quilt. She takes you step by step through everything you will encounter in beginning to machine quilt. She encourages the beginner to practice, practice, practice, and this is the key to satisfying results.

I highly recommend this skinny, little book to any beginner who wants to learn machine quilting. I've happily completed a project and want to move on to larger, more complicated machine quilting.

At the start, it must be disclosed that I love Pat Sloan. That may not be what you think since we are both married to other people and have never met one another. I love Pat Sloan because this well-known sewing teacher and author has--often on her own personal time--encouraged so many people like my wife to try and to enjoy new forms of needlecraft.

"Learn to Machine Quilt with Pat Sloan" is the perfect book for persons who are investigating whether machine quilting might augment their style of sewing. It is also the right choice as a first book for a person who has decided to take up machine quilting. The author covers the specific types of fabric, thread, and batting required for successful machine quilting--and those to be avoided--thus saving the novice expensive and painful experience by trial and error.

After covering the proper tools, the author reveals the basic techniques to be mastered for successful machine quilting projects. Pat keeps her lessons very general so they will be useful no matter what type of machine and style the reader chooses. This section concludes with a troubleshooting page in case a project does not go as planned.

The first two sections of the book may be thought of as the manual that makers of expensive quilting machines should have included with their products but did not. The final section contains quilt projects so you can apply and enjoy what you learned. Like all of her books, this one is written with the step-by-step organization of a programmer, and the joy of an artist. As you might imagine, the illustrations are also first class. "Learn to Machine Quilt with Pat Sloan" will be trustworthy guide at the beginning, and a useful reference in the future.