Mastering Precision Piecing (Paperback)

by Sally Collins (Author) "It has been important to me to develop quality workmanship in my own quiltmaking..." (more)
Key Phrases: fabric requirements, appliqué shapes, accent border, Lone Star, Flying Geese, Repeat Steps (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Take quilting to the next level with help from an expert

* Must-have advice and tips from the precision-piecing authority
* Hundreds of illustrations and photos

Anyone who wants to take quilting to the expert level will want Mastering Precision Piecing. With hundreds of illustrations and photos, expert Sally Collins shows how to bring accuracy to every step--making the perfect quarter-inch seam, sewing straight, chain piecing, pinning, pressing, cutting, even choosing color. Seven pieced projects, with squares from 4 3/4 inches to 45 inches, use intermediate to advanced skills. Are the results beautiful? Precisely.

About the Author
Sally Collins, an award-winning quiltmaker and a best-selling author, lectures and teaches around the country. Her most recent book is Borders, Bindings & Edges. She lives in Walnut Creek, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: C & T Publishing (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157120363X
• ISBN-13: 978-1571203632
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,062 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely excellent!, January 18, 2007

By	P. Wales "pamw23" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the book I have been looking for. This book very clearly describes the techniques I needed to put into regular practice to improve my piecing skills.

For example, I have always wondered about the "skant 1/4-inch seam." How wide is that? How can I be precise in my piecing if the measurements aren't precise? ARGHHHH! Then, along came this book. I read it cover-to-cover and immediately put some of the techniques into practice. Ms. Collins explained how to cut the pieces properly so you can sew precise 1/4-inch seams and forget about trying to find that mysterious skant 1/4-inch! This may sound silly, but I experienced an "A-HA!" moment while fine-tuning my rotary cutting skills using the information provided by Ms. Collins.

WARNING! There are no "short-cut" techniques here. This is definitely NOT a book for someone looking for how to do it faster or quicker. It is a book about how to do it BETTER. Ms. Collin's clear descriptions are enhanced by excellent photos and diagrams.

I also bought Ms. Collins' book "Borders, Bindings and Edges: The Art of Finishing Your Quilt" - another book I wholeheartedly recommend.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not just for the perfectionist, December 31, 2006

By	E Rice (western ny state) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

sally collins shares even more of her techniques for fantastic quilts in this book (i have her others). the perfectionists, miniaturists and competitive quiltmkers will love this book, but any quilter can benefit from it.

the author makes it clear from the start that her goal is the highest quality workmanship she can achieve. she also makes it clear that she understands that not every quilter is of the same mind. but for those of us who want our work to be as good as we can make it, this book is invaluable.

her writing style is clear, easily understood and frequently amusing. she covers color choice, tools, techniques, and designing. she notes the ways she does not follow perceived wisdom in her quilting choices, which is interesting. the photos and diagrams are very clear.

then there are the projects--the stunning, beautiful quilts i was lucky enough to see in person.

for those not familiar with collins' work, the dimensions are not misprinted. yes, that is a pieced 4 1/2 inch quilt. the beauty of her techniques is that they are just as effective in 12" blocks as they are in 2" blocks. and the first part of the book gives you the information to make these gorgeous designs king-sized if desired.

definitely belongs in any quilter's library.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Piecing book with meat, January 13, 2007

By	LSUtigerfan (Midwest) - See all my reviews

This book has very helpful information on how to improve piecing technique. I'm a beginner quilter (~1 year) & I've had a hard time finding books with this type of instruction and level of detail. Many of the books I have come across cover the same old information, but don't suggest ways to improve accuracy on the level that this book does. This book has tips that I have not come across in other quilter books. I think it will greatly help the appearance of my quilts.