Customer Reviews

Quilting for Show: A Practical Guide to Successful Competition Quilting

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In an artists book, you wouldn't think "practical" would be a very interesting word. However, in this case, practical is perfect.

Entering competitions is a scary concept. You are putting yourself out there for other people to judge, and that isn't often comfortable. Therefore, you want to do your best. Karen is utterly amazing at making sure that, when you are ready to enter your quilt in a contest, you are actually "ready". You know that you are entering a quilt that is not only beautiful to you, but is also technically proficient. You wouldn't go to a job interview with your slip hanging below your skirt, or your shirt partially tucked. Think of it this way - you are sending your quilt for a very important interview - you want her to look her best! Karen helps you do that.

There is even an included CD which, for those more 'visual' of us (and aren't we all, as quilters, visual to the max?) which leads you through instructions for how to do some of the more detailed (no, don't read "difficult" here) methods, like making really pretty feather quilting patterns.

Overall, a great investment. And don't think that, because you aren't planning on entering a quilt in a show, that this book wouldn't be of great use. We all want to learn and do work we are proud of, and this lovely little book will certainly help you to do so.

I have her previous book on "McTavishing", which is much better. This book does not show techniques on a standard home machine, as the previous book does. Still, the information is interesting and I did learn a few techniques that could translate to a home machine.

I have been quilting on my domestic sewing machine for 9 years now , I even teach, and the amount of informations in this book is fantastic. Little hints , the list of judges comments , and to know that all those wonderful quilters have started like us.
Quilting just for the pleasure or quilting for shows, it is a must have book.

I met Karen McTavish in 2005 by taking 3 of her classes in Houston, TX. I was pleased to find her books as nice as her personality! I almost didn't buy this book because I wasn't planning to enter a quilt in any show other than our local guild's show but Karen has great ideas to make any quilt better and somehow following the "rules" makes me feel more professional in my hobby. In this book, Karen also interviews and compiles suggestions from other successful professional quilters so there is nothing missing nor stagnant about her presentation. I know now that I will buy any new books she puts out (as I have devoured her other three books also).

I was looking for ideas regarding quilting designs and got so much more. Karen's books often include DVDs and this one is invaluable to learn how to do some very basic techniques. Squaring up a quilt, top notch binding and sleeve instructions to name a few. Every quilter can learn how to improve even if you never plan to enter your quilts in a show.

In this book you find examples of the best show quilts of the last decade acompanied with tips and tricks to get your quilting to a next level. The DVD is very usefull. I loved the book and read it cover to cover.

Love this book and the DVD that is included. It's very informative, especially if you are just beginning to enter your work into quilt shows. It tells you what the judges are looking for in a winning quilt. I even took the binding off of a quilt and redid it after watching the DVD. Lots of pictures of beautiful quilts, lots of inspiration.

This book is very helpful, with practical advice on Dos and Don'ts for entering your quilts in local and professional quilt shows.
Easy to read.

While this book has some helpful hints for all quilters, the primary emphasis is on machine quilting. If you want to look at inspirational quilts, or are a machine quilter, this is a good book. If you are a hand quilter, or want more description of the actual quilt show process, don't bother.

great book. Very helpful. I hope to use the ideas in the book to improve the quality of my own quilts, and just maybe I might have the courage to enter one in a competiton sometime soon.