That Perfect Stitch [Paperback]

Roxanne McElroy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 1998

Roxanne McElroy expertly explains the complexities behind proper stitching and teaches quilters of all levels how they can improve their skills. Quilters will learn to achieve more stitches per inch and create even quilting lines, resulting in a finer quality quilt that both showcases the quilter's creative and technical skills and withstands the test of time. Features include: - End-of-chapter "workshops" that help quilters practice and build skills - 20 original quilting designs for block, borders, and whole quilts - Drawings and photographs that show precise methods for making perfect stitches Award-wining quilter and quilt designer Roxanne McElroy was one of the best known and most in-demand instructors in the country. Her company, Roxanne International, develops and distributes a line of fine quality quilting products.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Award-wining quilter and quilt designer Roxanne McElroy was one of the best known and most in-demand instructors in the country. Her company, Roxanne International, develops and distributes a line of fine quality quilting products.

Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: The Quilt Digest Press; 1 edition (June 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844226521
• ISBN-13: 978-0844226521
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Book on How to Quilt a Quilt, December 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: That Perfect Stitch (Paperback)

I learned to quilt by taking serveral classes and by reading lots of quilting books. If anything, I consider myself a mostly self-taught quilter. Anyone who quilts knows that the content of nearly all quilting books and magazines is primarily concerned with featuring different patterns, as well as simplified directions on piecing, layering, binding, etc.

With all the patterns out there, what seems to get lost in the process is the actual quilting itself. In fact, I have found that a lot of books and magazines simply tell you to "quilt as desired." Almost nowhere can you find explicit directions on how to do just that: quilt.

Before this book, my attempts at quilting with a needle have been met with dismal failure. It took me forever to badly quilt just a few inches of fabric, and I got sore hands fingers in the process. Because I never learned the real basics of quilting with a needle, I had tons of unfinished pieced quilt tops lying around. I managed to finish a few quilts only because I ended up tying them.

Finally, in That Perfect Stitch (and I understand from Roxanne's website that there is even an accompanying video), I have figured out how to quilt a quilt. Roxanne not only explains how the fabric, batting, thread, and needles afffects the final outcome of the quilting stitch, she also gives very explicit photographs showing how to make a proper rocking stitch.

I learned something new in each chapter of Roxanne's book. Quilters everywhere simply must read this book. It will really open your eyes and save you *tons* of time and frustration.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who knew so much could be learned about a stitch!, February 23, 2000

By 

Lori Tan (naperville, il USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Perfect Stitch (Paperback)

This is an extraordinary book that really surprised me. I have read tons of quilting books and most of them are inspiring visually but not many have taught me how to improve my technique. I am a beginning quilter so I've really been hunting for help. The author of this book did tons of research on all the different materials used in quilting and set out to find out why some work better than others. It sounds like it would be dry reading but somehow she makes it fascinating. I have no doubt that the next time I put needle to quilt I will have a better stitch and a better understanding of why the materials work together in the way they do. Oh and besides the interesting text you will see some stunning quilts.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In my quilter's library, this book is the "Bible"., April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: That Perfect Stitch (Paperback)

If you are a quilter or have a desire to quilt at some point, this book will save you much time and money, and most likely help you avoid many of the mistakes a self-taught quilter makes over the years. This book gives you the information you need to make the right selection of tools and materials so that your project will be a beautiful display of workmanship that will be admired not only by yourself but by others as well. Much research has been done to inform you of the proper needles to use, the right style of thimble, how to identify the best cloth for your project, the best way to mark your quilt for the final stitching, and how to care for your quilt when you have finished it. This is the best book on hand quilting I have ever purchased. I would recommend it to anyone, novice or expert, who is interested in quilting. This is the best investment a quilter could make.