Piecing: Expanding the Basics [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Ruth McDowell (Author) "The vast majority of traditional quilt blocks are geometric designs, usually symmetrical and usually assembled with straight seams..." (more)
Key Phrases: Expanding the Basics, Technical Skills, Muir Woods (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Almost everyone who views a quilt by Ruth B. McDowell asks, "How did she piece that?" Here Ruth shares her sought-after techniques for piecing curved seams, insets, multiple angles, Z seams, Y seams, puzzle seams, diagonals, intersection seams, slipped seams, and much more. Beginning with a photograph or sketch, Ruth walks the reader through each step--offering suggestions along the way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157120041X
• ISBN-13: 978-1571200419
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #349,277 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best primer on seams..., May 8, 1998

By	[e-mail] (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Really, the best primer I've seen on curved & angled seams. Even includes a review of basic straight seams. Ruth's a great technical writer and instills confidence that you can achieve her results (and you really can). Would make a great gift for the quilter who wants to branch out into more complex seamwork. Thanks Ruth B!!

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent "how to" book, October 6, 1998

By	tsmithp (Santa Cruz, California) - See all my reviews

I enjoyed this book tremendously and refer to it often. Until recently, I was somewhat hesitant to try curved piecing and felt that sometimes my quilting lacked imagination. McDowell's book helped me on both counts. I'll be using this book for a long time and will wait hopefully for another book from her soon.

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it 6 if I could..., July 15, 2003

By A Customer

This is a book that stands alone. I was reluctant to purchase it because it only had 2 reviews, but all I can say is WOW! The sheer artistry alone is worth the price of the book. I cannot explain in words the beauty and life, as well as likeness of the subject, that the pieces in this book depict. I have not yet been able to use the techniques as I have just purchased it and am a beginning quilter as well. There is no doubt, however, that it will be nothing less than everything you need to know about expanding the basics of piecing. I am highly confident this book will teach me so much. Even if I weren't planning on quilting, which I am, I would still buy this book for its aesthetics.