A revised and expanded edition of a long-standing classic, this expansive book is the clearest and most comprehensive handbook for appliqué, patchwork and quilting available.
This seminal reference guide remains the go-to masterwork for crafters, who will find hundreds of patchwork, appliqué and quilting techniques explained clearly and simply.
The techniques range from fundamentals such as cutting fabrics and hand sewing; to advanced special effects and complex techniques like eight-seam joins. All are explained through more than 1,000 step-by-step illustrations, patterns and templates. The techniques range from the traditional – including Amish quilting patterns and Seven-and-Nine-patch patchwork – to more unusual, like yo-yos. The book also contains glossaries of terms, making this perfect for both beginner and expert.
Over 200,000 copies of the previous edition have been sold worldwide.
Praise for The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Appliqué:
"Linda Seward’s book has been the essential volume on every quilter’s bookshelf since its publication in 1987 and has never been bettered. This new edition updates the original techniques and embraces the current developments of the craft. Its place on that bookshelf is assured for many years to come." – Lynne Edwards MBE, quiltmaker and teacher
"A definitive choice for the beginner and one worth investigating for a more experienced quilter" – British Patchwork & Quilting
"This is an amazing book for those embarking on a quilting journey and even for seasoned quilters. The illustrations and directions are easy to understand and great for the visual learner. As a quilting teacher I would highly recommend this book. The number of techniques alone will keep the reader up at night! Rock on Linda Seward!" – Kim Rudd, quiltmaker and teacher
"Linda Seward’s guide has always been my go-to bible for every question I have about quilting. I didn’t think a new edition could be any better, but this refresh is even more inspiring. Not only has she updated technical aspects (adding sections on fusible web appliqué and free-motion quilting, for example), she has chosen spectacular recent quilts to illustrate the text. While marvelling over them, I was reminded that quilting is an ever-evolving art that brings joy and satisfaction. Linda's book captures that perfectly, and leads us through how to do it ourselves." - Tracy Chevalier, novelist and quiltmaker
Table of Contents:
Preface 6
The basics of quilting 8
Fabric and colour 12
Preparation of fabrics 17
Equipment 18
Templates and marking fabrics 20
Cutting fabrics 22
Rotary cutting 24
Hand sewing 26
Hand stitches 27
Machine sewing 28
Machine stitches 29
Pressing 30
Perfect patchwork 32
Patchwork designs 43
Hand piecing 48
Machine piecing 49
Drafting patchwork patterns 50
Joining patchwork pieces 51
Eight-seam join 53
Setting-in 54
Curved seams 55
Amish patchwork 56
Cathedral window 58
Crazy patchwork 60
Double wedding ring 62
Folded star 64
Foundation piecing 66
Gathered patchwork 68
Hexagons 70
Log cabin 72
Puff patchwork 76
Seminole patchwork 78
Shell patchwork 82
String patchwork 84
Strip piecing 86
Yo-yo 87
Special effects with fabric 88
Patchwork patterns 90
The art of appliqué 96
Appliqué designs 105
Preparation for basic appliqué 110
Hand appliqué 112
Machine appliqué 114
Fusible web appliqué 116
Broderie perse 118
Cut-and-sew appliqué 119
Hawaiian appliqué 120
Inlay appliqué 122
Reverse appliqué 124
Mola & Pa Ndau appliqué 126
Shadow appliqué 127
Stained-glass appliqué 128
Special effects with appliqué 130
Appliqué patterns 132
Quality quilting 136
Quilting patterns 145
Preparation for quilting 150
Quilting designs 152
Hand quilting 153
Machine stitching 155
Free-motion quilting 156
Quilt-as-you-go 158
Corded quilting 160
Sashiko 162
Tied quilting 163
Trapunto 164
Special effects 166
Quilts and other projects 168
Basic quilt sets 172
Estimating yardage 177
Joining quilt blocks 178
Borders 180
Blocking 182
Binding 183
Facings 185
Unusual finishes 186
Signing and hanging 187
Care of quilt 188
Small projects 189
Clothing 192
Footnotes 196
Featured quilt artists 197
A–Z of quilting terms 198
Bibliography 202
Index 206
About the Author :
Linda Seward has enjoyed doing needlework, sewing and handicrafts all her life. Her knowledge of quilting evolved while editing books on both sides of the Atlantic and by making her own quilts. She has written 12 quilting books, including The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Appliqué, originally published in 1987, and which is considered by many to be ‘the quilter’s bible.’
Linda has appeared on television, internet and radio shows and writes for several quilt magazines, including a regular column in The Quilter magazine which has been running for 18 years. She lectures internationally on quilt making and works as a freelance writer, editor and quilt judge. An American, Linda now lives in London and Oxfordshire with her husband and border terrier.
Review :
This revised edition of a classic quilters’ reference guide will be a welcome update for many readers, especially as the previous edition is out of print. This revision adds newer techniques to the original content and includes updates to the text and photographs to reflect current practices and works by contemporary quilt artists. Originally devised to be a one-stop reference book for those wishing to learn all the basics of quilting, this book still meets that purpose, covering fundamental techniques, patchwork, appliqué, quilting, and construction of quilts and other items using quilted textiles. The one great disappointment with this update is that nearly all the featured quilt artists are white, an appalling missed opportunity to showcase the robust community of Black, Indigenous, and quilt artists of color working today. Filled with diagrams, illustrations, and templates, in addition to explanatory background information and instructions for hundreds of techniques, the book packs a huge amount of information into just over 200 pages, making it still a prime reference for public-library collections.
This is a new edition of the original publication from 1987, revised and updated. A popular book when initially published, this has been expanded to include some newer techniques with updated images of newer quilts from around the world.
The basics of quilting are covered first which included preparation of fabrics, templates, marking and cutting and the different sewing options, both hand and machine. Patchwork is next with many different sections covering drafting and piecing of designs such as Amish Patchwork, Cathedral Window and Foundation Piecing amongst others.
The section on applique covers the standard methods along with a few others such as Mola and Pa Ndau Applique, which I found interesting. The different avenues for quilting are the discussed and finally there is a section on joining your blocks together, borders, blocking and bindings. Some small project ideas are also included but these are not full patterns as such and there are some small applique shapes for tracing.
The basics are covered really well with clear drawings, from the equipment you will need to the techniques shown step-by-step. The chapters on the different kinds of quilting and on applique are comprehensive and clear. Plenty of ideas, patterns and some project suggestions. This book will take you from beginning well into a lovely hobby and offers years of enjoyment.
This revised and expanded edition of a long-standing classic is the most comprehensive handbook available for applique, patchwork and quilting. It remains the go-to reference for crafters of all abilities, with every technique explained clearly and simply.
