Applique: The Basics and Beyond, by Janet Pittman

In 144 easy-to-read, easy-to-understand pages with more than 550 full-colour illustrations, teacher and designer Janet Pittman has created a stunning and comprehensive guide to applique. Beginners will find everything they need to know to get started successfully. Experienced appliquers who want to improve their techniques will be inspired by the hundreds of photos, patterns for mixing and matching and personal tips. Contents include: chapters on equipment and supplies; preparing applique, stitching and embellishing; 7 inspiring projects and 12 alternative quilt layouts; 16 pattern groups for mixing and matching; and 23 notebooks with essential how-to information.

"Wow, this is absolutely one of the best quilting books for beginners I have ever seen!"
Joyce Drexler, author of Quick & Easy Weekend Quilting

144-page spiral-bound book, pub Nov 2006

One customer review:

The very first thing that caught my attention was the fact it was done in a spiral ring binding. This allows the book to STAY open which is very important for me as I am sewing and learning at the same time. I no longer have to set weights on the corners of the pages to keep them open. As a visual learner, this is very important.

The book is arranged in five chapters which include: Getting Started - Basics and Beyond, Equipment and Supplies, Preparing Appliqué, Projects and Patterns. Each chapter is very detailed with lots of photos to guide you along with the written instructions. There are tips scattered throughout each section as well.

The Embellishing chapter is jam packed with ideas on how to add that special touch to your project. From cords to beads to embroidery, there is an embellishment that will give your piece a bit of pizzazz.

There are eight different projects but using you own imagination and creativity, you will be able to create dozens of other projects. Five are wall-sized projects and three are quilt-sized. The projects give a difficulty level so you are sure to try the project that is appropriate for your skill level. Then once you have completed a lower level, you can give the next level project a try. All the templates are full-sized so you don't have to make a trip to the copy shop.

A two-page index helps you locate whatever you need to review or learn and the final page is a bio about the author, Janet Pittman. All in all, this book is one that I would highly recommend to anyone because you can add to your present skills or start to learn how. It is definitely a book that will remain in my sewing room library.