Deirdre (http://www.deirdreabbotts.com/wordpress/) sent this book to me as a byproduct of clearing out her studio. The subtitle kind of says it all about the content of the book, but it doesn't tell you what great photos the book has. The photos are numerous, clear and detailed, just what I like in a quiltmaking book. Across from the title page is a page of off center star blocks all created in different fabrics.

The first chapter has numerous quilts in different styles including a Baltimore Album quilt, a lone star, a 19th century pinwheel as well as a gorgeous orange whole cloth quilt. The book goes on to discuss fabric and supplies, including embroidery thread and machine feet.

The section on cutting and stitching techniques covers templates as well as rotary cutting along with tips on sewing curved seams and inset seams. Hooray! I am really glad to see this information covered, because I think quiltmakers need to know the full gamut of quiltmaking techniques so they can make informed choices about their work. Pressing, preparing applique' shapes and how blocks can be broken down are also all covered in this section.

The book goes on to discuss projects, but in an interesting way. There is a sampler project, a Pineapple Project, Lone Star, log cabin and foundation piecing.

The book finishes up with quilting, of course. The chapter is quite comprehensive, starting with preparing your equipment, marking and using stencils, straight line and free motion quilting and hand quilting.

I think this is a great reference book, because it covers all the things that you might have a question about. It shows how to make the Cathedral Windows block, which I may never want to make, but I am interested in blocks so I would definitely like to know how it is done. The author also talks about corded quilting, which I actually might want to do someday. This book is modern also, because it covers newer products such as spray baste and those spoon type thimbles.

This is a very comprehensive book with a lot of great pictures. ( )

Very good patterns for Card Trick, Tumbling Blocks, and Lover's Knot ( )