Guest Author - Valerie Smith

If you’re anything like me, then it’s likely you have as many quilting books in your sewing room as you do fabric in your stash. Of my entire quilt book collection, Your Guide to Quilting (JoAnn) is one of my staple quilting books.

I came across this book a few months back in the way many of you often do, on a random shopping visit to JoAnn Fabrics. I had seen copies of the book lining the shelves on previous visits to the store, and my initial thought was that it was a bit of a scam created simply to talk customers into purchasing more items from JoAnn Fabrics Stores! For some reason, on this particular visit, I decided to pick it up and flip through the pages. I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a bit of inspiration contained within, as many beautiful quilts are displayed throughout the chapters. Even the fabric combinations used in the demonstration photos are to be admired. This is definitely the kind of book that makes you want to make a quilt!

There is definitely an agenda in many of the photos to demonstrate items that can be found at JoAnn Fabrics, but, on the other hand, I do find it convenient to see a picture of something I might like to use and know that I already know just where I can find it.

I purchased the book that day, and I have to say, as much as I enjoyed paging through the book, it also contains a wealth of knowledge that I think any quilter would find useful. Among other information, the book offers various cutting charts, explains how to choose and care for material, offers a run down on tools used for quilting, gives instructions on various quilting techniques like applique, piecing and rotary cutting techniques, hand quilting, basting - really all the main skills quilters really want to learn.

While the book is definitely filled to the brim with information, unless you’re a new quilter, you may find the book to be a bit pricey. The regular price for a new copy of Your Guide to Quilting (JoAnn) is $34.95, and with two young children at home myself, it can be difficult to spend that kind of money on a book. If you’re a fairly new quilter, this book is definitely worth the cost for you. However, even though the book does contain some popular new techniques as well as convenient cutting charts, the more advanced quilter may want to consider searching for the title at a discounted price.

Since I brought the book home it hasn’t moved far from my sewing table. All quilters can use a couple of good reference books around, even the pro’s, and I'd say Your Guide to Quilting is definitely a good pick for your personal quilting library.


To purchase this book now at Amazon.com, visit the link below: