Editorial Review

Alex Anderson, host of HGTV's Read more

Reviews (20)

Beginners Should Start Here
This is an excellent book for beginners.The author walks you through each simple project with clear and concise direction.Color diagrams explain each step in the progress.The book features six small wall quilts comprising of basic patterns: rail fence, log cabin, nine patch, friendship star, flying geese, and a sampler.A color photograph of each completed quilt is shown at the start of every project.The beginning of the book covers the nine required tools, fabric basics (grain, color and pattern, and preparation), rotary cutting, piecing, and quilting.Everything is addressed in easy to understand terms.
Best beginner quilt book ever
Clear, simple, removes the intimidation factor. My 8 year old "designed" one of the simple starter designs and I executed it successfully, our first try. We were complimented by an expert quilter, that it did not look like a "beginner" quilt. Highly recommended for beginners, and as a reference.

Alex Anderson"s 6 Projects for 1st Timers Ok but ...
I love watching Alex Anderson's show: Simply Quilts. I enjoyed reading the book but found some spots a bit harder to crasp the concepts than I would have liked. I figure I will try to read it again soon and with more quilting under my belt, the information will make more sense to me. I enjoyed learning more about a quilting. I have not done as much quilting as I want to. So a beginners book is a great tool for me.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patchwork quilts    6. Patterns    7. Quilting    8. Quilts    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (1)

Project for every level of quilter!
If you're one of Alex Anderson's fans and can't get enough of her on the television program, Simply Quilts, you have an opportunity to experience twelve timeless projects for the nursery, and get a "snapshot" of Alex as a child at the same time.
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Subjects:  1. Children's quilts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Patchwork    6. Patterns    7. Quilt Making    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (1)

not all you see is paper pieced
This is a wonderful book of beautiful projects.However. not all of the blocks are paper pieced.There are some difficult curved seams and a crazy pieced block that are not for the beginner.Also the template on page 44 is too large for the dimensions noted in the directions for finishing the remainder of the basket block. The triangle must be reduced to fit the remainder of the dimensions.I am in the process of finishing the sampler on page 45.Although not extremely difficult, this is not a paper piecing book for the beginner.The patterns are beautiful and except for the problem that I found trying to complete the basket blocks for the sampler, the directions areclear.I will probably make another one of the projects. Her color choices are exquisite. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Machine quilting    5. Patchwork    6. Patterns    7. Quilting    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Patchwork & applique    10. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (2)

More Alex
Alex Anderson has carved out a very important and lasting niche in quilt making history. This book is another fine example of quality instructions and photos. Every quilter will find some good information in her book.

Keep Quilting with Alex Anderson
Excellent book from the mistress of Quilt Making.Easy to follow instructions and good information.Very readable and clear instructions.Encourages creativity and imagination. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilt Making    7. Quilting    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Quiltmaking   

Editorial Review

Quilt making is a natural outlet for kids' innate creativity. Take children on a field trip to the fabric or quilt store and you'll be refreshed by their free-spirited approach to color and amazed by their fearlessness in the face of traditional quilting "rules." Just about any 9- to 14-year-old can turn out a stupendous quilt with some adult supervision and the terrific guidance of noted expert Alex Anderson's Read more

Reviews (2)

Skimpy
I love Alex but the book is a little too skimpy with only five blocks to choose from.
Great Teaching Tool
Alex Anderson is among the best in teaching quilting methods. This book is a great teaching tool for children of all ages. Alex really explains each step in detail and I learned some new tricks myself. She stresses safety while working with children as well as self-expression through fabric choices. A great addition to any sewing library! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Crafts for Children    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patterns    7. Quilt Making    8. Quilting    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Needlework & stitchcraft    11. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding!
I use this book every time I work on a quilt.The descriptions are easy to understand and the results are great.With this book I learned how to miter my borders as well as the binding and this technique has given my quilts a more sophisticated look.I consider myself a beginner-intermediate quilter so if I can uderstand this book anyone can!

Like having an experienced friend at your elbow
Whenever you begin to learn a new skill -- whether it's cooking, quilting, or computer programming -- the best asset to have is a friend standing next to you, showing you the details. ("No, move it more to the left!" or "The dough should feel like _this_.") Alas, we don't always have someone to call upon, so we turn to books written by experts. Often, they know their skill... but are imperfect at getting the point across.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilting    7. Quilts & Quilting    8. Quiltmaking   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Patchwork    6. Quilt Making    7. Quilting    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (6)

Excellent Starting Point...
I just recieved this book and think it is an excellent place to start for someone just starting out and building a stash.I also think it could be helpful to the more experienced quilter who is looking to put that extra "sparkle" in their quilts with the use of color.

Fabric Shopping with Alex Anderson
I LOVE Alex on HGTV, but I was disappointed in this book.I thought she would give advice on what KIND of fabrics to purchase for quilting, NOT what colors.I found it lacking in the information that would have helped beginning quilters like myself.

Relax and LISTEN to Alex...
We all start out life as little artists.All parents have at least one wall with crayon to testify to this.Yes somewhere along the way that little artist gets lost.The joy of getting 64 crayons is too much, so when faced with a fabric store of 1000's of colors, people need to reconnect with their love of colors and that is where this book succeeds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design    4. Equipment and supplies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patchwork    7. Quilts    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Textile fabrics in art    10. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (3)

Hand Quilting with Alex Anderson
Wonderful help. This is a great reference book for everyone to have on their shelf.

Excellant instruction on hand quilting.
This is probably the best book I have found that gives instruction forhand quilting.The color pictures give very explicit instruction for both right and left handed people. I would recommend this to anyone interestedin hand quilting, whether a beginner or a long time quilter. Alex Andersonis one of the best teachers and supporters of quilting.She does anexcellant job with her program " Simply Quilts".I wouldrecommend all her books.

I've always wanted to hand quilt. Now I can.
This book is the best. It's affordable and comes with color pictures that show me each step for quilting. It even has left handed and right handed instructions. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how tohand-quilt. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilting    7. Quilts & Quilting    8. Patchwork & applique    9. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (2)

Not for beginners
I was disappointed in the minimal amount of content for a beginner in applique.More detailed description and pictures showing more steps on techniques would have been helpful.I am hesitant to begin a project with this book alone.

Hand Applique by Alex Anderson
I received this book about a week ago and I can't put it down.Alex takes the guess work out of applique. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applique    2. Appliquâe    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Patterns    7. Quilts    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Patchwork & applique   

Reviews (1)

Particularly useful for left-handed quilters!
I am a relatively new quilter, and left-handed to boot.Most other quilting books I've read have illustrations to demonstrate cutting techniques, but the pictures feature the right hand only!Alex, being alefty herself, thoughtfully includes rotary cutting illustrations for boththe right AND left-handed among us.It really helped me with my cutting! I highly recommend it for new quilters and lefty quilters alike.:) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilts & Quilting    7. Rotary cutting    8. Patchwork & applique    9. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (1)

Excellent guide to creating "what works and why" with quilting designs
Written clearly and concisely with equally understandable graphic illustrations, this book delivers on its introductory promise--that "you will discover the tricks and techniques for choosing appropriate quilting designs for your quilt tops and how to create your own unique designs."Alex Anderson's chapters on "Choosing Quilting Designs" and "Drawing Quilting Designs" are among the best written on these topics to date.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Patchwork    6. Patterns    7. Quilting    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (4)

AwesomeBook
Alex has done it again. The designs in this book are beautiful and can be adapted to many different projects. Instructions areclear and well written, and include left and right handed instruction. Good for beginners and more experienced redworkers as well. I highly recommend this book.

Inspiring
After this book arrived I couldn't wait to get started!The directions are very clear and the samples beautiful.

Casting a New Shadow on Redwork
What could be more American than Redwork?How about Redwork with inspiration? Alex Anderson has spun a new twist to an all-time favorite needle art, by producing a clever and creative book on this uniquely American craft entitled, "Shadow Redwork".By including a subtle message of inspiration or love in the background using ecru embroidery, Alex has devised an interesting look, which causes the viewer to ponder more deeply our handiwork. For those of us who labor to produce personalized heirlooms for special folks, a few extra oohs and ahs goes a long way! Ms. Anderson's directions are simple to follow, with some handy tips interspersed along the way.Most appreciated are her Stitch Directions including diagrams for both right and left-handed needle crafters. She includes some simple enough designs for those new to Redwork, including her "Nasturtiums Pillow" as well as the "Seasons Banner", along with some more challenging projects for the seasoned Redwork enthusiast. A tip from one of those seasoned Redwork enthusiasts - when tracing the Redwork part of the pattern, try using a red, .05 Micron permanent pen.If your stitches are slightly off the tracing line, you will never notice! Keep up the great work, Alex; we look forward to your next imaginative quilting venture! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decoration and ornament    4. Embroidery    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Needlework - Embroidery    7. Patterns    8. Plant forms    9. Quilts    10. Quilts & Quilting   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patchwork quilts    6. Patterns    7. Quilts & Quilting    8. Patchwork & applique    9. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (7)

Alex gives the missing detail!
The book provides easy to follow instructions on making several variations for a few basic stars (about 5 or 6 basic stars) and gives good examples of different color schemes and settings.
Don't bother...
You would be much better off purchasing one of the other books about star quilts.I was looking for a book w/various star designs.Alex just takes the same star and uses different fabrics to come up w/different looks.Big deal!I can do that myself.I love her show, but this is my second book I've been suckered into buying...never again!!

good quality and explicitly demonstrated
Beginning with a vast section on fabric selections & combinations, this book exhibits about 12 quilts for inspiration and goes on to demonstrate in detail around 15 projects.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilting    7. Quilts & Quilting    8. Star quilts    9. Stars in art    10. Patchwork & applique    11. Quiltmaking   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. General    3. Novelty    4. Quilts & Quilting    5. Stationery / Gift Wrap    6. Quiltmaking    7. Stationery items   

Reviews (1)

Empecemos El Acolchado Con Alex Anderson: Seis Proyectos Para Principiantes
Poorly translated. You have to guess a lot in order to figure it out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Patchwork    3. Patchwork quilts    4. Patterns    5. Quilting    6. Quilts & Quilting    7. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction