Piecing Makeover
Piecing, automatically I think quilting, and for me, quilting is new territory that I am just starting to get my feet wet. But, I am so excited to share my thoughts and experiences with this fantastic book by Patty Murphy! Piecing Makeover, Simple Tricks to Fine-Tune Your Patchwork published by C&T Publishing.
When I was contacted to review the book and give one copy to a lucky reader, I was beyond giddy! I have taught myself to quilt for a few months now, learning new tricks and reading up on different techniques. So, this book came in the nick of time for me!
I want to disclose; I did receive a copy of this book free of charge. However, my review is my personal feelings on this book.
Ok, now that is out-of-the-way, let’s talk about Piecing Makeover!’
Quick Summary
First things first, when I get a book, I tend to flip through and look at the photography and get a general idea of what I can expect to see. When I flipped through this one, I immediately found myself stopping and reading the pages (which is a good thing) I wanted to know more, and this did peak my interest in getting excited to learn!
What I Found Most Useful
For the first read through, I worked on a few simple squares. Like I said before, I am super new to quilting (except Tee Shirt and Rag Quilts) and I have done some improve quilting too!
I have a few little 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ charm packs from Quilt Market that are perfect for me to start practicing with, so I opened up to the first quilt block section and started following the techniques and tips.
The first square that I worked on was a simple four-patch block with a 1/4″ seam allowance or scant. Which I am familiar with, however, to get those points to match up, I would either “get lucky, ” or they didn’t match up at all. So, I followed the instructions on how to press my seams and with the advice from Piecing Makeover, I was able to make a perfect square quickly!
So diving into the first few techniques, I feel like I have accomplished some great squares with little effort!
One thing I tell my students is, never stop learning, always practice and failures are just learning experiences!
Why Do You Want a Copy of this Book?
What you will gain from this book is a reference, there are so many blocks that you will work through in this book; it will be almost impossible not to find a block that you will want to try! The instructions and tutorials are so well thought out and worded, so the novice quilter will understand and follow along easily without being detoured. You will find a book that will always be right next to you when starting that new quilt, so you can make sure you are piecing like a pro!
Like I stated before, I am very new to quilting and was always worried about things lining up and looking right, with this book, it starts out with simple strip piecing (the tips given explain why my salvage edge piecing looks so wonky!). Now, going forward I know how to piece them together without having the piecing start to curve.
Giveaway Time!
Guess what! I am giving away a copy to give to one of you!!!
To enter to win a copy of this book:
Comment below and tell me one thing about quilting that has kept you from taking your blocks to the next level!
I will use random.org to choose the winner! The Giveaway will run through Monday, October 30th at 11:59 PM. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 31st!
This is open to the US only (lower 48 states)
Good Luck and Happy Quilting! Don’t forget if you don’t win you can always order a copy of this fantastic book
Follow Patty on Facebook or Instagram for more quilting help and inspiration!
Consistency! I’ve had my eye on this book for awhile now, because sometimes everything will magically line up perfectly and sometimes it won’t. I think I’ll have to bump this up to the top of my list!
Fantastic book!!! What a great giveaway. ❤️❤️❤️
Im also a self taught quilter, but I’m an experienced sewer in general. I look at some of the gorgeous quilts that always look so amazing, and I want to do that too. My fear is getting into the more complicated blocks, and the paper pieced ones. Just not secure enough to believe they’ll come out good.
I am a self taught quilter and have all kinds of problems. Getting that perfect 1/4″ seam, blocks go yonky when pressing, points do not match (I assume that would be the seam allowance problem) and the list goes on!!
Well, this book will have your answers! Thank you for reading and good luck!
I’m also a self-taught quilter! I struggle going from following tutorials and patterns to jumping into improv or modern quilting techniques!
I know how that is for sure, this book has great basic blocks to practice and builds on the difficulty and helps tackle those “which way do I press” and how do I really square up my square.
I am working on a king size “Oriental Hexagon” quilt. It has been a long, long time in the making, but I hope to have the top ready this year – ready to be quilted. I would love to have a copy of the book to help me improve my piecing skills!
and this totally would help you with those skills!
I didn’t use quality fabric in my first quilt and maybe didn’t reinforce the squares enough and I e been hesitant to make another since even though I’m pretty sure I know what the problem was.
I can’t tell you how much this book has already helped me make sure all my piecing lays flat and squared up, I thought it was going to be so much harder than it was, but the tips and tricks on pressing, even picking out some stitches really has made quilting fun and not such a scary task!
Getting all the points to line up nicely and how to know which way to press seams depending on the project.
I know for a fact that this book will help you achieve that goal! That was my biggest fear.
I have a stash of material just waiting to be made into quilts/runners/wall hangings, but I haven’t started yet. Perhaps this is what I need to get motivated.
YAY!!!!
I haven’t done any Y seams, so there are some star blocks that I shy away from. Helpful review!
I understand that, and thank you so much! It was a fun one to get to review, it really did help me feel more confident in starting to quilt. I have always been so timid to trying new squares, but now I think I am going to love it!
Julie you are the winner!!! Please contact me with your shipping information! (use the contact form above)
Binding. I have a unfinished quilt that is just waiting for the binding.
So many great tips on binding in here!!
Time is what keeps me from going to the next level!!
Amen to that!!!
Inconsistent seam allowances and bulk at intersections!
This book helps you get past those headaches for sure! That is what I was always afraid of having, bulky seams.
I don’t press well. I hope there are good directions in how to do this.
SOO Much good information on pressing!
That book sounds promising…would be a good reference/refresher for quilt blocks.
Definitely is, it’s made me excited to start quilting!
I need to just start – have not quilted yet 🙂
😀 Yes! This will help you with the bump you need to take the plunge!
Good review! I know a little basics but have been nervous to do anything big with quilting blocks.
Thank you! 😀 This will help calm those nerves!