Book Review: Pathways to Better Quilting

When I was futzing around trying to learn how to use my Handiquilter, I went out to the shop where I purchased it. Unfortunately, I could not attend the classes offered by a National teacher. The shop owner gave me a synopsis of the techniques explored by the class and showed me this book, one that was used by the teacher. Some really interesting ideas that I never considered. Written by Sally Terry, Pathways to Better Quilting is her concept of the Basic 5 shapes of quilting and how every design is includes these shapes in one combination or another.

She suggests doodling to train your eye and increase the accuracy of you hand-eye coordination. 

 

 More advanced designs will evolve when you combine the shapes, develop your own style.

Studies in good design scale, using a circular design to fill a square and the effect of negative space are explored. Illustrations of the effect of under and over quilted segments and how they affect the quilt and some discussion of batting and backings round out the book. Much of the information is rather basic to the intermediate quilter, however, presented in this format and context the 5 shapes concept is new to my way of thinking. 

*as usual, no compensation received or implied. I am a book collector, a hopeless book girl, what can I say, it must be the glossy pages!