Rating: 
Summary: The best book on hand quilting I have ever read.
Review: As one who is always trying to better her hand quilting, my eye was immediately drawn to this title in my local quilting store. The clerk said that the store's most esteemed hand quilter loved the book, and so, as a splurge, I purchased it. I would have to say that this is now the most treasured book in my quilting books collection. I have never read any book more thorough on hand quilting. Although I love Ami Simms' book, and learned to hand quilt through it first, this one goes above and beyond the other. McElroy garners a firm confidence from her reader, establishing again and again that she has done her research from every possible angle on every aspect of hand quilting. I learned so much about needles, frames, fabric, pens, pencils, fabrics, thimbles, and stencils from this book! She is even willing to go as far as to rate different products from each of the aforementioned categories (and more), according to her research (which goes from chiropractors to chemists to needle factories in Britain). I could not possibly give this book a higher rating!
Rating:
Summary: The best hand quilting book ever
Review: First off, I'm a guy and I've never sewn in my life. I started to make a quilt for my mom as a joke. Everyone said I couldn't do it. This book shows exactly how to make the quilting stitch in perfect detail. You can't screw it up! The best part of the book is the product recommendations. Buy everything that Roxanne rates a 10, especially her thimble. Buy this book, you will be inspired! Oh yeah, and I'm not a homosexual.
Rating:
Summary: Why is this book so good?
Review: Here's why: 1. It's easy to read. The writing is there to convey information in an understandable easy way. I couldn't put the book down...it's that good.
2. The information is EXCELLENT. Few, far too few books are able to pack in good solid information you can really use. I was thrilled to get some solid infomation and why different threads, batting, etc., are appropriate for hand quilting. 3. In this book you won't have to plunder your way through useless paragraphs to get to the important stuff. It's right there without wasted wording and reading. 4. It's logical and makes sense. What a novel idea eh? 5. There are diagrams where needed and they do help. 6. The layout is excellent and comfortable. 7. Here is the biggie...YES it did help me, very much. I strongly recommend this book for quick solid information on threads, needles, fabric, thimbles, marking tools and batting. I found the section on marking especially helpful.
Thank you Roxanne...or rather your daughter for forcing you into writing this book. You go girl!!
Rating: 
Summary: Book has high-handed tone
Review: I bought this book expecting to learn how to make a better stitch, but I got so much more out of it! Not only does Ms. Mcelroy explain her technique, she tells you the best materials to use and why they are superior.
I also consider my Roxanne Thimble to be one of my prized possesions. It is almost like a piece of jewelry to me.
I am saddened that Ms. Mcelroy has passed away, knowing that she would have contributed so much more to quilters throughout the quilting community.
Rating:
Summary: Removes the Mystery!
Review: I haven't even finished the book yet but I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned already! It is wonderful and I am go greatful to have such a great reference as it covers more than I ever thought I would need to know.Excellent for beginners like myself who don't have a clue and great for those who want to improve. I never considered how the fabric would change my stitch length or how important the needle itself would be.... so much covered in this book and I am just in the beginning. This book has really opened the world of handquilting in ways that I never even thought of - it is like having an encyclopedia on handquilting. Everything I wanted and more!
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I highly recommend this book for those who are learning how to quilt and wish to do so by hand. This book was full of usefull information on the tools used in hand quilting (thread, needles, marking tools, etc). Also, the author gives very detailed information and step by step pictures of the hand quilting stitch (which helped me a whole lot since I am a beginning quilter and had never hand sewn anything before). This book was the best buy I made since starting quilting not so long ago. It has saved me from making many mistakes and has made my quilting experience that much more enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Book on How to Quilt a Quilt
Review: I learned to quilt by taking serveral classes and by reading lots of quilting books. If anything, I consider myself a mostly self-taught quilter. Anyone who quilts knows that the content of nearly all quilting books and magazines is primarily concerned with featuring different patterns, as well as simplified directions on piecing, layering, binding, etc. With all the patterns out there, what seems to get lost in the process is the actual quilting itself. In fact, I have found that a lot of books and magazines simply tell you to "quilt as desired." Almost nowhere can you find explicit directions on how to do just that: quilt. Before this book, my attempts at quilting with a needle have been met with dismal failure. It took me forever to badly quilt just a few inches of fabric, and I got sore hands fingers in the process. Because I never learned the real basics of quilting with a needle, I had tons of unfinished pieced quilt tops lying around. I managed to finish a few quilts only because I ended up tying them. Finally, in That Perfect Stitch (and I understand from Roxanne's website that there is even an accompanying video), I have figured out how to quilt a quilt. Roxanne not only explains how the fabric, batting, thread, and needles afffects the final outcome of the quilting stitch, she also gives very explicit photographs showing how to make a proper rocking stitch. I learned something new in each chapter of Roxanne's book. Quilters everywhere simply must read this book. It will really open your eyes and save you *tons* of time and frustration.
Rating:
Summary: A true wealth of Knowledge
Review: I love to hand quilt but sometime it gets really discouraging. This book gives you a new appreciation for it. It shows you how fun and beautiful it can all be. And why it's well worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book ...
Review: The author shows you how, and explains WHY it works. This book is chocked full of wonderful examples on WHY your choices in materials makes such a huge impact on the results. Finally I can point out to frugal quilters the exact reasons that purchasing top grade materials in NECESSARY to obtain the best results.
Quality will forever matter over quantity, buy this book if you are serious about getting a deeper enjoyment from your quilting hobby.
Rating:
Summary: Removes the Mystery!
Review: This book has great information. With all the basic information, the wonderful pictoral lessons and practice sessions that are covered, it belongs in all quilters libraries as it covers everything you need to know about handquilting your next heirloom. Maybe you're a bit rusty in some area or need a bit more clarification on another - this book probably contains the answer you've been searching for. I've been handsewing for years, but just recently started handquilting. My quilts always looked slightly amaturish but within 3 hours of completing the book I was quilting "the perfect stitch" - and the quilt squares I've completed look GREAT - like I've quilted for years!
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