As a beginning quilter, you’ll want to start with fairly simple patterns. This gives you a chance to develop your skills without getting too frustrated.
All quilters stand on the shoulders of those who quilted before them, and the many beginning quilting books on the market will be an invaluable resource on your journey.
We’ve made this list to help you choose the references that will lead to success.
As you learn to quilt, you’ll explore your creative side and produce fine objects that provide pleasure for many years.
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- 1. House Quilt Blocks
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- 3. Autumn Lattice Quilt
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- 9. Curvaceous Binding
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 | Better Homes and Gardens: Complete Guide to Quilting, More than 750 Step-by-Step Color Photographs by Better Homes and Gardens |  |
 | A Beginner’s Guide to Quilting Spiral-bound by Christine Mann | |
 | New Patchwork & Quilting Basics: A Handbook for Beginners – 12 Projects to Get You Started by Jo Avery | |
 | Quilting 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction Paperback by Editors of Creative Publishing International | |
 | The Art of Quilting for Beginners: The One-Stop Reference Guide to Making Quilts (Creative Art for Beginners Book 2) by Freya Gates | |
 | First-Time Quiltmaking: Learning to Quilt in Six Easy Lessons (Landauer) Step-by-Step Beginner’s Quilting Guide with Easy-to-Follow Instructions, Color Photos, and 4 Starting Quilt Patterns by Landauer Publishing | |
 | Quilting (Idiot’s Guides) by Jennifer Fulton | |
- 7 Best Quilting Books for Beginners for 2020
- 1. Better Homes and Gardens: Complete Guide to Quilting, More than 750 Step-by-Step Color Photographs by Better Homes and Gardens
- 2. A Beginner’s Guide to Quilting Spiral-bound by Christine Mann
- 3. New Patchwork & Quilting Basics: A Handbook for Beginners – 12 Projects to Get You Started by Jo Avery
- 4. Quilting 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction Paperback by Editors of Creative Publishing International
- 5. The Art of Quilting for Beginners: The One-Stop Reference Guide to Making Quilts (Creative Art for Beginners Book 2) by Freya Gates
- 6. First-Time Quiltmaking: Learning to Quilt in Six Easy Lessons (Landauer) Step-by-Step Beginner’s Quilting Guide with Easy-to-Follow Instructions, Color Photos, and 4 Starting Quilt Patterns by Landauer Publishing
- 7. Quilting (Idiot’s Guides) by Jennifer Fulton
7 Best Quilting Books for Beginners for 2020
1. Better Homes and Gardens: Complete Guide to Quilting, More than 750 Step-by-Step Color Photographs by Better Homes and Gardens
Out of hundreds of reviews, it’s hard to find any negative comments about this comprehensive guide to quilting.
Within its 352 pages, you’ll find instructions with detailed pictures to help you master every step of the process.
If you’re someone who learns best by studying pictures, this book appears to have the most pictorial instructional content.
You’ll learn how to design quilting blocks, bind, and finish quilts. If you need guidance about applique, you’ll get that too.
When your quilting project gets challenging, you can turn to this reference for troubleshooting advice.
Even veteran quilters can find something new to improve their game in this huge reference.
2. A Beginner’s Guide to Quilting Spiral-bound by Christine Mann
Before talking about the content of this guide, let’s point out how handy you’ll find its spiral binding.
Any beginning quilter will appreciate being able to keep the book open flat while trying to follow directions.
Beyond its physical format, the book provides 6 starter projects appropriate for the beginner level. These are placemats, table runners, and 4 different full-size quilts.
Full-color photographs accompany the directions for each project.
The author possesses an impressive resume with a total of 7 books for quilters to her credit. She also co-founded a quilting blog.
Her book presents material that introduces you to the history of quilting. This information could deepen your connection to the beautiful and practical art of quilting that goes back many generations.
The book includes exciting extras as well, like templates and customizable labels that you can stitch onto your first quilts.
The author also shares advice on coordinating colors to help you design eye-catching quilts.
3. New Patchwork & Quilting Basics: A Handbook for Beginners – 12 Projects to Get You Started by Jo Avery
Just published in 2020, this title gives you the latest look at the modern world of quilting.
The author designed this guide specifically for beginners by writing step-by-step instructions for 12 projects.
The first quilt you’ll make takes you through basic techniques with strips, squares, and triangles.
As you progress through the projects, you’ll practice more advanced techniques, like curves and applique, and gradually build your confidence.
The author is an internationally recognized expert on quilting who runs a teaching studio and fabric store.
Many magazines have published her quilting articles, and she periodically runs retreats devoted to quilting.
4. Quilting 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction Paperback by Editors of Creative Publishing International
This 176-page reference delivers a multi-media experience that can take you from novice quilter to skilled artisan.
With this book, you get access to online videos to supplement your learning experience.
Before diving into the first project, the book informs you about essential topics, such as choosing fabric, cutting, sewing seams, layering, and basting.
You’ll find instructions for both hand quilting and machine quilting. Because the sewing machine is central to quilting success, the publisher included detailed information about machine operation.
The first project starts you off with an easy design. As you experience success, you can work your way through the other projects that gradually increase in difficulty.
5. The Art of Quilting for Beginners: The One-Stop Reference Guide to Making Quilts (Creative Art for Beginners Book 2) by Freya Gates
If you’ve been looking for a hands-on activity to serve as a retreat from stress, the author of this guide emphasizes the therapeutic value of the quilting hobby.
She strives to make the world of quilting accessible to the modern hobbyist while celebrating its long history.
In addition to learning about the evolution of quilting across the generations, the content offers material that could give you a good grasp of the basic skills.
Use this book to help you select the best tools and supplies that you’ll need to get started.
In-depth instructions explain how to approach your very first projects and accomplish each step.
If you make mistakes, you can refer to this book for advice about how to fix your errors and finish your project.
Although the book does not include patterns, it is a good primer for introducing you to quilting skills and informing you about the possibilities of the fabric arts.
6. First-Time Quiltmaking: Learning to Quilt in Six Easy Lessons (Landauer) Step-by-Step Beginner’s Quilting Guide with Easy-to-Follow Instructions, Color Photos, and 4 Starting Quilt Patterns by Landauer Publishing
Many readers have praised this title as ideal for beginning quilters. The book is separated into 6 lessons that enable anyone, regardless of sewing experience, to sew a quilt.
The first lesson provides an overview of tools, fabrics, and standard quilting techniques.
Next, the book gets you ready to sew by explaining how to prepare fabric and cut pieces. By the third lesson, you’ll be sewing your first seams.
In lesson four, clearly written steps take you through the assembly of your design. The book offers 3 easy patterns for you to choose from.
Lesson five increases the excitement for you as your project begins to really take shape when you sandwich the layers of the quilt.
You can depend on lesson six to teach you the finishing touches, like a hanging loop and label.
Many aspiring quilters have succeeded by following this book’s format that teaches concepts and shows you how to perform every step.
7. Quilting (Idiot’s Guides) by Jennifer Fulton
The author is an experienced quilter and a prolific author of 75 nonfiction titles.
Across 288 pages of content, you’ll find full-color photographs, illustrations, and thorough instructions designed with the beginner in mind.
The book provides over 20 sample projects to teach and inspire you. The author covers all of the necessary skills in detail and addresses both hand quilting and machine quilting.
Expert advice about selecting and preparing fabrics will prepare you for success.
As you become competent with the basic skills described in the book, you can challenge yourself with more advanced techniques.
Working your way through this book could transform you from an interested novice to an accomplished hobbyist.
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Which of these quilting books for beginners speaks to you?
Staying connected to your creative side is important for your well-being and overall happiness.
In a world overflowing with mass-produced goods, the handmade treasures that you craft in your home will always possess special value.
Imagine the gifts that you can make for new parents or the joy of spreading a quilt that you made over your own bed.
You can truly unplug with quilting as you learn new skills and watch your hands make something real.
Get started with this new and rewarding hobby today by selecting one of these quilt books to read.