Jump Into Patchwork & Quilting: For Beginners; 6 Modern Projects; From Fabrics to Finishing

By Sarah Ashford

Beginners rejoice—getting started with quilting has never been easier! This project-based introductory guide will give you everything you need to know to explore and enjoy this popular art form. Dive in and sew six cute and useful projects from a simple patchwork pillow to a mug rug, table runner, baby quilt, throw, and finally, a beautiful sampler quilt. Step-by-step instructions, essential skills how-to, and the full scoop on must-have tools and supplies will set you up for quilting and patchwork success. While this book is ideal for beginners, the adorable designs are still perfect and enjoyable for all quilting enthusiasts!

• Language: English
• Publisher: C&T Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781644031735

Sarah Ashford

Sarah Ashford is a quilter, designer, educator, fabric designer, writer, and podcaster who is steadily gaining in popularity. She is known for her fresh, bright, modern aesthetic and her approachable and supportive teaching style. She’s a team member of The Quilter’s Planner, and the founder of The Great British Quilter Challenge. She lives in Wellington, United Kingdom. sarahashfordstudio.com

Book preview

Publisher: Amy Barrett-Daffin

Creative Director: Gailen Runge

Acquisitions Editor: Roxane Cerda

Managing Editor: Liz Aneloski

Developmental/Technical Editor: Kathryn Patterson

Cover/Book Designer: April Mostek

Production Coordinator: Zinnia Heinzmann

Production Editor: Jennifer Warren

Illustrator: Linda Johnson

Photo Assistant: Gabriel Martinez

Instructional photography by Sarah Ashford; lifestyle and subjects photography by Aisling Magill, unless otherwise noted

Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549

Dedication

To Peter, Freya, and William.

You are my everything. Thank you for cheering me on from the sidelines.

Acknowledgments

Roxanne Cerda

For Quilt Con laughs and presenting me with this wonderful opportunity.

Paula Steel

For all your support, encouragement, and checking my quilt math.

Jenny Hope

For cutting and binding like a pro and always with a smile, when time was not on my side.

Jo Avery

My quilting big sister. For always believing I can achieve anything I dream of.

You’re amazing and you inspire me every day.

Mum and Dad

For always being there for me and believing in my quilting dreams.

Leisa Morris

My U.S. sidekick and champion. I’m so happy chocolate brought us together.

Julie Macdonald

You’ve supported me from the very beginning of my quilting journey. Your friendship means so much.

Aisling Magill

Thank you so much for your beautiful photography, and making my projects shine.

My dear friends in Wellington

When I’ve panicked about deadlines, you’ve listened and reassured me I can do it.

I will make quilters of you all.

To all my Instagram friends and supporters

I love connecting with you every day.

You’re such a special part of my life and I’m so grateful to you all.

Thank you also to the following companies for supplying me with fabric, batting, thread, rotary cutters, blades, rulers, mats, an iron, photo props, and everything in between:

Aurifil, BERNINA, The Blackdown Hills Cake Co., Clover, Figo Fabrics, Fiskars, Groves, Higgs and Higgs, Hobbs Bonded Fibers, Oakshott Fabrics, OLFA, Oliso, Prym, Sew Easy, Soak, Yalham Hayes Farm, and Windham Fabrics.

Foreword

This book has been written during a global pandemic, with England in national lockdown for the duration of all the production stages. With the whole family home and society closed, it’s presented many challenges. But what better a way to spend lockdown than being absorbed in quilting and writing, my two favorite pastimes? Enjoy.

Introduction

I’m so excited that you’ve decided to start your patchwork and quilting journey with me. Even if you’ve purchased this book because you have just a fleeting interest in what quilting is all about, I can promise that by the end of it, you’ll be totally addicted. There really is something so alluring about sewing with beautiful fabrics and rich, bright-colored threads, and ultimately creating handmade pieces that you can call your own. They might not be perfect—your points might not match and your stitching might not be quite straight—but remember, that’s all part of the learning journey. With each project you make, you’ll learn new skills, improve on the ones you’ve already learned, and gain in confidence with every step. Most of all though, I hope you’ll find joy in the process and if you’re anything like me, it will turn into a lifelong passion.

In this book I aim to simplify every step of the patchwork process. Through diagrams and photos, terminology and top tips, I’m imparting all you need to know to get quilting confidently. I’m so excited to open up the world of quilting to you!

But before we start, it’s important to clarify, what exactly is a quilt?

What Is a Quilt?

A quilt is made up of three layers. The quilt top, which is usually patchwork, the quilt back, which is usually a whole cloth piece or larger pieces of patchwork, and the filling, known as batting or wadding. It is these three elements that make it a quilt, and they are held together with the quilting. Quilting is the term that describes the stitches that hold the three layers