Debbie Shore's Sewing Room Secrets—Quilting: Top Tips and Techniques for Successful Sewing

By Debbie Shore

Essential tips and ten quilting projects to build your skills and confidence—from the beloved sewing teacher and British television personality.

This book is packed with hints and tips for successful quilting and will walk you through every aspect of your sewing journey. It begins with a section on Sewing Room Essentials: a peek in Debbie’s sewing room, a guide to all the tools and materials you might need, a labelled diagram of a sewing machine, and in-depth sections covering various types of wadding/batting and interfacing, fabrics, and threads. The book contains a comprehensive trouble-shooting section to reassure and guide beginner sewists when they encounter problems, along with a glossary to demystify any unfamiliar terms.

The second section, Sewing Room Techniques, covers all the skills you need to know, such as pressing, chain piecing, English paper piecing, different quilting styles, and binding, and explains them step by step. The book features ten projects that build up in difficulty, incorporating the techniques you learn as you go. Start simple with a place mat and then build up your skills as you create an English paper-pieced tote, a baby quilt, and a clutch bag.

This is the ideal book for the beginner sewist looking for in-depth and helpful guidance, or for the more experienced sewist looking to brush up on their skills—from the woman named “Sewing Designer of the Year” in the Immediate Media British Craft Awards.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781781269435

Book preview

QUILTING ESSENTIALS

SEWING MACHINE

A sewing machine is probably the most expensive and most important sewing tool you’ll buy, so take your time to choose the right model. It should last you for many years to come. There are two main types of machine: electronic and computerized.

Although you may dream of a top of the range sewing machine, as a beginner that’s really not necessary. Really, to start with all you need is a basic straight stitch! If you find you enjoy sewing though, you’ll quickly out-grow an entry-level machine – especially if you wish to work on larger quilting projects. So, there are a few pointers opposite for when you upgrade.

Many of the smaller, compact machines are programmed with lots of stitches and come with several feet. However, if you have the budget, there are machines that are particularly suited to quilting: look for a large throat and extension table. Some manufacturers make tables that your machine sits in to help support larger projects. A built- in walking foot is useful, as is the ability to drop the feed dogs from the front of the machine, without taking off the extension table.

Looks are important, but check out all the features of that pretty machine before you buy! Some machines like this one will sew without a foot pedal – they use a stop/start button and speed control on the machine.

My sewing machine.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Sewing machine accessories. These almost always come with a newly purchased machine.

Look for a computerized sewing machine; you’ll find a wide range stitches for both utility and decorative effects, and the digital interface makes them easier to