Beautiful Borders, Backings and Bindings: A Quilters Guide to Fabulous Finishing Techniques by Jill Reber, Margaret Sindelar
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Book Reviews of Beautiful Borders, Backings and Bindings: A Quilters Guide to Fabulous Finishing Techniques
Book Review: good and not so good
Summary: 3 Stars
this is a hard book to rate, because, while there is a lot of good information and some nice projects, there is also a major omission and some really slovenly workmanship.
as the title states, the book discusses borders, backings (this is one of the good parts, since backings are frequently ignored) and bindings (and there are several useful variations in this section).
the problem i have is that this is more a project book than a technique book. various combinations of piecework and applique borders are shown in photos and in the projects, but there are no instructions on how to develop one's own borders. it's not that the ideas are bad, and beginning quilters will find a lot of information, it's just that suggestions for designing borders for one's own projects are terse--most of the book is step-by-step instructions for making the projects.
the projects include three small quilts (the largest is 78" square) and table toppers and runners. at least two of the projects are now on my list of things to do some day.
one glaring omission in a book on bindings is the lack of the continuous bias technique. i've seen instructions for this time- and fabric-saving technique in a 'quilter's newletter magazine' from the late 80s, so it's been around for quite a while, yet it is not covered in this book. this is a major drawback. the needleturn applique instructions would be useless to anyone not familiar with applique and hand sewing.
the slovely workmanship is mainly the quilting in the photos. i'm assuming it was done with a longarm machine, because, if it was done with a domestic machine, it really is inexcusable. as it is, if i had a professional longarm quilter return my quilt with the kind of work in the photos, i would refuse to pay for it.
on one hand, there is plenty of information for a beginner and some good tips, so that i wouldn't say that it would be a waste of time to read the book; on the other hand, there isn't much for the intermediate quilter who wants to learn how to improve her designs. i wouldn't recommend it as the first, and definitely not the only, book on this subject, but i also wouldn't say avoid it. i suppose the best course would be to get a copy from your local library and see if it has anything useful for you. then check out bonnie k. browning's book, _borders and finishing touches_, which does include instructions on how to develop borders, or sally collins' _borders, bindings, and edges.' for some really interesting edge treatments, unfortunately without instructions, see sharon schamber's gallery of quilts in her book _piece by piece_.
Book Review: Beautiful Borders, Backings and Bindings
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this book.. so many ways to finish a quilt with a professional look.. I would buy again.Book Review: Great Tips & Projects
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is full of great tips and projects to use your new skills and ideas. Book Review: excellent book-Binding tips
Summary: 5 Stars
Always loking for new ideas for quilting and binding. This book is super.Book Review: finishing . . .aaaaah
Summary: 5 Stars
Every project lurks around in my sewing room till it is completely finished. I was inspired to complete several more of my quilts after seeing the methods used in this book. Very thorough and great pictures.
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