On-Word Bound Books

Quilting for Show Reviews

Hello Karen,

I ordered your book Quilting for Show from you and it has just arrived. Normally I wouldn’t email an author, I figure you probably have so many it must get to be a bother. However I’ve just been blown away by my first look through the book and am inspired to great heights. I’m a really average quilter who loves the process, but that doesn’t mean the product is show standard, but your book has inspired me to step up a notch and take more care and consideration. I might even try to design something and enter this year’s Festival of Quilts here in Adelaide, South Australia.

You are greatly admired here in Australia, your name is really well known. If you should ever come here our guild would really welcome you (and ask you to speak to the ladies, we get 150 plus each month to our meetings), or visit our Festival of Quilts in November each year.

Thank you for a wonderful book.
Regards, Kerry C. - Australia ~ letter from reader

In an artist's book, you wouldn't think "practical" would be a very interesting word. However, in this case, practical is perfect.

Entering competitions is a scary concept. You are putting yourself out there for other people to judge, and that isn't often comfortable. Therefore, you want to do your best. Karen is utterly amazing at making sure that, when you are ready to enter your quilt in a contest, you are actually "ready". You know that you are entering a quilt that is not only beautiful to you, but is also technically proficient. You wouldn't go to a job interview with your slip hanging below your skirt, or your shirt partially tucked. Think of it this way - you are sending your quilt for a very important interview - you want her to look her best! Karen helps you do that.

There is even an included CD which, for those more 'visual' of us (and aren't we all, as quilters, visual to the max?) which leads you through instructions for how to do some of the more detailed (no, don't read "difficult" here) methods, like making really pretty feather quilting patterns.

Overall, a great investment. And don't think that, because you aren't planning on entering a quilt in a show, that this book wouldn't be of great use. We all want to learn and do work we are proud of, and this lovely little book will certainly help you to do so.
Review by Leiah, Colorado ~ from amazon.com

I was looking for ideas regarding quilting designs and got so much more. Karen's books often include DVDs and this one is invaluable to learn how to do some very basic techniques. Squaring up a quilt, top notch binding and sleeve instructions to name a few. Every quilter can learn how to improve even if you never plan to enter your quilts in a show.
Review by Susan Lee, Arizona ~ from amazon.com