The Ultimate Quilt Finishing Guide is not exaggerating in its name. I was not immediately enthusiastic because it isn’t a “modern” quilt book, but it really is “ultimate” in being very comprehensive. Pretty much everything you’ve ever learned or wanted to know about borders, batting, backing, and binding is in this book, whether you’re a modern or traditional quilter.
Photo courtesy of C&T
It’s a single resource for all the stuff I keep forgetting, like how to make bias binding from a square of fabric.
I also like the book because the authors often agree with me 😀 For example, they suggest choosing border fabric after completing the center of the quilt. This has been my method for years unless I have a specific reason for buying the border fabric at the same time as the fabrics for the center.
There is a section on squaring up the quilt top when it’s finished, and another section on squaring the quilt up after it has been quilted. This is a major hassle for many quilters, so it’s nice to have it all clearly explained and well illustrated.
There is a discussion of how to measure for borders and then attach them without distorting the edges of the quilt. I should have read that years ago, before I learned the hard way!
Other helpful topics include:
- Choosing batting
- Joining batting pieces
- Binding for both plain and fancy edges
The only thing I disagreed with in the entire book is the method for joining binding ends. I’m sure the way described in the book works just fine, but I love Susan Cleveland’s “Kiss, Twist, and Wiggle” method.
An extensive section covers just about every type of border imaginable, which I particularly like. I certainly could draft any of these using EQ (Electric Quilt design software), but here they are with an explanation of how to do the math to make them fit! That last is the most important, and there are practical work-arounds when needed. For example, when a border is one that makes turning corners difficult, the authors suggest using corner squares. I like it.
This is a comprehensive guide that I’m happy to add to my quilt library. Although most of the samples in the book are more traditional looking, the authors do include many borders that would work for modern quilts, especially as the modern quilt movement seems to be diversifying a bit.
Here’s one last picture from the book:
Photo courtesy of C&T
If you’ve read this far, leave me a comment and I’ll draw a name to receive a free copy of this book. Sorry to say I can only ship to U.S. addresses. I’ll draw the winner on Sunday, July 4, a week after this post goes up. I think I can find your email if you’re a subscriber to these posts, but if you want to be sure please leave an email in your comment. And thanks for reading!
Please note: C&T provides books and products for me to review. I choose those that I like the very best to tell about in my blog.
Zippy Quilts 
This sounds like a fabulous resource! I am new to quilting so any information that would help me improve my quilts is something that I need.
Thanks for visiting and commenting 🙂
You’re awesome!
carrie@themantras.com
Haha. Thanks
I so often am looking for border and/or corner ideas. This would be a wonderful addition to any quilt book library. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Yes, I only review the ones I like the very best 🙂
You definitely enlightened me (as you always do!) thus challenged me to “up my game.” Thanks for writing your blog.
Thanks, Susan. Good to hear from you! I should be moved by August so let’s get together.
This looks like a book I would use. If I win will you deliver it in person?
Hi Kim! Yes, there’s a chance of that, as we still have the mountain house 🙂
What a great resource! Most books and online tutorials/articles focus on making quilt tops but once I have that done then what? I’m a newbie quilter with hunger for knowledge so all resources are welcome 🙂
This is a good comprehensive resource.
I am always amazed with quilts which have a fancy borders or edges. The quilt you show above speaks to me! Those blue hsts are cleverly placed. I would never have dreamed that up. This book looks very interesting!
Thanks for visiting and commenting 🙂
The border ideas are where I end up wanting a jazzy finish.
There are are several books just about borders, but the ones in this book seem very practical.
I am currently stuck trying to decide on a border for my quarantine house quilt. I think I need this book. Thanks for your interesting blog!
Thanks for visiting! How about paper pieced trees around the border? Or a picket fence?
Thanks for always posting such helpful resources.
There are so many that it’s sometimes hard to choose!
So true. That’s why a review from you means a lot.
What a great resource! Thank you for the chance!
: )
Good luck
Yes, youtube tutorials are very handy, but limited in that there’s no ordered ‘table of contents’ or ‘index’ to search out related subjects and means more googling! HA!
IMHO: there’s nothing like a good resource book!
I’m wondering if there was mention of ‘bespoke’ binding? I just learned of this a few years ago…and would love to use that technique ‘someday’ when I don’t mind the extra work that goes into a ‘finish’ after the finish that is usually the binding stage!
I hope your move goes smoothly.
The book covers various traditional bindings, including how to bind hexagonal edges. I had to look up bespoke binding and it looks like more art quilt than traditional quilt. But now that I know about it, I want to try it, too! Thanks for mentioning it 😃
Can’t resist adding my bit. There is nothing to beat a good book with a good index and TOC.
Agreed! It may be just my age, but I prefer a real book 🙂
Me three!
That book sounds great!
It has a lot of useful information 🙂
That book sounds like a wonderful resource
I agree
Sounds like a lot of good stuff! I especially like math for adapting ideas. And aren’t there always techniques that are used so rarely that the directions don’t stay in the head?
Yes, I have a whole notebook of those seldom-used but essential techniques!
Thanks for sharing this great resource. I will have to check out online sources to add it to my library. Miss you at MQG.
This looks like a must-have resource for my library. I just had to look up how to miter 4 borders the other day.
Yes, I am always looking up something!
It certainly sounds like a most useful book, even if it doesn’t tell you how to kiss, twist and wiggle !!
What a nice review! Even though the book doesn’t use modern examples, in fact, as you said, techniques can be applied to modern quilts. Now I’m curious about the binding method you mention… that you prefer. I think I need to look for it! Please don’t enter me in the giveaway, but thanks for sharing this info.
That looks like an amazing book! Kathykaplanquilts@gmail.com
🙂
Sounds like a great book! Those medallion quilts remind me of dear Melanie of Catbird who is the queen of medallion quilts!
Yes, they made me think of Melanie, too 🙂
This looks like an excellent book for border ideas. I’m always trying to think of something different to extend a quilt instead of just adding more blocks.
Yes, and I get tired of the same old borders, too! Thanks for visiting and commenting 🙂