I am a knitter and crocheter at heart but I've done several needlepoint projects too. I'm proud of all the costumes and linen items made on my trusty sewing machine but candidly I've always wanted to quilt. Not sure I would ever progress to making a full size quilt but I can think of lots of accessory items that wouldn't surpass my expectations and ability. Trying anything new like quilting takes a lot of tenacity. But I've seen some wonderful gift items that made me wish I could produce even the most modest quilting.

So that's why I was interested in HOW TO MAKE A QUILT by Barbara Weiland Talbert. I need step by step directions since this is a brand new craft for me but one I really want to add to my repertoire. The HOW TO series of books put out by Storey Basics are beginner books for novices. Right up my alley.

The first thing you notice is the absence of confusion. Greatly appreciated by anyone even attempting to try a new craft. Clarity is the key.

So when Talbert states clearly that this book is going to give us the tools to make simple square quilt shapes I know HOW TO MAKE A QUILT is clearly the book I require. Walking us through each step even choosing the appropriate fabric especially for our maiden voyage.

Talbert also alerts the reader/crafter -- dare I say quilter to watch for errors in measuring since in quilting patches must line up so any error in size or shape will just add to frustration later on. Better to be safe than sorry.

There are tons of different block designs to choose from in designing a quilted item. HOW TO MAKE A QUILT does a terrific job of describing lots of them along with easy to understand diagrams. By chapter four you are probably comfortable with creating blocks for your finished quilt. In chapter four you are ready to put those blocks together -- once again with many choices for construction.

I have already purchased some quilt fabrics that are bundled in things Talbert calls fat quarters. These are going to be my test scraps since I know cutting the strips and square and triangles is going to be a challenge for me. But I'm hoping to make a lovely quilted pillow for each of my granddaughters to start. By then I'll know if I am up for the challenge for a larger more intricate project. We all have to start somewhere.

When I began knitting and crocheting my mother would buy yarns that had multi colors so that I could practice on a simple project like a scarf but with the colorful yarn I wouldn't get frustrated with changing colors. That would come later.

So here I am once again going to try my hand at something very challenging but should be absolutely gorgeous (hopefully) when completed. Thanks to HOW TO MAKE A QUILT and Barbara Weiland Talbert I think I have the necessary tools to meet this challenge. The step by step nature of the book is going to make each part of my quilting easier. If you are tempted to try your hand at quilting I think this is the book you need.