It's amazing what you can do with two pieces of fabric and a layer of batting—the variety of quilts and quilting techniques is staggering. This guide introduces you to the essential skills you need to set off on your own quilting adventures. It walks you through everything from selecting fabrics to assembling blocks to binding the edges. Examples and patterns include both traditional and modern designs and use both hand-stitching and machine quilting so you can create unique quilts and quilted items that reflect your personal style. Concise two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review Each skill or technique is defined and described Step-by-step instructions accompany each photo Detailed color photos demonstrate each step Helpful tips provide additional guidance