Review
How I wish there had been a resource like this when I first began quilting! Dawn's guide provides excellent details on needles, threads, machines, batting, fabric and more. From choosing the right needle for the job to how to quilt a quilt, she covers a wide range of technical information that all quilters will find useful. (Machine Quilting Unlimited, March/April 2014)
C&T Publishing has recently released three new Reference guides packed with information quilters and sewists use on a regular basis. The Quilter's Handy Guide to Supplies and More is by Dawn Cameron-Dick. Dawn says this little book is like having your very own patchwork and quilting teacher in your pocket. There are six basic categories of comprehensive information covered in this guide. These are Needles, Threads, Machines, Batting, Cotton Fabric and Bits and Pieces. You will learn so much from the Needle section alone. From parts of a needle to choosing the correct needle with tips and troubleshooting. For example if you are experiencing skipped stitches it might be because of your needle and not something wrong with your machine. This is truly a must-have guide for all quilters. (The Applique Society Newsletter, May/June 2014)
Dawn Cameron-Dick answers some of the most common questions on quilting fundamentals as part of this easy-to-read guide. The pocket-size title can help you pick out the perfect sewing machine, understand why your thread keeps breaking and even shares some expert tips on quilting without getting a backache in the process. It covers everything from needles, threads, techniques, batting, piecing, tools, fabrics and how to set up your sewing space. (Down Under Quilts Magazine, 4/29/14)
In every craft, project books have the most appeal, but references provide a different level of information with more depth. In this pocket-size guide, quilter and teacher Cameron-Dick (Invisible Machine Appliqué) explores the basic supplies that appear in most quilters’ stashes, going into more detail than most how-to books. Each section focuses on a different supply or notion—thread, sewing machine, batting—and explores that topic thoroughly, guiding readers to a deeper understanding of the various components that make up a quilt. Though the organization is straightforward and the book is surprisingly readable for a reference work, the lack of an index is disappointing. VERDICT Though there’s material here that all quilters will appreciate, beginners are likely to benefit most from this volume. (Library Journal, 10/15/13)
About the Author
Dawn Cameron-Dick has been making quilts for over 40 years, and teaching for more than 30. The author of Invisible Machine Appliqué and Invisible Machine Appliqué and Beyond, she now teaches internationally. She lives in England with her partner, John. http://dawncamerondick.com
