Born of necessity, done for practical purposes only, quilt-making has now become a cherished art form. Its combination of patchwork, appliquÔe, and quilting give this craft a wonderful versatility--and you an unparalleled opportunity for self-expression. From shoofly blocks and Suffolk puffs to folded stars and four-patch pinwheels, this unique volume presents both simple traditional designs and elaborate investigations of color and pattern. Take apart the "anatomy" of a quilt in progress: the top layer, batting, backing, border, blocks, stitching, and sashing. Work out the design before you actually start sewing. Construct several kinds of blocks--all shown in fabulous pictures. Busy quilters will appreciate sections on rotary cutting and speed piecing that give satisfying results in half the time. Beginners will immediately gravitate to advice on how to start, while more experienced stitchers can head right to the advanced techniques. You'll soon have handmade, heirloom-quality quilts to show off and treasure!