I have written a few times about how I want to give Utility quilting a try.
I started to collect pearle cottons in anticipation. I have admired so many quilts from many Australian quilters that were quilted using this technique. I have seen quite a few antique quilts using this stitch with regular quilting thread as well. It adds an element of a folk art look that I just love to my style quilts.
Carolyn Forster wrote to me and told me she was writing a book about Utility quilting and I was very happy to hear this and couldn't wait to see it!. A book (now that I have it in my hands I would call it the Bible of Utility Quilting) a must have for anyone interested in learning how to quilt using one of the utility stitches. This book is very well written and illustrated. She takes you thru the process of quilt making from gathering the needed supplies to binding a quilt in one book. Great for a beginner and even for someone who has been quilting for years there is a lot to learn from this book in mho. Utility Quilting, simple solutions for Quick Hand Quilting by Carolyn Forster is the title of the book. A bit deceiving as even if it maybe a quicker way to hand quilt I think it doesn't take away from the final result, its a hand quilted quilt. Utility quilting is an art form.
The diagrams in this book are amazing. I am a very visual learner so I was thrilled when I first flipped thru the book and saw so many pictures of quilts quilted with Utility stitching as well as how to knot a quilt, there are different knots used to tie a quilt lots of pictures to show how to make these as well. Tying a quilt is not something I every thought I would try but now I just may give it a go.
The book is written with very clear, concise instructions and diagrams that anyone can follow. For me that is wonderful, now I can just flip thru the book and be reminded how to make a stitch just by looking at the pictures!
For inspiration there are many examples of quilting patterns using the utility stitch on quilts I have to admit I was surprised, pleasantly surprised not just the straight stitch. one of my favorite pumpkin seed pattern with a twist!
I loved how Carolyn teaches how to make your own template for many of my favorite quilting patterns to use with the utility stitch and the best part examples of them on finished quilts.
There is a chapter on binding and other edge finishing I found very interesting as well. I know I will try a few of them as well.
And yes there are patterns in the book as well, here is one I know I will be making soon! Isn't this a great quilt?

look at the texture added by the quilting here....

my favorite, nine patches...

This is a book I HIGHLY recommend you adding to your library. Carolyn is giving away a copy here on her blog, Carolyn Forster's Quilting on the Go, along with a few other goodies to get you started. If you don't win just order it you won't be sorry in mho. I know already this will be one of my top books this year.
have you done any utility quilting? Do you use it on certain style quilts? Have you experimented with different threads using this stitch? which are your favorites?