Book excerpt: A MUST HAVE for every machine quilter. At last, a detailed road map to skilled machine quilting, written by one of the top quilters in the field. Distinguished quilter Diane Gaudynski serves up a practical new approach to quilting by machine. Based on her popular machine quilting series in American Quilter magazine, this book gives readers the ins and outs of creating a design that instantly improves accuracy and fluidity of line. This international prize-winning quilter, author, lecturer, and teacher debunks six common myths about machine quilting. Holding nothing back, Diane includes techniques for several charming unmarked free-hand, free-motion designs, such as 'headbands,' 'bananas,' 'Dianeshiko,' spirals, leaves, fronds, and clamshells. Quilters will especially enjoy the author's detailed description of echo quilting and echo-quilted feathers. Diane states her goal is to add to the quilter's knowledge of machine-quilting skills and solve some common problems. She says, 'Dispelling some myths, learning some simple aids and techniques, and tackling the job in an organized and informed way will allow you to master this most basic of machine tasks.'