Sunday, March 22, 2009

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Quick Star Quilts & Beyond: 20 Dazzling Projects Classroom-Tested Techniques Galaxy of Inspiration by Jan Krentz

Published 2009

20 simply spectacular star quilts feature 10 different types of pieced stars, in large, easy-to-assemble sizes.

One Line at a Time : 24 Geometric Machine-Quilting Designs Made Easy by Charlotte Warr Andersen

Published 2009

Easy new machine-quilting technique offers 24 elegant alternatives to stippling or meandering, with almost no marking!

Flip-Flop Paper Piecing: Revolutionary Single-Foundation Technique Guarantees Accuracy by Mary Kay Mouton

Published 2009

Paper piece dozens of blocks you never could before with this revolutionary single-foundation technique. Includes foundations for 26 blocks.

Quilt Artistry : Inspired Designs from the East by Yoshiko Jinzenji

Published 2009

Quilt Artistry will transform the way that readers think about quilts. Author Yoshiko Jinzenji began quilting after she came upon quilts made by Canada's Mennonite people and was deeply moved by their resonant, sacred quality. The richly minimalist quilts she makes today are as powerful as the works that originally inspired her. Quilt Artistry presents her unforgettable quilt creations in 100 color photos and in 300 black-and-white photos and diagrams. Detailed patterns and instructions are included for all projects shown.

In addition to full-size quilts, Jinzenji demonstrates how to make quilted pillows, clutch purses, necklaces, decorative objects, table mats, tiny miniature quilt "mandalas," even a hammock. There are a total of 90 projects, for everyone from beginners to the most advanced quilters.

Jinzenji is also a superb natural dyer and often makes quilts from fabric or fiber she colors herself, including very subtle and rich bamboo-dyed white silk.

In other quilts she uses antique fabric collected from around the world, and in still others vibrant tropical natural dyes or innovative synthetics such as black metallic cloth created by well-known textile designer Jun'ichi Arai. No matter what the material, her quilts all have a remarkable quiet power. They resonate with a spiritual quality like that of classic North American quilts, but one that is rooted in an Asian, even Buddhist sensibility.

Jinzenji has always wanted to "give something back" to the Western quilting tradition that first motivated her own work, and with this book she is wonderfully successful. Quiltmakers and all others with an interest in textiles or design will find Quilt Artistry as inspirational as it is practical.

Quilting for Baby by Jeanne Stauffer (Editor)

Published 2009

This 176-page quilt book includes 27 baby quilt patterns and instructions for other accessories to welcome a baby home or to give as a shower gift. Accessories include runners, totes, stroller bag, play mats, wall quilts, photo frame, bibs, burp pad, changing mat, bumper pads, bulletin board, etc. Nine of the baby quilts have matching accessories to make decorating the nursery easier. There are patterns for beginner through intermediate-level quilters.