Paula Nadelstern's Kaleidoscope Quilts: An Artist's Journey Continues [Paperback] Review

Don't get me wrong, this is one of the most amazing and beautiful books on quilting I have ever seen. It is also one of the most unusual. If what you are looking for is an art book that is a feast for the eyes, by all means invest in this one.
However, if you think you are going to produce one of these quilts in your lifetime, think again.
Nadelstern should be teaching pure mathematics at some higher university; the fact that she has devoted herself to making these quilts is a true gift to the world of art because these pieces are high art. A quick look at the diagram on the bottom of p. 21 which, by my count, includes 27 odd (and uniquely)shaped pieces in each triangle with 18 triangles required for the quilt...everyone one of which is a different size, you begin to get an idea of the complexity of what she does.

Having said that, there are some valuable ideas here for any quilter. The first of these is her statement (p. 68) that she STARTS with the fabric rather than starting with the design. This is 180 degrees from the normal quilter's decision-making process...and I think a little more attention to what Nadelstern calls "a collaboration between me and my stash" would vastly improve about 60% of the quilts being made today.
Second, Nadelstern dares to use fabric that most quilters would dismiss as useless. And it not only works, it scintillates.PP. 79-87 (and scattered elsewhere throughout the book) you can find excellent advice on how to look at fabrics with a fresh eye.
Third, if you actually want to try this (and I would warn again that deep and broad experience is going to make this more possible), pp.90 - 121 give you step by step directions and two patterns for simple (well, relatively simple) kaleidoscope quilts.
If you want this book as a "how-to," my strong advice is to take the book out of the library or borrow it from a friend and look through it carefully, being brutally honest about your own skills and interests.
If (on the other hand) you want a book that is an inspiration in the purest sense of that word, and one of the most glorious examples of piecing and quilting that you will ever see, buy it NOW.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Paula Nadelstern's Kaleidoscope Quilts: An Artist's Journey Continues [Paperback]

Product Description:
Career retrospective of Paula Nadelstern's amazing work is packed with photos, design insights, and gallery of 19 quilts.

Buy cheap Paula Nadelstern's Kaleidoscope Quilts: An Artist's Journey Continues [Paperback] now Get 34% OFF