Showing posts with label japanese quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label japanese quilting. Show all posts

3/30/2011

Asian Elegance: Quilting With Japanese Fabrics and More (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

Asian Elegance: Quilting With Japanese Fabrics and More [Paperback]Kitty Pippen broke new ground with her first book, Quilting with Japanese Fabrics, and I consider it a "must have book" for anyone with more than a passing interest in Japanese fabrics.Ms. Pippen and her daughter, Sylvia, have pushed the boundaries further with this book, Asian Elegance, which incorporates polynesian and Japanese fabrics, design elements and ideas.Well done Pippens!

Since her first book, many of the Japanese fabrics that were so readily available are rare. Many traditional Japanese fabric makers are no longer manufacturing, or have modernized or moved to other countries.The quilts in the new book reflect some of these changes.Fabrics are more contemporary, embrace polynesian elements, and generallyare available at most quilt and fabric stores or from resources listed in the book.All in all, this is a book to inspire, and grow your ideas.The elements of graceful design are timeless.It's worth the investment.

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Product Description:
Got a passion for exotic fabrics? Feature the fabrics of Japan, Polynesia, and Hawaii in your next quilt! This talented mother-daughter team shares their love of unusual fabrics in one-of-a-kind designs.
-Learn the best ways to use beautiful, bold fabrics in nine step-by-step projects
-Break the traditional rules of design by playing with asymmetry, space, and movement
-Get creative by combining several fabric styles, from elegant kimono silks to colorful tropical prints

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2/15/2011

Sashiko: Traditional Japanese Quilt Designs [Paperback] Review

Sashiko: Traditional Japanese Quilt Designs [Paperback]I love sashiko.For years, this was the only book I owned about it.It's a slim volume, but packed with stitching diagrams.It only has a few projects, but as a reference book for those who like to design their own, it's great.Now I also own the "Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook"and I'd say that with these two books, one has all one needs to design and sew beautiful sashiko.

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1/18/2011

The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook: Patterns, Projects and Inspirations [Paperback] Review

The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook: Patterns, Projects and Inspirations [Paperback]Please pardon the review title. This book deserves it. It's interesting, clearly organized, and easy to use. You can read through it for enjoyment or ideas, or you can use the clear headings, the big color photos, or (if you're more of a words person than an images person) the very navigable table of contents or index, to find exactly the information you want in no time flat.

That's another nice thing about this book. It's jam-packed with information. It has a good history of sashiko. It has some historical info on different sashiko patterns. It has photos of sashiko through the ages. It has good explanations. It has loads of stitch patterns, all with full-color examples, reasonably idiot-proof directions, and suggestions for use so that you can design your own projects. It has a good variety of sample projects, plus a gorgeous gallery of what stitching experts have done with sashiko. It even has suggestions for what to use to get the right look if traditional Japanese tools and materials aren't available where you live.

If you want to learn sashiko and can only afford one book, this is the book to get. I'm very impressed with it.

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Product Description:
Sashiko, the traditional Japanese technique of needlework quilting, uses simple running stitch to create beautifully decorative patterns ideal for patchwork, quilting and embroidery. Sashiko (pronounced shash-ko) means 'stab stitch' and refers to the small running stitch that is worked to build up distinctive decorative patterns, of which there are hundreds. The book begins by exploring the origins of the technique to strengthen clothes and to make them warmer. Getting Started describes everything you need to begin stitching, including selecting suitable fabrics and threads, marking out patterns on the fabric, as well as the stitching technique itself. Ten project chapters show how easy it is to use sashiko patterns to make beautiful items for the home. The sashiko patterns are described in step-by-step detail in the pattern library, showing you exactly how to achieve each individual pattern with ease. Finally a gallery of work by contemporary Japanese textile artists provides extra inspiration.

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1/04/2011

Quilting With Japanese Fabrics [Paperback] Review

Quilting With Japanese Fabrics [Paperback]Kitty is a wonderful teacher and she has compressed some of herregular quilt show classes itto this book. Although I have taken many of her classes, I return again and again this book...Needless to say, the descriptions, photos and diagrams are clear and concise and eary for anyone to follow. Her designs and suggestions are a wonderful inspiration and will either greatly enhance any experienced quilter's library or entice a new, young quilter to the art.
I just started quilting...and have found in Kitty a great teacher and inspiration, not only for the dramatic Japanese quilting, design, and fabrics which she explores, but through her, the history of quilting in America, the great melting pot of art. I highly recommend this book to any who seek a personal rejuventation for American Art.

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Product Description:
Japanese-inspired textiles and fabrics are now more popular than ever, but their large-scale motifs can be challenging to use in quilts. Award-winning quiltmaker Kitty Pippen shares her expertise and enthusiasm for Japanese textiles with eight exquisite quilt designs and 40 glorious photos of quilts that showcase the beauty of these fine fabrics.
- Contains gorgeous patterns for quilters of all skill levels, from simple linked shapes and mosaics to Japanese octagonal designs and Crazy patchwork
- Get a comprehensive introduction to Japanese textiles, such as Indigo, Kasuri, Yukata, Shibori, and Aizome
- A special section on Sashiko quilting will add incredible richness to any pieced quilt
- Includes special adaptations for common quilting techniques, such as machine piecing, paper piecing, and applique

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1/02/2011

A Bouquet of Quilts: Garden-Inspired Projects for the Home [Paperback] Review

A Bouquet of Quilts: Garden-Inspired Projects for the Home [Paperback]This is a marvellous book of -- unfortunately -- too few patterns.Japanese quiltmakers combine "new" traditional blocks such as baskets and log cabin with vintage-looking fabrics and somehow create really fresh-looking quilts.Cutting directions are a little clunky and pure applique would seem to be a lot simpler than some of the patchwork piecing that's shown.Nonetheless, some smaller versions of the quilts in the book are going to make it to my short list of projects to try.

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Product Description:
All the joys of a summer bouquet can be yours year-round with unique designs from Quilts Japan magazine. Here's a new take on traditional western quilting as Japanese quilters share their fresh, unexpected vision and fabulous finishing touches with enchanting results. Nine projects offer lovely designs for floral and garden-themed quilts, pillows, and more. Suitable for all skill levels, techniques range from traditional piecing and applique to trapunto and paper piecing.

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12/12/2010

Once upon a Quilt: Fairy Tales in Fabric [Paperback] Review

Once upon a Quilt: Fairy Tales in Fabric [Paperback]This is a very hard book to find but it's worth the money. Bonnie Kaster is a master applique artist and has done a fine job with these patterns. I have over 200 quilting books and this one is still THE ONE I choose to show people. If you can't get the book, at least check out Bonnie's other patterns from Sweet Memories.They are equally as stunning.

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10/31/2010

Fabled Flowers: Innovative Quilt Patterns Inspired by Japanese Sashiko and Origami Traditions [Paperback] Review

Fabled Flowers: Innovative Quilt Patterns Inspired by Japanese Sashiko and Origami Traditions [Paperback]In this book, Kumiko has included the most fantastic flowers for applique based on origami, unique designs, and sushiko quilting designs.There is enough variety for even beginners, and several designs that are advanced or intermediate too.Her fabric choices are very artistic.With each design, Kumiko also includes her inspiration for the piece in the form of poetry or a story.This helps one to really feel a part of the design.There is room for much creativity.One can make a single square or a small quilt, or even full size if desired.

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Product Description:
Combines the traditional arts of origami, sashiko, and flower arranging to achieve dazzling, three-dimensional effects never seen before in quilting. These quilt blocks capture the beauty of the morning glory, camelia, dogwood, and two dozen other flowers. Flowers can easily be combined into a stunning quilt, or simply serve as an inspiration for quilters who want to create beautiful flowers of their own. Includes step-by-step instructions for 30 quilt blocks and assembly instructions and templates for six full quilts.

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9/30/2010

Japanese Country Quilting: Sashiko Patterns and Projects for Beginners [Paperback] Review

Japanese Country Quilting: Sashiko Patterns and Projects for Beginners [Paperback]Traditional Japanese country clothes were quilted for warmth. The quilting patterns on the natural indigo dyed hemp or cotton are called sashiko and often take the form of repeating, geometric patterns.
Karen Matsunaga gives a nice background into the daily life of her Japanese family, and also the history of some of the traditional patterns.
The book has five complete projects, plus sashiko stitching pattern. The patterns are printed on grids, with helpful directional lines to show the direction in which the stitching should take place. Recommended for anyone starting out in sashiko quilting

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Product Description:
The perfect introduction to a Japanese sewing craft. Step-by-step instructions for stitching patterns inspired by natural motifs, including 60 traditional patterns, and suggestions for basic sewing projects.

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6/21/2010

Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match [Hardcover] Review

Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match [Hardcover]I've been working with the squares and completed two which are wonderful. I know the final quilt will be awesome. The third square I've tried, however, # 35 has a measurement error. The A and C pieces should be 8 and 1/2 inches instead of 8 1/4. These will be cut into further pieces and those pieces do not match the instructions given. And, I see from a previous review that design 80 also has an error and that a 5 1/2 inch piece should be 3 and 1/2. I suggest that readers cut their first design on paper to make sure all pieces go together correctly.

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Product Description:
Modern Japanese quilting blends Eastern and Western techniques to create quilts of extraordinary style and beauty. Using designs borrowed from a rich decorative arts heritage, and often incorporating traditional kimono fabrics, Japanese quilters have developed a distinctive style based on unusual motifs and striking color combinations. With Japanese Quilted Blocks to Mix and Match, any quilter can create exquisite and unique works of patchwork art in the Japanese tradition.

The book presents more than 125 different block patterns, each with complete instructions and a color photograph, representing a variety of pattern sources: kamon (family crests), Hakone yosegi (parquetry) and traditional textiles, such as kasuri weave. Each 9-inch block includes a full cutting guide and fabric palette; suggestions for use, either mixing and matching or adapting to an all-over design; and icons indicating techniques and skill level. The blocks on each spread are related in design and technique.

In addition to the Block Directory, Japanese Quilted Blocks to Mix and Match features an Inspiration Gallery, showcasing examples of finished quilts from leading quilters. Using these examples, author Susan Briscoe explores such topics as color ideas from traditional Japanese textiles and quilts, motifs, and recommendations for combining fabric patterns and block designs. An extensive section on technique, as well as several pages about the fabrics themselves and a listing of suppliers and organizations make this volume as practical and informative as it is beautiful.

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