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

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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Sashiko: Traditional Japanese Quilt Designs [Paperback] Review

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

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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Quilting With Japanese Fabrics [Paperback] Review

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

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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Amish Wall Quilts: 15 Brilliant and Beautiful Quilts (That Patchwork Place) [Paperback] Review

Rachel Pellman is a Mennonite dealer in amish quilts and she gives a very dutiful account of the Amish lifestyle as a n introduction.She then goes into the quilts breaking them up into geographic location and laying out the colour, piecework patterns and then quilting motifs for you to make an authentic Amish legacy wall-hanging quillt.
I have another one of Pellman's books and the big difference here is one of course the size, most are 47x47 inches and two the use of colour.Most of Pellman's books are black and white but this one is in full colour which is rather funny because once you see these quilts in colour you realise why the cheaper black and white can be used.But still seeing the colour spectrum as the Amish use it is very helpful and cannot be discounted.It's a good reference there just on the colour motifs and how to build or identify an Authentic Amish quilt (Center diamond should be in what colours and what quilting style for example).
Because everything is in the authentic mode, Pellman does not mention anything about machine piecing or quilting, but then you should have Hargreave's book, the definitive source, so you'll never have to care.The instructions are fine, I used them to make 2 quilts, but in the end it's rather plain being Amish all the time (remember no patterns :-).
Still it seems to be comprehensive and answer all of your questions except that I think it should have had some of the quilts as samples so we could see how the various pieces do fit together and look.It's a workmanlike book, not very inspired.

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Product Description:
Have you always loved the striking beauty of Amish quilts but couldn't find the time to make one? Unlike any other book out today, Amish Wall Quilts shows you how to make authentic replicas of Amish quilts on a reduced scale. Historian and quilter Rachel Thomas Pellman--a noted expert and author of many books on the Amish--shares her first-hand knowledge in this collection of glorious designs you can enjoy in today's modern settings.
· Choose from 15 projects that capture the stunning patterns and vibrant, solid colors historically used by the Amish
· Discover the distinct quiltmaking characteristics in three Amish communities, such as the free use of color in the Midwest and the emphasis on elaborate quilting in Lancaster County
· Learn fascinating details about Amish culture, language, dress, education, and the ways in which Amish women use quilting as a source of creative expression
Make your next quilt a vivid tribute to the true spirit of the Amish.

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