Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts
We first met and fell in love with Jacquie at the Fall International Quilt Market in 2010 when she was helping out some of her buds with their book releases. We’d just started seeing her work and it was love at first sight, both for her incredible talent and her kindness and professionalism. She’s a joy to be around and we couldn’t wait to start playing with her!
While working on our former publication, we had just secured Jacquie’s talents through an awesome quilt that was going to grace our next cover. When that former publication was suddenly shut down, one of the biggest regrets we felt (besides our jobs) was not being able to play more with Jacquie and her quilts.
Fast forward to this last Market and we’re all in a good place. We’ve got the debut issue of our print mag in our hands and Jacquie’s got her first book-baby in hers. We followed Jacquie around a bit while she conducts her book signings and just generally exudes all of the excitement she deserves for birthing this baby with the equally awesome Katie Pedersen (who we wish we knew better, but at least we completely enjoy her through her blog, Sew Katie Did).
And today we get to celebrate right along with them as we participate in a blog release party for their wonderful book, Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts. (Interweave, 2012)
This book is all about taking the common and the tried in quilting and turning it into something less–less planned, less structured, less predictable. And the results are something so much more than their parts suggest.
Jacquie and Katie use techniques such as free-piecing, log cabin assembly, slice-and-insert and more to create modern quilts that are unique and beautiful in their simplicity and punch. What we really like about this book is this duo’s deep respect for traditional quiltmaking and their oh-so-true advice to master the foundational techniques for making quilts in order to better manipulate them for your improvisational masterpieces. (We’ve been saying this for years!)
There are 21 projects in here, included pillows, placemats and many, many quilts. Yes, even with the improvisational approach, you can almost recreate their quilts. (Winter Windows and Fiesta Wall Quilt are two of our faves.) But that’s not really the point of what Jacquie and Katie are trying to inspire. Instead, consider practicing their techniques and then turning them loose on your own creations. You’ll release your inner artist in no time, and have fun doing it!
Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen, Interweave Press, 2011, Softcover, 176 pages, $26.95
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the peek inside the book – it looks fantastic! I need more improv in my qulilting life (and probably in real ife, too)!
lovely review!! I really appreciate how they’ve laid the book out so you can make an almost exact quilt if you like, but seem to encourage you to make their projects your own. They have put improv techniques I have used into words and their instructions are simple and clear. I really love this book!
Jacquie and Katie are both just brilliant! How exciting it is to be able to have such an inspiring book from their talented hands. I’m looking forward to owning a copy of this book and releasing my inner artist.
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That’s the first time I’ve seen the Illusions quilt on the tour, I like it.
You wrote such a nice supportive article for these quilting authors. I have one word for the techniques and styles of this book: Fascinating.
I enjoy reading all the bloggers in a group and meeting new ideas.
Thank you for sharing.
I love the black and white!
The Illusions quilt is fascinating. Thanks for the book review. It’s been an enjoyable weekend blog party.
Loving this book. Thanks for being part of the celebration.
i love the colors in the blue ice quilt!
I think you capture what I love so much, already, already about this book: their quilts are so lovely and I feel like they’ve given me advice on how to move out on my own with the kernel of their ideas and my imagination.
thanks for the inside peek…looks like i need this one for the library!
WoW! Looks like an awesome book. Coming from a more traditional background I’d love to learn all the techniques. First I’d like to learn the free piecing. Then I could let myself go.
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Cool look at a cool book!
Thanks for reviewing this great new book! I’m really loving the improv quilts.
It’s been awesome working with you on this blog celebration weekend! Thanks again for everything, and I hope we can meet in person at a Quilt Market in the near future. Congrats on your launch!
Thank you for your thoughts on the new book. The more I see, the more I want this book on my bookshelf.
Haven’t seen the illusions black and white quilt at the other stops. It’s great.