Circles of The East : Quilt Designs from Ancient Japanese Family Crests [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Kumiko Sudo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 1998

Presents 30 extraordinary quilt designs derived from crests dating back to more than a thousand years. Centuries-old designs are combined with new, rich color choices and contemporary fabrics for an effect never seen in quiltmaking. Each block is accompanied by the story behind the design and step-by-step instructions.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As a highly skilled fiber artist raised and trained in Japan but residing in the United States for the past decade and a half, Kumiko Sudo brings an interesting combination of Eastern and Western sensibilities to her work. She draws on the ancient Japanese motif of the kamon, or family crest, utilizing these varied designs as the basis for a collection of one-of-a-kind quilts. Yet she fashions them out of materials that, though they have a very Japanese flavor, are actually contemporary American fabrics (and therefore easily approximated by modern stitchers). She provides color photos, setting diagrams, brief basic instructions, and full templates for 30 gorgeous quilt blocks. Quilters seeking a vibrant new take on the traditional Western quilt block should enjoy making these lovely designs. --Amy Handy

About the Author

Before moving to the United States in 1985, Kumiko Sudo was known by quilters throughout Japan as a quilting and appliqué instructor on Japanese national television and as a popular author. Her work is currently in several public and private quilt collections throughout the United States, and she is the author of three other quilting bestsellers: Fabled Flowers, East Quilts West, and East Quilts West II.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (January 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844226572
• ISBN-13: 978-0844226576
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book wakes up the artist within., June 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Circles of The East : Quilt Designs from Ancient Japanese Family Crests (Paperback)

To say that Kumiko Sudo's Circles of the East is inspirational is an understatement. It is a beautiful book to read, even if you never make one quilt block from it's pages. The whole history of Japanese Crest designs is entertaining enough, but the fact that I could actually replicate Kumiko's art is incredible. I made the Gingko design using my machine with great results although all Kumiko's work is done by hand. Her templates are exact, but she does not include full size placement diagrams. I dreaded getting to the placement part of sewing my block, but it was way easier than I thought...The most interesting aspect of her work to me is her seemingly complete disregard of grainline and total obsession with placement of fabric motifs...it gives her blocks stunning symmetry that I haven't seen anywhere else...really exotic!

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful & inspiring quilt book I have ever seen., March 20, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Colorado Springs CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circles of The East : Quilt Designs from Ancient Japanese Family Crests (Paperback)

I accidentally found this book in a quilt shop. I could hardly wait to get started. The photos are awesome, the workmanship is unparalleled and the use of fabrics is inspirational. The book is well written and the instructions are clear.

There are no instructions for Kumiko's method of binding these quilts.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 16, 2003

By 

"sambrea" (Janesville, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circles of The East : Quilt Designs from Ancient Japanese Family Crests (Paperback)

I saw this book at a quilt store a couple months ago, and IMMEDIATELY fell in love with it. I'm not a big quilter (I also cross-stitch) but I like applique and now I'm doing a queen size one with fifteen of the patterns in this book! It's great!