Crazy Quilts: History - Techniques - Embroidery Motifs [Hardcover]

Cindy Brick (Author), Nancy Kirk (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2008

The crazy quilt was anything but "crazy." It began with necessity and ingenuity, the piecing together of any odd scrap of fabric that outlasted its first (or even second) use, and evolved into an art form in which the finest silks, satins, and velvets, stitched together with elaborate embroidery, attested to a quilters rich imagination and artistry.
 
This beautiful book traces the bewitching history of the ever-changing but ever-popular "Crazies" from their earliest origins to the present day. Distinguished quilting teacher, lecturer, appraiser, and restorer Cindy Brick follows the crazy quilt through colonial times, the Civil War, and the Victorian era. She describes the crazy quilts influence on modern-day quilts. And she decodes the meaning of the curious images stitched into these quilts, from flowers to fans and farm animals.

Along with this history, the book includes a detailed how-to section on constructing crazy quilts. Brick outlines approaches to planning, piecing, and embroidering or embellishing your quilt. She also offers numerous helpful tips that only an expert could provide. Exquisitely illustrated with images of crazy quilts over time, this book is as delightful to page through as it is instructive to read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Crazy Quilts is a fascinating read for those who wish to know more about the cult of crazy. It is also a respite from a busy day. Just picking up the book and starting to thumb through, you see a gorgeous quilt, unique in its making, and pause to stare at the chenille embroidery or silk ribbon...An hour goes by and you realize you have become lost between the pages of a very good book. Buy it today!" -- www.greenspiralherbs.blogspot.com, Feb. 19, 2008

"Everyone should have a copy of this book, especially those who work exclusively with crazy quilts. It is a great resource that you can refer to when our creativity is in a slump. It is definitely a book that belongs in your home library." -- www.handquilting.blogspot.com, Feb. 17, 2008

"From its front cover to the last page, Cindy Brick's latest book titled simply Crazy Quilts is a masterpiece of sumptuous and elegant photos of crazy quilts, both antique and contemporary, and is a true celebration of all that we might call "Victoriana... The book is a page turner, and yet, I dawdled and lingered over each page, not wanting the book to end... Even if you are the type who doesn't read books with words, or even if you speak a foreign language only, the photos and illustrations are well worth the price of this book, Crazy Quilts. I can guarantee that you will return to it, again and again, for inspiration. Many thanks to Cindy Brick for the quality and quantity of information she shares about a subject she loves, the Victorian Age and its textiles". -- www.quiltersmuse.com, March 1, 2008

Review

"Everyone should have a copy of this book, especially those who work exclusively with crazy quilts. It is a great resource that you can refer to when our creativity is in a slump. It is definitely a book that belongs in your home library."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; 1st edition (February 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760332371
• ISBN-13: 978-0760332375
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy about this crazy quilt book, May 8, 2008

By 

Linda McKnight (Coral Springs, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crazy Quilts: History - Techniques - Embroidery Motifs (Hardcover)

This book is an absolute must for every quilter or quilt collector. The historical information is excellent, as are the photos and technical information. Even if you're not interested in making a crazy quilt, this book is beautiful to look at. I have it as a coffee table book as well as for reference.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cindy's Opus, August 2, 2008

By 

Herbal Betty (Catskills) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crazy Quilts: History - Techniques - Embroidery Motifs (Hardcover)

Cindy Brick has penned an excellent book on the history of crazy quilting. I lecture and teach crazy quilting around the country and appreciate the hard work she has put into this tome. Dealing with the history of a specific needlework technique can get a little dry, but Cindy has remedied that by putting humorous passages throughout this stunningly photographed book. This is a definite must-have for your library.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, April 28, 2008

By 

K. Lowe (Memphis, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crazy Quilts: History - Techniques - Embroidery Motifs (Hardcover)

I have a dozen or more books solely dedicated to crazy quilts and this one is an excellent addition to my library. I was happy to see so many new ideas and photos of vintage crazy quilts I had not yet seen. I recommend it.