Customer Reviews

Curves in Motion. Quilt Designs & Techniques

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm impressed!! And it takes a lot to impress me! As a teacher of traditional quilts made using today's methods, this book took me to a new level: out of traditional mode and into the "art quilt" contemporary mode. I was searching for something new to sink my teeth into and Curves in Motion was it. Absolutely wonderful photos of Judy's work as well as that of her students (It's a brave author who shows that her students work can come out looking as good as her own. Showing her students' work proves that her methods work!). The book has detailed instructions on how to cut those curves so they'll fit, and how to stitch them so they'll lay flat! Not an easy task for most quilters but Judy's instructions make how to do it crystal clear. I find the book very inspirational. I personally own over 900 quilting books and enjoy reading and re-reading them. This is a book I go back to often. It is inspiration for the soul! I give extensive hand-outs for my classes with lots of graphics as well as written instruction. But when it comes to teaching curves, I save myself a lot of time and effort and just have the students purchase Curves in Motion. Judy is, in my opinion, the hands-down authority on curves. Now - I just wish I could get my hands on her stash!

This gorgeous, informative book is destined to be a classic. There are many breathtaking, brilliant-color quilts featuring curved lines to inspire the reader. More importantly, there is a wealth of information detailing how to create a quilt using curves. Everything from design concepts to construction is covered. The author also includes five lovely projects. This book makes a wonderful addition to any quiltmaker's library, and I highly recommend it.

It is amazing to see the designs that Judy Dales comes up with from curved seams. Besides the inspiration in this book, the instructions for making the curves are the best. Even though my first sewing interest was clothing construction, I don't remember anyone explaining how to use registration marks in such an easy-to-understand way. Ms. Dales gives a fairly simple project, and then the sky's the limit for your own design whims. Great book - highly recommended.

If you thought you couldn't "do curves", you haven't read this book. The author's simple but very thorough explanations for curve piecing will satisfy the beginner as well as the experienced quilter. The author takes the reader step by step, from "doodling" in curves to picking out fabric, to marking templates and then to pinning and sewing curves. Each step is well thought out and quite simply but thoroughly explained. The book is filled with logical and easy to understand diagrams and patterns. The many wonderful quilts shown in "the gallery of quilts" is frosting on the cake! As the owner of over 200 quilt books, "Curves in Motion" rates #1.

When I bought this book, I only intended to study it for the possibility of making a curved quilt in the future (several years)--but, every time I pick it up, I become more and more enthused about the techniques and designs. I can't put this project to far into the future.

This book has excellent colored pictures and the instructions are easy and explicit. Very good diagrams.

I purchased this book sight unseen on the strength of a recommendation. Clearly many quilters have enjoyed it, but I was very disappointed with the quality of design displayed in the author's work - uninspiring and unfocused. There was some useful information on practical "how-to's" involving curved piecing, however nothing that would be unknown to a home dressmaker. I would suggest this book as best for a novice patchworker feeling intimidated by curves. Judy Dales writes very clearly and de-mystifies curves - she will give you the courage and knowledge to expand your skills. I would not suggest it for a more experienced stitcher looking for extension.

This book has helped me to overcome my fear of curved piecing.

I find contemporary, non-traditional quilts to be absolutely stunning, therefore I absolutely loved the designs in the book. If you are drawn more toward traditional block-constructed quilts, you might not find this book as inspiring as I did. Instructions to curved piecing are simple to follow, and the results are magnificent!

Another great book on curved piecing is

Quilting Curves : An Innovative Technique for Machine-Piecing Curves with Incredible Ease

I really think this is a good book to have. It is written very well and there are numerous pictures on every page describing the method of sewing on a curve. For someone who has never sewn a curve and feels intimidated by trying I would recommend this book.

Although this is a good book to have, the reason I gave it only 4 stars instead of 5 was that some of the designs were difficult to make out. Some of the flowers were hard to visualize. The author recommends using very pale colors. Though, there are a good many pictures of quilts with very vibant and alive colors made by her students. Personally I can't wait to try my own design with brighter, more cheerful colors.

Judy shines at giving quilters a way to unleash their imagination and design potential in the direction of luscious, flowing curves. The "how-to" construction section is good, but in my opinion it is secondary to the tremendous encouragement she gives quilters to play and explore.

This book is so informative! I loved all the pictures and the instructions are top-notch. BUY IT!