Customer Reviews

A Fabric Journey: An Inside Look at the Quilts of Ruth B. McDowell

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
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This book challenged my ideas of fabric pattern and colour use, and had me go out to the garden with a digital camera to capture flowers and then enlarge the result to examine them towards designing my own quilt. The ideas presented by Ruth appear to be adaptable towards any type of pictorial or emotional art quilt, a truly valuable acquisition.

This latest work from Ruth B. McDowell continues where her book on piecing leaves off. It overviews many of her quilts with details on where the design started, how it was developed, why were the fabrics chosen and what do they do for the quilt. While this is not a formal text on creating an art quilt, she does use use many concepts one would expect in a good fine arts class. The difference is that the medium is fabric. No patterns are provided (her works are copyrighted and not intended for duplication), but the intent is to inspire the reader to design their own works. I hope that as her work develops further that she will be able to write more books of this kind.

A great companion book to Barbara Olson's Journey of an Art Quilter as another inspirational journey from her initial emotive/creative spark to an enchanting collage of bold colors, incredible patterns, wonderful detail and contrasts-a rhythmic feast for the eyes!As a collage painter, this is what I am looking for, but would be a definite excellent resource for quilters as she generously shares her knowledge and experience learned along her own personal journey. Certainly a treasure at that price, especially when combined with the above book, for the inspiration alone!

Ruth B. McDowell has done it again. This book is amazing in showing her techniques of using fabrics most would never even think of and getting an overall stunning piece of art work. The close up photos are inspirational, as are all her tips for the techniques themselves. A must have for any quilter's library.

This is such a well illustrated book, I am so pleased wiht it. I have been doing challenge quilts for several years, and this adds so much knowledge to my brain for different approaches to the projects. Wonderful pictures, and side notes. Would reccommend it to anyone interested in stepping out of the box in thier quilting.
Sharon

Fabric Journey: An Inside Look at the Quilts of Ruth B. McDowell is a splendid example of the evolution of a quilt and quilting process of a talented artist. It is not a book that contains patterns for quilters to make themselves.

Ruth B. McDowell is one artist who is emphatic that her designs are not to be copied or reproduced in any form without permission. And there are no patterns provided. So if you want to look at her work and make a similar quilt, this book is not for you.

But if you want to study an artist's work and the evolution of her art, you will find McDowell's book interesting. If you are a quilt designer, you will learn some valuable lessons about expression through fabrics and the visual impact of choices. McDowell shares some valuable techniques that will certainly make specific processes easier for quilters.

McDowell's quilts are stunning and her journey to the finished art piece is fascinating. Reading her book is an inspirational experience that can be translated to your own work by releasing your individual creativity.

Armchair Interviews says: The artist's journey, as well as the beautiful quilts, should help you mature as an artist if you thoughtfully study McDowell's work and processes.

Do not miss the latest in Ruth's books. In this one she shows close up how and why and when to use the right fabrics and the right techniques.

She is a master! The explanations are clear and the art works lovely even if you never make one. But you can try some great new techniques under her care with this book.

Ruth takes quilting to a painterly level. Her command of the medium is extraordinary and her creativity is without equal. Her teaching skills are not often present in someone so skilled in a field.

I am excited about taking my own oil paintings and expressing them in fabric using her technique. I am thrilled to use something other than applique for this.

... she took a class from McDowell, and uses these books as sources of inspiration for new projects. These are well-written and well illustrated.