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Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts: 23 Original Quilt Designs [Hardcover]

Kaffe Fassett , Debbie Patterson
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

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Book Description

March 1, 2010
In Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts, world-renowned quilter Kaffe Fassett demonstrates how basic geometric forms—squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds, circles, and quarter-circles—found in natural and manmade environments inspire his quilt designs. Twenty-three of his magnificent, inventive quilts—ranging from the relatively simple Tilt, ideal for beginners, to the more complex Circle of Stars, for more advanced stitchers—are showcased in the book, along with step-by-step instructions for making each one.
 
Along the way, Fassett also offers over a hundred photos of geometric inspiration from around the world—everything from triangular watermelon slices, to rectangular sheets of metal on African scrap dwellings, to lollipop-shaped topiary trees in Japan. In the accompanying text, Fassett reveals how he experiences the colors and basic shapes around him, how we can train our own eyes to see this rewarding source of creativity, and how we can, just as he does, combine striking fabrics with simple shapes to create our own spectacular quilt designs.

Frequently Bought Together

Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts: 23 Original Quilt Designs + Kaffe Quilts Again: 20 Favorite quilts in new colorways from Rowan + Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in Sweden: 20 Designs from Rowan for Patchwork Quilting (Patchwork and Quilting Book)
Price for all three: $60.92

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kaffe Fassett, an accomplished painter and designer of textiles, is widely acknowledged as a visionary in the use of color. In 1988 he was the first living textile designer to be given a one-person show at the V&A in London, where he lives. He is a fabric designer for Rowan Patchwork and Quilting and the primary knitwear designer for Rowan Yarns. This is his fourteenth book. Liza Prior Lucy is an expert quiltmaker and the owner of Glorious Color, a source for fabrics designed by Kaffe Fassett and friends.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book (March 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1584798378
  • ISBN-13: 978-1584798378
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.9 x 10 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kaffe Fassett, an accomplished painter and designer of textiles, is widely acknowledged as a visionary in the use of color. In 1988 he was the first living textile designer to be given a one-person show at the V&A in London, where he lives. He is a fabric designer for Rowan Patchwork and Quilting and the primary knitwear designer for Rowan Yarns.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 79 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity to perfection March 6, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Just finished reading this from beautiful cover to beautiful cover. I own all of Kaffe's quilting books and therefore I recognize the retooling of previous entries. Much of what is art is reinventing the wheel. Kaffe is a master of taking the excellent and retooling it to a new level of spectacular. What I liked most about this book is he breaks the process down to entry level allowing you to see through his keen eyes; inviting you into his mindset to experience how he processes to create and recreate. Nothing is complicated here as it is so visual and texted with such clarity. He wants YOU to be successful. Personally I strive to learn anything that will inspire me to think for myself. Though he gives the recipes for his 23
gorgeous results in this book, he is showing you....asking you to be creative and start with the fundamentals. Most of the designs are so basic and quite simple. Once again he illustrates the importance of great color and pattern and the interaction of these two key elements within the framework of rock solid design. There is something for everyone here. I was particularly enchanted by the retelling of the Haze Kilim..... taken from a rug design; translated into knitted design; now repositioned in one of the most breathtaking quilts ever. It is an explosion of color and texturing and I cannot wait to make one! He asks you to get out there and be original and take a dare. Having used so many of his designs with and without his fabrics they never fail to have such adaptability; are so clear and concise; never disappoint. If you desire to get to the roots of design and wonder where to begin this book is for you. If your aim is to have a refreshed view of previous ground this book is for you.
... Read more ›
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62 of 67 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars artist, yes. quilter, no. July 13, 2010
By naxe
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
While these quilts are very beautiful, and with a little (make that a lot) of effort, I can translate them into "quilting" language, he is nuts thinking that you should achieve these gorgeous results by piecing together 1458 roughly 2 1/2 in. squares and 110 triangles as opposed to strip-quilting. The quilts are gorgeous, but the instructions given are an effort to make it a most difficult and time-consuming quilt, as opposed to one that would come together much quicker, and with exactly the same results. It seems he is far more concerned with selling his fabric than actually seeing you make one of his quilts and perhaps that's the rationale for "camouflaging" the instructions. Bottom line, you'll get some lovely ideas, but be prepared to spend some significant time figuring out a common sense approach to making the quilt.
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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring March 7, 2010
By Lynn B
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I even bought this in hardcover. That's hardcore. There are "projects" but I think of this as a book of design ideas. I felt like an amateur artist instead of a ruler junkie when I read this

Design, colors, a use of both cool and hot palettes, the construction has gentle warnings "this is not a quilt for a beginner" Unless he/she is using robotic sewing arms. Always a pleasure , always full of ideas . This is so far from the sharpest points, most evenly stuffed binding end of things it reminds me why I love to make quilts. Is it to get "better points"? How about playing with shapes and colors and making something that is occasionally beautiful and always a learning experience.

Inspiring.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular is not an exaggeration March 23, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Once again, Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy have produced an extraordinary book full of color and design inspiration. Yes, it's a book containing 23 quilt designs -- and they are exquisite, make no mistake about it -- but this is also a book that features the masterly use of color and shape. The book is divided into roughly six sections, each devoted to a shape: squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds, quarter-circles and circles. Each section contains three to five patterns for quilts featuring the shape, and begins with text introducing the shape and its use in Fassett's design work. Throughout are gorgeous color photographs, not only featuring the quilts, but also showing examples of each particular shape in the world around us (bricks form rectangular patterns, circles are found in elegant museum mosaics but also hubcabs and sewer grates). I dabble in quilting and sewing, and am predominantly a knitter, but for me, this book is well worth it for the inspiration it provides in terms of color, pattern and shape, as well as the fascinating insight into the creative process as we see how simple shapes, echoed in our daily lives, can be used to form exquisite textile art.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars How can you not love it? August 19, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love this book, all his books, and what he and Liza have done for the quilting world. As for the negative reviews, I don't know how anyone can say anything negative about Kaffe and Liza and what they have done for the quilting world. Their books don't disappoint, the colors always lift me up, the instructions are clear (and I really don't know my way around a sewing machine that much.) Are some of the quilts time-consuming? Sure are, but if you don't enjoy the process, stick to your Quilt-in-a Day books. If you want to make something beautiful, you need to invest the time. He promotes his own fabric? Well, gosh, why not? Isn't he trying to show us how to use large repeats and bold colors?

I guess it comes down to this: Some people who make quilts are artists, but many are just seamstresses and seamsters. There is room for all of us, but Kaffe is an artist and if you want to just be a seamstress or seamster, keep your narrow focus and stick to your calicos.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding collection
I was searching for a particular pattern and was also rewarded with a collection of patterns that provides the reader with endless spin offs. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Gerda T. Hemenway
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning quilting book
This book is a treasure of quilting ideas, patterns, and colors by Kaffe Fassett . The instructions are clear, easy to follow and the results are so beautiful. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Seta Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars love Kaffe Fassett
such a sense of color and design. I bought it as a gift for my daughter...we share an interest in quilting and this is a great book for inspiration and just sheer beauty and... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Bargainfairy
5.0 out of 5 stars Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes & Spectacular Quilts
Easy patterns and wonderful colors. A must have book to enjoy and plan my next quilting project using his fabrics.
Published 2 months ago by Nola
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts
Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts is an eye candy book full of truly spectacular quilts. Lots of inspiration for the quilter.
Published 4 months ago by mcm
5.0 out of 5 stars Another fabulous book by Kaffe Fassett
I am an "unconditional" admirer of Kaffe Fassett. This artist is gifted with extraordinary talents and creativity. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Monique's Art Studio
3.0 out of 5 stars good but could be better
Beautiful quilts but the patterns and guidelines are sketchy. It was almost like enabling the buyer to reproduce the product was being discouraged.
Published 6 months ago by Julie
4.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for patchworkers who love colour in their patchwork...
A lovely book - beaurtifully illustrated and clearly defined patterns. I intend to use it in my work over the next year.
Published 7 months ago by Joan Waterson
3.0 out of 5 stars a little disapointed
Big Kaffe Fassett fan, but this book was disapointing. The print was too small and some of the templates had to be enlarged. I'm comparing this to 10 other books of his that I own.
Published 8 months ago by patz
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple yes, stunning yes.
As always what a delight to get one of Kaffe's books, it is a pure delight. Not only does he help you see things from a different perspective, but he also gives you great design... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Goddess Being
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