Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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. If your prime interest is holding the blueprint for some of his lovelies this book is for you. This is a through-the-looking glass opportunity into the mind's eye of a master. Try not to miss this one!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deep, rich colors and basic but eye-catching geometrical shapes form "Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts: 23 Original Quilt Designs," the latest work of designer extraordinaire Kaffe Fassett and his co-author, Liza Prior Lucy.

There are 23 project designs offered in this book but the real themes are making the colors and shapes and how they work together. Projects are presented by shape: squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds, quarter circles and circles, with three or more examples in each category. Each quilt includes information about size, needed tools, fabrics and other content requirements or additions, and steps needed to complete the project.

Some quilts offer surprises: his Circle of Stars appears to be a collection of diamond-shaped patches, but once complete, it's obvious that the color choices have created a circular shape in the center of the quilt. His "Facet" quilt makes the quilt appear to have windows out onto new colors.

Quilters and crafters of all sorts, as well as people who simply enjoy beautiful creations, will enjoy this book.

Kaffe's quilts are vibrant! Really nothing new but couldn't resist another book.
I remake his designs and soften the blow! Sites for the pictures are really wonderful. He gets your creative juices flowing.

Once again Kaffe Fassett quilts are showcased in a beautifully illustrated book that says "you can do it too". Maybe someday.......

the book is beautiful,i m enjoying it very much.
I order one of the quilts of this book ,and hope it will look like the originally
regards
marisol

this is a great books with pattens for all the quilts. I especial like the pictures of the new frabic. got to get busy making a quilt. wilma