Customer Reviews

Harmonies & Hurricanes : Color and Line in Japanese Quilts

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The small quilts in this book are inspiring because of their uniqueness. All of her designs are done using applique techniques and she uses silks for most of her quilts. Each of her quilts has a poem or story that she's written or referenced that adds to the beauty of the design. That said, this book is not for the beginning quilter since directions are somewhat vague. There is a gallery quilts, in addition to a section of patterns for small (ie 15 x 17") wallhangings. It is not at all a book for one interested in new techniques. However it would still be great addition to any quilter or fiber artists library as a reference and inspiration.

Quilt publishers have decided on a single format--the books should all be the same number of pages and should include patterns. This format doesn't work here. The patterns are included, but to make a quilt like Kumiko Sodo's you'd need the vintage kimono fabrics she uses. Also, the instructions assume that you already know what you're doing.
I have no doubt that she makes much more interesting quilts when she doesn't have to supply a pattern for others to make the same quilt. I enjoy seeing her quilts, which are truly unique, but I would much rather have had her simply show off her quilts and discuss color and line in Japanese quilts, as the title suggested. Instead, there is very little information on how she makes her color decisions. I can learn something from looking at her quilts, but less than I had hoped. In short, this could have been a much better book if it had not been squeezed into an inappropriate format.