Customer Reviews

The Painted Quilt: Paint and Print Techniques for Color on Quilts

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There aren't many books that deliver so much information and inspiration in one book. In this book, Laura and Linda Kemshall show how to get from inspiration to original design, and how to execute it with amazing techniques. This may not be the best book for a rank beginner... but for anyone interested in trying paint and surface design techniques in innovative ways, this book will wow you.

Linda and Laura Kemshall are two British quilt and surface designers who have a regular column in "Quilting Arts" magazine. The subtitle of this book is "Paint and Print Techniques for Color on Quilts". It includes discussions about design, inspiration, drawing, collage, printing, oil pastels (rubbings and using pastels after quilting), health and safety, handling fabrics, immersion dyeing, painting with dyes, stencilling, block printing, screen printing, monoprinting, painting after quilting, rollering with a brayer, spraying, discharging, painting fusible web, gels and fabric pens, dimensional paints, adding text, pictorial and figurative images, ink-jet printing, photocopy transfers, fabric and acrylic paints and a number of series quilts that the authors have made.

The book is replete with lavish photographs that will provide inspiration for anyone who wants to work with these media. This is not a basic handbook, however, but there are a number of those that can be used for more information on the techniques that are included in this volume. This belongs in the library of anyone interested in surface design on fabric.

Over the years I have collected a lot of quilting books, and honestly I don't get terribly excited about too many of them anymore. This book, however, is truly a find. Fantastic techniques, beautiful photographs. A book I will return to time and again I am sure. I only wish I could take the Kemshall's classes too !

First off, all the other reviewers are right on the mark when it comes to this book, yet I wanted to add a few words that might help others choose this book for their library. For one, the page on the subject "Inspired to Design" is just the beginning of the subject covered in detail through the rest of the book, but its place at the beginning is so true - test projects on paper before using fabric and thread. A must do and often ignored when the lovely fabrics, delicate threads, and other embellishments come before us on our creating table. Yet if we do use paper, ink, paint and collage FIRST, we may be able to decrease error in judgement or come up with a more inspiring product. Artists, like me, often just want to dive in, yet this book really provides the information and inspiration to do it right. Excellent words. Plus the subtle reminders of safety when using some products is also extremely important to me and the authors remind us all to keep this knowledge foremost in our minds. The images that go along with the instructions are often more beneficial than the words, often the other way around in other books, but this one does it right. THE PAINTED QUILT is a fascinating read from cover to cover and, YES, fiber/fabric artists will refer to this book over and over again, if not for guidance, for definite inspiration.

This book is well written, beautifully illustrated and full of wonderful surface design techniques, a must have for textile artists.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and got inspired.

This is my favorite kind of art/craft book: design ideas and inspiration combined with specific techniques to try combined with pictures of beautiful examples. I have long admired the Kemshalls' amazing quilts, and this book provides insight not only to their work, but ideas for taking your own art journals and art quilts to the next level. I've never even shelved this book since receiving it--I'm too busy perusing it every day!

A great book, full of creative ideas for paint techniques, textile art and general information and a book which gives great inspiration to those wishing to quilt "out of the box". If you haven't painted on fabric before, this is a book for you -- detailed techniques, just a great book. Love it and have given it as a gift twice.

This book provides technical expertise in a very well written format and the inspiration to enter into a new phase of the quilting world. I can not say enough good things about this book. The book is easy to tote around and pick up, finding something new every time. With the examples, everything I have tried has come out fantastic. I have even amazed myself. The only downside is that my other projects are not being finished.

I received this book as a gift - it is incredible! Thank you for making a quilting book that speaks to those who are more advanced in the art, yet is detailed enough for beginners to take the plunge. Beautifully illustrated with lots of inspiration. I've paired down my quilt book library, but this is definitely a keeper!

I have painted on canvas for many years and have been interested in combining this interest with quilting. I have dabbled a bit but now that I have "Painted Quilt", I know and have tried many more techiniques for combining painting and quilting. I am delighted that these ladies wrote this book - it is like they wrote it just for me!