Customer Reviews

Passionate Patchwork: Over 20 Original Quilt Designs

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

 

 

If you're a color junkie, if the sight of a newly-opened six-row box of Crayolas leaves you breathless, and if you walk through fabric stores just for the color hit, then "Passionate Patchwork" is a book for you. Without a doubt, the projects in this book are made up in the most sophisticated and exciting palettes ever seen in a quilt book. And the quilts--all of which look eminently doable, even by a rank beginner--are photographed in such lush, visually sumptuous settings that you can happily spend hours simply "reading" the photos. The other thing I like about this book is that these quilts are quite possible. We are not talking about quilts with 75 differently shaped chunks of fabric that must be pieced into each block. These quilts are not exercises in perfectionistic anality, but are made of simple geometric shapes that let the fabric do the talking, and leave the quiltmaker with sanity intact. Admittedly, one of the authors does have a signature line of fabric, and many quilts photographed make extensive use of that line. But any quilter's fabric stash already contains many comparable textiles that could be put to more sophisticated use, in exciting new combinations shown in this book. Several of the quilts in this book make use of "orphan" blocks that are showcased by being re-set with imaginative new uses of color and fabric pattern. This seems a respectful use and transformation of handwork from earlier times: the newly-made quilts look fresh and exciting, even when they used segements of old cliche patterns such as wedding ring and grandmother's flower garden. But you don't have to be a quilter to love this book. Although it has simple, easy-to-follow diagrams and directions for each product, the book could just as well appeal to knitters, painters, weavers, decorators or anyone else with a love of and appetite for color used creatively. I have already picked out my next few quilting projects inspired by this book. (The "rice bowl" and "hatbox" quilts are particularly compelling). That I would use quilts in this book as a model is certainly something I could not say for nine out of every ten other quilting books published. But ``Passionate Patchwork'' has sophistication and verve, appealing to both the traditional quilter and and the fans of the cutting-edge contemporary. Bottom line? I love this book.

I agree with vikinges perfect description "drunk with color" as this book takes simple traditional patterns and explodes them through the creative use of color. I've always been pretty bold with color but I never knew chartreuse could look so wonderful in a quilt.
However my chief complaint, which keeps it from getting 5 stars, is that in a world made easy with strip piecing, all of the patterns are presented with templates. An experienced quilter will be able to adapt the patterns to rotary cutting, but why torture a beginning quilter? So I must disagree with the earlier reviewer who felt this was the only quilting book one would ever need. Instead, it should be looked at as a fabulous addition to a diverse quilting library.
That said, I am very inspired by the quilts in this book and have my sights set on making the Suzani quilt soon. I'm off to get that chartreuse fabric now...

The people at my local quilt were eagerly anticipating the latest book by Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy, and now I understand why. After browsing through the store copy of the book, I had to buy a copy for myself. The quilts in this book are not the boring, traditional quilts that you see in most other books, but great new designs that any contemporary quilt artist will enjoy. As a new quilt artist, I will certainly use the elements from the quilts in this book in my future quilts. I especially liked the Indigo Courthouse Steps, the African Weave Throw, and the Shirt-Stripe Boxes. The stories behind the development of these designs also show that quilt artists should take inspiration from everyday happenings. The final chapter is also especially helpful, as it provides instructions for making all of the quilts in the book that quilt artists of all skill levels could follow.

PASSIONATE PATCHWORK is another fun and color drenched book by textile artist Kaffe Fassett. He and Liza Prior Lucy designed and created over 20 original quilt patterns for this book. Upon receiving the book, I immediately spent over an hour of time just perusing the pages and reading the descriptions of the gorgeous patchwork quilts.

Fassett's patchwork interpretations are wonderful, but, as always, it's the rich color combinations that make his work so enjoyable. Some of my favorites are: the Gypsy Garden Quilt in lush reds and greens; the Moody Blues Quilt is rich in jewel tones; the Japanese Brocades quilt is a garden of large and small muted flowers; the Hat Boxes Quilt has 36 different boxes, each made up in a different flora pattern; Nona's Quilt, which Fassett patterned after an embroidery piece that had been a gift from his grandmother, is done in a geometric design of yellows, pinks, lavender and greens. Fassett says that the original piece had been stolen from him and he did the design from memory. I believe my overall favorite is the Haitian Fonthill Quilt. It's an angled quilt done in rich vibrant colors and bordered with purple and lavender flowers.

I also enjoyed several quilts that were a combination of old and new. The authors purchased old bundles of patchwork blocks and put them together with new material and made quilts. Those quilts are featured in the introduction to the book and are called: Medallion Circles, Granny's Flower Garden and String Stars. Kaffe spoke of attending a quilt festival where vendors "bring old patchwork tops or just bundles of blocks that were meticulously sewn together to become part of someone's bright idea for a quilt. Either the creator of these died, or just got distracted. All that work will have gone to waste if someone else doesn't take these blocks and build a quilt around them. I can't tell you how stimulating it is to do just that."

I believe that anyone who enjoys making quilts or just looking at beautiful handmade creations would love PASSIONATE PATCHWORK.

This book is inspirational to me. There are so many brilliant colors and designs that I am sure I will be busy for years trying to make even a few of them. The quilts in this book have the power to transform a room. They are real show-stoppers. I read some of the other reviews about this book and was shocked to read comments like, only the quilt on the cover has bright colors, the others were drab. That is just not true. If I had a complaint I would say the text is not as detailed as I would like. The book was clearly written to showcase quilt design, not to teach patchwork quilting. But that is exactly why I bought it, so I am not the least bit dissapointed.

I've seen and collected all the knitting and needlepoint books just for the fabulous photography and amazing color that permeates Kaffe's work. And now Liza Lucy has transposed his color sensibilities into quilting by using the simple geometric designs that quilting is based on, while fixing it with that supersaturated color. There is something here both for the quilt appreciator as well as the advanced practitioner, and I am hoping that we are only on the beginning of a very long series. Worth having on your library shelf for the visual appeal even if you never intend to sew a seam!

If you have a passion for patchwork -- or for beatiful things in general -- this will be one of the favorites in your library. Inspiring use of color and prints, amazing layouts, and easy-to-follow instructions. YUM!!!

I was a little disappointed in this book. I just recently started quilting and ordered several books. I ordered this one primarily because I loved the quilt on the cover, and figured that I would like the other quilts. Well, the one on the cover is one of the few that uses those vibrant, rich colors. Many of the others use light-colored, "busy" fabrics that I don't really care for. It's a matter of taste, of course, but the cover is somewhat misleading. That said, the quilt patterns are beautiful and I can just use the colors I like. It's not a beginner's book, but it didn't present itself as one. I think it's a worthy addition to an extensive quilting library, but not if you're planning to just have a few quilting books...

A beautiful book with great pictures of ideas for quilts. So, many wonderful color combinations. I enjoy working with bright colors, stripes, dots anything to sew a bright appealing quilt. Good information and easy to follow ideas. I'll use this book frequently.

This is a MUST HAVE BOOK - just a beautiful book. E-Z quilts - but the color and drama makes each quilt look - over the top. The Hat Box Quilt is just out of this world!!! BUY THIS YOU'LL LOVE IT.