Pictorial Quilting [Paperback]

Maggi Mccormick Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

For needleartists and crafters yearning to create luxuriant quilts in contemporary themes, Pictorial Quilting meets their needs like no other book on the market. Maggi McCormick Gordon opens the book with a discussion on the rich history of pictorial quilts and their themes which include clouds and skies, leaves and flowers, people, birds and animals, travel and transportation, and other popular motifs. She then takes readers through everything they need to know to create a pictorial quilt that will be treasured for generations to come:





• how to select a subject, and then the fabric and color scheme best suited for the project

• how to adapt photos and paintings, make sketches, lay out designs, and prepare fabrics

• how to master piercing techniques, including turned-edge and cut-and-sew appliqué, decorative and quilting stitches, 3-D effects, textural effects, and many others




Pictorial Quilting closes with a of finished quilts by contemporary artists that characterize a variety of styles and techniques, all of which will inspire anyone who'd like to try the gracious art of pictorial quilting or expand upon their skills.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Showcasing a wide array of works by a multitude of needle artists, this colorful volume provides quilters with wonderful inspiration, as well as an interesting dose of the history of pictorial quilts. Created to tell a story, commemorate an event, or evoke a sense of place, pictorial quilts combine traditional quilting techniques and representational images to become highly personal statements. Gordon presents an excellent overview of what it takes to design and produce such a quilt, from finding source material, choosing fabrics and colors, and adding embellishments, to understanding the specific methods (piecing, various applique types, decorative stitching). The book's second half is a detailed exploration of specific themes, including landscapes, garden scenes, fauna, and portraits, told in relation to a gallery of exquisite works by numerous artists. This is not a book for beginners or traditionalists; it is meant for experienced quilters looking to expand their horizons. There are no full-fledged step-by-step projects. Readers are instead treated to terrific analyses of what makes these quilts work, and they learn what they need to know to begin designing and making their own. --Amy Handy

About the Author

Maggi McCormick Gordon is an author, editor, and consultant specializing in needlecrafts. She lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823044750
• ISBN-13: 978-0823044757
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,421,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pictorial Quilting, June 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pictorial Quilting (Paperback)

This book is a fascinating read and offers practical advice, (especially for the novice quilter like myself). Being a new person to the world of quilting, I was looking for something that was slightly different. This book offers that and more. Pictorial Quilting differs from the traditional modes of quilting, offering a new and innovative way for an individuals to transform ideas into a final pictorial quilt. Along the way readers will be able to pick up practical advice for combining colours, fabric types and how to change a picture or idea into a quilt. In addtion to the practical information, there a number of completed quilts that will inspire all levels of quilters to larger and greater heights.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Addition to Your Art Quilt Library, July 10, 2001

By 

Carole Pivarnik "I bring dogs to life with wa... (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pictorial Quilting (Paperback)

This book covers basic techniques and tools for making pictorial quilts. Great photos show different applique and quilting techniques, with lots of close-ups that give you a nice feel for the types of fabrics, stitching and embellishments used to create various effects. These are particulary helpful. But its biggest contribution is its ability to inspire by example. A wide range of pictorial quilting styles is shown, offering many ideas for how to represent flowers, leaves, water, sky, and more. I also like the quotes from various quiltmakers that provide background information on their inspiration and techniques. A must-have for any quilter who enjoys looking at or aspires to create pictorial quilts!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Illustrations, June 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pictorial Quilting (Paperback)

The best part of this book is the illustrations of the pictorial quilts. Each illustration has a description of the technique used, with arrows pointing to specifc areas being discussed. I don't think a beginner level quilter would be able to read this book and then go out and make a pictorial quilt, but it does provide a lot of great tips and techniques for a quilter with some experience. The book briefly covers many topics. For example, there are 2 pages on choosing colors for pictorial quilts, when there are entire books devoted to choosing colors. So each topic ends up being broadly defined, but clear examples (and pictures!) are given. Overall I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to making my first pictorial quilt!