Playful Patchwork: Happy, Colorful, and Irresistible Ideas and Instruction for Modern Piecework, Applique, and Quilting [Paperback]

Suzuko Koseki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2011

In Playful Patchwork, author Suzuko Koseki takes readers through a variety of different uses for fun, creative patchwork. The book shows step-by-step instruction and photos for piecework, applique, and quilting to inspire a diverse range of projects. Koseki provides hundreds of interesting combinations of colors, shapes, and patterns and how to use them to make beautiful purses and bags, quilts and pillows, hats and book covers, and much more. With Playful Patchwork the possibilities are endless.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Tokyo, Suzuko Koseki graduated from Bunka Fashion College. In 1978, she began studying patchwork with master quilter Chuck Nohara. In 1985, she was one of fifty exhibitors at Quilt Japan. In 1990, she won a special award in the International Quilting Exhibit at the International Gardening and Greenery Exhibition in Osaka and her work has appeared in many other exhibitions. She is also the author of the following title now available in English: Patchwork Style: 35 Simple Projects for a Cozy and Colorful Life (Trumpeter, 2009).

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Creative Publishing international (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158923605X
• ISBN-13: 978-1589236059
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars designer patchwork, March 17, 2011

By 

K. Platt "blackplantlady" (Sheffield, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playful Patchwork: Happy, Colorful, and Irresistible Ideas and Instruction for Modern Piecework, Applique, and Quilting (Paperback)

Expand your patchwork with this creative book full of projects to make useful objects in colourful patchwork. Start with straight lines and create amazing flowers. Once you have mastered that technique, move on to curved lines then on to applique and quilting. The designs are unique and this book has patterns and ideas for bags, coasters, purses, cushions, a lovely sampler mini quilt and more. There are full-sized patterns on a pull-out sheet. The instructions are clear and well-photographed. The techniques and colour photos are at the front of the book, the instructions for making the actual projects are at the back of the book in black and white. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superlative patchwork book, July 3, 2011

By 

liberal sprinkles - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playful Patchwork: Happy, Colorful, and Irresistible Ideas and Instruction for Modern Piecework, Applique, and Quilting (Paperback)

I've seen Suzuko Koseki's name mentioned in many sewing blogs but only recently got hold of her books in English. This one is just amazing. I'm not the most patient sewer so it's unlikely I'll tackle many of these projects but if any book will inspire me to sit down and cut, piece and sew patchwork projects, this is probably it.

Koseki is a well-known Japanese quilter and fabric designer. Her pattern design is superlative too. The patchwork designs in this book are varied, gorgeous, colorful, intricate and oh so creative. Most of the fabrics used in the projects documented are too cute for words. If you are a fan of Japanese fabric and sewing style, you'd probably love the eye candy this book is!

The first part of the book tackles basic piecing (straight-line and curved-line), applique and quilting techniques. There are instructions on making quilting blocks (including some really lovely ones on creating different flower designs). The detailed step-by-step tutorials are well written and so well illustrated with photos and diagrams that even a relative newbie patchworker like I am can understand and follow them. I believe the intricacy of the designs would also make this book an attractive one for intermediate or experienced sewers wishing to improve their patchwork skills or exercise their creativity.

In a later chapter, the patchwork blocks created from the earlier tutorials are used for a range of projects including some cute bags, quilts, potholders and pillows.

Useful patchwork tips are scattered throughout the book and Koseki gives suggestions on matching fabrics and colors. Best of all, full-sized paper patterns are attached.

If you love patchwork, I'd say this is a must have book. If you love sewing, ditto. If you love looking at gorgeous, colorful, fun crafts, you'd probably enjoy this too.

5.0 out of 5 stars unique patchwork and fabric, October 3, 2011

By 

Lirios - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playful Patchwork: Happy, Colorful, and Irresistible Ideas and Instruction for Modern Piecework, Applique, and Quilting (Paperback)

The book came on time schedule by the seller. I like this book but it was not what I was looking for. If you are a quilter and wants different ideas and like to see different color fabric this book is great. It is well illustrated with step by step instructions. Is beautiful and interesting.