Quilt Inspirations from Africa : A Caravan of Ideas, Patterns, Motifs, and Techniques [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Kaye England (Author), Mary Elizabeth Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

With its mesmerizing colors and exotic designs, Quilt Inspirations from Africa takes quilters into an incredibly rich well of ideas and techniques. Rarely seen, startlingly colorful photographs of design motifs in totem poles, carnival masks, murals, and more awaken the spirit of Africa. Sixteen complete, illustrated patterns invite quilters to create their own Africa-inspired quilts.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The authors are not African art historians, nor do they speak from a personal African heritage; instead, they are expert quilters and quilting instructors who have been inspired by the colors, fabrics, and artistry of African design and have set out to make quilts reflecting this inspiration. After an introduction to textile design and textile arts in Africa, the authors present a "Caravan of Quilts" 16 quilt patterns inspired by African motifs and colors. As is the norm for Quilt Digest Press, color illustrations abound, and full-size quilting designs and templates are included. A good choice for public library quilting collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Kaye England, one of America's best-known quilters and fabric designers, is currently working on a new line for South Sea Fabrics featuring African motifs to be released in conjunction with this title. Mary Elizabeth Johnson is a well-known quilt expert and author who has written several books on quilt making, including The American Quilt with Roderick Kiracofe.

Product Details

• Paperback: 177 pages
• Publisher: The Quilt Digest Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844242063
• ISBN-13: 978-0844242064
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,093,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Georgous photos, January 14, 2004

By 

The Cooking and Reading Fiend "wild-cooking-w... (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quilt Inspirations from Africa : A Caravan of Ideas, Patterns, Motifs, and Techniques (Paperback)

This is a great looking book. Even though the authors are not of immediate African heritage, they have successfully caputred the flavor of African quilting and provided many great photos. The entire book is a joy to own and great to work with. I have used it successfully to make my own interpretations of African designs. I felt it was worth every penny.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mary Elizabeth Johnson has given me Africa and the world!!!, October 14, 2002

By 

Philip E House (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quilt Inspirations from Africa : A Caravan of Ideas, Patterns, Motifs, and Techniques (Paperback)

Quilt Inspirations from Africa is a fitting tribute to the beautiful tradition of designing and creating the complex yet simple quilt designs of Africa.

The book itself is an incredible design. It warms your hands and delights your eyes as you behold the colors of African sand, sky and clay in the colors used on the cover. The graphics are clear and rich and provide a wonderful level of detail of the designs that are covered.

The use of diagrams and symbols was well executed and I was especially pleased to learn the meaning of the listed Adinkra symbols and their story. They reminded me of the symbols in the book 1000 Symbols  What shapes mean in art and myth  written by Rowena and Rupert Shepard.

As Mary has done so ably in past books, she takes us into the lives and communal folkways of the quilters, whose work she is representing to the world. And she goes one important step further  she gives us the tools and instructions needed to help perpetuate and preserve these traditions by teaching us how to design, layout and stitch them for ourselves.

Great job on an incredible book.

Philip House
Atlanta, Georgia

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Source of Inspiration, May 27, 2002

By 

Dr. Phyllis Bell Miller (Mississippi State, MS (Starkville, MS) United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quilt Inspirations from Africa : A Caravan of Ideas, Patterns, Motifs, and Techniques (Paperback)

This book provides excellent examples of how to adapt images and ideas from other cultures to contemporary, Western objects. The reasarch is highly credible and the applications inspired and easy to follow. It is a must have for anyone who quilts or who is interested in adapting motifs form other cultures and eras to any art form, including beading and other forms of embroidery.