Quilting Line and Color: Techniques and Designs for Abstract Quilts [Paperback]

Yoshiko Jinzenji (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2011

Looking to fuse Japanese design and modern techniques in your quilting projects? With Quilting Line + Color, you will explore color, shape, stitching, and fabric ideas from internationally known weaver, dyer, fabric artist, teacher, and quilter Yoshiko Jinzenji.

Yoshiko brings a fresh, contemporary vision to the quilting scene with more than 30 gorgeous projects, accompanied by precise instructions and detailed illustrations. From bed-size quilts to bags and pillows, you will learn to create innovative pieces while trying out new and traditional techniques. In Quilting Line + Color, Yoshiko delves into the interplay of shape and fabric, set off to striking effect with white fabric and stitching. Her asymmetrical and graphic use of color takes on a fresh, painterly feel. She shares her artistry and philosophy with you as she teaches you how to cut, piece, and stitch a variety of designs—from patchwork and innovative uses of appliqué and reverse appliqué to layered transparent fabrics and handstitching.

Quilting Line + Color gives you an uncomplicated approach to adventurous yet beautifully balanced quilts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The elegant use of white in Yoshiko's abstract quilts gives them a unique and artful appearance. Her meticulously designed and executed quilts include elements of the Modern quilting style, yet go a few steps further into Modern art territory...Stunning, inspirational and thought provoking." — Machine Quilting Unlimited

Praise for author's previous title, Quilt Artistry:

"Many quilters are inspired by colors or prints. For this collection of minimal, graphic quilts, Jinzenji was inspired by white. This leads to some surprisingly eye-catching works of fabric art. Jinzenji takes traditional patchwork in a bold, graphic direction, incorporates appliquéd lines of code on a white background, and uses sheer fabric to add dimension to her quilts. Full instructions and patterns are provided for 30 projects, several of which could be attempted by beginning quilters. It’s exciting to see an artist make something commonplace—the quilt—so radically different." — Library Journal

“Inspiration, practical information, and beautiful photography make this book a winner." — Piecework

"The serenity of the chosen textiles presented in such peaceful settings is amplified by her stunning workmanship and enchanting photography." — Yvonne Porcella, founder of Studio Art Quilt Associates

"This book is as beautiful as her quilts, and reveals the mystery behind some of the best of her works." — Joe Cunningham, author of Quilting with Style

"Yoshiko’s work is a rarity even in the world of art-to-wear and its non-wearable textile art relatives: utterly unique." — Dana De Zoysa, Curled Up with a Good Book

"...beautiful, inspiring...The subtler works, those with only a few shades and tones of color are the epitome of sophistication." — Lauren Camp, Surface Design Journal

"It is [a] feast for both the eyes and soul." — The Professional Quilter

"Yoshiko Jinzenji can see the universe in a quilt block." — The Paducah Sun

About the Author

Yoshiko Jinzenji has been quilting for more than three decades and teaching for two. During her thirty years of artisanal quiltmaking, she has synthesized a wide range of cultural styles, and her work has been exhibited around the world, with pieces in the permanent collection of the Museum of Art and Design, The Victoria and Albert Museum, New England Quilt Museum, and the Spencer Museum of Art at The University of Kansas. Yoshiko has authored multiple books, including Quilt Artistry, and teaches quilting and fabric dyeing in Japan and in Bali.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (February 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596683333
• ISBN-13: 978-1596683334
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 108 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Out of Focus January 28, 2011

By mendoquilts

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The quilts, pillows, and other projects in this book are great abstract designs. There are detailed instructions, but very little information on her process of design. This is a project book, clear and simple. Pages 10-56 are the gallery. The rest of the pages 57 - 192 are instructions. Viewing the gallery was extremely frustrating. I found myself cleaning my glasses and trying different pairs in an effort to see the details. It was as if I had voile over my eyes. The photographer chose to blur most of the images - very artsy, but not helpful to a quilter. Many of the quilts are shown like the one on the cover, some of it in focus, the rest blurring. I hoped that on the instruction pages the quilts would be shown full on and in focus, but the photos are the same ones from the gallery made even smaller. I've always liked the way Kaffe Fassett and Liza Lucy's quilts are shown. First there is a photo with atmosphere - quilts on terrazzo floors, stone walls, over a barn door, etc, but in the instruction section there is a large full view of the quilt. How else can you really understand how the quilt is made? I found this book perplexing. Since this is meant to instruct you, why not show a clear and detailed photo of each piece? No pair of glasses will help you see these out of focus quilts.

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Really Disappointed January 30, 2011

By Michelle B

Format:Paperback

I had this on my wish list as a pre-order, and it was gifted to me. I was very eager to get it, and was extremely disappointed almost immediately. The photography is terrible, with much of the projects pictured out of focus. Although I love this artist's work, I was expecting to be blown away by a varied display of her work and inspired. Unfortunately, many of the projects are very similar to each other, and a little flat. I was especially surprised to see that the majority of the book is dedicated to very technical descriptions for making the projects. The how-to section is almost entirely black and white, with very gray, small black-and-white photographs that make it feel like a dated textbook.

As a serious modern quilter, who tries to be innovative and find ways to do my own unique style, I really look to these books for inspiration. Unfortunately, this book wasn't the "eye candy" I was hoping for.

I did like reading about the artist's career and the development of her quilting style. I just wish the book would have been bursting with beautiful pictures of projects that made me think and want to create my own version.

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super inspiration! January 25, 2011

By Kathleen Derevan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been eagerly awaiting delivery of this ever since I preordered it in September, based only on the cover photo and the brief description. It's even better than I expected, with brilliant inspiration on every page. The simple, yet dramatic designs are beautiful and contemporary, even though they are mostly based on traditional quilt techniques. I have already thought of several ways to use these ideas to create my own unique designs.

It would be a great book even if it were just photos and descriptions of the quilts, but there are complete instructions for every quilt, and an envelope inside the back cover with patterns and templates for all. Just a terrific resource that can be enjoyed equally by quiltmakers of any skill level. The designs are simple enough for beginners to execute, and experienced quilters will love the new ways of dealing with fabric and design presented here.