Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts [Paperback]

Jacquie Gering (Author), Katie Pedersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

From two pioneers of today’s modern quilting movement, Quilting Modern teaches quilters how to use improvisational techniques to make graphic, contemporary quilts and quilted projects. Explore seven core techniques and multiple projects using each technique—all presented with detailed instructions. Also included is step-by-step direction from Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen on tools, materials, and quilting basics, as well as expert advice on color and design.

New and seasoned quilting artists will love making stunning bed, wall hanging, pillowcase, and table accessory quilts with this must-have resource. Quilting Modern is a field guide for quilters who strive to break free from tradition and yearn to explore improvisational work.

Quilters can make the 21 projects in the book, but will also come away with the new knowledge and skills to apply to their own unique designs. In Quilting Modern, quilters will find the support, structure, and encouragement they need to explore their own creativity and artistic vision.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you've ever thought, for even a moment, that you'd like to explore improvisational piecing techniques, then this is a must-have book for you. And, if you haven't thought about exploring improvisation, then this book is still for you. Why? Because it is so crammed full of eye-candy that you'll wonder why you haven't yet played with this process.” – Malka Dubrawsky, author, Fresh Quilting

"Jacquie and Katie are right up there as two of my favorite quilters and bloggers. This book is absolutely gorgeous, right down to how it feels in your hand (something I find weirdly important!)." – Ashley Newcomb, FilmintheFridge.com

“What we really like about this book is this duo’s deep respect for traditional quiltmaking and their oh-so-true advice to master the foundational techniques for making quilts in order to better manipulate them for your improvisational masterpieces.” – Generation Q magazine

"When it comes to modern quilting, I have a whole lotta opinions! I feel pretty strongly that it’s a specifically definable aesthetic movement. I think that modern quilting is waaaay more about design than it is about using a specific a line of fabric or currently on trend color combos. And in my opinion, this book, is really and truly an example of modern quilting. - Alissa Haight Carlton, author, Modern Minimal and Block Party: The Modern Quilting Bee

“Jacquie and Katie are two women who I so greatly admire and am in awe of. Both of them in their own way have sparked a flame in me like only a few others have.” – Monica Solorio-Snow, TheHappyZombie.com

“Page after page of gorgeous quilty goodness.” – Rashida Coleman-Hale, author, I Love Patchwork and Zakka Style

“It’s fabulous! Thoughtful and approachable instructions for a variety of improvisationally-pieced quilt projects.” – Elizabeth Hartmann, author Modern Patchwork and The Practical Guide to Patchwork

“I really cannot recommend this book enough... for me it has hit a new standard as far as quilting books go.” – Amber Carrillo, One Shabby Chick

“These ladies know how to TEACH what they know. The extensive step-by-step diagrams are impressive. No detail left behind. Sometimes all the elements of a book come together in such a way that the end result is nothing short of spectacular.” – Kathy Mack, Pink Chalk Studio

“A book that is truly a work of art, that clearly speaks to the modern quilting community!” – Angela Waters, author, Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters

“Refreshing and invigorating.” – Rita Hodge, Red PepperQuilts.com

“Amazing projects.” – ewMamaSew.com

“There’s just the right, hard-to-find mix here. Enough support, tips, technique and design to give you confidence and skills, plus improvisational tools to give you freedom in your quilting approach.” – SewMamaSew.com

"One thing I've come across again and again when teaching others or just doing a casual sewing day, is that lots of people are (dare I say?) s.c.a.r.e.d or simply say they 'don't know how' to do improv. So if you've ever found yourself saying those words, this book would be a great addition to your sewing book library." - Penny Layman, Sew Take a Hike

“So many beautiful ideas, packed into one gorgeous book.” – Susan Beal, author, Modern Log Cabin Quilting

“Jacquie and Katie talk the reader through innovative techniques that, to me, represent what the modern quilt movement is all about. If you've ever seen a quilt that has gorgeously crazy piecing that seems like it would be impossible to do, then this book can break it down for you and expose the mysteries behind it.” – Blair Stocker, Wisecraft

About the Author

Jacquie Gering serves on the executive board of the National Modern Quilt Guild and is founder of the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild. She is also a board member of the popular online store and community Sew Mama Sew. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy and in Stitch magazine. She frequently speaks to quilters and exhibits her quilts.

Katie Pedersen is a founder of the Seattle chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild. She teaches quilting locally and is a featured artist for Amy Butler Software.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (April 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596683872
• ISBN-13: 978-1596683877
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Quilts & Quilting

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on Improvisational Technique June 2, 2012

By KM

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The quilts are beautiful. The approach to illustrating and teaching improvisational techniques is comprehensive and extremely well done.

The book is organized by 7 improvisational techniques: Free-Piecing, Improvisational Log Cabin, Slice and Insert, Stitch and Flip Triangle, Strip-Piecing, Modern Crazy-Piecing, and Improvisational Curves. Each section includes 3 projects that demonstrate use of the technique. Modern Quilting is all about mastering technique and seeing the possibilities of using that technique in a quilt design. Jacquie and Katie have distilled the science from the art and given us a toolbox to create with.

Improvisational quilting techniques can be tricky to teach. The lack of patterns and templates can be confusing. The book does an outstanding job of removing the mystery and presenting technique lessons in an easy to master format.

Kudos to both authors on the contribution this book makes to the world of quilting. However you define modern quilting, this book is certain to broaden your view on quilt construction and leave you pulling fabric off the shelves for your next quilt.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Book June 24, 2012

By Stella Nemeth

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am not the person who the authors would expect to love this book. Mostly Modern Quilting is being done by the 20-somethings and 30-somethings who are turned off by precise piecing and traditional blocks. I'm in my 70s and I'm taking a class right now in precise piecing and very traditional blocks. So why do I love this book?

It talks to another side of me. I want to do improvisational piecing in addition to more traditional piecing, and this book is filled not just with quilt projects, but with directions and recipes for doing improvisational piecing.

And the quilts shown in the book, which you could slavishly copy or which you could simply use as a path to your own designs, are just beautiful. The photography of the quilts is so good I can actually follow how they were quilted as well. And knowing how to quilt something this unusual in creative ways is useful on its own. And I've learned a lot about using visual texture in quilts that look like they are all one color, but really aren't, that I didn't understand before.

I've been carrying this book around from table to chair to table to different chair and I keep picking it up, and every time I do I learn something new. If what you want is to learn precise piecing and traditional blocks, go elsewhere as I did. If what you want is to figure out a way to create something unique, not just in color and fabric which you can do with any quilt, but also in design, come here.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for the Modern Quilter April 16, 2012

By MariQuilts

Format:Paperback

Quilting Modern does not leave the reader disappointed. The quilts in Jacquie and Katie's book are inspirational and the quilting on the quilts is absolutely, exquisite. The design and workmanship of the quilts is fabulous. Clear and concise instructions will make this a most useful book for anyone wanting to forge their way, into the wonderful world, of modern improvisional quilting.