By Dana C Lewis
Quilting Modern
Techniques and projects for improvisational quilts
By Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen
Published by Interweave Press 2012
This is another beautiful book with crisp clear photographs showing beautiful quilts and interesting quilting. Jan Wallace, our lovely guild president, offered her copy to me to review. I was inspired, couldn't stop paging through it and now I am waiting for my own copy to arrive.
There are many books and patterns out on modern quilting and I have an ever increasing appreciation for them. But let's face it, for many experienced quilters, who needs a pattern? Many designs are so simple or they just use a traditional block with the latest fabric and call it modern.
I found this book to stand out, in that it focuses on improvisational techniques. I would think this is difficult to teach. Yet, I was inspired by several projects they present. I confess, it is a pet peeve of mine when the so called "modern quilters" dis traditional quilting techniques. These gals encourage traditional quilting by advising to "honor the past" and say that "the more you understand the traditional methods the easier it is to manipulate the rules to your benefit". This is another reason I like this book, I really like their style.
They go on to advise to: Release your inner artist; Embrace serendipity; Fail; Savor the moment; Make a friend; Free yourself. The authors state that they "share our designs for quilts with a modern aesthetic and our enthusiasm for improvisational quilting techniques". I felt happy after just reading this book, I hope you do too.
One of the authors, Jacquie Gering will be coming to teach in August. This is an excellent opportunity. I hope to see you there!
Dana