I must say that blogs are what really got me inspired to quilt and keep quilting...but Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr's The Modern Quilt Workshop really really got me inspired. So when I heard there was another book coming out, I just had to order it.Quilts Made Modern is their newest book. It's in my hands now.
If you go to their blog Craft Nectar and scroll through pages 2 and 3 (way better photos than AI could ever take!), you will get an idea of most of the patterns in the book. I like them all...what I like about the book, is that it gives you colour variations and shows how different colour combos will affect the pattern.
I'm going through a phase right now of quilt design burnout. I'm on a wave of not wanting to design my own anymore, and just relax and use the gorgeous patterns that everyone else has worked on. I think this is truly getting in the way of enjoying quilting right now. I sit there and stare at my fabric and the ideas just aren't flowing. And then I think...who am I trying to be? I'm not trying to become a quilt designer. Why can't I use someone else's pattern? That's why they MAKE patterns! What a silly concept... sometimes I think blogland unintentionally gives that pressure. (perhaps it's actually home renovation burnout and I'm just lashing out at my creativity slump)
This book caters to my love of simple and clean design, and has beautiful patterns to feed that need.
The other two books that I am really interested in are Elizabeth Hartman's The Practical Guide to Patchwork (I wonder if it is overrated and it is more how to than patterns. I'll need to see for myself, I guess) and my all time favourite solids designer, Cherri House's City Quilts.
Actually...I think I'm going to go buy me some Cherri House right now. She inspires me.
**thank you for your feedback on Connecting Threads fabric. I won't order for now, there was a definate consensus on the quality. If you have any positive feedback, feel free to let me know. As for the threads, my favourite is Aurifil, and after numerous terrorist -like attacks of thread on my machine, I found Aurifil to be the one to keep the peace. I won't waver from it now ;-)
I too, love the simple quilts, and I am n love, right now, with quilts with white backgrounds. Good to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - some of my favourite quilts are very simple squares, hexagons or HSTs, and I feel bad for not making up or using clever patterns, but why shouldn't I do what I enjoy? I often have to remind myself that :)
ReplyDeleteThe new book by Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle is on its way to me from Amazon right now. I ordered it last week and can hardly wait to get my hands on it! I have the Cherri House book. Highly recommended. Also have the Elizabeth Hartman book and while it is an excellent how-to book, she also has some great patterns in it. I would also recommend her book.
ReplyDeleteIt kind of makes me laugh sometimes that we feel so guilty about what and how we quilt. Bloggers telling us to think outside the box, do our own designing, and at the same time saying, "oh and by the way, click here to purchase the new pattern I just designed." I decided that I'm going to try really hard not to let what others are doing affecting what I am doing: quantity, style, fabric choice, etc. This is supposed to be relaxing not stressful. So Andrea, I say use someone else's pattern...for now...because the creativity to design your own quilts is just taking a holiday break. It'll be back!
Ooo thanks for sharing about their new book. I think that is going to make my wish list this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteDo not underestimate the power of home renovation burnout. We are renovating too (since May) and I was just talking with my husband and I have come to the conclusion that renovating requires endless design decisions and it is draining not only on my time but also on my creativity. Thus no quilting for me right now either (not even a pattern) :( I'm trusting that creating and quilting will come alive again when things are settled in my home....maybe you feel more creative when you are settled too! In the meantime there is nothing ever wrong with a good pattern. :)
i'm anxious to see this book in person. i just spent several minutes looking through their blog, too. (thanks for the link) i love their work and like you, the Modern Quilt Workshop was a HUGE eye opener to me.
ReplyDeleteDo whatever you want to do. Your quilts are gorgeous, and whether they are your own or someone else's design, your touches make it unique.
ReplyDeleteI recently got Elizabeth Hartmans book ... at first I was disapointed, there was nothing new not on her blog or elsewhere, but after about a week several of the projects 'grew' on me and I have two in progress :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words about Quilts Made Modern. Our hope is that readers of our books will learn something new by making our patterns and that whether or not they ever design patterns of their own, they will have enjoyed making something for their home. In other words, enjoy the process, whether it's your own pattern or someone else's. Happy New Year!
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