Contemporary Quilt Art: An Introduction and Guide, by Kate Lenkowsky

The Quilter’s Catalogue: A Comprehensive Resource Guide
By Meg Cox
Workman Publishing, 2008
Paperbound: 598 pages
Retail Price: $18.95

In her acknowledgments to this book, author Meg Cox starts by thanking her publisher, Workman Publishing of New York, for turning down her proposal for the book, twice. Their resistance, and her consequent persistence in improving the scope and quality of The Quilter's Catalogue, made it, as she says, “the fat, full thing” that it is. At nearly 600 pages, it is probably the biggest quilt book you’re ever going to find. You’re unlikely to find one more comprehensive or enthusiastic, either. There appears to be no quilt-related subject too obscure, no technique too arcane, no quilt tool too specialized for Meg’s voracious appetite.

As you have probably already gathered, this book departs significantly from the standard model quilt book. It is not primarily about technique or projects (though some are included, about which more later), and it is not a full-color book of instructions on how to make a quilt sandwich. Meg’s purpose is broader – nothing less than to create the comprehensive encyclopedia of quilting available. She wants to create a resource guide for the initiated and uninitiated alike, to the vast, complex universe that quilting has become.

Meg’s background is as a journalist (a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal), but she knows that quilters like it personal, so the book begins with what all quilters want to share, her personal quilting history. After recounting her family quilting tradition, she tells the story of finishing a complex appliqué quilt her mother left partly completed at her death. The quilt was being made for Meg’s niece, and though the technique was beyond her skill at the time, Meg promised to complete it (it took five years). After this personal introduction, which establishes her credentials as a quilter, Meg then takes us all for a roller-coaster ride. She debunks six quilt myths (beginning with “Like jazz, quilting is an American invention”) and gives us a fascinating survey of “Who Quilts Today and Why.” Along the way we get to meet a varied cast that includes the Gees Bend quilters, Calvin Cooledge, and Celia Eddy, among a gazillion others.

So what aspect of the craft are you interested in? Quilting and computers? Internet resources for quilters? Building a fabric stash? Using photos in your quilts? Fabric dying? No matter what your interest, Meg not only has it covered, but provides a wealth of further resources. One might think, with all the information now available on the internet, that a book of this type would be hard-pressed to add anything to the conversation. But what this book provides is an organizing intelligence, a sorting service, and a tour guide of the quilting galaxy.

I said at the beginning that The Quilter’s Catalogue departs from the standard model of quilting books, which are mostly about projects and techniques. But despite being crowded with factoids, tips, and encouraging words, the book makes room for twelve charming projects. My favorite is the Fruit Tart Pincushion, based on a design by Ami Simms, and which looks for all the world like a piece of finely shaped pastry. The instructions for this and the other projects are very detailed, and accompanied by great diagrams, templates, and technical tips. Although most of the book is printed in two colors to keep the cost reasonable, there is a full-color section covering the twelve projects.

On the back cover of The Quilter's Catalogue is a banner that says "The Bee-All and End-All." That's an excellent description of the most comprehensive quilting resource you're likely to find. And which can all be yours for less that twenty bucks.

Blendable Curves: Stack, Slice & Sew Unique Quilts in a Weekend

By Peggy J. Barkle
C&T Publishing, 2007
Paperbound, 64 pages
Retail: $19.95

I’m always a sucker for a clever new technique, and a set of designs that plays variations on the traditional. Blendable Curves is just that, a book that tries to break away from the traditional, but not too far, and with often stunning results. Barkle takes such old favorites as log cabins, nine patches, and stars, and by introducing curved piecing techniques brings them back to life as new quilts. The key to all of this is the “blendable curve” of the title. Most curved blocks contain a convex curve and a concave one, which fit into one another. This type of sewing is exacting, requiring careful pinning and precise sewing. The blendable curve contains both convex and concave elements in both pieces, which sounds more difficult, but according to the author is quite easy to deal with. I won’t give away the technique, but through a stacking, shuffling, and sewing process, you get quite unique results.

Legends: 9 Quilts Inspired by the Earth, Sea, and Sky

By Laurel Burch
C&T Publishing, 2007
Paperbound, 64 pages
Retail: $29.95

Laurel Burch has an unmistakable folkloric style in all of her work, whether it be jewelry, wearables, or quilt design. I must admit to being charmed by each of her new collections. But a really distinctive style is a double-edged sword. As much as I’m charmed by her work, it has begun to look all the same to me, and become a bit cloying. There is a lot of free-form (or template) cutting, appliqué, and surface embellishment in the quilts in this book, and it comes with a set of templates to help you out. If you’re primarily a traditional piecer, this book will present a challenge. On the other hand, if you’re already using fabric markers and other embellishments, there are some good new ideas and techniques here. Ever tried sponging paint on a quilt? If you’re not in the mood for the mess, Legends is great eye candy.

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, will display an exhibit of nearly 30 improvisational quilts by Susana Allen Hunter of Wilcox County, Alabama. The exhibit, entitled "Quilting Genius 2: The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Hunter," begins on February 15 and will run through April 27, 2008.

Hunter is from the same region that created the well-known "Gee's Bend" African-American quilts, and shares a similar style. Dating from the 1930s to the 1970s, Hunter's quilts partake of the humble materials and syncopated rhythms of rural southern African-American quilts.

Susana and her husband Julius farmed most of their lives and raised their children in a 2-room house without running water or electricity. The quilts, made from leftover materials such as worn clothing and feedsacks, were made for the practical purpose of keeping the family warm. They are also extraordinarily beautiful.

One of the events associated with this 10-week exhibit will be an "Ideas and Innovations Forum" all day on March 15 at the museum. More information is available by calling (313) 982-6001 or on the web at http://www.thehenryford.org

Ricky Tims’ Rhapsody Quilts
By Ricky Tims
C&T Publishing, 2007
Paperbound, 96 pages
Retail: $27.95

If you’re going to undertake to make one of Ricky Tims’ Rhapsody Quilt designs, you’re going to need to make a real commitment. A Rhapsody Quilt, as invented by Ricky, is “a medallion-style quilt that utilizes a symmetrical design in a reversed and mirror-imaged arrangement.” Got that? Well even if the words don’t convey it, the end result is stunning, if a lot of work. These highly decorative, baroque designs use templates, appliqué, and curved piecing to dramatic elaborated effects. A blend of Hawaiian medallions, Lone Star, and reverse appliqué styles, these quilts will no doubt try your patience in the making, but will reward you handsomely with a bold, dramatic style that will be the centerpiece of whatever room it is hung in.

Paper-Pieced Mini Quilts
By Wendy Vosters
That Patchwork Place, 2007
Paperbound, 80 pages
Retail: $24.95

Mini-quilts are such a great way to get a sense of accomplishment without having to take six months out of your life to do it. They’re also a great way to experiment with new techniques, or to perfect some old ones. Wendy Vosters’ Paper-Pieced Mini Quilts use a modified form of foundation piecing that involves strips. You get the same great precise results with a good bit less tedium. This book contains instructions and illustrations for 17 charming traditional mini-quilts, including pineapple, scrappy, and crazy style designs.