With their beautiful, soft sepia color range,
contemporary Japanese quilts stand out for their
sophisticated reinvention of patchwork and appliqu
blocks. These cool, calm quilts are as much at home in
modern country style as they are in chic, urban
settings. The harmonious fabrics are easily combined,
often with accents of brick red, olive green, or yellow
ocher, to create a new yet nostalgic style that
resonates with quilters all over the world. In Japanese
Taupe Quilts, acclaimed textile artist Susan Briscoe
offers a wealth of tips, techniques, and ideas for both
the beginner and the experienced quilter. The block
patterns have been drafted from a variety of traditional
block sources, including Japanese fabric, paper and
architectural designs, and kamon family crests. For each
block there is a photograph, a clear instructional
diagram or template, fabric palette and cutting guide,
as well as detailed instructions for making the block.
At-a-glance icons indicate skill level and techniques
used. Patchwork, appliqu, embellishment, and quilting
techniques are clearly explained with step-by-step
photographs, from cutting out to finishing off. The
blocks can be mixed and matched, tessellated for allover
patterns, or combined into sampler quilts. Combination
ideas are supplied throughout the block directory,
together with six simple projects -- a pillow, lap
quilt, tote bag, table runner, wall hanging and satchel
handbag -- to inspire readers to create exquisite quilts
in the distinctive Japanese taupe style. |
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