Modern Japanese quilting blends Eastern and Western techniques to create
quilts of extraordinary style and beauty. Using designs borrowed from a
rich decorative arts heritage, and often incorporating traditional
kimono fabrics, Japanese quilters have developed a distinctive style
based on unusual motifs and striking color combinations. With Japanese
Quilted Blocks to Mix and Match, any quilter can create exquisite and
unique works of patchwork art in the Japanese tradition.
The book presents more than 125 different block patterns, each with
complete instructions and a color photograph, representing a variety of
pattern sources: kamon (family crests), Hakone yosegi (parquetry) and
traditional textiles, such as kasuri weave. Each 9-inch block includes a
full cutting guide and fabric palette; suggestions for use, either
mixing and matching or adapting to an all-over design; and icons
indicating techniques and skill level. The blocks on each spread are
related in design and technique. In addition to the Block Directory,
Japanese Quilted Blocks to Mix and Match features an Inspiration
Gallery, showcasing examples of finished quilts from leading quilters.
Using these examples, author Susan Briscoe explores such topics as color
ideas from traditional Japanese textiles and quilts, motifs, and
recommendations for combining fabric patterns and block designs. An
extensive section on technique, as well as several pages about the
fabrics themselves and a listing of suppliers and organizations make
this volume as practical and informative as it is beautiful.
