From cover to cover...

From cover to cover...

I had the chance recently to sneak a peak at Joen Wolfrom's new book - Elements of Design. She was teaching at the shop and let me take a copy home to read overnight as our copies had not arrive at the shop yet. This is an amazing book.......doesn't matter if you are an art quilter, a traditional quilter, or just love to make quilts for the pleasure quilts give to others, you need this book. Your quilts will be more even more amazing after you read this book, I promise.

I have always used the squint method of evaluating design and color....you know...squint until it all looks a little blurry and then go with your gut feeling. Sometimes it works amazing well, and sometimes, well, not so much. I know the basics of color theory and design, I have just not taken the time to make them a part of my everyday working toolbox. I think that with this book or rather if I do the work set out in this book, I have a chance...... In her book, Joen walks through the elements of good design for quilters, with lots of examples of both traditional and art quilts, and the really fun part is that there is a section of exercises to work through at the end of each chapter.  These could be done alone, or even more fun, I think, would be to work through them with a group of your quilting and fiber friends - and then own them!

Some of us at the shop have been browsing through Sweetwater's Simple Home also. It is beautifully illustrated and has lots of fun ideas, some of which offer the opportunity for almost instant gratification! The authors have given the book the same clean look of their fabrics, and have projects that are beautiful, are all about the fabric, and practical as well. Whatever your signature fabric is......you can reflect it in the things you use everyday.