Art Quilt

Secrets for quilting success are presented through a variety of techniques, exercises, and insider tips to inspire novice quilters and experienced textile artists to make genuine works of art. Simplifying the basic fundamentals of art and teaching the underlying principles of the visual language, this guide explores texture, shape, line, color, and value with examples and hands-on exercises. Essential principles--such as focal point, balance, repetition, scale, and space--are paired with creativity exercises while guest essays, guest artwork, and inspiring artwork from the author allow readers to analyze how other artists utilize key artistic elements or principles and see how to successfully use these elements in their own work. Both a personal creativity coach and a guide for a hobbyist or professional artist, this reference clarifies quilting goals and takes the craft to the next level through design and composition.

How to get from "start" to "art" Make treasured art quilts from bits of cloth, stitched motifs, and painted details. Dip your toes into the world of art quilting with mixed-media techniques, practice exercises, checklists, and work-along projects presented using 8 design guides. This visual, step-by-step guide will help you unlock your own artistic vision as you quilt in a series, finish small art pieces, and incorporate meaningful symbols into your work. • Tap into your creative muse! Art quilt inspiration, techniques, and checklists presented in 8 easy-to-use design guides • Uncomplicated, visual guide to fabric collage with practice pieces to help you gain expertise • Tell your own artistic story with colors, materials, and beloved symbols

“Do away with patterns and embrace your creative spirit with this vibrant and fun book.” —Quilting Arts With simple design principles, you can create unique improvisational quilts. Without using patterns, learn five easy piecing techniques for your improvisational toolbox (including circles, blocks, and strips), and watch the art unfold before your eyes. Focus on color combos and negative space to discover your personal style—and then add dazzling texture with free-motion quilting. Also included is information on hanging finished art quilts without a sleeve, plus tried and true improv tips to encourage creative play.

A pictorial showcase of the work of 40 contemporary art quilt masters from around the world. Up to a dozen quilts by each artist are shown, along with commentary by each artist.

From 1965 through today, the art quilt movement has grown to become one of the most exciting art forms of the 21st century. Until now, there has not been a comprehensive, chronological history of the studio art quilt, which has become an international phenomenon. This feast for the eyes offers full-color images of 400 masterpieces along with engaging interviews and profiles of 58 influential artists, key leaders, important events, and significantcollections. Organized by decade, an additional 182 international artists' works are featured. An introduction by Janet Koplos, former senior editor of Art in America, and a conclusion by Ulysses Grant Dietz, emeritus chief curator of the Newark Museum, help us to understand the impact and the future of the art. This publication originated with Studio Art Quilt Associates, a non-profit professional organization founded in 1989 and now serving 3,500 members in nearly forty countries.

Do-It-All Guide to Putting the ART in Art Quilts. Learn the basics of good design with simple step-by-step exercises, then add your own personal style. Develop the quilt artist within you. Explore fabric collage, thread painting, innovative piecing, and photo imagery on fabric. Learn about the business side of creating, exhibiting, and marketing your quilts. Take your art quilts to the next level with Jane and Elin guiding the way. Do the lessons and homework, check out all the beautiful gallery quilts for inspiration, and find lots of resources for further study.

Take on color and creativity with improv quilting! Find inspiration in Improv and start your journey with bold colors and unique designs! Improv expert Cindy Grisdela shares the design principles and construction strategies for successful quilts every time. Explore three different ways to create improvisationally, from the easiest—using one block in different colors and orientations—to combining block units using various techniques—to aspirational, free cutting the entire quilt and designing it on the wall before sewing. Finished creations result in one-of-a-kind artwork! Master three different improvisational styles to create original works of art Design and construction process made easy with expert strategies Guided exercises will have you creating stunning Improv quilts in no time!

Accessible, beautiful, and lavishly illustrated, this ultimate guide goes step-by-step through every creative option needed to create an art quilt. From the essentials, like enlarging and transferring patterns, to surface design techniques that add texture and color, to piecing, machine stitching, appliqué, finishing, and embellishing, this has it all. Galleries of stunning art quilts from around the world provide extra inspiration. More than 1,000 illustrations!