Look, last week my copy of Gwen Marston's new book, Minimal Quiltmaking
It's a good one - and I'm not saying that just because two of my quilts are in here.
The book is written in the style of Gwen's classes, workshops, and retreats. She talks about her design process and gives techniques but there are no patterns or specific directions for any of the quilts in the book.
She writes:
"In this book you will notice that instead of patterns, I offer a process. I will tell you how I constructed the various parts of my quilts so you can make your own parts, and because you are using a process instead of a pattern, your quilt will be your own original design. There is power in that. It's rewarding and affirming. My roots are very much from the tradition of quiltmaking and a time when many quilters were working in this same process-focused way."
The book is broken down into sections of different aspects of the idea of minimal design. In addition to the other design aspects, Gwen discusses the importance of the actual quilting stitches as part of the overall design of a minimal quilt. The photos are excellent and show the quilting stitches well.
She shares her inspiration and thoughts during the design and construction of her quilts. A number of contributors also share their views on minimal quilting as applied to their own quilts that are included in the book.
If you have never had the opportunity to attend one of Gwen's retreats or take a class or workshop from her, this book will give you a taste of what that is like. If you have been to one of her retreats or taken a class from her then you already KNOW you want this book. Yeah, you probably already have it!
If you don't have it yet, order your own copy of Minimal Quiltmaking
