Patchwork Portfolio: A Presentation of 165 Original Quilt Designs

I went through this book last night when I finally settled down to having a couple of hours. There are ton of pictures - one each of the 165 quilts plus one each of the black and white corresponding designs, plus a whole bevy of other quilts - some in color. This is a book to study and treasure. The book also has a light plastic sheet that gives the general designs such as 9 patch, 64 squares and 8-pointed stars of 5 various categories. I couldn't have understood before reading the book how methodological these basic design tools are and how much I had underappreciated or took fun with geometry. Jinny only had one or two equations, but from overlaying the plastic sheet over the designs there were many, many "aha" moments when the design suddenly made sense! You can SEE IT! Jinny keeps the dialogue down to a minimum. She uses her words very carefully in a good teaching manner so that you can follow along her thinking. She diagrams her points by asking you to visualize A, B, C or further on - on the design block. She also explains working and drawing with a light to medium black marker to make the color elements of dark, medium or light fabrics. It's not as hard as it might seem and the symmetry just makes positive sense. I left feeling very intelligent, creative and ready to give her design ideas a go-around. I'm looking forward to a 4 day weekend - I took a personal day to try and marry up Jinny's designs with EQ6 quilt design program - though Jinny explains carefully how to make paper folds and/or by using a ruler to make the design grids. I'm brimming with explorer excitement and fascination. Jinny's work is a pleasure put to words and visual stimulation and the work is timeless though basic and to that which all quilters should place in their comprehensive mind's eye.

I was delighted with this well written and easily understood book. I particularly liked the way the author invites the reader to create individual and original quilts. I found this book thought provoking and full of inspiration.