Photo-Inspired Art Quilts: From Composition to Finished Piece (Create With Nancy) Paperback – June 12, 2009

I have loved fabric all my life. My mother sewed, but no one in my family quilted.So, I started out at ground zero so to speak. I am also not in a place which has access to any in-person classes. So, I have been relying on web videos and books to teach some things.Many times, craft books are more of an homage to what the author deems as their awesomeness, but don't really teach you anything at all. This is NOT one of those books!I've already purchased several books on quilting. While they all have some good information, none were teaching things that I really wanted to know, like how to make that frame-effect around an art quilt,or properly attach a binding. They were mostly approached as if the reader already knew all the basics.This reader didn't.Anyway, thought I would try yet another book, to see what sort of info I might be able to get to improve my own skills. Note that I also love books in general, so I want to mention that the book size is nice,it feels nice in your hands, and the pages are printed on decent paper, not cheap junk.The photographs are plentiful, colorful and helpful. (I've had some books use only black and white pictures to perhaps save on ink costs? But it detracts from the book!)On to the information in the book -YAY!! This book doesn't assume I am a quilting goddess who just wanted to purchase another book.(I might get that title some day, but that's a long ways off!)The author writes in a conversational manner, which I appreciate. (I write that way too - anyone who readsmy reviews knows that one already! LOL) It makes it more like a class on quilting with the teacher right there.I've been reading it every day since I got it, and it has helped me to want to try a few new techniques.(It also confirms my need for a different sewing machine, which I had already known. Mine is almost new, butyou can't drop the feed dogs, and covering doesn't help much on this model. It is more for sewing than quilting.)While everyone's artistic interpretation is always going to differ (that's what makes it art!),the author explains how to achieve certain effects, how to create special additions to your art quilt, andtouches on how to "paint" with thread (she has another book devoted solely to thread painting as well).She explains how to use fabric values, rather than color or pattern alone to achieve a visual impact.She also explains about how to do portraits to have the best impact.Shortcomings - there were a couple. I think she could have delved a little deeper into HOW to get the valuedeterminations from your photographs or pictures. She mentions she uses Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to get themherself, but doesn't touch much at all about how to actually do it. Note that this does not bother me - I already knowhow, and have read about it in other quilting books. Perhaps she feels it was already sufficiently covered, and mightbe redundant. However, it would have been helpful to cover a little bit more to help someone for whom this mightbe their only quilting book purchase.I also feel she felt short in her explanations of her own quilting examples when it came to portraiture. Shehas some really nice photos of her own work which she uses as an example, but she leaves the reader to decided forthemselves if she did a strictly value-based fabric collage or printed a photo onto computer fabric and just enhancedwith thread. There are references here and there, but there are also some unidentified examples. On page 75,for example, in the quilt at the bottom of the page, I would like to know if the people there were printed directlyfrom a photograph to computer fabric and thread-enhanced, or if she pieced them from fabric and then thread enhanced.Overall - I highly recommend this book!It is enjoyable to read, actually informational, doesn't assume too much, and will help me improve my art quilt skills.Unless you are already an award-winning art quilter, I think everyone would find this one a very useful additionto their personal quilt book library.Great job by the author!

This book covers the basics of learning how to do pictorial quilts using inspiration from photos and includes sample projects to practice. It covers topics like color scheme, elements of design, creating a pattern, and combining quilt elements.

I have been looking, searching and buying all sorts of books on the topic of creative "photos-to-art-quilts", this one hits the high "HIGH" mark on inspiration, clear and thorough directions. The author does a great job in walking the reader through the basics of good design, composition, photo selections and getting your ideas actually done! The included companion DVD is fantastic as it was so much better yet to actaully see and hear how the author achieved such fantastic results! The demonstrations of thread-painted accents and applique really cleared up some questions I had while reading the book. A lot of design and planning is done with the use of a computer which is explained in easy to understand details but the author has also offered simple and clear directions for what some might call "low-tech" alternatives. All the steps of making a "photo-inspired" art quilt are covered in very clear writing and step by step photos. I do both traditional quilts and art quilts, if I could give it 6 stars ****** I would!

Photo-Inspired Art Quilts: From Composition to Finished PieceI found the title of this book to be appropriate. For any one wishing to create great quilts from photos and going through the processes to achieve them.The layout is easy to read, the exercises that are in the back of the book are terrific for those wishing to try the techniques that are on offer, The photos detailing what and how you do them are clear and precise, good to see. I have not yet had time to view the DVD that accompanied the book but I am sure it will be informative.

This book set my soul on fire! What a fabulous way to touch and work with fabric and tell incredible stories too. She used her son for many of her treasures as subject so he will have this treasure for his life time. If quilters want to produce archives of real treasure this book will guide you in perfect harmony to find your own voice. I would also recommend her teaching skill over others I have read. It's not just me either because she teaches all over the world. Thanks for writing a truly inspirational book on art quilts.

I bought this and the newer one at the same time - liked the DVD with it and again really liked the approach that is taken, fresh perspective a good place to start if this type of quilting is for you.

If you’re looking for a detailed introduction to pictorial quilts, then Photo-Inspired Art Quilts is it! Clear instructions, wonderful pictures and illustrations, a top notch teach yourself instructional book for how you too can turn your favorite photos into professional level art quilts using your computer, fabric and a few simple tools. I am also of the opinion that if you think outside the box like me, with simple modifications these instructions could also be applied to paper collage interpretations of your photos quite easily. This book is in one of my top 10 favorite art book slots in my bookcase because it teaches techniques that help illuminate the fact that not all art is painted or sculpted, that real art is sometimes also made with fabric.

This book is very inspiring for any one that wants to make art quilts.I saw the authour on sewing with Nancy on PBS. And I was amazedAt the beautiful quilts she made. Other places I called wanted $27.00For this book. This book is very detailed, and it comes with DVD. Was thisBook worth $27, dollars? Yes. But I'm glad amazon had it for $12.00So thanks to amazon, and I'm on my way to make some beautifulQuilts.