Quilting Happiness: Projects, Inspiration, and Ideas to Make Quilting More Joyful

by Diane Gilleland, Christina Lane

Why do you love to quilt?
 
Is it the finished quilt itself, or the experiences you had while making it? Do you find more joy in designing a beautiful pattern or in improvising as you go? Are you happiest when making quilts for yourself or for others? Whether it is delighting in the colors and textures of your materials to the sweet satisfaction of curling up under a handmade quilt, quilting holds infinite possibilities for exploring the many joys of creativity.

In Quilting Happiness, you will find 20 timeless, adaptable quilting projects that will invite you to try a variety of design styles, as well as a wealth of tips and techniques, inspiring stories, and creative exercises to help you discover even more reasons to love quilting. Learn to make an inspiration board, create more meaningful quilts, or find lifelong quilting friends. Use this book again and again as a guide throughout your quilting life to spark your imagination on each rereading. Embrace new ideas on your quilting adventures and enjoy wherever they take you.

Genres: Quilting, Crafts, Sewing

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Dee/ bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

some really neat patterns

[Erika Mulvenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book of modern quilting patterns, ideas and inspirations for any quilter (beginner or advanced) ready to give the modern esthetic a try. It's a nice change of quilt book pace to see snippets throughout talking about the quilting process, what you love about it, and different ways/places to find inspiration.

[Mircah Foxwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting patterns in this book - many patterns are pretty straightforward, tradition-based ones (plus, churn-dash, eight-point star).

What is missing, to me, is more discussion of how they made the particular choices they did, in the quilts shown. For example, why did they choose the particular fabrics, colours, values that they did -- what effect were they going for? Did they switch things up part way along, because they found the original plan wasn't working? I like discussions of projects that let me into the thought process of the maker, and help me understand why they made the decisions they did. Although the authors do discuss their design process, they do so in a very high-level way that doesn't give me insights into the particular quilts they show.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

come great patterns with a range of difficulties.

[Marci -]

I made one of the quilts in the book and resized it. Have to say the instructions and directions are lacking, as well as help from the author whom I contacted three times. After a significant purchase of broadcloth to make the pattern, I don't think I'll read anymore from this author. I can't afford to.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read on modern quilts, good photos, instructions.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are really cool designs for all skill levels in this book.

[Kristine]

collection of really thoughtful ideas on quilting and pretty patterns too.

[scc101 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patterns to Try:
-Elevator Music
-Zig Zag Zig
-Time Stands Still
-Starstruck