This book is a delight; a wonderful window into quilts and quilted textiles from all over the world. The photos and text are great. My only complaint is that dimensions are not given and that, to me, is essential for proper study. I took notes and marked many pages to discuss with my small study group next time we meet. Within each geographical section both vintage and contemporary examples are featured. A few pages of basic tools and techniques at the end is nice but not particularly necessary for this type of book. Complete glossary, index, bibliography and more. A must for every textile enthusiast.
I returned to this book again recently ( as I have done a number of times since it was given to me as a retirement gift some six years ago). This time I was looking for some techniques for a project in which I am about to embark, my own knowledge and skill in embroidery has grow. Over the intervening years but I still found some inspiration and ideas.
The book's strength, as others have pointed out, lies in the range it covers. It is, as has also been pointed out, stronger on Europe and North America than other continents. Africa is particularly light on coverage. That's a pity, because I was hoping for some information about African amulets and fabric.
Nevertheless, I found some good information - and excellent photographs - in the Japanese and Indian sections. Molas were also well covered.
It is a big ask to cover the planet in this way. It isn't well balanced, but it is really useful - a step towards recognition of diverse traditions, commonality and transferable techniques.
i liked this as a sweeping survey, touching both historical context and methods, and tracing chains of influence. though it gives a lot more space to anglo/european countries. i can't tell if that's a distortion or if the quilting traditions of central and SE asia and south and central america are less, er, developed... i lean towards the former since the african american (and african!) section is also notably thin given what i know is out there. it's a survey, though, so i am probably being too tough.
highlights: korean pojagi (wrapping cloths), which are beautiful and starkly geometric; chintz quilts always; some of the specific adapative modes of quilting from the british north, wales, scotland, and ireland; a ralli-inspired art quilt by lynn setterington; and mary hannaford's quilts from australia, which are somewhat mythic and narrative, a thousand times over.
Nice overview of quilting traditions around the world - bulk of coverage is Europe & North America (with Hawaiian quilts) but includes sections on Japan, Korea & India, Central America, Africa, Australia & New Zealand
Gorgeous and inspiring, with quilts from around the globe and across the ages, including many contemporary pieces. Loved it. For anyone with an interest in fabric arts.