quilt-making

I may already have mentioned that I have a book coming out this week.

I know it’s an updated edition of a golden oldie - first published in 2010 - but it still feels nice to see my name on the front of a beautiful new cover. I’m extremely pleased that Pavilion decided that The Gentle Art of Quilt-making hasn’t aged badly, unlike avocado bathrooms, perms,

[March 1967]

and some of the Beatles’ personal fashion choices, and decided the book is worth reprinting.

[Tulip Field Quilt - in the book]

What’s lovely is that I don’t look at the quilts in the book and think, what was I thinking? I still like them all as much as when I made them.

[Russian Shawl Quilt - in the book]

In fact, I’m still making the same sort of quilts which involve lovely, colourful fabrics and simple shapes. My philosophy remains unchanged: minimum effort, maximum impact. Plus enjoyment in the making and the using.

[obligatory quilt/foot shot]

This is my most recent quilt, made for Alice and Wilson who have just bought their first flat. Wilson embraces a classic architect’s aesthetic, namely minimal, black, white, clean lines. The antithesis of mine.

However, Alice loves pink and lilac and purple. As I certainly wasn’t going to spend my time making a black and white and maybe grey quilt, I decided to combine both of their tastes. It’s very simple with big squares of bold floral designs, a favourite Kaffe Fassett design on the back, and a stripy binding.

So out it comes this Thursday, 18th June. There won’t be much fanfare; I’ve never had/been given an official book launch yet, not one, so why break the habit of a publishing lifetime? But just knowing it’s in bookshops, on bookshelves, in libraries, being read and, I hope, inspiring, encouraging, reassuring quilt-makers, is enough. Almost. We may be going wild with a celebratory pizza and a Lucky Saint.

Happy Sunday!