Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match

By Susan Briscoe

This popular book is back in stock! Using designs inspired by Japan’s rich decorative arts heritage and often incorporating kimono fabrics, Japanese quilters have developed a distinctive style based on traditional motifs and striking color combinations. With Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match, any quilter can create exquisite and unique works of patchwork art.

The book presents more than 125 different block patterns, each with complete instructions, representing a variety of pattern sources: kamon (family crests), hakone yosegi (parquetry), and traditional textiles, such as kasuri fabric. Each 9-inch block includes a full cutting guide and fabric palette; suggestions for use, either mixing and matching or adapting to an all-over design; and icons indicating techniques and skill level. In addition to the block directory, the book features an inspiration gallery, showcasing examples of finished quilts from leading quilters. Using these examples, author Susan Briscoe explores such topics as color ideas from traditional Japanese textiles and quilts, motifs, and recommendations for combining fabric patterns and block designs. An extensive section on technique, as well as several pages about the fabrics themselves and a listing of suppliers and organizations make this volume as practical and informative as it is beautiful.

Kodansha America, 2007, hardcover, 9.1 x 9.1 inches, 128 pages.