The Uncommon Quilter
Thursday, October 25th, 2007
by Jeanne Williamson
Jeanne Williamson is known for two things: Her obsession with construction fencing which led to Best of Show at Quilt National AND for making a small art quilt each week for seven years. Both of these things speak of an artist in control of her artistic life and talent.
Williamson is very generous with her knowledge in this book, subtitled Small Art Quilts Created with Paper, Plastic, Fiber, and Surface Design. Whew! But the book is manageable because each of the chapters focuses on one medium.
The Uncommon Quilter would be a excellent addition to the library of someone just beginning in art quilts because of the clear directions given for 52 small quilts. For an experienced art quilter, this book would serve as inspiration to make art every day with materials which are already in your environment. Traveling? Make art, just plan ahead.
One small quibble with the book is several typos including one paragraph repeated. But this does not detract from Williamson’s conversational and encouraging tone. I laughed out loud when Williamson said her heart skipped a beat (and, of course, she make a quilt about that) when she realized the orange plastic covering of clementine boxes was JUST LIKE fabric.
The foreword by Karey Bresenhan acknowledges the debt many art quilters owe Williamson for serving as impetus for the hugely successful Journal Quilt Project. This multi-year exhibition at the International Quilt Festivals, conceived by Bresenhan. spawned its own book, Creative Quilting: The Journal Quilt Project.
Williamson will be at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas signing and selling her book, appropriately enough, next to the Journal Quilt exhibition.
For more information, visit The Uncommon Quilter.
If you like reading my blog, treat yourself to my online book, Art, Nature, Creativity, Life. Available exclusively by donation to the American Cancer Society through Fiberart For A Cause.
