Japanese Quilt Blocks to mix & match by Susan Briscoe
Published by A& C Publishers, London
Susan Briscoe has been around the quilt world for some time. It was after a trip to Japan that Susan’s love affair with Japanese design and culture was sparked.
Japanese quilts are very unique in style and design and Susan has research extensively the meanings of many of the quilt blocks she presents in particular.
Susan has authored a lovely quilt block book titled Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match. This book highlights some 125 patchwork, appliqué and Sashiko designs that have been developed by Susan.
Firstly, the quality of publication is superb. Not only the quality of the physical paper that the book is printed, but the quality of design, graphics and instructions. A great deal of thought has been put into the contents of this book, and it is quite different from most quilt publications that I’ve seen.
This book is different in its shape and size, not the usual A4 type of book. It is also different in the way the information is presented. Instead of the usual picture of a quilt, then the laborious instructions for making it, Susan has given us stunning pictures of the quilts, and then listed the blocks that have been used to make up the quilt.
There is a certain presumption with this publication that the quilt maker has basic skills of putting blocks together to form a quilt so I wouldn’t recommend this publication to a first time very green quilter. Having said that, how many quilts have you seen that have been absolutely stunning and are the quilter makers first quilt? I’m happy to eat humble pie.
The instructions include cutting directions and measurements and very clear and precise instructions for putting the block together.
Sashiko is a mystery to many, and Susan has taken the time to describe the history and meaning of Sashiko and has also included a number of pages about the technique, accompanied of course with fabulously clear photographs and diagrams.
Susan takes a lot of pride in her work and has spent a great deal of effort in bringing you a beautifully thought out and well researched publication. I’m happy to recommend this book and the technique to any quilter who is equally enchanted with Japanese design in quilts.
For further information about Susan Briscoe, see the links below.
