If you think two-patch blocks like Drunkard's Path or Clamshell are dull and predictable, wait until you see how Louisa Smith combines simple geometric forms with strip piecing and color play and ends up with wonderfully vibrant and unique designs.
In this book, she shows the reader how to turn narrow strips of fabric into "strata" from which shapes are cut and assembled. She uses color and contrast to create a sense of movement - the eye moves around the quilt looking for the next surprise. After a brief introduction to the concept of the "strata", she clearly explains every step of the process beginning with a discussion of color and how to use it maximize the visual effect of quilt blocks. The chapters that follow cover the creation of the "strata" or strip sets and the different template sets that gradually increase in difficulty. She also includes a section on piecing curves, a task that strikes fear in the hearts of many quilters.
Once you have mastered the concepts of the strip and curved piecing the remaining chapters lay open the many design possibilities from embellishing, ideas for quilting, and more advanced geometric units. The instructions for three projects of varying skill levels give quilters a chance to try out the concept according to their ability.
One interesting feature is that while the templates are included in the back of the book for tracing, she also visually illustrates how the shapes are created geometrically which gives the quilter control over sizing of the units if she/he so desires to modify them.
I greatly enjoyed this book - the colors that she uses are bright and vibrant and I found it fascinating how the shapes can be manipulated to create an endless variety of possibilities.
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