East-Meets-West Quilts: Explore Improv with Japanese-Inspired Designs

by Patricia Belyea

Improv quilting, in which quilt designs emerge organi­cally as fabric is cut and stitched, is simple, popular, and fun. In this book, expert quilter Patricia Belyea offers improv instruction and shares her appealing Quilt Manifesto of five simple rules. While providing quilters with a starting point, the fifth rule of the Manifesto, “Break any rule you like,” opens the door to creative freedom. (However, the solid instructions allow even the rule-breakers to create beautiful quilts on the first try).

Fourteen projects combine authentic Japanese yukata cottons and contemporary fabrics; each is finished with bold hand-stitching. The quilt-making process is presented in detail, and each quilt shows the irresistible wabi-sabi influence of Japanese design. The sense of discovery in each project is inspiring and out of the ordinary.

Genres: Quilting, Crafts, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2017

About the author

At age 50, Patricia Belyea took her first trip to Japan. At 53, she made her first quilt. Five years later Patricia left the creative agency she led for 25 years to become a full-time quilter. Once she started quilting, Patricia worked on projects during every waking hour (and hours she should have been sleeping). “I was a fish who didn’t know I was a fish until someone showed me the water,” she explains. Then Patricia discovered vintage Japanese yukata cottons and she had found her calling. These hand-dyed fabrics with graphic patterns and luscious colors seemed ideal for making stunning quilts. Patricia’s first quilt book combines an improv design approach with both vintage and contemporary Japanese fabrics.

Patricia writes about quilting, Japan, and the interface of both at www.okanarts.com.

Reviews

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been aware of Patricia Belyea for some years and was thrilled to visit her shop last year. I pre-ordered this book last April and when it arrived yesterday I was not disappointed with the wait!

Coincidentally, our Guild's annual meeting featured a class (Doodle Piecing) with Patricia last weekend so I now know, first hand, what a gifted teacher she is. The class was thoroughly enjoyable! New tips and tricks were learned (yes, they ARE in the book!). Patricia Belyea is such an attentive teacher and her instruction is clear and un-fussy and those are the qualities that come across in this beautiful book; clear instruction, paired with bountiful photographs and illustrations. Patricia gives thoughtful consideration of how to best present the "how to" information and a "Haichi Quilt Manifesto" (page 17) features five easy "rules" to follow. My personal favorite is #5.

The featured quilts are simply pieced, but are surprisingly elegant and the directions allow the beautiful yukata fabrics to really shine. Of course, having yukata or Japanese fabric, is certainly not a requirement because any fabrics that you fancy will work. Personally, I am especially enamoured with the combination of beautiful yukata fabrics paired with the soothing quality of solids....but there really is something for everyone's tastes in this lushly photographed, beautiful book.

I always take notice when Abrams (one of my all time favorite publishers) prints an art related book...they know their business and choose only the freshest, most interesting, topics.

I feel that this book will have wide appeal ....and that you too will be delighted with this book.....

[Chris Demer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book!
When I first saw it in my local library, I was somewhat put off by the author's color and fabric choices which seemed way too outlandish with wild color combinations and prints. I still find some of them unappealing. However, on closer inspection and after reading about the Hachi quilt form, I got more interested. It also became clear that fabric choices can be changed to better suit my style, while adhering to the general form of Belyea's quilts.

I have been a quilter for over 20 years, and I am always looking for new ideas and guides for improvisation. This book provided inspiration.

The Hachi quilt form is composed of 8 inch blocks (Hachi means 8 in Japanese and is an auspicious number.) Each block is composed of a print and a matching solid in either 1/2 - 1/2, 1/4 -3/4 or 3/4 - 1/4, with print fabrics predominating. After layering and quilting by machine (in the ditch), hand quilting in the form of sashiko embroidery is added in any pattern deemed appropriate. The edges are finished in wide facings rather than typical binding, with the facing turned completely toward the back, forming a "frame" for the back which is considered also important.

I have made two Hachi quilts and I am working on a third. They are really fun!

I highly recommend this book for quilters who like to try new styles and for creative ideas!

[David Owen Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and freeing! That is the feeling you will get from this outstanding quilting book by author, quilter, and fabric aficionado Patricia Belyea. Her out-of-the-box approach to combining antique Japanese yukata cottons with contemporary fabrics is simple and elegant. This book is so inspiring, you will want to rush out and add Japanese yukata cottons to your stash so you can try some of her improvisational techniques for piecing quilts. Bright, light, fun and fast are all adjectives that come to mind as you page through "East-Meets-West Quilts." Belyea's fantastic step-by-step instructions and unique approach will give confidence to people new to quilting — experienced quilters will learn a a few surprises from her expertise as well. Quilt design can often feel daunting: Belyea makes it fun and approachable.

[Elizabeth Janzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia's comfortable approach to improv piecing eases the reluctant improv quilter to drop self imposed inhibitions and restrictions and have fun playing with colour and pattern, while at the same time providing a safety net with a few basic concepts.

Clear, concise construction directions accompany each quilt showcased in the book. The last two chapters present basic quilting instructions with some innovative and interesting finishing techniques.

Beautifully written and photographed, the book takes the reader on a cultural exchange, where Japanese fabrics and western quilting techniques create a fresh and freeing take on improv piecing.

[Mhd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library book. Printed & bound in China...sad..., otherwise, it'd be a 5-star and I'd be buying it. Very pretty photos but many are almost as fillers or art rather than directly to illustrating the content. Hachi Quilt Manifesto is very good. Nice examples of large-stitch hand quilting as design element. Most of the fabrics are Japanese or so inspired. I like that each project has a full photo of the backing, usually faced rather than with binding and with unique design complimenting the "front." Good concept of the "unexpected visitor."

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping this book would show me how to transform the ton of obi and kimono I carted back from Japan into quilted masterpieces but Belyea sticks with traditional cotton. The dozen or so quilts featured in this book are basically one quilt idea -- 8-inch blocks divided three different ways between prints and solids - which I will probably try once but lack the patience for spending the remaining years of my life repeating myself. The photographs are artistic and quite lovely but showcase Asian trinkets collected by the author's friends rather than her quilts.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for putting the focus on Japanese fabrics (particularly the more traditional prints). Unlike some similar books, the focus is really on highlighting those fabrics and not hokey attempts to make vaguely Japanese-esque patterns such as patchwork quilt blocks that look like kimono or origami cranes. She's put a lot of thought into color schemes and the various scales of the prints. If you're using a secondhand yukata or kimono for its fabric, does it have small all-over prints or larger focal points? Either way, the author has something for you.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really gorgeous Asian fabrics with striking combo choices. Some of the quilt backs are as good as the tops. The Hachi 8" block (think of an improvisational Rail Fence setting) lends itself to interesting variations.

I'm not exactly sold on her methods for finishing the quilt with wet blocking and facings, but there are still lots of useful ideas for top patterns within the projects

[patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m inspired to begin sewing my first quilt after reading through this book.

Japanese design concepts (all fully explained) are introduced, and the book seems to lay out all the necessary steps from start to finish.

I will likely purchase the kindle edition to use when I sew my first quilt.

[SUSAN FRANCIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for beginning quilters or any type of quilters who like Japanese fabrics. The quilts are beautiful and the directions for making them are clear and easy to follow.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book with some simple quilts to sew.

[Dave Laskowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book on quilting

I am building a library on quilting, embroidery and other sewing. This book is a welcome addition. I will try some of her ideas.

[Tyler Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read with good ideas on new techniques and design patterns. i do wish there was a bit more detail on traditional hachi quilts

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped right off of the couch and started cutting out a Hachi quilt after I had looked at the first 2 quilts in this book!
My quilt top is finished and I love it. I designed the back and am ready to make my quilt sandwich.
I chose solids and florals from my stash. I started by making blocks with 6 print/solid combos. My finished quilt contains 3 main print/solid blocks with only one unexpected visitor block. The remaining 2 sets of blocks go into my ziplock bag of orphan blocks.
I wondered early on in my quilting adventure why anyone would have orphan blocks. Don't you just make the blocks you need and use them? Let me count the ways orphan blocks have appeared..... :)

[Denny M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Patricia Belyea came to me for some fabric to be used in her upcoming book, "East Meets West Quilts", I had no idea that her book would exceed all my expectations for artistic expression, finely written instructions, gorgeous photos, and historical tidbits and cultural insights. Her improv quilts based on the Hachi Quilt rules, or Manifesto as she calls it, are bright, exciting, and totally new! Using Japanese yukata cottons and contemporary prints, along side solids and sashiko inspired quilting, the Hachi quilt patterns will inspire anyone who has a stash of Japanese fabrics to get them out and being a new creative endeavor. Myself included! I highly recommend this book for any quilter as it will take them on a wonderful artistic journey into improv and the world of Japanese inspired quilting!
Thank you, Patricia, for this fantastic book!
Happy Stitching!
Denny Fox, owner of Quilting Foxes (www.quiltingfoxes.com), a Japanese fabric and sashiko specialty shop