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Why We Quilt: Contemporary Makers Speak Out about the Power of Art, Activism, Community, and Creativity
"In this tribute to today's vibrant quilting community, prize-winning quilter and teacher Thomas Knauer showcases a stunning collection of quilts from a wide range of contemporary makers, accompanied by their testimonials about what inspires and imbues their craft with meaning. Why We Quilt blends bits of this history with the stories and work of today's leading quilters, highlighting themes of tradition, community, consumerism, change, and creativity"--
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 20, 2019
When a stranger learns that I make quilts I am told stories about grandmothers who made quilts. You can see in their eyes the warm memories they hold dear of sleeping under grandma's quilt, or draping a quilt over a table to build a sleeping tent, or carrying it to some shady park for a picnic. Quilts are made to be used. And they are often used up, like the one my mother-in-law gifted us in the 1980s, sun-bleached with one fabric completely decayed.
Some quilts are so precious they are folded away and stored in a closet or a cedar chest.
Every quilt is also the product of its creator's love of beauty and design, a tactile work of art, the quilter selecting colors and prints and designs.
Quilts can be born out of frugality, using up and preserving, fabrics, like the first quilt my mother-in-law made for my husband to take to college using fabric scraps from curtains and pajamas and clothing she had made. Quilts are no longer items of necessity as during the Depression, a need to repurpose precious fabrics for warmth. But we love fabrics that come with a memory.
Quilts symbolize values held by the maker, from love of family to love of country, from a symbol of healing to a symbol of protest. They represent a choice for the hand-made and the unique over the impersonal and factory manufactured.
Quilts tell a story. Quilts can change our perception. Quilts are comfort. Quilts connect us with each other even when separated by time and space.
Quilts are created for joy, and for protest. They are vehicles for self-expression, sharing what we love and what we fear. Quilts are personal and they are communal. They are to be used today and to be preserved for future generations.
No one description can explain a quilt.
*****
Thomas Knauer grew up in Amish country, an area associated with quilting, but his first personal encounter with quilts was the AIDS Memorial Quilt, opening his eyes to the many uses quilting can assume. A contract to design quilting fabric finally led him to make his first quilt. Knauer learned first hand of the power of quilts when he gave that quilt to his daughter, whose reaction of excitement and love impelled him to make more quilts.
Knauer's protest quilts make us uncomfortable. Like the Trayvon Martin quilt based on a shooting target, Tea and Skittles and the Sunbonnet Sues carting AK-47s in One Child is too Many. I personally respond to quilts of protest as much as respond to antique quilts or contemporary quilts made to be used.
Why We Quilt addresses the many motivations behind creativity in the quilt world. Artist Statements are illustrated with photographs of the quilter's work. Voice of Quilting offers insights into the most important quilters of today, from traditionalists to innovative art quilters, including Denyse Schmidt, Joe Cunningham, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Lynette Anderson, Mary Fons and Marianne Fons, and Chawne Kimber. Each chapter includes Quilting Vocab Explained, clarifying quilt concepts discussed in the chapter.
Knauer writes with love and emotion of the history of quilting, sharing antique and contemporary quilt photographs.
Each chapter offers a deeper look into the reasons why we quilt:
We Quilt to Connect with a Rich Tradition: The roots of American quilting
We Quilt to Explore and Express our Creativity: The maturation of quilting
We Quilt to Move Beyond Modern Consumer Culture: The Introduction of Standardization
We Quilt to Create a Connection with Loved Ones: Other voices in American quilting
We Quilt to Change the World: The role of signature quilts in reform movements
We Quilt Because We Can--and Because We Cannot Help but Do So: The American Bicentennial and Quilting's great revival
Why We Quilt is a beautiful book. There is a wonderful diversity and range of quilts and quilters. Quiltmakers will find kindred spirits. As a quiltmaker who loves both traditional and antique quilts and contemporary quilts, especially those that address contemporary issues of justice, I found much to enjoy. Each time I open the book I find something to inspire.
I received access to a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Some quilts are so precious they are folded away and stored in a closet or a cedar chest.
Every quilt is also the product of its creator's love of beauty and design, a tactile work of art, the quilter selecting colors and prints and designs.
Quilts can be born out of frugality, using up and preserving, fabrics, like the first quilt my mother-in-law made for my husband to take to college using fabric scraps from curtains and pajamas and clothing she had made. Quilts are no longer items of necessity as during the Depression, a need to repurpose precious fabrics for warmth. But we love fabrics that come with a memory.
Quilts symbolize values held by the maker, from love of family to love of country, from a symbol of healing to a symbol of protest. They represent a choice for the hand-made and the unique over the impersonal and factory manufactured.
Quilts tell a story. Quilts can change our perception. Quilts are comfort. Quilts connect us with each other even when separated by time and space.
Quilts are created for joy, and for protest. They are vehicles for self-expression, sharing what we love and what we fear. Quilts are personal and they are communal. They are to be used today and to be preserved for future generations.
No one description can explain a quilt.
*****
Thomas Knauer grew up in Amish country, an area associated with quilting, but his first personal encounter with quilts was the AIDS Memorial Quilt, opening his eyes to the many uses quilting can assume. A contract to design quilting fabric finally led him to make his first quilt. Knauer learned first hand of the power of quilts when he gave that quilt to his daughter, whose reaction of excitement and love impelled him to make more quilts.
Knauer's protest quilts make us uncomfortable. Like the Trayvon Martin quilt based on a shooting target, Tea and Skittles and the Sunbonnet Sues carting AK-47s in One Child is too Many. I personally respond to quilts of protest as much as respond to antique quilts or contemporary quilts made to be used.
Why We Quilt addresses the many motivations behind creativity in the quilt world. Artist Statements are illustrated with photographs of the quilter's work. Voice of Quilting offers insights into the most important quilters of today, from traditionalists to innovative art quilters, including Denyse Schmidt, Joe Cunningham, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Lynette Anderson, Mary Fons and Marianne Fons, and Chawne Kimber. Each chapter includes Quilting Vocab Explained, clarifying quilt concepts discussed in the chapter.
Knauer writes with love and emotion of the history of quilting, sharing antique and contemporary quilt photographs.
Each chapter offers a deeper look into the reasons why we quilt:
We Quilt to Connect with a Rich Tradition: The roots of American quilting
We Quilt to Explore and Express our Creativity: The maturation of quilting
We Quilt to Move Beyond Modern Consumer Culture: The Introduction of Standardization
We Quilt to Create a Connection with Loved Ones: Other voices in American quilting
We Quilt to Change the World: The role of signature quilts in reform movements
We Quilt Because We Can--and Because We Cannot Help but Do So: The American Bicentennial and Quilting's great revival
Why We Quilt is a beautiful book. There is a wonderful diversity and range of quilts and quilters. Quiltmakers will find kindred spirits. As a quiltmaker who loves both traditional and antique quilts and contemporary quilts, especially those that address contemporary issues of justice, I found much to enjoy. Each time I open the book I find something to inspire.
I received access to a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
May 19, 2019
As an enthusiastic quilter I was delighted to see this book. It was not quite what I expected but the main reason for its conception came across well and resonated with me more than a few times.
The author is a statement quilter, he uses his art to address today's problems while others quilt for the exact opposite reason (me included). The testimonials from both sides of the Atlantic were varied in their explanations as to why they quilt as is to be expected and their offerings were equally different in all but name.
There is a supposed history of need being the mother of quilting in the way bedding was made from what was close at hand. Quilts were sewn together for warmth as pioneers crossed the American wilderness or mothers and grandmothers provided for their families in poorer communities the world over and examples of this are beautiful in their simplicity and complexities. There was however a time when only the wealthy were able to afford the imported fabrics which were the basis for wholecloth quilts and these too are shown in all their splendour.
This is a book to make you think about your own reasons for quilting and how they change as we get more experienced or less hesitant. It also shows that what one person thinks is beautiful and noteworthy is not likely to be universally agreed upon. Some of the examples are of quilts I would love to make or own, others not so much!
This is not a book with patterns, instructions or projects it is instead something to make us consider why we love to do something creative and thinking this through as you sew seems a very good idea to me.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys considering why they create things and whether others agree.
The author is a statement quilter, he uses his art to address today's problems while others quilt for the exact opposite reason (me included). The testimonials from both sides of the Atlantic were varied in their explanations as to why they quilt as is to be expected and their offerings were equally different in all but name.
There is a supposed history of need being the mother of quilting in the way bedding was made from what was close at hand. Quilts were sewn together for warmth as pioneers crossed the American wilderness or mothers and grandmothers provided for their families in poorer communities the world over and examples of this are beautiful in their simplicity and complexities. There was however a time when only the wealthy were able to afford the imported fabrics which were the basis for wholecloth quilts and these too are shown in all their splendour.
This is a book to make you think about your own reasons for quilting and how they change as we get more experienced or less hesitant. It also shows that what one person thinks is beautiful and noteworthy is not likely to be universally agreed upon. Some of the examples are of quilts I would love to make or own, others not so much!
This is not a book with patterns, instructions or projects it is instead something to make us consider why we love to do something creative and thinking this through as you sew seems a very good idea to me.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys considering why they create things and whether others agree.
February 17, 2024
Two quilts made an impression on me as a Younger. 1] An abolitionist quilt that had hidden information for enslaved folks running north out of GA. Colors and shapes communicated about safe houses and routes. I stared at it so long I lost my friends at an art's festival in Atlanta. It's the only thing I remember of the art festival.
2] The AIDS quilt twice. When I first saw it on the news in 1987 and again when I stood on the lawn in DC in 2014. I finally understood how large the quilt was. How we lost a generation to that disease.
Favorite quote:
"Quilts cannot be contained. Quilts are tricksters; they shape-shift. Quilts are impossible objects, occupying a space outside the patriarchy; outside a capitalist system of value; outside feminism, racism, and class; outside the ivory tower of Art-with-a-capital-A; and outside of time. Quilts are wild animals, and I am proud to be a quilter because I try to be a wild animal, too."
*
I would LOVE to see the studios, sewing tables, and spaces of these artists and I stoked to look them up online.
2] The AIDS quilt twice. When I first saw it on the news in 1987 and again when I stood on the lawn in DC in 2014. I finally understood how large the quilt was. How we lost a generation to that disease.
Favorite quote:
"Quilts cannot be contained. Quilts are tricksters; they shape-shift. Quilts are impossible objects, occupying a space outside the patriarchy; outside a capitalist system of value; outside feminism, racism, and class; outside the ivory tower of Art-with-a-capital-A; and outside of time. Quilts are wild animals, and I am proud to be a quilter because I try to be a wild animal, too."
*
I would LOVE to see the studios, sewing tables, and spaces of these artists and I stoked to look them up online.
May 8, 2023
I wouldn’t use this book as a historic reference, plenty of other books fulfill that role, but most of the quilts shown are absolute stunners.
Each artist contributes a short explanation of their motivation in choosing this craft. Some were no surprise, but a few accounts brought me close to tears.
Although I have many quilting books, “Why We Quilt” still offered new exciting pieces that I plan to look at again and again.
Each artist contributes a short explanation of their motivation in choosing this craft. Some were no surprise, but a few accounts brought me close to tears.
Although I have many quilting books, “Why We Quilt” still offered new exciting pieces that I plan to look at again and again.
March 14, 2020
A beautifully produced book about what drives quilters to quilt, whether comfort, beauty, tradition, protest, community. As a quilter I loved this, while for non-quilters it might show you aspects of quilting you haven't encountered before. And did I mention that it's a physically beautiful book??
March 4, 2021
Lots of beautiful quilts, a variety of perspectives.
November 21, 2019
An interesting book, and a good look at some of the most modern quilts out there. Many of these quilts are dissonant, social commentaries about events happening right now. It was very hard to follow on a Kindle, as the descriptions and the designer information might be on one page and the photos on another page.
This book was interesting reading, and geared to a much younger, hip audience. Someone described this work as a conversation starter about quilting, and I agree with that. This is in no way a "how to" book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This book was interesting reading, and geared to a much younger, hip audience. Someone described this work as a conversation starter about quilting, and I agree with that. This is in no way a "how to" book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
September 2, 2019
This book is great for inspiration to take up quilting, or to get back into the art after time away. Many quilters share passionate, creative reasons why they quilt, and, best of all, the book is full of examples of works from the past several hundred years. From symmetrical to chaotic, traditional to abstract, the sky is the limit in quilting design. You will want to broaden your own creative horizons after looking at this book.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC.
December 2, 2022
General comments on quilting, noting that I know almost nothing about them...
Quilts also make sense to me more as cozy domestic art that can be used to keep you warm or that can be hung on a wall than as political statements. For me at least, that is a purpose better suited to murals or pamphlets. Having said that, there is a long tradition of social commentary and movement building in quilting, ranging from abolition to suffrage to the temperance movement. Still, I usually found these quilts less appealing, though maybe that's because I wouldn't put these quilts on my couch. Also, maybe I find this kind of social commentary pathbreaking in art a bit underwhelming. A lot of folk musicians found Bob Dylan revolutionary for writing social commentary. It's great that Dylan did that, yes, but the thing that makes his songs enduring is the craftsmanship, imho, rather than the innovation of, say, writing introspective lyrics. I love Dylan and maybe without his "innovations" we wouldn't have most of the Beatles albums after Please Please Me, so perhaps I'm wrong, wrong, wrong on this one.
The meta comments on the form, such as Denyse Schmit's Single Girl, also tended to have less impact on me, though I'm sure the opposite response would come if I cultivated more sensitivity for quilting's traditions.
Sometimes I find the abstract patterns pretty catchy, though I find them harder to evaluate than to say "oh that's striking." There is, however, a long history of patterns in American quilting, including stars, Ohio stars, and other types of stars.
A few impressive quilts as far as yours truly is concerned:
-Brigitte Heitland's Grey Labyrinth
-Casey York's Shards
-Lynette Anderson's A Dog's Life, Anderson's Farm, and Scandinavian Christmas. (I guess Anderson is my favorite quilter.)
-Earamichia Brown's She Blooms
-I also liked many of the wholecloth, palampore quilts that were imported, I think, from India.
If someone makes you a quilt, a lot of work went into it. Reading under a quilt can be quite nice.
"There were loose threads, untidy parts of me that I would like to remove. But when I pulled on one of those threads it unraveled the tapestry of my life." Picard.I think this passage from Captain Jean-Luc Picard captures the framework through which I understand quilting. Quilts make the most sense to me as blankets, but if we take them as art, then I see them as identity statements and as narratives--ideally all three should go together.
Quilts also make sense to me more as cozy domestic art that can be used to keep you warm or that can be hung on a wall than as political statements. For me at least, that is a purpose better suited to murals or pamphlets. Having said that, there is a long tradition of social commentary and movement building in quilting, ranging from abolition to suffrage to the temperance movement. Still, I usually found these quilts less appealing, though maybe that's because I wouldn't put these quilts on my couch. Also, maybe I find this kind of social commentary pathbreaking in art a bit underwhelming. A lot of folk musicians found Bob Dylan revolutionary for writing social commentary. It's great that Dylan did that, yes, but the thing that makes his songs enduring is the craftsmanship, imho, rather than the innovation of, say, writing introspective lyrics. I love Dylan and maybe without his "innovations" we wouldn't have most of the Beatles albums after Please Please Me, so perhaps I'm wrong, wrong, wrong on this one.
The meta comments on the form, such as Denyse Schmit's Single Girl, also tended to have less impact on me, though I'm sure the opposite response would come if I cultivated more sensitivity for quilting's traditions.
Sometimes I find the abstract patterns pretty catchy, though I find them harder to evaluate than to say "oh that's striking." There is, however, a long history of patterns in American quilting, including stars, Ohio stars, and other types of stars.
A few impressive quilts as far as yours truly is concerned:
-Brigitte Heitland's Grey Labyrinth
-Casey York's Shards
-Lynette Anderson's A Dog's Life, Anderson's Farm, and Scandinavian Christmas. (I guess Anderson is my favorite quilter.)
-Earamichia Brown's She Blooms
-I also liked many of the wholecloth, palampore quilts that were imported, I think, from India.
If someone makes you a quilt, a lot of work went into it. Reading under a quilt can be quite nice.
June 11, 2019
This is a really beautiful and powerful book exploring the multifaceted reasons for why we quilt. Whereas quilts are no longer the material necessity that they once were, why do we continue to engage in an activity which can be financially costly and is time consuming? The reasons are complex and often subjective to the maker yet they all seem to link to the main theme of connections: connections with ourselves, with others, with the world around us, with materials, with the present moment, with our history, and so much more. I love the blend of academic, critical reflections on quilting alongside personal reflections from both the author (Thomas Knauer) and other quilters. The photography is stunning and shows a wide range of quilts, techniques, colours and styles. It is an inspiring, reflective, thought-provoking read. I would have liked more of an international perspective for why people quilt in non-USA locations (such as Europe, New Zealand, Canada). I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in sewing, textiles, patchwork, narratives, history, anthropology, psychology, creativity, arts/crafts and, of course, quilts.
May 24, 2022
So why do we quilt?
For remembrance of family and friends.
For focusing of emotion.
To commemorate those lost and situations that need to never fade from our memory.
To tell a story in our own way, with our own perspective on the matter.
To connect to the past.
To pause and spend time with others and to share in the sense of community. For it's support and empathy.
Even the symbolic and real reasons of being wrapped into a quilt giving warmth, love, affection. Installing memories and a connection between the giver and the recipient that will last for generations to come.
Wonderful examples of noted quilters, samples of their works as well as personal reasons that led them to quilting as a creative channel of all the reasons above. Also some basic history and most basic blocks that most quilters start with and are the foundation of more elaborate and complex units.
2022-111
For remembrance of family and friends.
For focusing of emotion.
To commemorate those lost and situations that need to never fade from our memory.
To tell a story in our own way, with our own perspective on the matter.
To connect to the past.
To pause and spend time with others and to share in the sense of community. For it's support and empathy.
Even the symbolic and real reasons of being wrapped into a quilt giving warmth, love, affection. Installing memories and a connection between the giver and the recipient that will last for generations to come.
Wonderful examples of noted quilters, samples of their works as well as personal reasons that led them to quilting as a creative channel of all the reasons above. Also some basic history and most basic blocks that most quilters start with and are the foundation of more elaborate and complex units.
2022-111
July 19, 2019
If you are a quilter, you will likely enjoy this book. If not, you likely won't.
Filled with lovely full color illustrations and accompanied by first person accounts of why each person quilts, this is a very enjoyable, informative, and even inspirational book. I love the interspersed history lessons & descriptions of traditional quilt blocks. I also loved that both traditional and modern quilts are featured. There are some well known names here and some not-so-well known, but all are inspiring and obviously love the craft/art of quilting.
I really enjoyed this book, but honestly at the projected price of $30 upon print publication, it seems a bit pricey since it's only slightly over 200 pages including the photos and references at the back. Still, it would make a nice gift for the quilter in your family.
Filled with lovely full color illustrations and accompanied by first person accounts of why each person quilts, this is a very enjoyable, informative, and even inspirational book. I love the interspersed history lessons & descriptions of traditional quilt blocks. I also loved that both traditional and modern quilts are featured. There are some well known names here and some not-so-well known, but all are inspiring and obviously love the craft/art of quilting.
I really enjoyed this book, but honestly at the projected price of $30 upon print publication, it seems a bit pricey since it's only slightly over 200 pages including the photos and references at the back. Still, it would make a nice gift for the quilter in your family.
August 21, 2025
I went into this book fearing it may be too sappy or forced. I ended up enjoying it tremendously as the author and contributors continued to give shape to my feelings. Here are some of my highlights:
“In many ways that is the ultimate subtext of all quilts: they represent a desire to be remembered, to remain connected.”
“Each quilt is an unmistakable expression of a moment in time, a moment in the maker's life. As the years pass, these quilts remain evocative of that particular moment, enduring as remarkable monuments to our lives.”
“ I quilt because hand sewing and fabric slow me down more than collage or painting, and that allows me to hear a subtler creative voice.”
“As such, quilts can stand as testimony to the quiltmaker's life. They are an autobiography in cloth and thread.”
“I read about quilt history and thereby learn the history of everything.”
“In many ways that is the ultimate subtext of all quilts: they represent a desire to be remembered, to remain connected.”
“Each quilt is an unmistakable expression of a moment in time, a moment in the maker's life. As the years pass, these quilts remain evocative of that particular moment, enduring as remarkable monuments to our lives.”
“ I quilt because hand sewing and fabric slow me down more than collage or painting, and that allows me to hear a subtler creative voice.”
“As such, quilts can stand as testimony to the quiltmaker's life. They are an autobiography in cloth and thread.”
“I read about quilt history and thereby learn the history of everything.”
June 21, 2019
This book was fascinating and beautiful. I've always been interested in quilting, but this book really explores the stories that make quilters quilt.
What this book isn't is a how-to on quilting. What it is is first a history of quilting as an art-form, as an expression of ideas and values. Then, second, it is an exploration of what draws people to quilt.. what are the ideas that they are trying to express, why do they choose to do this in quilt form, and what gets produced.
I've never read a book quite like this and if you are interested in this art form (as both a creative, but also often a political act) I highly recommend this book.
What this book isn't is a how-to on quilting. What it is is first a history of quilting as an art-form, as an expression of ideas and values. Then, second, it is an exploration of what draws people to quilt.. what are the ideas that they are trying to express, why do they choose to do this in quilt form, and what gets produced.
I've never read a book quite like this and if you are interested in this art form (as both a creative, but also often a political act) I highly recommend this book.
July 29, 2019
An interesting read, combining quilt makers reason for quilting and a little about their style and what led them to take up the fibre art form.
The chapters are divided into connecting to tradition, exploring/expressing creativity, moving beyond consumer culture, creating connections with loved ones, changing the world, and finally a chapter called "and because we cannot help but do so". There are 28 well know quilt artist, with their stories spread over these chapters, all make interesting reading and their quilts make beautiful examples of their work and style.
A good book to dip into at various times or read whole.
The chapters are divided into connecting to tradition, exploring/expressing creativity, moving beyond consumer culture, creating connections with loved ones, changing the world, and finally a chapter called "and because we cannot help but do so". There are 28 well know quilt artist, with their stories spread over these chapters, all make interesting reading and their quilts make beautiful examples of their work and style.
A good book to dip into at various times or read whole.
March 31, 2023
I have been a fan of Thomas Knauer’s quilts since I first saw his Tea and Skittles quilt. It was the first time I ever considered the depth of quilting for more than making pretty blankets. Knauer’s book captures all the reasons why people quilt and each one connects and resonates with me. I have yet to finish a quilt; I have dabbled in cutting and sewing pieces and making blocks, but never close to finishing. You don’t need to be a quilter to love this book. You will get something out of this book. Beautiful pictures and a variety of experiences and perspectives are shared. Will be keeping this and reading it for inspiration for many years to come.
May 19, 2020
This is a beautifully made book (even though it has one of those clever covers that drive librarians crazy) and the illustrations are excellent. I flagged several modern quilts that I would love to make. However, it is a book that seems unsure of its identity: history? art? activism? It explores all these topics but in a fragmented way that made it hard to read. Also, I found many of the quilters' narratives repetitive. Bottom line--it's worth your time to browse through it if you are a quilter looking for inspiration, but I wouldn't go out of your way to find it.
March 18, 2021
A compendium of basic history and commentaries not only from the author/compiler, Thomas Knauer, a professor, quilter, and textile artist, but also many well-known and recognized artists from the broad spectrum of contemporary quilters. Illustrated with photos of each quilter’s work as well as historical photos, diagrams, and closeups that focus on stitches. Excellent text to dip into and read one section, then come back later to read another. Not a “how-to” manual, but a look at the basic inspirations and motivations behind a person’s creative drive and desires,
June 24, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.
Having been a quilter for 40+ years, I was interested in finding out what factors prompted others to take up this artistic endeavor. This was a fairly simplistic book. Besides the brief interviews with quilters, there were some references to quilting vocabulary like certain common quilt patterns. This book did not really inspire me as an experienced quilter. I would think that beginning quilters would struggle with this book as well since it has no patterns or instructions.
The personal experiences of the author don’t transfer well to a broader quilting audience.
Having been a quilter for 40+ years, I was interested in finding out what factors prompted others to take up this artistic endeavor. This was a fairly simplistic book. Besides the brief interviews with quilters, there were some references to quilting vocabulary like certain common quilt patterns. This book did not really inspire me as an experienced quilter. I would think that beginning quilters would struggle with this book as well since it has no patterns or instructions.
The personal experiences of the author don’t transfer well to a broader quilting audience.
June 2, 2020
For someone who had never read Thomas Knauer previous articles about art, quilts and creativity this was an interesting perspective. I however found it a rehash of previous publications. Even the articles posted by his guest authors were rehashed from their blog/ web posts. It was like reading their "about page"
I was disappointed as I had been looking forward to new insights and conversations. Was it him or me ... not sure.
I was disappointed as I had been looking forward to new insights and conversations. Was it him or me ... not sure.
June 12, 2020
Pandemic Favorite
I spent lots of time with this book because I was lucky enough to check it out just before Ohio closed the library and instituted the stay at home order.
I loved Thomas' writing because he has words for things I have thought about but not expressed.
I discovered Mary Fons' quilts that are worth spending time just looking at. I'd like to see more quilts she has made.
This book pulls together a lot of quilt history in an engaging format. Wait until you experience the cover!
I spent lots of time with this book because I was lucky enough to check it out just before Ohio closed the library and instituted the stay at home order.
I loved Thomas' writing because he has words for things I have thought about but not expressed.
I discovered Mary Fons' quilts that are worth spending time just looking at. I'd like to see more quilts she has made.
This book pulls together a lot of quilt history in an engaging format. Wait until you experience the cover!
May 30, 2019
I was given an advanced copy by Net Galley for an honest review.
This book is very interesting, but very hard to follow on a Kindle. I believe the end product will be more like a "coffee table" book to admire. I look forward to seeing the finished hard bound book. I would say this book is a conversation starter about quilting, and not a "how to". book.
This book is very interesting, but very hard to follow on a Kindle. I believe the end product will be more like a "coffee table" book to admire. I look forward to seeing the finished hard bound book. I would say this book is a conversation starter about quilting, and not a "how to". book.
July 11, 2019
This is an amazingly fresh look at the quilters of today. Not only is there a beautiful and diverse collection of quilts featured but the makers describe what drives them to create them. This does not offer patterns or techniques. If you are a quilter it makes you feel connected to something big and historic. If you are not a quilter you will want to be.
January 11, 2020
This book is a great read for any quilter, of any style and skill level. The quilters whose work and words are included are very diverse, and some of both will resonate with with you. I found myself nodding in agreement again and again, sometimes discovering motivations for my own quilting that I'd not put into words before. I look forward to returning to this book from time to time.
April 14, 2020
A lovely selection of quilts to browse through. I discovered some new quilters I had not heard of, and learnt some quilt history along the way. Some of the quilters' blurbs were a little on the short side, and I had to look up some of the references e.g. references to the Gee's bend quilts (a little blurb about this in the book would have been nice). I am a causal quilter.
September 1, 2021
It was a rare quilt book where the words were more inspiring than the pictures. I could relate to so much of what was said and many of the quilters included brought out things that I'd never really articulated for myself. I'm so glad that it was reviewed by the Surface Design Association or I might have missed it.
October 10, 2019
I received a complementary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved the stories by different quilters and the pictures of various quilts. This was a fun, inspiring read.
October 21, 2019
This book highlights various quilt makers who describe their work. Quilts are the rare works of art that also become part of our everyday lives. I really enjoyed reading about the stories behind the quilts. It made me look at my own quilting and uneven stitches in a whole new light.
November 8, 2019
“Why We Quilt” captures the profound reasons why people quilt today. The book is beautifully designed. The quilts and the quilters selected for this volume are a wonderful representation of the art. Every time I page through this book I discover something new.
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