Traditional quilts serve many purposes over the course of a useful life. Beginning as a beautiful bed covering, a quilt may later function as a ground cover at picnics until years of wear relegate it to someone's ragbag for scrap uses. Observing this life cycle led authors John Forrest and Deborah Blincoe to the idea that quilts, like living things, have a natural history that can be studied scientifically. They explore that natural history through an examination of the taxonomy, morphology, behavior, and ecology of quilts in their native environment—the homes of humans who make, use, keep, and bestow them. The taxonomy proposed by Forrest and Blincoe is rooted in the mechanics of replicating quilts so that it can be used to understand evolutionary and genetic relationships between quilt types. The morphology section anatomizes normal and abnormal physical features of quilts, while the section on conception and birth in the life cycle discusses how the underlying processes of replication intersect with environmental factors to produce tangible objects. This methodology is applicable to many kinds of crafts and will be of wide interest to students of folklore, anthropology, and art history. Case studies of traditional quilts and their makers in the Catskills and Appalachia add a warm, human dimension to the book.

Traditional quilts serve many purposes over the course of a useful life, and observing this life cycle from bed covering to ground cover to ragbag for scrap uses led authors Forrest and Blincoe to the idea that quilts, like living things, have a natural history that can be studied scientifically. They explore that natural history through an examination of the taxonomy, morphology, behavior, and ecology of quilts in their native environment -- the homes of humans who make, use, keep, and bestow them. This methodology is applicable to many kinds of crafts and will be of wide interest to students of folklore, anthropology, and art history. Case studies of traditional quilts and their makers in the Catskills and Appalachia add a human dimension to the book. 200+ drawings of quilt patterns.

Examines how quilts and quilting have evolved from the eighteenth century to the present, and displays photographs of traditional and contemporary quilts, as well as those from the Amish, African American, Hawaiian, and Native American traditions

Michigan Quilts celebrates the 150th year of Michigan's statehood by focusing attention on quilt making, quilts, and quilters. Quilts have always represented prized family possessions, important family and community documents, and the strength and breadth of quilting as an art activity in the state.

By taking two or more traditional block patterns in the same quilt, the author takes us to a new level of design. Quilters will recognize many old 'friends' in these charming two-block quilts, such as Log Cabin, Sawtooth Star, Churn Dash, and Nine-Patch. There are also a few blocks that are a little unusual, and some three-block quilts were thrown into the mix just for fun. Whether you are an early intermediate quilter or a more experienced quilter, these quick, classy projects will fill your needs. All the blocks are constructed in simple units familiar to quilters, mostly squares, rectangles, strips, and half- and quarter-square triangles. Measurements are provided for those pieces that lend themselves to rotary cutting, and patterns are included for odd-sized pieces and appliques. Quilters are encouraged to strike out on their own with simple identification of those blocks that will produce the best results, including a description of the properties of quilt blocks and various setting variations. Also learn how to create the illusion of sashing, and circles from straight lines.

This photographed book covers the historical panorama of quiltmaking in the United States, from the quintessential patterns to their cultural significance.--[Book jacket.].

Since the 19th century, the women of Gee s Bend in southern Alabama have created stunning, vibrant quilts. Beautifully illustrated with 110 color illustrations, The Quilts of Gee s Bend includes a historical overview of the two hundred years of extraordinary quilt-making in this African-American community, its people, and their art-making tradition. This book is being.released in conjunction with a national exhibition tour including The Museum of Fine Art, Houston, and the Whitney Museum of American Art."