A visual celebration of contemporary quilts, focusing on color, design, and material.

Featuring the work of over fifty contemporary artists who have chosen quilting as their medium, this sumptuous volume explores quilts at a time when the distinction between quilting as a craft and an art form is increasingly blurred.

Quilts have enjoyed a renaissance recently, with contemporary practitioners renewing traditions or eschewing them altogether. Textile artist Catherine-Marie Longtin surveys contemporary quilts through the works of this new generation of quilters. Through the themes of colour, design, and material, we get an insight into their creative practices, whether they regard quilting as an art form, a mindful practice, or simply as a practical way to use up leftover fabrics.

Starting with colour, the book looks at monochromatic, duochromatic, and multichromatic quilts while also exploring the use of natural dyes. The design section looks at the essential building blocks of the quilt, from basic geometrical triangles, squares, and hexagons to contemporary takes on traditional log cabin, flying geese, and medallion blocks, as well as more unusual designs such as quilts inspired by architecture and 3D quilts. Finally, a section on materials explores what contemporary quilts are made from, including reclaimed and vintage fabrics, collage, and using clothes in quilts.

Quilts: Color, Design, Material also includes essays by quilt experts on themes such as Amish quilts, as well as conversations with quilting practitioners.

Richly illustrated with photographs of quilts and packed with inspiration throughout, this stunning book will appeal to anyone interested in quilting and textile art.

About The Author

Catherine-Marie Longtin is a French-Canadian textile artist and quilter. She spent eleven years working in academia, gaining a PhD in Cognitive Sciences, before signing up for evening quilting classes at Morley College in London to develop her passion for textiles. Catherine’s work reflects a deep love of textiles, colour, and abstract, minimalist art. She lives and works in South London.