Welcome to everyone here for the Modern Appliqué Illusions Blog Tour! I enjoyed getting to know author Casey York over lunch at Quilting LIVE in Atlanta, right before the book debuted, and I’m pleased (but not surprised) to report that her book is equally enjoyable.
The illusions Casey explores in Modern Appliqué Illusions are those that lend a sense of perspective to the flat surface of a quilt. She explores the concept through lots of different techniques and approaches, which makes for plenty of inspiration.
Casey is absolutely the right person to present these ideas—her solid grounding in art history enriches and contextualizes the technique discussions. She interprets classic methods of perspective from Western art in fabric and thread rather than paint or ink, and I really enjoyed learning about the theoretical background while seeing the ideas put to use in quilts.
I was also struck that, though this is first and foremost a book about appliqué, Casey goes into detail about how she also uses quilting to enhance the appliquéd perspective effects. So often quilting instructions stop at “quilt as desired,” but Casey, for example, gives precise dimensions for how to plan the radiating quilting for Tunnel Vision (shown above) while explaining the underlying concepts so you can adapt them to your own designs.
The perspective-quilting techniques are easily achieved on a domestic machine, as Casey shows by quilting many of the book’s projects herself, which I always appreciate from quilt-book authors. In a quilt like River Bend, I love that the appliqué, fabric choices, and quilting all contribute to the overall composition as well as the sense of perspective, turning a relatively simple quilt into much more.
The general rule of thumb is that quilting shouldn’t cross over appliqués, but Casey’s quilt Ripples is a great example of why rules of thumb aren’t set in stone: she quilted concentric circles to suggest ripples on the surface of the water above the koi, which is a fantastic way to reinforce the sense of depth introduced by the appliquéd shadows.
That only scratches the surface of Casey’s ideas for bringing perspective into your appliqué, so make sure to check out the book
for more! (You can get signed copies from Casey’s shop.) Stop by Casey’s blog (she’s talking about her Grove quilt today, which has more interesting quilting to suggest rounded tree trunks) as well as the rest of the blogs on the tour—GenQ is up tomorrow!
- 11/10: C&T Publishing
- 11/11: Jenifer Dick/42 Quilts
- 11/12: Debbie Grifka/Esch House Quilts
- 11/13: Pink Chalk Studio
- 11/14: Shannon Brinkley/Bottle Tree
- 11/15: Pellon
- 11/16: Kevin Kosbab/Feed Dog Designs ← You are here
- 11/17: Generation Q Magazine
- 11/18: Krista Robbins/Sew What's Cooking?
- 11/19: Fat Quarter Shop/Jolly Jabber
- 11/20: Violet Craft
21 comments:
I love how the employment of perspective techniques can be so effective! All of these quilts look really great!
Jackiethompson323(at)gmail.com
I love that you can do so many different things with applique, especially things that would be hard or impossible with piecing. But perspective is something I hadn't considered until seeing this book. Very interesting, I think I'll have to give it a try!
Her quilts are amazing. I never considered perspective techniques until I saw her designs. Thanks for the chance.
janie.mccombs(at)yahoo.com
The more I read about his book, the more I need and want it. I think the quilt Tunnel Vision is great. I like the way this book takes quilting from a utilitarian purpose and presents it as a true art form. I am not an artist as I only draw stick figures and never learned perspective so I can't wait to try out some of the techniques presented in the book. kthurn@bektel.com
I think that applique is more forgiving than pieces and has greater possibilities.
I love perspective when used with appliqué. The combo can lead to some very cosmic looking designs.
This looks a fabulous book - I love the Ripples quilt!
I find the use of perspective in quilting intriguing. It's an artistic element, so why not?
The windows of creativity that applique opens up are limitless -- that is what intrigues and satisfies me about applique. ... soparkaveataoldotcom
The more I see of this book, the more I want it! I've not done much appliqué so it's all very intriguing.
I think its amazing to be able to create depth on a quilt. As a beginner quilter, it would be a joy to be able to learn this skill! Thank you for the giveaway!
amandanswift@yahoo.com
This book looks fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed your photos and comments. I am okay with applique, but have not ventured into the realm of art or picture quilts. The closest I have come is borrowing books from the library and reading blogs. Adding the notion of perspective might just give me the confidence to give it a go!
I love how the quilting enhances the applique. It's neat to see how perspective can be created with little tricks. I'm loving the hop and can't wait to see what's next!
Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win. Fingers are crossed, hehe.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a retired scientist so the whole thing interests me. Applique is still a challenge for me but the illusion is fascinating.
I have always loved doing applique because you could turn it in to one of a kind. But this takes it to a whole new level. Can't wait to get this book and try it!
I've always been a bit afraid of applique but I want to start, and I love everything I've seen about Casey's book!
Didn't know applique could look so modern until now. Love the Tunnel Vision quilt.
Perspective is an area I have been interested in learning. I think it lends itself to both pieced and applique applications.
This really looks like a neat book and I love the shadows used on the fish. Applique is always one of my favorite things to add to quilts!
I really enjoy applique and I like see the modern patterns coming out for it! Her use of perspective is very exciting and I'd like to try it out.
Wow, she is amazing!!! I would love to be able to create perspective like she does!! Thank you for the opportunity to win her book!!
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