Minimal Quiltmaking

This is such a great book . Inspiring and educational . Many of the quilts are not technically difficult, so this book has you thinking abut design and (gasp) I looked paintings for illustrations of her ideas . This approach with clarity and simplicity rather than trying to maze the viewer with your embellishment or tertiary designs is great. For me its back to why I love quilts . They are only truly appreciated up close and personal where the color and the wave and texture of the fabric and the texture of the quilting can all be appreciated .Her quilting is , of course , fabulous , and the pictures don't do the real quilts justice .S . The directions and explanations are clear . t really is "design within reach" to use what I hope is not a trademarked phrase. I see echoes of her work and influence in so may modern quilters - the negative space , the beautiful quilting of that negative space , the clean lines and the conscious rejection of machine like perfection . You go Gwen .

I've just received this book and have only briefly perused it but omygoodness, it is THE Best, MOST gorgeous 'modern' quilting book I've had the good fortune to view! The quilts in here are like few others out there, imo.She is probably my top, most favorite fibre artist/master quilter/instructor/author because she makes fantastic choices. From her clarity and ease w the written word to the quilts chosen for the book to the quilting, this book is a must have for both your collection and as a gift for a friend's.I am extremely disappointed w amazon's packaging - the spine was damaged because it was sent merely in a thin bubble envelope. It should be packaged w more firm materials (i.e., a cardboard book mailer) because it is, after all, a gem of a book!

Good basic book on what are being termed “modern quilts.” Take a look at Gee’s Bend and Amish quilts you’ll find quite a few similarities. Gwen Marston is a brilliant artist and began quilting with Amish quilters. She then moved away from patterns and onto more original work. She shares her process of creating these quilts and includes others’ work as well. You will not find instructions for making specific quilts but rather inspiration for creating your own.

It was hard to turn each page and at the same time, hard not to. Each quilt was so captivating I wanted to gaze at it forever, but I knew there was more to enjoy if I turned the page. I love Gwen's self assigned job description - "to show quilters practical ways to figure things out for themselves, and to provide tips on solving design and construction problems." As a long time student of Gwen's, I can say she truly does that and this book, in addition to being entertaining, certainly does that. You won't be disappointed and you can't help but be inspired. I am running to my stash now to start playing with the fabric, thanks Gwen.

Gwen Marston is a true treasure to the quilting world. She is a fountain of knowledge regarding quilts both old and new and the techniques used to make them. I have taken several classes from her and have found her to be both extremely knowledgeable and a pure delight to be with. Her quilting books are the ONLY ones I read word-for-word. They're like having a wonderful conversation with her and there's always some of her extremely dry, hysterical wit sneeking in here and there. Here she pares quilting down to its bare minimum and shares beautiful examples of her own and some of her students'/friends' work. Very inspiring!!!

I'm loving this book more and more as I read and reread it. There's so much more than Gwen and her friends "minimal quilting" in it. She's included information about the relationship of minimal quilting and modern art in America; plus the works of Mark Rothko, Charles Renine MacKintosh, Josef Albers, Ellsworth Kelly, and many others. This has led me to discover new ideas and expand my understanding of art in America - fiber along with paint.

A real winner. Not only is the book well written; it's well printed. I took a chance ordering because it had no look inside feature, but I'm familiar with Gwen and know how good she is. But even the best author can be ruined by poor printing. This book has clear pictures and readable text (even with my weakest glasses). Some other big publishers are using small, gray fonts; I can't read them. Maybe I'll stick to AQS books.

Gwen's work is in a class of its own - and this book does not disappoint. Excellent photographs and thoughtful text.Because Amazon shipped using an unreinforced bubble-pak envelope, the mailman was able to bend the package and stuff it in our mailbox - resulting in an unwanted long-term 'crease' down the middle of the book. Some of the bent-ness has flattened out over the past week, but a sturdier package would have ensured pristine condition upon delivery.

Very inspirational - a book I shall use again and again.

Wonderful book with great ideas and help to encourage readers to try this amazing type of quilts.

It is not just a pattern book, it gives an insight into the process of designing your own quilt. Too bad the author has passed away. I would have loved meeting her in person in one of her classes.

Wonderful technique book.

Beautifully produced and made a lovely gift.