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Book Reviews: Quilting in the Limelight by Philippa Naylor
To say that things have been hectic is an understatement… I think I had several books ready to review in early September! So at long last here is the first:
Quilting in the Limelight: the Life, Art and Techniques of an Award-Winning Quilter by Philippa Naylor, published by Dragon Threads, 2008.
My favorite part of the book was the peek into Philippa’s life, both in Saudi Arabia and then the move back to the UK while they renovated a lovely old home. My second favorite part of the book is the photographs from which she draws inspiration, and which inspire me in their bold graphic layout, colors and careful cropping.
The book covers:
- 1-Beginning
- 2-Saudi Arabia
- 3-The journey home (they drove from Saudi to the UK!)
- 4-House Renovation
- 5-A change of Direction
- 6-Gallery (an extensive chronology and evolution of her quilts)
- 7-Workplace (as in, her studio, how she set it up, things to think about)
- 8-Equipment and Materials
- 9-Starting a New Quilt
- 10-The Quilt top and precision piecing
- 11–The quilting adn trapunto design
- 12-Free motion machine quilting
- 13-Piping
- 14-Mitered binding
- 15-finishing
Let me just say that I will NEVER be likely to do the precision piecing that she does! I will, however, be tempted to wholecloth quilting….you can tell those of us who are so passionate about the quilting. Eventually, we all give in to the urge and just skip the pieceing and/or applique and just quilt quilt quilt a piece, a wholecloth piece!
I very much enjoyed the detailed in-progress photos of her free-motion quilting, plus all the photos of the backs, where you can sometiems better see just what she has done. The close-up photos are wonderful, too… just as good as being there in person to see JUST how she did that! In this example, how to bury a knot invisibly…well done (both the knot and the photos).
My only quibble with the colorful, inspiring book–which is a nearly-square format 11″ tall by 10″ wide–is that on the reverse side of the pages that have nine photos (laid out like a nine-patch block) is that the narrow grid of white between the photos shadows through to the other side of the page, and I find it very visually distracting. I wish the paper (which is a lovely glossy white and showcases the photos well) were heavier, to prevent the show-through.
I also like how Philippa spends so much time on the finishing details. As a garment-maker who learned under some wonderfully demanding teachers (and became even more picky myself about my own work), I really appreciate that she pays so much attention to the fine finishing, and shares how to do it well! (Yes, I know…I try to beat my type A tendencies into submission, but they are indeed there!) In sum: I enjoyed it, I recommend it, and I’ll be likely to refer to it again, both for the eye candy and the fine instruction on finishing details.
December 12th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Hi sarah ann, what a great book review! I want your book and that one too. As soon as I can, I am definitely getting them. THANKS SO MUCH, again, Penny Lynn (hope you have a creatively lovely weekend)
December 12th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I agree totally with your review! I Love this book and found it great resource beside inspiration. Regretfully, I haven’t yet been able to get my hands on your book. I know I could buy it on line, but I like to quickly check it out and review books before buying.The Northern Adirondacks is well known for it’s beauty but not as being a shopping mecca. Maybe next time I travel to visit family friends or vacation I’ll be able to see it so I can get it.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Jane