One of the benefits of membership* of The Quilters’ Guild of NSW Inc is access to an extensive library. Recently I borrowed Ann Johnston’s Color by Design which is a veritable recipe book for painting and printing with dye. With its spiral-bound format, this book provides a practical guide to exploring colour and design directly onto fabric. I was really impressed at the clear instructions and beautiful photographs so when I saw Ann’s expanded second edition of The Quilter’s Book of Design on sale at the Sydney Quilt Show, it was a no-brainer to bring a copy home with me.
As someone with no formal background in art or design, I was first introduced to the elements of design in my City & Guilds coursework with Linda Kemshall. However, not everyone can take these kinds of courses and, even if they do, it is instructive to revisit the principles of design from time to time. As the title suggests, The Quilter’s Book of Design is aimed squarely at quiltmakers. It is not a dry, analytical textbook but a rich resource with inspiring images from the author’s body of work. I heartily recommend that you buy or borrow a copy for yourself.
* The membership year commences on 1 July. Download a membership form and join or renew your membership now!
Sue Dennis says
I have this book too & the first edition- it is like a design bible- so much good information illustrated with her own quilts.