Pictorial Quilting
Showcasing a wide array of works by a multitude of needle artists, this  colorful volume provides quilters with wonderful inspiration, as well as an  interesting dose of the history of pictorial quilts. Created to tell a  story, commemorate an event, or evoke a sense of place, pictorial quilts  combine traditional quilting techniques and representational images to  become highly personal statements. Gordon presents an excellent overview of  what it takes to design and produce such a quilt, from finding source  material, choosing fabrics and colors, and adding embellishments, to  understanding the specific methods (piecing, various applique types,  decorative stitching). The book's second half is a detailed exploration of  specific themes, including landscapes, garden scenes, fauna, and portraits,  told in relation to a gallery of exquisite works by numerous artists. This  is not a book for beginners or traditionalists; it is meant for experienced  quilters looking to expand their horizons. There are no full-fledged  step-by-step projects. Readers are instead treated to terrific analyses of  what makes these quilts work, and they learn what they need to know to  begin designing and making their own.--Amy Handy