I really would love your help with a few books and or tutorial recommendations. I am fairly new to quilting.. And have quickly found that my passion lies in creating (artistic) wall hangings.. I find learning traditional quilting squares do not hold my interest ( specially when doing a large quilt lol) Unless I need that specific technique to enhance my wall hanging.. I have done tutorial seaches on here and youtubed till I fear I may have developing carpel tunnel lmao..And have only found a Few good circle tutorials, just not enough and no book recs.. I'm at a loss. So here I is lol

*I Love watercolor quilts ( have great books on this technique)..
*Anything dimensional
*Anything Trompe L'Oeil ( to decieve the eye).Did a lot of this in painting. So I'm figureing appliquing would be my best bet here.
* Anything with shadowing and highlighting techniques.

(The two books/tutorial techniques I am most looking for are)
>Curves ( like the wedding ring or donut looking design*,swirls.strips,circles,half circles etc..
I did buy " A new twist on curves n strips"... Love the book!.Although, the pics are gorgeous and inspiring..The directions are short and I feel speak to a more experienced individual...I'd love a book that has more in depth explinations
*And any book you feel is great on creating shadows/hghlights

Thank you so much for any recommendations ladies (smile)

the best book I found that I used and have also purchased as a gift and found on Ebay is Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting. It has the basics on Thread, needles and pins, marking, binding, quilt blocks, etc..... I believe there is even a newer edition out now.

Thanks for your response robin..Does this book have any info sewing on the bias/curves, shadowing etc?..I do have several beginner quilting books...

I'm thinking I may have to start seaching for an instructor who's willing to teach an advanced beginner more advanced techniques lol

'Casting Shadows' by Colleen Wise is a fantastic book for dimensional techniques...drop shadows, puddled shadows, lots of great stuff. Karen Combs is a master at op art works and using shades and values of color to show depth. Check out the free eBooks from Quilting Arts Magazine (on their website) for other techniques that are on the art side rather than the traditional side. The QA magazine is also a rich resource you might like. They often have free issue offers.

Louisa Smith's original 'Strips and Curves' book might better walk you through her techniques. The second book, the one you have, builds on the first.

If you paint, your sense of light and shadow is probably second nature. All you need is the translation into fabric. Look for articles on fusing and raw edge appliqué. Many of the artists that blog have tutes on some of their techniques, too.

Hope that starts you off on this very exciting path! :D

edit: Art quilt instructors are hard to find, but there are several groups online that help each other explore new ideas and methods. PM me if you like.

Ahh ghostrider, thank you.... I just found the first book you mentiontioned (colleen wise) and was getting ready to order it..I've also been circling the first circles n strips book lol... Good to know I was on the right track...

Sad to know that the art quilt instructors are hard to come by...I was headed off to find a quilt shop near by and ask around...Pming you ( all cited n stuff lmao)

I didn't mean to discourage you from looking for an instructor by any means! Just wanted to let you know they aren't easy to find is all. You're in a much larger environment than I am so you may find someone quite easily. Try your LQS, local guilds, arts and craft organizations (we have the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen for instance), and there are always workshops at major quilt shows. Any of those may help or may send you to someone who will.

If you see work you like, contact the maker and ask about her technique. perhaps she'd be willing to teach you one-on-one or refer you to a book or workshop. Most artists respond eagerly to interest in their work and fiber artists just love to get others involved...same as "normal" quilters do! :lol:

Quilting Arts also sells DVDs and videos packed with all sorts of instructional info. http://store.quiltingdaily.com/Quilting/DVD-Video.html

Check out the classes at Quilt University. They are adding more and more art quilting techniques all the time. Their classes are well priced and very well presented. You can 'talk' to classmates and the instructor via an on;ine forum. http://www.quiltuniversity.com/

I was fascinated with watercolor quilts, too. I also had a couple good books. But I learned the most about putting this type of quilt together by buying a small wallhanging watercolor quilt kit from Whims. The kit gave me everything I needed, and now that I have done one, I feel really comfortable in doing more on my own.

I love this book for dimensional blocks

Quiltagami, The Art of Fabric Folding by Mary Jo Hiney

I found a used one in excellent shape on Amazon and reasonably priced :D:D:D

Quilting Illusions by Celia Eddy is another book I love, very well illustrated, good information, great directions too :D:D:D

I also love using my EQ program, it is a wonderful tool to play with shadows, illusions, and such. You can work with circles and other shapes easily.

Owning a few good books, and this program, the possibilities are endless :D:D:D