"Modern Quilt Perspectives" Blog Tour and Giveaway

I love books because I love stories. And not only do I love stories, but I love stories with a twist ending or a hidden meaning—something that isn't obvious, but is totally there. I'd never looked at quilts as a method of storytelling, but this book has changed that for me.

Let me back up . . .

A few years ago I was working as an editor for F+W Media craft books (super fun, right up my alley). I had the luck to attend Quilt Market several times to help man the company's booth, see the sights, source new trends and talent, and just generally rub shoulders with the glitterati of the quilting world. That's where I met Thomas Knauer.

I honestly can't even remember how we started talking, but I do recall falling very easily into a long conversation about quilting, post-modern art, the modern quilting movement, fabric - and a whole slew of other items - and needless to say, I was intrigued. I had just met this guy—a relatively new fabric designer—and he was blowing my mind with his perspective on quilting. To Thomas, quilting is more than just fabric and design—quilting can be a powerful art medium.

Long story short, that first conversation eventually lead to a publishing deal—and now I have in my hands "Modern Quilt Perspectives" - Thomas's first (of many, I hope) quilt book.

Honestly, I couldn't put this book down. The first flip through made me slow down to read, and then I was reading it cover to cover. The thing that struck me most is the additional level of meaning and story built into every quilt. This is a book full of beautiful quilts that you'll absolutely want to make. But in addition to the fantastic designs and color use, each quilt was designed to tell a story about a time or a place, a feeling or a goal. Some tell about shared moments between two people, and others represent political movements. Big to small, profound to simple—these quilts are about more than design, they're about the people that use them.

At the risk of sounding corny, this book moved me. I can't entirely explain that feeling, but it did.

I love lots of the quilts in this book (seriously, there are at least 4 I want to make), but this one is my favorite. "Ampersand" is pieced to be a jumping off point for story-telling and story-making. The "&" symbol is made up of fussy-cut fabrics, each showing a specific image that can be incorporated into a bedtime story—princesses, animals, trees, etc. Using "and" in storytelling allows the tale to keep building and building and building...  Thomas describes using this quilt to make up stories with his daughter, each pointing to an image and using "and" to help build their tale. Love.

This is a book you will want to read cover to cover, over and over again. I think you'll be touched by the meanings behind these quilts like I was. I know I haven't looked at quilt making in quite the same way since.


Thomas is kindly allowing me to give away a copy of "Modern Quilt Perspectives" to one of you lucky folks!  Just leave one comment below about why you would like a copy, and make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. The giveaway will close on Thursday, March 27 at 11:59pm EST.

You can buy your own copy here, too.




The giveaway is now closed. The winner is #80 (chosen by Random Number Generator) who said:

June D said...

I'm a fan of his - his blog is on my list to read and be inspired by. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of his book.

Congratulations, June! I'll send you an email about getting your prize to you!

Keep following the blog tour (posted below) and check out previous posts to see more from the book!

March 14: Thomas Knauer http://www.thomasknauersews.com/

March 15: Lisa Sipes http://thatcrazyquiltygirl.blogspot.com
March 16: Robert Kaufman http://www.swatchandstitch.com/
March 17: Victoria Findlay Wolfe http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com
March 18: Katy Jones http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.co.uk/
March 19: Bill Volckening http://willywonkyquilts.blogspot.com
March 20: Kelly Biscopink http://stitchyquiltstuff.com
March 21: Audrie Bidwell http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com
March 22: Mary Rachel Kolb http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com
March 23: Rachael Gander http://imaginegnats.com/
March 24: Sew, Mama, Sew http://www.sewmamasew.com/
March 25: Cloth Paper Scissors
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/clothpaperscissorstoday/default.aspx
March 26: Cheryl Arkinson http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com
March 27: Quilting Daily http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/barb/default.aspx
March 28: Fat Quarterly http://www.fatquarterly.com/blog/
March 29: Pellon/Erin Sampson http://pellonprojects.wordpress.com/
March 30: Sew Modern http://thatswhatshesewed.com/
March 31: Rachel May http://quiltingwithamodernslant.com/
April 1: Quilty http://www.heyquilty.com/blogs/
April 2: Amy Smart http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/
April 3: Quilter's Connection http://quiltersconnection.ca/blog
April 4: Teresa Coates http://www.crinkledreams.com/
April 5: Generation Q http://generationqmagazine.com/
April 6: Cloth Paper Scissors
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/barb/default.aspx
April 7: Sara Lawson http://www.sewsweetness.com/
April 8: Kim Niedzwiecki http://gogokim.blogspot.com
April 9: Rashida Coleman Hale http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/
April 10: Thomas Knauer http://www.thomasknauersews.com/ - See more at: http://willywonkyquilts.blogspot.com/#sthash.6VQYysud.dpuf
April 1: Quilty http://www.heyquilty.com/blogs/
April 2: Amy Smart http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/
April 3: Quilter's Connection http://quiltersconnection.ca/blog
April 4: Teresa Coates http://www.crinkledreams.com/
April 5: Generation Q http://generationqmagazine.com/
April 6: Cloth Paper Scissors
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/barb/default.aspx
April 7: Sara Lawson http://www.sewsweetness.com/
April 8: Kim Niedzwiecki http://gogokim.blogspot.com
April 9: Rashida Coleman Hale http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/
April 10: Thomas Knauer http://www.thomasknauersews.com

Happy stitching!

Kelly