Reviews of The Careless Quilter: Decide-as-you-sew, Design-as-you-go Quiltmaking

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Reviews of The Careless Quilter

Stop Fretting
and Have
Some Fun

Bets Ramsey,
The Chattanooga Times

This is not a license for poor workmanship, but a way to relax some of the expectations of perfection and have fun. The title word "careless" signifies the openness of the quilter. Kristin Miller’s methodical instructions, colorful examples, and black-and-white drawings and photos offer all the help a beginning quilter will need, and yet, an experienced quilt-maker can benefit from the thoughtful approach she gives to the subject. She
has a marvelously clear writing style and sprinkles it with wit.

Innovative Book Explores Experimentation

Craft Connection

Master quiltmaker Kristin Miller has created a whole new approach to quilting in The Careless Quilter, an innovative book that explores experimentation in quiltmaking. The central belief of the author is that anyone—from beginners to seasoned quilters—can make beautiful, one-of-a-kind quilts. This book encourages the quilter to take risks and have fun!

Mama's Sunflower Quilt--made for my mother

Careless Quilter
Says Anything Goes

Nellie Brewster, Sayre-Athens Times

Tailor-made for those who prefer to let a creation evolve according to whim rather than plan, The Careless Quilter is precisely what it implies…a book that not only tells you it’s okay to do your own thing, but helps you out if you run into trouble doing it. The book not only provides inspiration, but lays out the basic elements of quiltmaking, including tools and techniques. There’s also a full glossary and enough how-to drawings to satisfy the most nervous seamstress.

Quilter Makes Important Contribution

Claudia Stewart,
Prince Rupert This Week

. The book is full of progressive illustrations and also progressive photos of the emerging design, as Kristin shows how a medallion design can transform itself into many different quilts.. I’m reminded of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, where several possibilities are available to the reader. I like Kristin’s daring use of many different textures, and the roguish quality of a quilt which combines silk with velveteens and other textured fabrics. If you quilt already, this book is a good way to extend your imaginative skills. If you are a first-time quilter, this is a good, non-overwhelming way to begin the craft.

Design sequence for Lucy's Star Quilt from "The Careless Quilter"

Quilting Should
Be Fun

Margaret DeBolt,
The West Virginia Hillbilly

The theme of this well-written and beautifully illustrated book is that anyone can make one-of-a-kind creations without being intimidated by unrealistic standards of perfection. With no set pattern to follow step-by-step, designing a quilt can be an on-going and rewarding experience. This is a friendly, inspiring book, long overdue for the beginner, or anyone discouraged by a past failure.

Decidedly Different Approach

Cover Stories:
Journal of Canadian Quilt Study Group

Every page has encouraging advice about taking risks, being bold, not worrying about mistakes, and downplaying over-attention to precision. Written with a gentle humor and straightforward vocabulary, this offers a decidedly different approach to the myriad of how-tos already on the market.

Buy
The Careless Quilter
$14. us plus shipping

Practical, Reassuring, Down-to Earth
Advice

Lou Allison,
"The Smallholder"

Kristin offers some very practical and reassuring advice for anyone interested in quilting but daunted by the complicated instructions or need for precise sewing skills many quilting patterns require. More, she shows how to turn supposed weaknesses into strengths: lack of funds for new cloth, lack of established ideas about color or form, lack of a clear plan at the outset all contribute to serendipitous results under her cheerful guidance. This book is full of wit, verve, humor, color, and the kind of make-do, down-to-earth advice country people value.

Design Sequence for Red Triangle Quilt from The Careless Quilter

Excerpts from the Careless Quilter

Letters from Readers

Articles by Kristin Miller