Gwen Marston

Liberate your inner (quilt) medallion Are medallion quilts truly as traditional as we think they are? In her third book on Liberated quiltmaking techniques, Gwen argues that the women who made antique quilts were very improvisational, more so than many contemporary quilters. And medallion quilts show this very well. She provides a brief bit of medallion quilt history and then presents 7 exercises or 'how-tos' to unleash each quilter's creativity. If you like precision, fine. Get liberated with color. If you prefer carefully orchestrated color, also fine. You don't have to sacrifice good technique or traditional ideas when making an original, one-of-a-kind, Liberated quilt. Gwen troubleshoots as she goes, so that your Liberated medallion experience will be a truly joyful journey as you add to your proficiency as either a traditional or contemporary quilter.

Authentic Amish quilting patterns are among the most sough-after quilting styles today. Elegant and graceful, these eye-catching designs are widely recognized as a unique art form. Now with this useful guide, prepared by two noted quilt designers and teachers, needleworkers at all levels of expertise can re-create many popular Amish motifs passed down from generation to generation.Over 50 full-size, ready-to-use templates provide attractive designs for feathers, flowers, pinwheels, tulips, cables, pumpkin seeds, a star, and much more. Easy-to-follow instructions and numerous diagrams allow beginning as well as advanced quilters to undertake a variety of projects, while an informative introduction points out the differences between Lancaster County and Midwestern Amish styles.Useful for creating repeating borders, centers, corners, and overall patterns for full-size bedcovers, these classic designs can also be used individually to embellish pillows, cushions, and countless other domestic items.

This is a book for grownup quilters. It's a book for the many accomplished quilters who are not looking for yet another project book with pages of detailed elementary instructions on how to make someone else's quilt. Rather, it's intended for quilters who are seeking ideas and inspiration for their own work. In my quilt related travels, I've had the pleasure of meeting many such veteran quilters. This book was also developed to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of my Beaver Island Quilt Retreats (BIQR). Quilters who come to these retreats come with the expectation that they will be provided with an abundance of ideas which will help them design their own original work. The new works in this book were made specifically to provide ideas and inspiration to support the 2008 BIQR theme of making abstract quilts in solids.

Extensively illustrated, with over 100 drawings and 11 unique Mary Schafer patterns, Mary Schafer, American Quilt Maker is a must-have book for anyone passionate about American quilting.While we take that passion for granted today, author Gwen Marston shows that it wasn't always so; indeed, one woman, Mary Schafer, was largely responsible for the restoration of interest in one of our greatest folk arts -- long before the American bicentennial turned quilting into what seemed like an overnight sensation.Marston presents Schafer as an unassuming scholar: the anonymous quilter, remaining humble and somewhat retiring. Behind the modest façade, however, Schafer displayed a remarkable devotion to research, historical accuracy, and community through her efforts to make quilting available to as many people as possible.Nonquilters will find Mary Schafer, American Quilt Maker a welcome addition to their collection of the work of masters of American folk art, while quilting aficionados will appreciate it not only for the story it tells, but for the generous selection of patterns and illustrations it offers.Gwen Marston is a nationally known quilt maker, teacher, and author. She is the author of over fifteen books on quilting, including Liberated String Quilts, 70 Classic Quilting Patterns, and Amish Quilting Patterns.

Mary Schafer is cited as being largely responsible for the rescue of the quintessential American folk art of quilt making. Gwen Marston presents Schafer as an unassuming scholar, devoted to historical accuracy and determined to make quilting available to as many people as possible.

Here's an exceptional book that provides needleworkers with eye-catching patchwork projects that work up fast and easy. Veteran quilt designers and teachers Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham have created 20 attractive little quilts that are perfect for experimenting with color and design. Considerably less intimidating than full-size quilts, these "quiltlets" -- ranging in size from 131/2 x 171/2 inches to 18 x 22 inches -- make ideal doll bed covers of lovely wall hangings. The 35 full-size templates help create a variety of captivating designs, including Tree Everlasting, Dutchman's Puzzle, Propeller, Broken Dishes, Houses, Bow Tie, Jacob's Ladder, The Girls, Gwen's Tulip, Sugar Bowl, and ten other charming patterns.Complete step-by-step instructions, amply enhanced with approximately 95 black-and-white illustrations, enable quilters at all levels to create a variety of colorful items that will be a pleasure to make and a joy to use.