Design Then Quilt: A Dynamic Guide to Creating Stunning Modern Quilts

A book that demystifies quilt design principles and teaches readers how to apply them.

This colorful book clarifies graphic design concepts as they relate to quilts. It allows modern quilters (and any quilters) to learn the definition of “design” and how to use design, or not, when creating a quilt.

Instantly putting quilters at ease, the vivid pages richly illustrate each concept, using photos of fabric pieces, threads, and quilts.

Award-winning quilt artist Irene Roderick knows from decades of workshop teaching that an accurate, academic approach to design is essential. Even for the entirely intuitive modern creations she's so well known for. 

Learn the elements of design such as line, shape, form, and color. Next up: the principles of design such as balance, variety, movement, and repetition. For each design concept, Irene shows it to you using quilts: her own quilts and those of her workshop students.

Plenty of practice is included, and to bring each concept to life, actual quilt pieces are arranged and rearranged in varied ways. As Roderick shows, a quilt is constructed of three layers, and each can use different design elements in distinct ways.

Clear, easily understandable text and visuals are specifically aimed to be effective for quilters of all levels of expertise.

Irene Roderick teaches quilt design. Her quilts are widely exhibited and award winning, including first place in the Improv category at the modern quilt convention QuiltCon. Her work has appeared in Fiber Art Now, Quiltfolk, Simply Moderne, and other media. Her previous book is Improv Quilting (Penguin). She lives in Austin, Texas. ireneroderick.com