Last stop...last chance!

 

When I was asked to host a stop on Kaffe and Liza's blog tour for their new book, I gladly accepted.  I first became aware of Kaffe Fassett in 1985, when a knitter friend brought his new book, Glorious Knits, to quilt group one evening.  The knits were indeed glorious and I immediately added this book to my library, although I had no intention of knitting any of the patterns.  Poring over the photos was enough for me and in reading Kaffe's introduction, it was apparently one reason he wrote the book.

"...I try to persuade people that they can make something really beautiful and life-enhancing and I usually encounter the same protest, 'But you're an artist. You know about colour and we don't.' This misconception is one of the main reasons for my writing this book.  I want to try to convey to you that a sense of colour is not something you automatically know about; you discover and rediscover its secrets by playing with it and, above all, by constantly looking.  So as well as giving you some of my patterns in great detail, I particularly want to show you how these designs evolved - the experimenting with sources of inspiration for colours and shapes that is a never ending process."

To me, this is the essence of Kaffe Fassett's extraordinary impact on the contemporary textile scene over the last 30 years. 

After Glorious Knits, I continued to add his succeeding books to my shelf, despite the fact that I wasn't knitting, needlepointing or designing mosaics.  Each volume was so full of inspiring, color-packed photos of historical artifacts, exotic locations and his resulting, beautiful work that I found myself dipping into them regularly and thinking about what great quilts these designs would make.  Liza Lucy did more than that.  She contacted him and suggested a collaboration.

Their resulting books (these and more!) have taken the quilt world by storm.  Many of Kaffe and Liza's quilts are now instantly recognizable and so many of us have made duplicates or used them as jumping off points for our own interpretations.  But as much as I have enjoyed these many pages full of glorious quilts, I never felt they rose to the truly inspirational level of Kaffe's first books.  Until now.

Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts is the book I've been waiting for!  Organized into chapters by shape, the book offers patterns for 23 new quilts for every ability level.  Page after page of new quilt designs as well as bright interpretations of familiar quilt patterns.  For me, the real treat is the accompanying text by Kaffe, elaborating on the visual inspiration he finds in geometric shapes found in nature and our everyday environments.  All of the included photos are fabulous - images I'll return to again and again - and the settings he has chosen for his quilt photos offer a wealth of ideas for the observant quilter.  I can't recommend this book highly enough! 

 

If you haven't yet secured yourself a copy of Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts (and why haven't you?), leave a comment on this post and you'll be included in a random drawing for one!  I'll close comments on Tuesday night, at midnight CST, and announce the winner on Wednesday.

Since this is the last stop of the blog tour, you are probably already aware of the Quilt-along with Kaffe, which has been extended through the end of July because of its popularity.  Do check out the most recent post which highlights some of the participants' entries.  And consider joining!

Comments

[Heathir]

I am in love with this book and have it on my list of wants. It's just beautiful!

[sandra henderson]

I was so fortunate to get my hands on about 6 different ones SIGNED!, at a little local shop here in GA, where he had taught! Can you believe it?!?! but not this one... Have to have it and sure would be sweet to WIN! :) Thanks!

[eadaoine]

I agree..I have a number of the knitting books but this is the first quilt book I've really really wanted.

[Linda Collins]

l have most of his other books, so would love to add this one to my collection. He is coming to Australia in the near future, though doubt l will make it to a class, they are pretty popular.

[Lynn]

I haven't gotten one because I wasn't aware of such book!!! Definitely include me to the randomness of it all!!

[Carla]

Oh to be able to quilt like that - it is all sooo beautiful!

[Carol Haueter]

I have had a great big crush on Kaffe for almost 20 years. I had no idea there was a new book. Please put my number in the lottery.

[Karen]

I'm a newcomer to Kaffe. I've just officially bought my first piece LOL! It all starts with that right? Would love the book, it would also be my first. Thanks for sharing.

[Yolanda Aliberti]

I'm just finishing a quilt with his fabrics now. I LOVE his fabric.

[joyce]

I have picked up this book more than once. I really want it. Please count me in. If I don't win it I will probably buy it.

[Judi Gray]

I have the book but had to comment that Kaffe has really influenced my ideas about color and design. There is a quilt at this site
cabbagequilts.blogspot.com that is absolutely amazing! Makes me want to cut up all my Kaffe fabric into little pieces and make mosaics.

[Amy]

All his books are wonderful, I can't wait to get this one! I hope I win...

[Kristin]

Aha! A Kaffe book I don't have yet. I also chose his books for the inspiration, though I have made a few of his designs. I just love looking through the books and dreaming.

[blackbird]

This makes me so happy!

[Jenny]

i would most definitely love to own this book!

[floribunda]

Please put my name in the drawing for Kaffe's book -- I'd love to win!

[La Mañosa]

I just bought Quilt Romance, my first Kaffe Fasset book, and I am loving it! The photos are gorgeous, as are the quilts (especially the pickle dish)! This new book looks to be just as spectacular!

[Wendy]

Bought most with ease but those random few that were old caused quite a hunt! Ebay to the rescue, but now have them all...love the guy! Love everything about them....bought the knitting one many years before I learned to knit and never did any of them... Need this new one...

[Helen]

I have 3 of his books, but not that one! He is coming to Australia next year.... still talking DH into allowing me to travel 3,500kms to see him. Winning this might be the cheaper option! LOL

[kathy]

Would love to add this book to my library -- very inspiring!

[janet]

It looks like a wonderful book! Please put my name in. :0)

[Kristy]

I am a FAN!!!! I would be beyond thrilled to add this to my collection.

[Jenny McH]

I would love to win this book. The colour,textures and locations of the quilts are amazing, very inspirational. This book is on my long list of books I must own!

[Viooltje :o)]

I would love to win this book, please count me in.
♥

[Carla]

I purchased Simple Shapes for my quilt guild library and read every word in it, drooling over the quilts. I'd love to own it for my own library. Thanks for the chance.

[Jamie V]

I am always inspired by the rich colors and patterns of Kaffe Fasset's designs!I would love to have this book! I really enjoy reading your blog! Jamie V in MT
http://rem-nants.blogspot.com
[email protected]

[Margarita]

Thank you for reinvigorating my passion for color.

[Bonnie]

Need this book - must win!

[anne]

I would love this book as I am needing some inspiration right now. Thank you for sharing.

[Carrie]

Maybe if I win this book I will gain the confidence to cut in to some of the enormous stash of Kaffe Fassett fabrics currently piling up in my sewing room.

[Bele]

I just love your enthusiasm! Maybe I should give quilting a try, at least... Some more inspiration could make it easier, I guess.

[Janet]

I have the book so I just popped in to say that your post was a great read.

[beate teale]

thank you for the chance to win. Kaffe's colours and patterns are so inspiring and you bloggers are too. So much talent in blogland!

[kathie]

I Love Kaffe and Liza's books. For me, being more of a repro/traditional quilter the quilts are mostly if not all based on antique quilts or traditional blocks.
HIs sense of color has taught me a lot even though I don't use the brights . I browse thru their books (yes I have collected all of their books) a lot for inspiration and that smile that just comes by looking at the quilts and the photography
I love this new book, yes I own it so don't include me in the giveaway...
great review...
Kathie

[Judith (Crete)]

Kaffe's books are so inspirational. I have some knitting ones. I would love to be in with a chance of winning this one. Thanks for the oppurtunity.

[Kristy]

I share your opinion about his earlier quilting books. I liked them but didn't love them. I love this one!

Thanks for the chance to win!

handmaderetro(at)gmail(dot)com

[Gill]

Have you watched Kaffe's video of his journey around Vietnam and India? "Kaffe's Colour Quest" If you love his books, then you will surely enjoy seeing where his inspiration comes from and observing how he sees things that the rest of us just pass by. Amazing skill!

[Gill]

Sorry, showing my age now...or rather revealing how long I've owned Kaffe's film...it's a DVD now of course!

[kim at allconsuming]

I only started quilting (and sewing in any form) in October last year and very quickly Kaffe Fasset was being bandied around. I was all, what is Kaffe Fasset. It took a while but now, now I get it.

[Kathy]

Please include me in the drawing for the Kaffe Fasset book. Beautiful, beautiful quilts!

[barb]

Count me in. After such a glowing recommendation, how can I pass up this opportunity.
are you quilting along?

[mjb]

I would love this book as inspiration.

[Susan]

Love your blog...and would love this book! Thanks for hosting this drawing.

[Jeanine]

I own some of Kaffe's fabrics but none of his books. I would love a chance to win.

[nanann]

I remember when we (my mom and I) first started seeing Kaffe's fabrics hit Quilt Festival however many years ago and my initial thoughts of them were not very flattering. And then I saw them in quilts, and I fell in love, and now I have a ton of them all stashed up just waiting for me! It is just amazing how they work.

Would love to get hold of this book!

[Alisa]

I'd love to win a copy of this book. I have never owned a Kaffe Fasset book, but I've taken them all out of the library, again and again!

[Amy]

Oh wow, I would love to win this book.
(Hey I'd also like to piece the last Kaffe kit that I own...)

[Cindra]

I have quite a few of the books, but not this one. Well done!

[Erin H.]

This book looks absolutely wonderful - a feast for the creative mind! :) Thanks for the book stop and the chance to win!

[Melissa]

Your collection of Kaffe books is awesome! I only have the quilting one (but not this one!)