Harmonies & Hurricanes : Color and Line in Japanese Quilts

The 24 sensational quilts demonstrate Kumiko's incredible range. Her brilliant, bold colors--reminiscent of the striking colors found in a Japanese kimono--capture the spirit of imperial Japan, while her use of delicate shades and intricate patterns remind the reader of the tranquillity of Japanese gardens. She describes how she uses color and line to explore themes, to create context, and, ultimately, to jolt a response from her viewers. Features include 10 all-new quilt patterns with step-by-step instructions and guidance on color choices and fabric analysis.

Uniting the riotous colors of kimono silks with age-old Japanese motifs, acclaimed quilt artist Kumiko Sudo adds her own unique way with design to produce exceptional, eye-catching quilts. Inspired by such traditional themes as the sea, Kabuki and Noh theatre, cherry blossoms, and the imperial court, Sudo's explosive quilts are at once dynamic and serene, imbued with a paradoxical balance of tranquility and chaos, calmness and vibrancy--harmony and hurricanes. The artist meditates on the imaginative origins of each quilt, and along with color photos of her creations, she treats us to pattern diagrams, templates, and brief instructions for seven of her extraordinary quilts. --Amy Handy