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Go back to books  I am excited Patchwork Persuasion is finally in print! It has been waiting in the wings for a very long time, as it has been on my "to write" list for C & T since 1991. The ideas for Patchwork Persuasion began in the late 1970s. It was then I began paying closer attention to the traditional block patterns I chose for my quilts. Whenever I became disappointed in the results of my quilts, I tried to assess the reasons for my dissatisfaction. I found there was not only an art to block selection, but there were many exciting options to play with in order to enhance the block designs. In those early days I had more ideas, drawings, and in-progress projects than I could manage. I never caught up with myself as commissions for landscapes quilts seemed to take over my life. So sharing these concepts in a class seemed like a great idea. In 1984 I began organizing my ideas and writing my first of many lesson plans. Thus the workshop Stretching Traditions was born, and it was ready to be offered as a workshop in 1985. The book Patchwork Persuasion is based on the concepts I teach in the workshop Stretching Traditions. Chapter One---Setting the Stage is a brief summary and review of important details we should be aware of before beginning our quilts. These ideas are found in more detail in the earlier books The Visual Dance and The Magical Effects of Color. However, I felt this information was too important not to include as a review in Patchwork Persuasion. Chapter Two---Enhancing One-Block Designs relates to creating quilts using a traditional one-block pattern. Information includes how to assess a block’s personality characteristics. Using colors and fabrics creatively, creating unrelated designs with a traditional block, setting blocks diagonally, and planning for border application are all presented in this chapter. Over the years quiltmakers have combined two different blocks to make new, more interesting quilt patterns. The results can be dynamic, if blocks are well paired. One of the most important considerations when combining blocks is to choose patterns, which are compatible in their makeup. To be harmonious the blocks must come from the same family roots. Although there are several methods to bring different blocks together, my two favorite ways are blending and merging. Each has the capability to create wonderful original designs. Chapter Three, Superb Block Marriages---Blends and Merges gives detailed information about choosing blocks and designing quilts with these two-block combinations. Some of my early disappointing experiences allowed me to see that a pattern may be enhanced with a little help from a pencil or eraser. Eventually I realized a pattern could be changed even for fun---just to create new design possibilities. Chapter Four, Wonder Blocks with Moving Parts, presents ideas for changing a block’s internal parts to add interest or beauty, or to explore intriguing design possibilities. A few suggestions are extraordinarily simple, yet they can be significantly effective. Others involve a bit more challenge. Ideas presented in this chapter include adding lines, de-emphasizing pattern pieces, eliminating lines, removing block sections, and rotating block parts. Chapter Five, Making the Block Design More Flexible presents ways to explore changing the block externally to promote new design opportunities. These ideas include rotating blocks, dropping blocks, varying the blocks’ sizes, staggering blocks, floating blocks, and moving one block into another block’s space. A few options are closely related; their differences are subtle. Combining any one of these ideas with your own personal flair should result in interesting outcomes. Your block or groups of blocks can be treated much like an elastic band, bubble gum, or shrink art. With an easy change of the grid lines you can create fascinating block play by allowing each block to stretch or squeeze itself. The overall effect can evoke unbelievable illusions. The options are limitless; the designs are exciting. Chapter Six---Fascinating Block Contortions---Stretching and Squeezing will help you enjoy working with block patterns that so willingly contort into magnificent quilt designs. Many traditional patterns continue to be popular after generations of use. We are seeing numerous quilters use traditional patterns as a jumping-off point to their own creative adventures. The results are wonderful. Since we have hundreds of traditional patterns available to us, why not use some of these designs as inspirations for your own exploration or interpretation? To whet your appetite and get you into the mood, Chapter Seven---Old-Time Favorites Forging New Paths presents several quiltmakers and their innovative quilts. Perhaps you will be compelled to explore one or more of these traditional favorites in your own way. I hope the quilts presented in this chapter will start your own imaginative juices stirring so you may create show-stopper quilts of your own. Each of us has the capability to create unique and beautiful quilts once we are in tune with our own individual style. Admittedly, it takes courage to take those first creative steps. Initially, most of us are petrified we may fail. This fear of failure keeps many people from experimenting on their own. Chapter Eight---Taking a Creative Leap---Planting a Seed; Watching It Grow is included for those of you who wish to expand your creative designing. Ideas for furthering your creating options are presented. A few contemporary quiltmakers and their quilts are presented to whet your creative appetite. Lastly, there are five pages of illustrations showing quilt settings using simple block play. These pages are design to show you how blocks look when placed either in a traditional setting or with one of the easy concepts presented in Patchwork Persuasion. It has been my goal to make Patchwork Persuasion a reader-friendly book with a multitude of ideas, supported by well-sequenced, colorful illustrations. I am exceptionally excited to offer this book as a resource companion to all quilters who are looking for ways to create unique quilts based on traditional block patterns. There are over 200 color illustrations and 100 quilt photos included. Eighteen activities are presented for your enjoyment. Additionally, I hope those of you who are teachers will be excited to create classes based on this book’s concepts. Each chapter can be worked into a class. Some chapters have several concepts, which can be divided into individual classes. Also, some of you may wish to use this book as a resource for a long-term class. I am eager to have you use this book as a class resource. I have written detailed lesson plans for each chapter. If you would like a copy of these lesson plans, please call C & T to request them (1-800-284-1114). There is no cost for these lesson plans. Again, I hope the concepts in Patchwork Persuasion excite and energize you into creating wonderful, fascinating quilts. Read, enjoy, and create! Joen BOOK REVIEWS for PATCHWORK PERSUASION 1. Reviewed by Phyllis Barbieri in TRADITIONAL QUILTER, September 1997 "For those of you who are in the middle of using Harriet Hargrave’s tests on your stash of fabrics and wondering what to do in the meantime, have we got a book for you! Joen Wolfrom was profiled in TQ in 1994. Those of you who remember that interview will also remember Joen’s fantastic quilts. Have you ever pieced together a very traditional block on block quilt, only to discover that everything somehow ran together in the primary and secondary designs? (The primary design is the block itself, such as Bear’s Paw or Hole in the Barn. The secondary design is where the blocks meet to form another design altogether.) I have! It is not a happy surprise. I always assumed that it was my poor choice of colors. That may well have played a part, but only a part. Joen has separated and defined block placement. I am not talking about sashing. I am talking about placement and count for blocks, both horizontally and vertically, as discussed in her chapter “Enhancing One block Designs.” After I read this chapter, I knew immediately what had been the truly major part of my problem. The chapter “Superb Block Marriages” covers how to pick and use a second block for a dynamite quilt. “Wonder Blocks with Moving Parts” instructs us on how to add or remove lines from a pattern or even remove parts of the block. This is a fun chapter that demonstrates how to play with design in a very nonthreatening way. “Making the Block Design More Flexible” is an exercise in dropping blocks and changing block sizes, moving one block pattern into another block---a very exciting chapter indeed. From there, Joen shows us how to stretch and squeeze blocks as well as forge new paths with old favorites, culminating with “The Creative Leap.” At the end of each chapter, Joen offers a work assignment called “Activities and Extended Learning.” This is an opportunity for readers to put into practice what they have just learned from a chapter. All in al, this is a superb workbook for creative design from traditional blocks. It is done in a cohesive, easily understood step-by-step manner with hundreds of color photos. What’s more, it is a real page turner. You cannot wait to get to the next chapter to see what more can be done with blocks! Perhaps what is best about this book is that you never doubt that you can do what you are reading. Congratulations Joen and C & T on an outstanding book! I highly recommend it to quilters from beginner to advanced." 2. As reviewed in PIECEFULLY YOURS NEWSLETTER, September/October 1997 “This extraordinary book is a natural sequel to Joen Wolfrom’s best selling The Visual Dance. Joen shows you how to alter traditional patterns and create your own original designs. The ideas on block settings will excite you and start you in new directions. Her “A Gallery of Creative Inspiration” and “A Gallery of Joyful Innovation” will get you in the right mind set, but “Taking a Creative Leap---Planting a Seed; Watching It Grow” will give you the start or the inspiration that you need. An excellent resource for quiltmakers of all skill levels; an invaluable reference for quilting instructors.” 3. As reviewed in QUILTER’S NEWSLETTER MAGAZINE, September 1997 “Joen started developing ideas for her book in the late 1970s. “I began paying closer attention to the block patterns I chose for my quilts” she says. “Whenever I became disappointed, I tried to assess the reasons. I found there was an art to block selection and eventually I gained enough courage and experience to make other determinations about block interaction and overall settings.” Patchwork Persuasion is a compilation of Joen’s observations on block design. Subjects include enhancing one-block designs, blending and merging blocks, blocks with moving parts, and altering traditional favorites. More than 200 color illustrations and 100 quilt photos effectively demonstrate her ideas. This book will be helpful for those who want to persnalize commercial patterns or design their own quilts made from blocks…” B.S. 4. Reviewed by Patricia Bamford-Merewether in COUNTRY FOLK ART, November 1997 “A quilting friend once watched me struggle with a watercolor painting. I was not happy with the effect I thought I wanted. Nancy commented, “That’s why I paint with fabric.” Indeed she does, and she does it well. Patchwork Persuasion by Joen Wolfrom shows in detail how to create such works of fabric art. She begins with a section titled “A Gallery of Creative Inspiration,” and it definitely inspires. This chapter includes more than 20 color photos of a wide variety of breathtaking quilts. Represented are conservative classic designs, such as Koinonia Garden” by Arlene Stamper of San Diego, and includes a warm wonderful visit to the seaside called “Bethany Beach” by Beth Gilbert of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Many other quilt photos are presented throughout this book, including my all time favorite, “In Praise of Poppies,” by Emilie Belak of Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada. You have to see this quilt to thoroughly appreciate it. Words cannot describe its depth and beauty. It uses quilting, embroidery and a wonderful sense of color. The three-dimensional effect of the vibrant red poppies is a cause for wonder. Wolfrom provides inspiration and very practical instructions for folks wishing to “paint” their own masterpiece. Grids and drawings help the rank beginner and the seasoned veteran perfect their craft. The author coaxes and nurtures readers in to stretching their wings, taking risks and testing their courage to use shape and color in new ways. This book inspires, challenges and educates, all at the same time, and it would make a cherished addition to any quilter’s library.” 5. As reviewed in The Scrapbook – Newsletter, THE ETOBICOKE QUILTERS GUILD, Canada, September/October 1997 “An excellent book for quilters who enjoy making traditional patchwork blocks but would like to make their quilts more contemporary. Dozens of new design ideas for altering traditional blocks are clearly described and illustrated. Over 100 quilts by quilters from many countries, including Canada, are showcased in full colour.” 6. Reviewed by Bets Ramsey in her column The Quilter #856 in THE CHATTANOOGA TIMES, June 5, 1997 “If you prefer traditional quilt patterns, you will profit from Patchwork Persuasion by Joen Wolfrom. The old favorites are here, but they have been given new life by shifts of color, changed value, matched with a second block, and so on. Dozens of illustrations and photos of actual quilts allow you to see how it can be done. This is an excellent book, rich with ideas and practical suggestions.” 7. As reviewed in PATCHWORK QUILTS, October 1997 “All quilters can create dynamic, imaginative quilts using Joen’s block enhancement ideas. Change blocks by adding or eliminating design lines, removing block sections, rotating, staggering or floating blocks. Stretching, squeezing, blending, merging---these block manipulations can be simple or complex. Inspiration is the name of the game with this book. Over 200 color illustrations, 18 activities, and photos of over 100 quilts.” Go back to books |