"Free-Style Quilts"
A No-Rules Approach
by Susan Carlson

Signed by the Author
8.5 x 11, 96 pages
$23.95 + $4.00 S&H*
Please select "International" shipping for outside the U.S.

*We ship orders within 2 days. Currently the only shipping option is Priority Mail, which delivers in 2-3 days.

Buyer Response | From the Back cover

Review of "Free-Style Quilts" from the March 2001 issue of Threads Magazine.

You might reasonably think, on flipping through Susan CarlsonÕs impressive book, that you'd need to be a pretty accomplished artist, with at least excellent drawing skills, to even attempt what the author is describing, given that her quilts and those of her students are all clearly pictorial, some almost photographically so. In fact, the process she demonstrates could be used for any kind of design. All you have to accept is that you can do beautiful applique, or what Carlson calls "fabric collage," without finishing any edges, and the work shown is ample proof that this is so! In a nutshell, the process is to cut out pieces of fabric in whatever shapes you want, layering and tacking them on a backing fabric with little dabs of glue, until your image is complete, then stitch around all the cut edges with free-motion, straight-stitch machine quilting, stitching through any batting and backing layers you choose to add. Carlson shows how easily you can make complete patterns for all pieces by tracing around shapes from any photo or other flat source material, provides several patterns for you to get started with, and generally covers every aspect of her technique, from initial design play to final finishing, with clear descriptions, extensive process photos, and a "just-jump-in" manner. If you're intrigues with quilted "pictures," or have free-flowing fabric images in your mind's eye that more traditional methods seem unable to handle, this may be just the invitation youÕve been waiting for.

David Coffin is a senior editor of "Threads" magazine.

(c) The Tuanton Press, Inc. Reprinted with permission from issue no. 93 of THREADS magazine, Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506. To order a copy of THREADS, call 1-800-888-8286.

Buyer Response
I have been overwhelmed by the positive response to the book. Here is what some of you are saying:

"Just bought your book this weekend in Sedona and have already read it cover to cover. Thanks for a very interesting book and new take on quilting." --Cheryl A.

"Thank you for this book...it's the first technique book I've ever read cover-to-cover and been so excited about." Cindy W.

"Susan, just wanted you to know that I have been using scraps since I was a child, from braiding rugs to quilts, but never realized it was OK to use glue and not turn the edges under. Thanks for showing me the way. I got your book about 2 wks ago, and have been obsessed with creating ever since. Your work is totally awesome.Everyone who sees my first fish are amazed at how cool it is, so I show them your book." --Jill W.

"I dropped into the local quilt store, saw your book and bought it. I sat down and read it that night, cover to cover!!! What a wonderful gift you have prepared for us. Thank you for taking the time to do this. You have a wonderful gift." --Lynda W.

"I found your book to be very inspirational and I'm glad you spent the time and effort to have it published." --Kay M.

From the Back Cover

Susan Carlson's incredible quilts of underwater landscapes, floral designs, fish, and portraits come to life as she shares her easy, "no-rules" fabric collage technique and shows you how to create your own beautiful free-style quilt designs.

• Includes step-by-step instructions and 3 different patterns for Susan's fish designs, as well as how-to's for making flowers and butterflies.

• No limits, no rules to follow. The technique is fun and easy.

• Using Susan's collage technique, cut fabric shapes freehand or is a pattern, buyilding up layers as you go. Once your design is in place, you're ready to machine quilt.

"You might think only a gifted artist, such as Susan Carlson, could make beautiful collages quilts. Think again. Susan's quilts will inspire you while the student work will encourage you to start immediately." --Wendy Hill, author, quilt artist, teacher

"FABRIC FUN! Susan offers freeing techniques for 'painting with fabric' to create wonderful original designs--fish, flowers, or any other favorites. Now you can buy an use fabrics you once thought would never work. You won't be able to stop with just one!" --Faye Labanaris, quilt artist, teacher, author