Wanderlust Quilts: 10 Modern Projects Inspired by Classic Art & Architecture

by Amanda Leins

Overview

Archaeology and crafts combine with these modern quilt and pillow projects inspired by classic art and architecture from around the world.

Travel the world without leaving your studio! Tour ancient Greece, Rome, and Israel by way of 10 modern quilts designed from classical art and architecture, while you savor the stories and photos that inspired them. Infused with the mystery of the past, these timeless projects will help you grow as a quilter and move beyond the basics. Explore advanced techniques, including curved piecing, Y-seams, scalloped binding, and more.

“Leins creatively pays homage to the aqueducts of the Coliseum, the inner dome of the Pantheon, or the cobblestones on a street…“Flowing Fabric” honors the caryatids on the Erectheum; “Layered Conversations” draws on heaps in old urban landscapes. Lein’s goals include showing that people all over the world, then and now, exploit “the same language of pattern,” including catenary arches, herringbones, and squares within squares.”—Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617450600
Publisher:	C & T Publishing
Publication date:	08/04/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	51 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Amanda Leins traveled the world while studying for a PhD in classical archaeology before she married her love in New York. Her quilting journey incorporates family traditions, modern and traditional techniques, and ancient and contemporary histories. She lives in New York. mandalei.com

Table of Contents

Dedication
Introduction
With Heartfelt Thanks
Eggs and Darts
Special Technique: Discussion of Design Elements
Aqueducts
Special Technique: Piecing Half-circles
Architectural Sketch
Special Technique: Turn Your Photos or Sketches into a Quilt
Flowing Fabric
Special Techniques: Improv Piecing, Scalloped Binding, and a Quick Color Lesson
Going Places
Special Techniques: Improv and Strip Piecing
Layered Conversations
Special Technique: Building Out from a Central Core and Faced Finishing
Temple Steps
Special Techniques: Nesting Seams and Precise Placement
Tessellation
Special Techniques: Using Hue and Value and Sewing Y-Seams
Mosaic Pillows
Special Techniques: Making Pillows and Sewing Mitered Corners
Lovely Fishbourne
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

08/03/2015
Leins studied to be an archeologist before turning to quilting, moving from ancient fabrications to modern fabrics. This book of 10 projects—including bed covers, runners, and pillows—is inspired by ancient architecture. Leins creatively pays homage to the aqueducts of the Coliseum, the inner dome of the Pantheon, or the cobblestones on a street; if it weren’t for the photographs and explanations of the original sources, it might be difficult to see how Leins developed each design, but a comparative look between the rock-hard origin and her soft product immediately clarifies the links. “Flowing Fabric” honors the caryatids on the Erectheum; “Layered Conversations” draws on heaps in old urban landscapes. Leins’s goals include showing that people all over the world, then and now, exploit “the same language of pattern,” including catenary arches, herringbones, and squares within squares. The book includes two pull-out patterns in addition to the detailed instructions and experienced tips. The long-arm quilting on her designs is exquisite but presented without comment. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Keep out the cold with one of Amanda Leins’ 12 beautiful ‘wanderlust’ quilts, inspired by classic art and architecture from her travels. Archaeology expert Amanda’s interpretations of structures and images are bold and creative – and we love them!

February 2016 Pretty Patches

Cross an archeologist with a longarm quilter and you'll et this beautiful new book by Amanda Leins where the quilts are inspired by classical architecture. (And they may or may not be square.) There is a bit of history, both personal and of the world, which sucks you in like a child sitting at the knee of a grandparent.
This pattern book/travel journal hybrid has gorgeous photos of far-off places and times that instantly show where Mandy got her inspiration. And you are in awe of the depth of talent in her soul.
While we may be awestruck by her patterns, she breaks down the design in easy steps. Newbies will love Mosaic Pillows, while advanced quilters can up their game with Going Places. (Oh my!) She describes the steps in the Theater of Dionysus by saying "gracefulness is visible in what remains." Well, et tu, Mandy!

November/December 2015 Generation Q

As the title suggests, this new title from C&T Publishing features 10 quilt and pillow projects that take their inspiration from classical art, design, and architecture. Author Leins has combined her love of world travel and archaeological studies to create designs with a global yet timeless feel. Also included are the stories and photos that inspired each project, as well as tips and techniques for improvisational piecing, creating a scalloped binding, and transforming a sketch into a quilt design.

September 2015 Quilts eInsider

09/15/2015
Quilting blogger Leins has a background in archaeology, and her first book-length collection of quilt patterns draws its inspiration from the art and architecture of the ancient world. Many of the hallmarks of modern quilting are featured, including asymmetry, creative use of solids, bold color choices, and improvisational technique. Some quilts are even more experimental, such as "Flowing Fabric," inspired by the draped garments on a classical sculpture, which resembles a wing with its scalloped edge, and "Going Places," influenced by the clamshell pattern of a European cobblestone street. Leins also works with traditional piecing, used to great effect in the courthouse steps-style "Layered Conversations," with its echoing colored strips. Several projects showcase Leins's longarm quilting skills, with elaborate motifs filling the abundant negative space. A variety of techniques are used, including appliqué, curved piecing, Y-seams, and improvisational piecing. The directions are thorough, and tips and diagrams are provided throughout. VERDICT There's a glut of modern quilting books out there, but Leins's eye for detail and clever construction makes this one stand out.

Library Journal