Celtic Quilting

Written by Gail Lawther
Photography by Di Lewis
Published by David & Charles

If you’re a quilter, interested in Celtic design, or a fibre artist looking to expand your current style, then Celtic Quilting just might be the book for you. Covering a wide variety of quilting styles and kinds of quilts, it is both flexible and inspirational, without overwhelming readers with the intricacy of some traditional Celtic patterns.

The book begins with an introduction to the art of quilting and how it relates to the Celtic aesthetic. The author also covers the basics of knot designs and a bit about the different kinds of quilting techniques included, such as sashiko and trapunto. There’s also a nicely lengthy section on Celtic design inspiration, including an in-depth look at the various symbols of Celtic design, such as spirals, knotwork, and zoomorphic imagery. Finally, the introduction looks at the materials and equipment of quilting, as well as the basic techniques you will need to work through these projects. After reading this introduction, you will be well-prepared for the projects to follow.

The projects, for their part, are organized by type. There are wholecloth, applique, trapunto, patchwork, and sashiko projects, each type having five projects, for a very respectable total of twenty-five projects. Each project is introduced, and then the final dimensions of the project are provided--a very useful touch often overlooked by craft book writers. After the list of materials, Lawther delves right into the steps. Many projects are also accompanied by variations, and they all have patterns and tips. The only problem here is that each step is not photographed, though given the number of steps in many of these projects, space was undoubtedly a concern. When necessary, the project patterns are accompanied by photocopying instructions, such as “enlarge 205%.” Examples of the projects are a wholecloth knotwork pram quilt, a trapunto herb pillow, and a sashiko geometric tablecloth. The variety is quite astonishing and gratifying.

The instruction in the book is very clear and concise, without skipping anything. Lawther makes sure to include those steps that experience crafters often admit, as these actions have become second nature and are easily overlooked. Lawther, on the other hand, is sensitive to the needs of new quilters and remembers those things that a lesser writer might forget to include. Accompanied by Lewis’ fine photography, each project is inspirational and motivational.

Overall, Celtic Quilting is a marvelous addition to the library of any quilter, or just anyone who wants to create works with a Celtic flair. The instructions are most suitable for people who have completed at least one or two quilts already, but new quilters will be able to muddle through with a bit more time and patience. Even if you only flip through its pages for inspiration or use the knotwork pattern library at the back of the book, it's a wonderful volume. No matter what kind of project you’re looking for, from a bed quilt to a tea cozy, you’ll find something wonderful here. Beautifully photographed and well-written, the book will be a treasured and oft-used quilting book for years to come.

Grade: A

Review submitted by Dindrane