Artful Improv: Explore Color Recipes, Building Blocks & Free-Motion Quilting

I really enjoy Cindy's approach to improvisational quilting. She has a helpful and encouraging tone throughout the book. The book leads you through fundamental principles of design and color as well as addresses practical logistics of organization and a design wall. She discusses color principles and provides guiding questions as you make color choices while not being overly prescriptive and includes a "anything goes" color option. Much freedom to choose how you want to express yourself. With everything she discusses, she provides great examples of her principles by showing her own quilts. The Kindle version is just fine but if I had to do it again, I'd spring for the paperback version. I find myself scrolling to next page to see the quilt and then skipping back to re-read what she wrote. I think having the physical book in my quilting area would help me use it more as a reference particularly the "Questions to Ask" that she recommends when you're evaluating your improv design work. You can get a good sense of the writing style in the "Look Inside" feature. The book isn't full of artistic fluff - I can read it quickly and get the points I need. I love that. Also if you want to get a sense of Cindy's improv style, she's on Instagram as @cindygrisdelaquilts. I find this helps me decide if I find an artist's overall aesthetic to be appealing to me. Cindy's use of color drew me in immediately. Highly recommend!

This book helped me transition from the traditional designs to rethinking my intentions. I prefer to make bed sized quilts, but there are great instructions on how to make ones that hand on the wall!

I took Cindy's class at Quilt Fest in Hampton, and learned a lot. I wanted to continue with the techniques I'd learn so I purchased her books.I needed this book as it has the color recipes in it so you'll know which colors to bump up against each other, and add contrast for a flicker of flare and even a conversation or two about your techniques used.I recommend this book for anyone that needs help with color and building your quilt blocks.

Came on time. It came as described. Interesting will make quilts from this book.

Just what I needed... encouragement via directions and pictures to try new designs and techniques

This is a uniquely inspirational book that Cindy has so exquisitely brought forth from her years of sewing creativity. You cannot help but be inspired as you read through her own journey of quilting and the depth that she portrays through her own stunning designs. .She inspires you to experiment with textures, shapes, colors and lines as you find your own creative way. There is a real sense of play and improvisation as you are encouraged to trust your own instincts. She provides the perfect balance of guided instruction and freedom to create. A must have for all quilters!!

I’ve been quilting for many many years but I’m tired of the old patterns and wanted to move into improv quilting. I tried on my own and made a mess of it. I just didn’t know how to start. I absolutely love this book. She is extremely detailed and takes you step-by-step through the process, answering every question I had. She teaches you elements of design, how to put colors together, how to use and organize your scraps, and even how to quilt using free motion quilting or handstitching and how hang them. Very happy with it as now I know how to begin and move through this new process.

There's a complete class in this book. Love the "what if" questions and encouragement to try different things. Given freedom to explore your "improv" choices.

The accessible writing style together with the excellent visual images made this book both user friendly and inspirational. A new approach to piecing which made the reader want to rush to try this themselves

The book has many, many amazing pictures of her work and she leads you through the journey of the many facets of her quilt making expertise, from preparation, through the elements of design, to completion. Her style is easy to understand and fun to read. I love her creativity and I am so inspired to make my own quilts.

Correspond à mon attente pour coudre des quilts modernes bien expliqué même si l on ne maitrise pas bien l anglais

Ottimo libro sul patchwork improv, ottimo per principianti ma anche per chi lo sa gia fare. Sempre interessanti i capitoli sul colore e sul design, da leggere prima di iniziare qualsiasi lavoro!

This is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn about the concepts of modern patchwork and quilting the improv way. Cindy's use of colour, design and technique are very inspiring. I can see myself often referring to this book and can't wait to start quilting with this book as my inspiration.