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Learn traditional quilting techniques to create contemporary-style projects with Simple Contemporary Quilts. A talented roster of designers have created a collection of stunning quilts for beginners. Beginners can learn quilting by making 20 beautiful projects with a modern approach. These designs ranging from small wall hangings to bed quilts offer a fresh look at a timeless craft.

1000+ Books & Magazines Index

Cover Simple Contemporary Quilts

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Simple Contemporary Quilts
Bold New Designs For The First-Time Quilter

Author: Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader
Pages: 128
Page size: 9" x 10 1/2"
Publisher: Lark Books
Cover: Hard
Item Code: 4L0249
Weight: 1.65 lbs.

20% off: $19.96
MSRP: $~~24.95~~

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Back Cover Information

A talented roster of designers has created a collection of stunning quilts featuring a bold, contemporary aesthetic for beginners. Make big blocks and appliques that create visual impact and let you work on a scale which saves time, play with free-form designs, use raw edges that "bloom" through use and repeated launderings and so much more.

About the Designers

Niki Bonnett holds a B.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of design. After a long career in a graphic design, she became a full-time artist in 1993.

Rachel Fields has sewn since taking a home economics class in high school, but has concentrated on making clothes.

Dianne Firth made her first traditional quilt for a bed in the early 1980s. Many of her works are informed by her observations of the environment and her training as a landscape architect.

Xavora Fisher was born in Suriname, South America, and started Xaboke Organics in 2002. A self-taught quilter and designer of children's boutique wear, she creates each piece with individuality and comfort in mind.

Wendi Gratz skipped home economics in favor of wood and metal shop, so she didn't learn to use a sewing machine until college.

Amy Karol started sewing at age three, upon high school graduation she received her own sewing machine, the same one she uses today. Her quilts show around the United States in various shops and galleries.

The sewing machine was a fixture in Hillary Lang's life after a home economics class in middle school. She is a stay-at-home mom and is able to fully dedicate herself to sewing and designing. Her work is strongly influenced by children's book illustration and vintage toys.

Shari Lidji lives in Dallas, Texas, where she works out of her Red Llama Studio. Inspired by family and a job as a graphic designer, she brings her love of art and color to each quilt.

Joan K. Morris's artistic endeavors have led her down many successful creative paths, including costume design for motion pictures and ceramics. Joan has contributed projects for numerous Lark books.

Table of Contents
Introduction	8
Basics	10
Quilt Materials	10
Basic Tools & Supplies	12
Other Tools & Supplies	14
Planning a Bed Quilt	15
Planning an Art Quilt	16
Essential Machine Sewing Techniques	17
Essential Hand Sewing Techniques	21
Essential Quilt Assembly Techniques	22
The Quilts	26
Sparrow	28
Flicka	32
The Square Root of Yin and Yang	36
Space Age Lounge	40
Tumbling Leaves	44
Easy Chenille	48
Retro Sashiko	53
Wild Zebra	56
For Baby	60
Zoe's Deep Blue	66
Martini Dot	72
Dancing Squares	76
Flowers	82
Crop Circles	86
Sea Moods	90
Brocade on Parade	94
Constellations	98
Two Trees	102
Little Hills	106
Bold Chintz	112
Templates	120
About the Designers	127
Acknowledgments	128
Index	128

Bold Chintz

Little Hills

Two Trees

Constellations

Crop Circles

Flowers
Flowers and Martini Dot

Zoe's Deep Blue and For Baby

Sparrow
Easy Chenille and Sparrow

Flicka
Flicka

1000+ Books & Magazines Index

Contemporary Design Techniques & Ideas for Repeating Designs & Block Variations

Single Block Ideas with Design Variations	9-Patch Pizzaz by Judy Sisneros	Dresden Plate New Quilts from Old Favorites MAQS Exhibit	Puzzle Quilts by Paula Nadelstern	Monkey Wrench New Quilts From Old Favorites MAQS Exhibit
	New Quilts From an Old Favorite Contest Double Wedding Ring, Log Cabin, Ohio Star MAQS Exhibit	Seven Sisters New Quilts from Old Favorites MAQS Exhibit	Simple Contemporary Quilts by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader	StrataVarious Quilts by Barbara Persing and Mary Hoover

Design using Perspective & Adding Illusions

3-D Explosion
by Cara Gulati

Easy Pieces
by Margaret M. Miller

Optical Illusions for Quilters
by Karen Combs

Shifting Perspective
by Lorraine Torrence

Smashing Sets
by Margaret J. Miller

Linear Lines Design Influences	Creative Fabric Weaving by Julie Higgins	Dancing Quilts by Debbie Bowles	A New Twist on Strips 'n Curves by Louisa L. Smith	Quilted One Block Marvels by Carolyn Sullivan
	The Quilter's Book of Design by Ann Johnston	Ricky Tims' Convergence Quilts	Thinking Outside the Block by Sandi Cummings with Karen Flamme

Quilt Designs using Contemporary Curves	A New Twist on Strips 'n Curves by Louisa L. Smith	Blendable Curves by Peggy L. Barkle	Dresden Plate New Quilts from Old Favorites MAQS Exhibit	Easy Bias Curves by Wendy Hill
Foolproof Curves by Barbara Barber	Free & Eazy Circles by Jan Mullen	Free Expressions by Robbi Joy Eklow	Journey of an Art Quilter by Barbara Olsen	Oxymorons Absurdly Logical Quilts! by The Renegades Sold Out
Piec-Lique by Sharon Schamber	Pieced Curves So Simple by Dale Fleming	Quilters Playtime by Dianne S. Hire	Quilting by Improvisation by Vikki Pignatelli	Simply Stunning Woven Quilts by Anna Faustino