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Cindy Grisdela
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Artful Improv: Explore Color Recipes, Building Blocks & Free-Motion Quilting Kindle Edition

by Cindy Grisdela (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 209 ratings
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“Do away with patterns and embrace your creative spirit with this vibrant and fun book.” —Quilting Arts 

With simple design principles, you can create unique improvisational quilts. Without using patterns, learn five easy piecing techniques for your improvisational toolbox (including circles, blocks, and strips), and watch the art unfold before your eyes. Focus on color combos and negative space to discover your personal style—and then add dazzling texture with free-motion quilting.

Also included is information on hanging finished art quilts without a sleeve, plus tried and true improv tips to encourage creative play.
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  1. Print length
    99 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    C&T Publishing
  5. Publication date
    October 1, 2016
  6. File size
    84488 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Do away with patterns and embrace your creative spirit with this vibrant and fun book. Using five piecing techniques and design principles, Cindy Grisdela encourages art through improvisation. Discover your own personal style by playing with negative space and creating color combinations with the use of a color recipe. Creating texture with free-motion quilting, sleeve-free hanging ideas, and other useful tips for art quilting make this book a useful addition to creative quilters' libraries. ― Quilting Arts, December 2016/January 2017

Quilting without a pattern is a no-brainer for some, but a challenge for others. This book offers 'recipes' for working with color, including design principles. Learn how to capitalize on negative space within a quilt using free-motion quilting. In addition, it offers five techniques for improvisational piecing―using angled stripes, circles, curved strips, inset strips and free-form blocks. ― American Quilt Retailer, October 2016

Cindy has put this book together to help inspire you to create your own quilts. She has designs that you can follow but she also gives you the inspiration to create your own. She teaches you simple design principles that help you create your own unique art quilts. She empowers you to let go of rigid rules and to make inspirational quilts. I love the fact she doesn't use precise measurements. This means you are able to create spontaneous designs that are more like art. It's so inspirational that she says it's okay to make mistakes and gives you the support you need to get better and better at making this artful quilts. The free design of the quilts and the idea of just going with it and creating something unique. Making a present is special but making a unique present is something else. Cindy takes you through the whole process and gives you everything you need for you to create your own amazing quilts. I love her use of colours and how you can uses small pieces of material to make an impact on a block of colour. Once you have read the different sections of learning how to design your own quilt, you can then go on to follow some of Cindy's instructions to create different parts of the different designs. Each of the types of design come with step-by-step instructions of how to create them. You can use them to create Cindy's designs or your own. The book is full of inspiration and colour. It's full of beautiful designs and support for you to create your own. ― crochetaddictuk.com, 11/2016

Cindy tends to work with bright fabrics and loves graphic designs and lines in her quilts. This allows for the improv aspect of her quilts to shine. Improv is not new, but for some it can difficult to know where to start. Cindy unlocks helpful design principles that allow the reader some direction as they work, and she also provides information about the mechanics of putting the pieces together so that you get the look you want. By mastering her techniques, you will become more confident in sewing without patterns. Quilting adds another layer of interest and texture, and this aspect is also covered in the book. Even experienced art quilters can use the ideas to experiment with colour and design. ― Down Under Textiles, Issue 25

Permission to play. If you love colour, design, surface stitch – you are in the right place. Explore and enjoy. This book includes chapters on colour, design, improvisation, building blocks, negative space, putting it all together, quilting and finishing. This book is full of fun. If you are feeling adventurous and bold, stop by here now. Gain colour confidence, get to know the principles of design, learn how to improvise. Then go ahead and make your own stunning quilts. Easy to follow ‘teaching sessions' so that you can use your own creativity by learning the processes and adapting them to suit your purpose. Full of fabulous ideas and finished pieces. One of my favourite quilt books fo the year. Superb and highly recommended. ― yarnsandfabrics.co.uk, 12/2/2016

About the Author

Cindy Grisdela is an award-winning fiber artist with over 30 years of experience creating eye-catching quilts. She travels extensively, showing and selling her work, and her quilts have been published in books and magazines. She lives in Reston, Virginia. cindygrisdela.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01LDJ6GFE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ C&T Publishing (October 1, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 84488 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 99 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 209 ratings

About the author

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Cindy Grisdela

Cindy Grisdela

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Cindy Grisdela is an award-winning fiber artist with over 30 years' experience creating eye-catching quilts for the wall. From her studio overlooking a lake in Virginia, Cindy draws inspiration for her contemporary art quilts from the colors and textures she sees outside her window every day, from the pebbles on the path and currents in the water to the wings of birds. She is fascinated with color and likes to use fabric the way a painter might use paint.

Cindy's work has evolved over the years from her start as a traditional quiltmaker to a more modern, improvisational style. She encourages her students to embrace the process of artistic design and let go of the rules to embrace their inner creativity. Not following a pattern means not knowing exactly how a design is going to turn out--anything can happen, and that's exciting!

Cindy travels extensively, teaching, lecturing and showing and selling her work at art shows across the country. For more information, visit Cindy's website and blog at cindygrisdela.com or follow her on Instagram @cindygrisdelaquilts.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
209 global ratings
Perfect for a starter Improv Quilter
5 Stars
Perfect for a starter Improv Quilter
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.
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Top reviews from the United States

MyWNCmtns
5.0 out of 5 stars Improv = Works of Art. Excellent book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
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!
19 people found this helpful
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Pam
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to follow ideas
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2023
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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!
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TOPAZW
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a starter Improv Quilter
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
Verified Purchase
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.
Customer image
TOPAZW
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a starter Improv Quilter
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2024
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.
Images in this review
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Danita Rayhbuck
5.0 out of 5 stars She provides the perfect balance of guided instruction and freedom to create
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
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!!
19 people found this helpful
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dakota rose
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Just what I needed... encouragement via directions and pictures to try new designs and techniques
One person found this helpful
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MelodyAnn
5.0 out of 5 stars Artful Improv
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Came on time. It came as described. Interesting will make quilts from this book.
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Nina
5.0 out of 5 stars . This is the best quilting book I have ever purchased!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
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.
12 people found this helpful
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Book Addict
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos, Easy to Follow Descriptions
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2021
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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.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Meryl Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise instructions with superb photography
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
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
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Colleen Lang
5.0 out of 5 stars Cindy Grisdela's book is inspiring, colourful, well written and a joy to own.
Reviewed in Canada on October 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
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.
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Piccolo
4.0 out of 5 stars gai et colore
Reviewed in France on October 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Correspond à mon attente pour coudre des quilts modernes bien expliqué même si l on ne maitrise pas bien l anglais
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Daria Blandina
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo libro!
Reviewed in Italy on January 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
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!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
Reviewed in Australia on July 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
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.
One person found this helpful
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