Circles of The East : Quilt Designs from Ancient Japanese Family Crests

As a highly skilled fiber artist raised and trained in Japan but residing in the United States for the past decade and a half, Kumiko Sudo brings an interesting combination of Eastern and Western sensibilities to her work. She draws on the ancient Japanese motif of the kamon, or family crest, utilizing these varied designs as the basis for a collection of one-of-a-kind quilts. Yet she fashions them out of materials that, though they have a very Japanese flavor, are actually contemporary American fabrics (and therefore easily approximated by modern stitchers). She provides color photos, setting diagrams, brief basic instructions, and full templates for 30 gorgeous quilt blocks. Quilters seeking a vibrant new take on the traditional Western quilt block should enjoy making these lovely designs. --Amy Handy