The Quilted Garden

"I want to dazzle the viewer," declares Jane Sassaman, "to snap them out of a mundane routine, and remind them that they are a part of a bigger 'cosmic picture.'" Drawing on the soul-satisfying power of nature, she creates gorgeous quilt art filled with sinuous organic forms splashed with vivid color, often grounded dramatically against black. And dazzle she does, not merely through the multitude of exquisite quilts showcased here, but also through her discussions of what inspires her and through exercises that demonstrate what others can do to find and maintain inspiration at home and in the garden, from establishing a creative workspace to understanding various elements of design, even learning new ways of seeing. Quilters aren't the only ones who can benefit from Sassaman's wisdom; artists in other mediums can learn much from her, too. --Amy Handy

• Patchwork Sassaman Style: Recipes for Dazzling Quilts
• Color My Garden: 50 Illustrations to Color and Inspire Based on Jane's Textile Archives
• The Intentional Thread: A Guide to Drawing, Gesture, and Color in Stitch
• Kaffe Fassett's Sew Simple Quilts & Patchworks: 17 Designs Using Kaffe Fassett's Artisan Fabrics
• Carol Doak's Foundation Paper
• Organic Appliqué: Creative Hand-Stitching Ideas and Techniques
• It's Sew Emma ISE-931 ISE931 Farm Girl Vintage 2 Bk, None
• Pellon Shape-Flex Woven Interfacing-15 X2 Yards
• Pellon ShirTailor Firm fusible interfacing for Crisp Collars & Cuffs, White
• Inspiring Improv: Explore Creative Piecing with Curves, Strips, Slabs and More