Quilted Planet: A Sourcebook of Quilts from Around the World

Quilted Planet celebrates the evolution of a beloved folk art in America and around the world, displaying the eclectic influences that are present in today’s modern quilt designs. Gorgeously illustrated with more than 200 original examples from six continents, this cornucopia of quilting styles is an inspirational reference for historians, crafters, and quilters alike.

Never has it been more evident that quilting is the most culturally rich folk art being practiced today. From the earliest known quilt found in a Scythian chieftain’s tomb near Mongolia (circa 100 B.C. to 200 A.D.) to the hybrid designs of international contemporary works, quilting has mirrored the traditions, lifestyles, and social attitudes of people around the world for thousands of years. Quilted Planet celebrates the versatility of this timeless art form and what it has meant to various cultures by showcasing a wide range of quilt styles and techniques from across the globe.

As she delves into a cornucopia of eclectic quilting styles, Celia Eddy looks at how patchwork and quilting traditions have evolved independently by showcasing methods unique to regions from six continents. She also takes a close look at how these historical techniques are echoed continuously in the work of today’s quilt artists, demonstrating this art form’s enduring influence on contemporary textile arts. More than forty original techniques are highlighted, including those from the United States, Japan, India, Egypt, England, Ireland, France, and Sweden, each with a brief account of the history of specific quilting traditions, methods, and styles. Quilted Planet also includes explanations of the methods and techniques particular to certain regions, including French boutis, Victorian crazy patchwork, and Japanese sashiko, providing quilters with endless new ideas to experiment with and incorporate into their own work.

A gallery of contemporary quilts shows how modern-day artists transcend geographical borders in their use of new materials and techniques that superbly reiterate traditions of the past. With a comprehensive bibliography, exhaustive list of resources, and an introduction to basic techniques, Quilted Planet is the ideal reference and inspiration source for crafters, collectors, and historians alike.