One of the fabulous things about visiting TFQ is the plethora of books and magazines in which I can indulge and explore. This trip is no exception. She had a bunch of magazines and books for me toperuse. I already talked about some of the books and look for a review of Pat Sloan‘s color book, which was new to me. By the way, Pat has some Aurifil thread boxes shown on one of her recent blog posts. Really cool looking.
I tried to resist reviewing the magazines, but was unsuccessful. I am so disappointed in the recent quilts and projects and COLORS shown in fall and winter issues of some magazines.
One thing is the colors that dominant the issues. Grim. Grim. Grim. I love Fall. When I was out and about yesterday and the day before I noticed the GORGEOUS colors of the leaves on the ground.
Does this look grim to you? Not to me. Look at all that yellow! Look at those dashes of red. Yes, there is black moldy yuck on the bottom, but imagine a cool black and white print for that bit of a quilt.
The first magazine I looked at was the Quilt Sampler. This magazine has an interesting concept, because they introduce readers to quilt shops all over the country. You probably knew that. Using this magazine, I found a great shop in Virginia I could visit while I was back east last year.
This issue, however, is grim… lots of brown, taupe, beige, olive green. Bleah. Not what I need as the sky turns grey and the days get shorter. Yes, there is a pink project and a cool blue quilt pattern as well as color options with lime and yellow. The overall feeling of the issue is brown.
The cover of the new Fons and Porter magazine has a very interesting block. The center block below is rich and complex.
The color option on the inside is even better: black setting triangles with a combination of white, lime and pink.
The rest of the magazine, barring two redeeming articles, has grim colors and uninspiring projects. TFQ made some good points when we were discussing the issue of ‘grim’:
1. There are people who find these projects inspiring (if you are out there, I want you to let me know why you love these colors and projects, because I want to learn!)
2. If a magazine publishes a simple project, they cannot add a more complex variation without giving the impression that the simpler option is lesser. If they suggest that a reader is not up to the challenge of the harder version, they will lose readers. Another excellent point.
3. There are lots of projects for beginning quiltmakers and not much in the magazine arena for more advanced people. We are a hard lot to pin down, because of our experience. The magazines are in the business of selling magazines, fabric, tools and kits. They are not in the business of making me happy.
4. It is hard for some people, and I have to catch myself at this, to imagine a quilt pattern in different color ways.
The two articles in the Nov/Dec issue of Fons and Porter that I liked were Gerald Roy’s column discussing antique quilts. This issue has a discussion of a few 9patches. One of them is yellow and blue with neon oranges centers and background set in a Streak of Lightning type set. FABULOUS! I would buy a book of his columns from this magazine. I think they are great!
There is also a column called Art of Quilting by Kirsten Rohrs Schmitt called Vintage Vehicles. No patterns, just a discussion of a variety of different quilts depicting vintage cars and motor cycles. One quilt, by Tracey Pereira called the Mini Job (click on the link and see it on her website). It is done on a longarm with thread and then colored with Derwent Inktense coloring pencils. I was really interested to read about that process!
There is a pattern in this issue for an 8 pointed star quilt in Coral Gables Christmas colors (aqua and pink). Not grim.
Reader question: what quilt magazines do you like and why?
Finally, TFQ had the Fall 2009 issue of Quilts & More. The first time I saw this magazine, a few years ago, I found the colors fresh and cheerful. Since that first experience I have picked it up at the store to make the bags pictured and to be inspired by the quilts and colors. This particular issue: grim.
Granted, Q&M is less grim than the others and it has some interesting things to look at such as the yo-yo pillow and the Triple Play pillow article, but, again, the colors are just not me. TFQ bought it because of the Daisy Dazzler tote bag pattern, which I also like.
Reader question #2: OK, readers, I, obviously, need an attitude adjustment about the lumpy colors, so tell me what you enjoy about browns and their cousins, beige, taupe, olive, natural, tan, etc. Do these colors make you feel cheerful and if so, why?
I just wanted to say ‘thanks’ for listing my prompts lens on your “Creative Prompts Inspiration Page”.
Thanks!
Best wishes
You are welcome!
#1. I liked Quilting Arts for a while but I found I didn’t have interest in 75% of the magazine articles so I dropped it. I will buy it on occasion though, just because I think it is a classy magazine or because I see it has a technique article that DOES interest me.
I liked Quilter’s Home at first. It was fresh and different! Mark is a hoot. After a while though, I also lost interest. I haven’t seen the new issue without Mark and don’t know if I will keep that subscription or not.
Fon’s and Porter’s magazine is one I would consider getting again. I like having lots of ideas for traditional quilts and projects and have just found I enjoyed their magazine.
For the same reason, I like buying some of the Better Homes and Gardens special issues. Just for the inspiration aspects of it, it often finds a spot in my grocery basket. I have not liked McCall’s special quilting issues. No particular reason…I just haven’t liked them.
I liked Quilter’s Newsletter when it came out for eleven months a year. It was a bargain magazine as it cost the same as the others that had fewer issues! I haven’t bought one in years though.
Just as an aside, I am telling my kids that either Quilting Arts or Fon’s and Porter’s magazine subscriptions, would be a very acceptable Christmas gift for me. 😀
#2. Those colors are not what I call cheerful. They ARE comfort colors though. They have a warmth about them and a homely feeling. (homely as in homey not ugly) For an autumn themed quilt, I think they are great! I think they would be challenging though, to make one that is very neat looking without becoming drab. These colors in flannels are more appealing than the cotton ones I have seen too. Perhaps it is my Minnesota upbringing that makes these appeal to me?
I agree with your take on QA and on Quilter’s Home. they both started out great and then became too formulaic. I am beginning to wonder if I have quilt ADHD?
I know what you mean about the homey colors. I can see that the right combination, as some of the quilt samples in the magazines were, would make a very comforting quilt (if one had something other than yellow and green living room walls!).
I am intrigued by your idea of the flannels vs. the cottons being more appealing. I’ll have to look next time I go buy flannels.
I guess one of my problems is that there is nothing in the quilt magazine world for the intermediate to advanced quiltmaker. I don’t just mean harder patterns, because those are certainly available. I am not exactly sure what I mean. More about process, perhaps?
As a person who is intrigued by all colorways, I’d have to say it’s a mood thing. Working with warm tones of brown, taupe and grays gives a warm comforting feeling and also a classic take on something made originally with brights. As far as magazines, my faves are Australian Patchwork & Quilting. The paper quality is great, the patterns inspiring. Also, Quilting Arts for the techniques, I have every one. I have been browsing a lot more and don’t just buy them. I find that the patterns are much the same and find that we don’t really need such an expansive selection. Sometimes the special issues are fun and actually have interesting patterns with various colorways. I love Quilt Sampler, simply because it’s fun to browse the shops and sometimes find another neat online shop to check out. although I do try to be as loyal as possible to the local shops.
I have to say that I have seen some neural color schemes that are gorgeous, both in decorating and in quilts. I think the Japanese quiltmakers do a great job with neutrals. The problem with some of the “country look” shops is that that browns overwhelm everything else and are not cheerful. Color is a really personal choice so it is very hard for me to judge someone else, but in magazines meant to appeal to he masses, some pink and turquoise seems to be a must. 😉
I can’t put my finger on it either Jaye..as to what is lacking in the magazines. Sometimes the premise is there, that they are addressing a technique that is trickier or more challenging. However, in trying to read and understand, I can’t seem to wrap my head around it! Just today I think I figured out a technique that I had been reading about for a YEAR! It came to me in my sleep that *THIS* is what they meant. And of course ‘our’ QADD is causing most of our quandaries. 🙂