Quilting in the Limelight
Everything about Quilting in the Limelight, the Life, Art & Techniques of an Award-Winning Quilter by Philippa Naylor is beautiful. It is the type of book that any artist would be over the moon to be the subject of and any quiltmaker aspiring to create beautiful, award-winning quilt will want to own.
The book begins with Phillipa’s story, from making hand-stitched outfits for her “Cindy” doll (the UK equivalent to the the US’s “Barbie” doll), her years in Saudi Arabia, to her journey back home to the UK. I enjoyed reading this section and perusing the top notch photographs. It felt like having a cozy tea with a new friend and learning just the right amount about her.
Next is a gallery of Phillipa’s quilts. Because Phillips has won many major awards, many of her quilts have been published in various magazines. No matter. The beautiful photography, with close-ups, and the story behind teach makes for another evening of good reading.
The remainder of the book takes you on a complete journey of her quiltmaking process. The language is clear, the photography beautiful, and the information covered extremely well done.
There are beautiful photographs of her studio, the types of equipment and materials she uses, how she goes about getting inspiration for a new quilt, and her design process.
Next she shares her construction method for her precise machine piecing.
She continues with a chapter on quilting and trapunto design and another on free motion quilting (she actually sews in all thread tails!). The first time I looked at one of Phillipa’s quilts close-up, I immediately noticed her beautiful double-folded binding with piping. Lucky for readers, she explains exactly how she achieves this finish with a chapter on creating and sewing on a piping (single or double) and another on sewing a mitered binding. The final chapter concludes blocking the quilt, creating a label, and a hanging rod.
The book is truly a gem. The photography and layout are excellent, her story is friendly and enjoyable, and her lessons educational. There is nothing not to like about this book. It sells for $29.95 and is published by Dragon Threads.
You can learn more information about the book and purchase it directly through the publisher here.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Great review Gloria.
I met Phillipa and took a one day workshop….she is as lovely as lovely can be and talent that goes on and on.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
And that loveliness truly comes through in the book.
August 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I’ve known and taken classes with Phillipa for the last 10 years. I can tell you that I’ve learned as much from her than some of my teachers. Its so nice that she’s teaching and sharing herself. This book is just one of the nicest I own!
August 6th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Hi Nina-Maire. Thanks for sharing that info. I’ve only met her once when we both had the pleasure of winning a nice award in Houston, and she seemed like a very lovely woman. Her very warm personality comes across in the book. :)
December 30th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Nice.
October 16th, 2016 at 5:23 am
I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to obtain a copy of Philippa’s ‘Quilting in the Limelight’, and wrote to her to enquire whether there would be a further print run, and she said not…despite her knowing a number of people who would dearly like a copy. With the recent publication of her second book I feel there could well be a resurgence of interest, so I wondered whether others could write to the publishers to ask them to reconsider their decision (I already have!).
Maybe all of you who have enjoyed Philippas book and courses might be able to help…pressure of fellow quilters….it just might work!