New Quilt Book – Review

Material Obsession: Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots

by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke; STC Craft books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc; March, 2009; 208 pages; foreward by Kaffe Fassett; MSRP $24.95; Amazon Price: $14.95

Every once in awhile you get your hands on a quilt book that you instantly know will become a classic. Material Obsession is just such a book. This is more than your standard 18 photos, 9 patterns quilt book. This book is a labor of love by Australian authors and quilt shop owners Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke. Beautiful and vibrant color illustrations showcase the wonderful variety of 23 quilt patterns, accompanied by helpful commentary by the authors on how they arrived at the “starting point” behind each quilt. They explain how any quilter, novice or seasoned, can create striking variations of their own by seeking inspiration from both the fabric in front of them and the world around them.

I especially appreciate the way the authors organized the quilt patterns in their book – they begin with “Easy” and work their way up to “Advanced” with plenty in between – and that they offer color options to each quilt, rather than give you pre-determined lists of fabrics to buy. Many of the quilts in this book are perfect for scrap or stash quilts.

Another plus for this book is the variety of quilt designs, from the more modern “wonky” look of “The Burbs” to the more traditional nosegay block, each quilt is well suited for both modern and vintage fabrics.

Material Obsession will appeal to a wide-range of quilters, whether out-of-the-box modern or traditional piecing, scrap fabric quilter or full line of fabrics, new to our craft or advanced. This book is unique in that it will quickly become not only a favorite pattern book, but also a reference book, and an out-on-the-deck good read. The authors accomplish what many quilt book authors do not – a feeling of warmth and friendship and a willingness to share their extensive knowledge with any quilter who deems to buy this book. This is a title that every Quilt Guild should have in its library inventory.