Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Plaid Portico

Heather Jones’ new book, Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday has delicious photography, modern quilts, and a unique look at the quilt design process.

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The book is divided into PROCESS and QUILTS. PROCESS is about finding inspiration around you, and shows how to go from inspiration to finished project. It covers working from inspiration, color theory, quilt design, and basic quilt construction. QUILTS has 40 original quilts with their variations and instructions. Many of the quilts are characterized by the use of negative space, minimalism and organic structure.

One of my favorite quilts is Red Lion (I also love the name). Though I’m usually an asymmetrical gal, I love the simplicity and versatility of this quilt design, and it can certainly be made asymmetrically with color placement.

Red Lion by Heather Jone

Red Lion by Heather Jones

Speaking of everyday inspiration, here at the Plaid Portico our motto is, “Don’t forgot to look for keep looking for things that inspire you!” And in that spirit, and in the spirit of Quilt Local, I will share some everyday inspiration from ’round this neck of the woods.

Find out more and follow along on the QUILT LOCAL BLOG TOUR!

10/6: STC Craft Blog
10/8: Robert Kaufman
10/9: Melanie Falick
10/10: Sew Mama Sew
10/11: Creative Bug
10/12: Plaid Portico
10/14: Modern Sewciety
10/16: Pellon
10/19: The Tattooed Quilter
10/21: Amy’s Creative Side
10/23: Diary of a Quilter
10/26: Film in the Fridge
10/28: Tall Grass Prairie Studio
10/29: Okan Arts
10/30: Kara Sews
11/2: Crimson Tate
11/4: Dainty Time
11/6: Nap Time Quilter
11/9: Spoonflower
11/11: Aurifil
11/13: A Gathering of Stitches

Coming up on The Plaid Portico, we will cover the Eli Leon Exhibition at the Oakland Museum of Art, my picks from Freddy Moran’s latest solo exhibition, the Found/Made exhibition at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and textiles, and my picks from The Pacific International Quilt Festival. We also have more books to highlight and some wonderful quilter profiles.

Stay tuned – after a long summer vacation, we’re back!

Meditation on Peonies

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Plaid Portico

A little break here from fabric, sewing, quilting and the cool creative businesses and people behind them. Time for…peonies! Random? Not sure. All I know is that there are peonies in the stores these days and the light was just hitting the ones we bought in an amazing way yesterday evening, so I took an instagram shot and exclaimed to the Jack-man that he should get his camera. He’s a sucker for the right lighting and he was all over it, photography being one of his passions. After he edited them and showed them to me I was just beside myself and I simply have to share. I’m not even going to select a few–you can see them all.

So good morning, good day, good evening, be inspired!