Fons & Porter Batik Quilts

Fons & Porter Batik Quilts
Gifted By: Leisure Arts
www.leisurearts.com
Reviewed by Lisa Fulmer, Guest Reviewer

What is it about batiks that is so darn yummy? For me, I think it’s all about the hand-dyed look, without any repeat patterns. In Batik Quilts, Marianne Fons and Liz Porter share a couple dozen of their favorite quilts made with batiks. I really like seeing how all the rich colors work together within a variety of traditional and contemporary settings.

Batik fabric really adds a lot of depth and contrast to a quilt. It’s so warm and inviting, too - makes you feel like you can just sink right into it. Whether you want to work with bright turquoise and brilliant orange, create unique gradating patterns, or blend lots of similar tones together, this book is filled with gorgeous quilt patterns from many talented designers that you’re sure to love. There are some figurative designs - flowers, horses and sailboat in the sunset - in addition to a nice variety of repeating block designs.

You also get eight of Fons and Porters’ signature Sew Easy lessons that will show you how to cut and piece curves, bind uneven edges, work with Shiva Artist Paintstiks and more.

My favorite in this book is the cheerful Sunflowers wallhanging quilt by Shelly Stokes (page 92). It starts with simple squares in a window pane pattern with super bright colors. What makes it extra special are the sunflowers stenciled all over with Paintstiks. This quilt is bold, colorful and contemporary - it’s a striking statement piece for any room.

“Paradise” is defined as an idyllic place or state of mind. Batiks do indeed have a way of captivating us, don’t they?