In the popular imagination, quilts have a homespun, make-do-and-mend image: they often appear in historical movies or novels as potent symbols of hearth and family. But for Roderick Kiracofe (Going West!), quilt expert and collector, the history and aesthetic of this art form goes far beyond that notion. In this gorgeously illustrated coffee-table book, Kiracofe showcases nearly 150 examples that break the rules. Made by Americans (mostly women) in the latter half of the 20th century, the quilts range from surprising takes on traditional patterns to Pop Art creations featuring mod patterns, bold color combinations and unusual motifs.
Accompanying the photos are 10 essays by quilters, museum curators and historians (whose designations sometimes overlap). The essays offer commentary on specific pieces, but also explore the history of the craft and its practitioners, common textiles and motifs and quiltmaking as an art form. For those interested in these slices of Americana as handicrafts, objets d'art or historical artifacts, this is a fascinating exploration of modern quiltmaking. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams