Liberated Medallion Quilts

In Liberated Medallion Quilts, I could literally hear Gwen's voice in every word I read. As in her other books and in person, Gwen truly frees the creative spirit in every quilter which may have been trapped in the prison of traditionalism. The difference is that Gwen celebrates both the traditional and the Liberated quilter in each individual. When you read this book, you hear her gentle voice humorously nudging you to stretch just a little farther by listening to the quilting voice within you and linking your creativity to the other brave quilters in history, including Martha Washington. Yes, THAT Martha Washington! In this book, Gwen breaks the mystery of medallion quilts into steps that every quilter can take to make their very own quilt that says "me". No cookie cutter quilts for Gwen. Or for any of the many of the other quilters who have grown under her tutelage. In this book, Gwen uses many of her students' quilts to demonstrate the concepts that she espouses. How brilliant is that? By generously showcasing the works of her students, Gwen demonstrates not only the beauty of her own quilts, but the beauty of the process. The book itself is stunning. The pictures of the quilts are crisp, the colors saturated and rich, every detail of each quilt evident. So, many thanks, Gwen, for a gorgeous book and for your willingness to share the process by which you have become a Liberated quilter! Everyone, go buy this book so you can be Liberated, too!

Gwen Marston is one of my favorite quilters, and this book, like her others, generates excitement and inspiration. The quilts in this book run the gamut from traditional medallion quilts to those that are very contemporary and abstract; she includes both her own quilts and those of others, including Martha Washington and her students and friends. There are no patterns here and for some of the blocks you should probably have her previous books, but there are wildly imaginative and exuberant pieces using both solids and prints and some discussion about how she achieved some of the special effects. The book includes a gallery, including medallion quilts made with floor scraps from her Beaver Island retreats, and a substantial bibliography. I will have no problem making beautiful quilts using the information in this book. Highly recommended.

Medallion quilts seem to have appeared in America first along the eastern seaboard and the tidewater sections of states like Virginia and the Carolinas and Georgia. They had precedents in England and show a decided reliance both on English traditions, textiles, and techniques. In this book, Gwen Marston encourages the quiltmaker to use this old form in new ways. She shows many examples of the improvisational medallion form and provides patterns for select medallion quilts. It is valuable to anyone who seeks an aid to the imagination, who wants to see different ways the medallion form has been used in order to stock her own mind with precedents from which she may draw when designing a quilt that meets her own design needs. The original American medallion quilts grew out of their makers having seen a number of medallion quilts. In this book Marston give the contemporary reader a similar experience. I find the book stimulating and recommend it to anyone considering using the medallion form or wanting to understand that historical form better.

A great book to spark your creativity & imagination. An awesome reference for quilters who like to work with their own ideas rather than set patterns. The author, Gwen Marsten, can be seen in a few you you tube videos. I buy & sell a lot of quilt books. This one I'm keeping in my library.

Medallion quilts are fun to make and this book gives you all the information you need to be successful at it. The pictures are particularly helpful in showing you the different looks you can achieve, depending on fabric selection. The general instructions are excellent.

I am a huge fan of Gwen' Martson's work and this book hits it out of the park, as usual. Great photos and instructions. I want to try some of them in more contemporary fabrics than pictured in the book, but the wonderful photos make it possible to imagine the quilts in other colors and fabrics. Thanks again to Gwen Marston!!!

I was in one of Gwen Marston's classes at the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville, TN several years ago. Ever since, I have wanted to make a liberated medallion quilt. This book is inspiring. Gwen provides detailed pictures and instructions for a variety choices for the quilter to build the quilt out from the center medallion to the edges.

Gwen Marston is one of my favorites. I own all her books and have followed her quilting journey even before I became a quilter. This book will not disappoint true fans! Beautiful quilts, totally do-able. Her directions are easy to follow and clear cut. this is a wonderful book for the traditional or modern quilter looking to explore medallion quilts.

As a Gwen Marston fan any book written by her is a winner for me. Liberated Medallion Quilts is no exception. Gwen's idea of taking a relaxed approach to piecing resonates with me. Life is too short to peel grapes......... Or worry about perfect piecing. The book is full of bright quilts, great ideas for borders and very clear instructions on how to achieve similar results. Super illustrations, showcasing quilts made by Gwen and other quilters using her ideas. Makes your fingers itch to start sewing a Medallion Quilt of your very own....... I have started already! Interestingly my two year old Granddaughter loves this book and sits for ages with me looking at the quilts and pointing out her favourites! A great addition to any Quilters's library. Would be a wonderful gift.

This book is absolutely full of inspiration and lots of photos of fabulous quilts of all kinds, from traditional to modern. There are no patterns, just a few how tos, but so much content that you will be diving into your stash to try something new straight away. It was every bit as good as I'd hoped it would be.

There is nothing in here that a fairly experienced quilter would not know or could not work out for him/herself. There is a certain amount of stating the obvious and I feel this book could be described as "making things 'wrongly on purpose'" However, I do not mean this as a criticism, I merely say it to endeavour to provide an honest review, because this book certainly made me think and I never see that as a bad thing. It has certainly provided me with lots of inspiration and ideas for the future. It's often very refreshing to see a different view on things, even if you might realise that you know them already. Gwen Marston certainly promotes fun and creativity, without compromising on maintaining technical excellence, quality and finish. I liked that she wanted to 'add' skills to a quilter, rather than compromise them or ask anyone to change their ways, if they didn't want to. She has a view on 'traditional' quilt-making that I thought myself, and probably many others do as well, but that I had never read by any other published quilter before. Nothing you might not have already worked out yourself? Quite possibly. Refreshing, interesting, inspirational, enjoyable, down-to-earth, realistic, versatile? Most definitely yes.

If you want to break away from perfect points and aligned pieces, this book is for you. I have made one piece in this style and it was truly liberating, sewing and slicing, great fun. This book is perfect to start you off.