While Maria Shell's work is firmly grounded in the craft of quiltmaking, she uses her years of experience to create surprising combinations of pattern, repetition, and color. The recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, Maria lives in Anchorage, Alaska.

Contents
Start Where You Are
My Journey as a Quiltmaker • Your Journey To Developing a Quiltmaking Practice • How to Use this Book • The Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Being a Maker • Tips on Being a Fearless Quiltmaker

Space and Tools
Quality Tools
Sewing Machines
A Short Discussion about Space
Finding the Perfect Iron

Color, Pattern, and Repetition
Color
Basic Color Theory • Color from a Quilter's Perspective • Four Simple Things You Can Do to Improve Your Color Sense • Value • Building a Color Palette •
Print, Pattern, and Repetition
Finding Quality Solid Fabrics
Search Garage Sales, Thrift Stores, and Ebay • Buy Commercial Quilter's Cottons • Dye Your Own
Tips on Being Fearless with Color

Ruler-Made Stripes
The Simple Stripe
Fabric Prep • Cutting Stripes • Stitching Stripes
Designer Stripes—Creating Recipes for Ruler-Made Stripes
Working with a Ruler-Made Stripe
Piecing off the Grid
Press Like a Professional

Mat-Made Stripes
Preparing and Cutting Mat-Made Stripes
Controlling Wonkiness in Mat-Made Stripes
Ruler-Made Stripes versus Mat-Made Stripes
Short Row Stripes—Another Fun Stripe to Make
Tips for Cutting and Sewing without Rulers
Mat-Made Stripes Quilt Ideas

Polka Dots
Classic Polka Dot
Multi-Colored Polka Dots
Polka Dot Stripes
Polka Dot Quilt Ideas
Triangles
Triangles Made with Lines
Isosceles Triangles Made from Shapes
Half-Square Triangles / Right Angle
Triangle Rulers
Perfect Pinning
Triangle Quilt Ideas
Chevrons, Herringbones, and Zigzags
Chevrons
Herringbones
Zigzags
Chevron, Herringbone, and Zigzag Quilt Ideas
Checks, Tracks, and Plaids—The Ultimate Linear Print
Checks, Ginghams, Plaids, and Tartans Defined
Checks
Lattice Checks • Regular Checks
Tracks
Plaids

Resources

About the Author