Book Giveaway: "Patchwork Folk Art" by Janet Bolton

The book includes a section about how to frame your picture.

The Fish Kite--an example of a finished project.

The book includes templates for the projects described in the book.

Patchwork Folk Art by Janet Bolton

Photo: Courtesy of Spruce

Folk art reflects the everyday life and times of pre-industrial society--a time when daily life evolved at a slow, unharried pace. It carries a simple nostalgic reminder of past traditions and cultures and is steeped in history. Patchwork Folk Art by Janet Bolton is a delightful, softcover primer providing instruction to help the reader design her own beautiful folk art. Janet's book provides just the right amount of guidance--even for beginners to make folk pictures suitable for framing. The author discusses all of the steps required to cut, compose and stitch a picture as well as suggestions for framing. Full-size templates are included so that you can duplicate the samples that are shown, or they can be used as inspiration for new ideas. In today's world of "green" living, this craft will allow you to weed many of your small fabric scraps from your stash while creating one-of-a-kind art.

Janet Bolton lives, writes and teaches in the United Kingdom. She has also written two books for children: My Grandmother‘s Patchwork Quilt and Noah‘s Ark. Her work is represented in the collections of the Crafts Council, British Council and the Embroiderer’s Guild.

Since 1985 her work has been featured in many exhibitions around the world including the Crafts Council, Contemporary Applied Arts, Robert Young Antiques and the Rona Gallery in London, the Works Gallery, Philadelphia, and Gayle Wilson Gallery, The Hamptons, New York, Takeshimaya, Tokyo and the Museum De Stadshof, Holland.

Leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm, Monday, August 24, and you could be one of THREE lucky winners of this new book!

Three winners will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday, August 25.

April M. Mohr, contributor
Posted on Aug 18th, 2009 in sewing, embellishments, home decoration, hand stitching

Comments (41)

dundon writes: When told of this book, it wasn't interested. When browsing through it, I was totally sold!! The art is wonderful and the simplicity is stunning.
Posted: 12:44 pm on October 15th

metermaid writes: i love the simple design and subjects. I can envision doing a folk art piece with a backyard clothesline and little dresses hanging on it. I also love sheep and goats and would definately include them.

Rita Rodenbaugh
Posted: 4:38 pm on July 16th

valeria100 writes: I have a folk art look in my apartment which includes some family antiques. Recently I made pillows which are very folksy>I think they are really wild. I would certainly love to have this book to expand ideas for projects.
I also play folk music on my fiddle
Posted 12:15 June 29
Posted: 12:19 pm on June 20th

Anitarita writes: I love sewing and working with fabrics in a creative way. My mom taught me how to sew when I was waiting to go to Kindergarten. We also used to make patch work quilts with the fabrics we sewed with or from garments we did not wear anymore. I just retired from teaching and am organizing my sewing room. I have been taking a sewing class in Adult Education that has really been fun. I have the same Professor/Teacher I had in college and she has been teaching sewing for 50 years, how lucky is that? I would love to have the book.
Posted: 8:29 am on June 9th

Mariesainte writes: Looks like fun! I have way too many scraps and need ways to use them before they crowd me out of house & home...
Posted: 3:27 pm on May 25th

jjear writes: I love folk art. This looks like a great book. I would love a copy.
Posted: 7:34 am on April 14th

hatmom writes: The folk art reminds me of work my grandmother did when I was a child. She never let any fabric go to waste, even recycling old clothes into creations that she designed in her head and then produced for all to see. Folk Art truly provides a link between then and now like an affirmation that a simpler time did really exist.
Posted: 9:03 am on August 25th

suziesewsalot writes: I just love Folk Art. It reminds me of simpler times, and simple things. Like me! Looks like a wonderful book of inspiration.
Posted: 8:25 am on August 25th

MoeWest writes: Folk art is just the type of look I am attracted to. I love country decor. This looks like a great book.
Posted: 11:12 pm on August 24th

msbyrdt writes: When my daughter was born (36 yrs. ago), my sister in law made something similar for her. It was the cutest! She put it in a 8"x 10" frame. The picture was a little girl in a garden, with the sun shining at the top and the little girl was in a cute little skirt & top. She had pigtails and was jumping rope among the flowers. The sun, little girl & a kitty were trapunto(sp.?) The other parts were embroidered. It was on a sky blue background. Had a tiny house in the distance and grass & wildflowers spread around. It was just adorable. Years later I asked my sister in law, if she remembered it & what inspired her to make it. She didn't even remember making it!...bummer. Some how in one of many moves, it got lost and I still look for it. The thing is, Janet Bolton's book says, that I can make a folk art picture too! :) Just the little excerpt in your article on "Patchwork Folk Art" has me determined to make a folk art picture for myself.
Posted: 9:49 pm on August 24th

soulsurgeon writes: Hey! Looks like a great book. I love this kind of primitive design and would love a copy. Hope I win one.
Posted: 9:39 pm on August 24th

Ilovequilts writes: This book is so beautiful, had a chance to look at a friend's copy...would love my very own.
Posted: 9:11 pm on August 24th

rosemaryschild writes: Sounds like the book I have been searching for my whole life! Graet giveaway!
Posted: 8:52 pm on August 24th

Sulagay writes: I have been sewing most of my life. I watched my mother make my school clothes. That is how I learned. When I married I did not have a sewing machine. I wanted one so bad I made my first dress sewing on my hands. I designed it also. since I proved I could sew my Husband & I went shopping for a used machine. I put it on lay a way and paid it out. This was in the 50's I made all my children's clothes for school 2 boys & 2girls also their underware. My girls ask me for a long time after they married to make their undies for them, They said the ones I made didn't ride up like the store bought ones.I have never had a sewing lesson I guess I could say I am self taught except for when I watched my Mother. I have had the desire all my life. When I retire I will have more time.I work as a floral designer and I am 70 years young. Thanks for reading my story give sewing a try it's a wonderful thing to learn. Be patient!
Posted: 8:52 pm on August 24th

bluejay518 writes: i have always loved folk art but never knew how to do it i would just love this book that way i can make all kinds of things for all my 8 grandchildren all my 5 great-grand children they would all love whatever i make them please make me a winner i sure am hoping
Posted: 8:42 pm on August 24th

janebackert writes: I would like to use applique and quilting textures in folk themes.
Posted: 8:37 pm on August 24th

adc53 writes: Thank you for the opportunity to acquire this book, my main interest is in the appliqués part of it. I would enjoy adding them to garments and to afghans I make as gifts. To that end, I feel I need to improve on the designs, I should get a real good book that goes beyond the usual simple i-2-3 explanations.
Posted: 8:31 pm on August 24th

TeddieSeeley writes: This is the kind of book that I'm always on the look out for, I would love to own one.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Posted: 8:17 pm on August 24th

ALinzer writes: Looks like my kinda thing! Love the featured art pieces and the cover art. Makes me want to try my hand at patchwork folk art! I have lots of scraps and a vast clip file...
Posted: 8:07 pm on August 24th

casachavez writes: Folk art is the universal medium for every culture in the world. Would love to receive this book.
Posted: 7:22 pm on August 24th

Sewingelf writes: Folk art quilting is right up my alley. Would love to accent my dining room and home with the projects from the book. It would be a great book to add to my beginning of a quilt library. I have been sewing other things for years and would like to expand my horizons. The projects would be great for shower, birthday and holiday gifts. I also do a sewing camp for kids every January and am always looking for fun projects to teach them sewing.
Posted: 6:36 pm on August 24th

lxlaube writes: I would love to experiment techniques on my pocketbooks.
Posted: 6:24 pm on August 24th

lxlaube writes: Need to get to the library so that I can check out this book. I love folk art and ethnic fabrics. I would love to experiment techniques on my pocketbooks.
Posted: 6:23 pm on August 24th

SewingQueen writes: I love this book. It's been a favorite library perusal for me for many years. Does anyone know how it's been updated from the '95 print copy?
Posted: 12:03 pm on August 23rd

MARILYNJOAN writes: Please,please,pleas may I have a copy! I am the grandmother of a new baby boy whose bedroom needs decorating and these pictures are so bright and colourful I know they would keep him(and his Mum)smiling all day long!
Posted: 10:16 am on August 23rd

clafaver writes: Folk art is so americana. I would love to incorporate it into my designs.
Posted: 8:42 am on August 23rd

fukuro writes: I recently saw some vwey expensive framed art, which looked a lot like the framed kite picture! I have some molas from Colombia which would look great framed.
Posted: 4:39 pm on August 22nd

sewingisart writes: Love these creations. Some remind me of Grandma Moses.
Posted: 1:00 pm on August 22nd

sfart writes: Folk art is amazing and this book looks like a great way to create your own. I love the green take on it.
Posted: 11:31 pm on August 21st

rsgrandinetti writes: I would love to have this book. I could have so much fun with a few fun new projects.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
Posted: 11:00 pm on August 21st

pinkie writes: I'd love to recieve a copy of this book...so many good ideas to put to use ! Thanks for the chance !
Posted: 6:33 pm on August 21st

PaulaSch writes: I received Janet Bolton's My Grandmothers Patchwork Quilt a few Christmas's ago and just love it. This book would be a wonderful addition to my library of quilting books. One can never have enough inspiration or reference materials to get those creative juices flowing.
Posted: 5:52 pm on August 20th

WEE_GRANNY writes: I plan to try and create an heirloom project with a scottish story theme for my Grandaughter and I think this book would be inspirational
Posted: 4:47 pm on August 20th

sarattitude writes: This book will no doubt inspire me to record my own memories in fabric. I look forward to getting started.
Posted: 8:48 am on August 20th

Kemma writes: Wow what an awesome book, this would be great to receive for Christmas!
Posted: 9:59 pm on August 19th

noelleholler writes: Thanks for offering such a great book giveaway! Looks like fun. (:
Posted: 5:22 pm on August 19th

Maggie61 writes: What fun...it looks like a treasure chest of special projects!
Posted: 11:16 am on August 19th

katyjones writes: Folk Art is my favorite style! Looks like a lovely book. It would be great inspiration for my sewing, rug hooking and applique work. I have my fingers crossed!
Posted: 6:12 am on August 19th

folkartandfantasy writes: I'd love a copy of this book, folk art painting and sewing are my passions. I'm always looking for new ideas.
Posted: 3:25 am on August 19th

CDStyle writes: This book looks so cute! I can think of a ton of ways to use the ideas from this book... pictures frames, appliqué for shirts and skirts, scrap booking, quilting, etc. I am so excited there will be 3 winners for a copy of the book!
Posted: 7:44 pm on August 18th

valpainter writes: I love folk art. I have several old pictures in my house that are fold art.
Posted: 7:38 pm on August 18th

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