Conscious Crafts: Quilting

Book excerpt: In Conscious Crafts: Quilting, maker Elli Beaven reveals the meditative nature of the quilting process and its empowering skill set for creating, mending and mindfulness. Making is mindfulness made practical, and quilting is a renowned and rewarding craft. Drawing on the traditions of hand quilting, Elli has created 20 modern makes, ranging from simple coasters, bags and cushions to quilts and curtains. She shares the basic techniques of quilting and shows how these can be adapted and developed for different projects, as well as mending and repurposing. Clean photography, contemporary illustration and heart-affirming text are neatly sewn together to celebrate handwork and the act of crafting for a sustainable future. The projects: patchwork coasters; strip trivets; needle book; storage basket; patched pencil case; slow stitch bag; rainbow cross body bag; clamshell beach bag; coaster and waste not cushions; wild fan, border, log cabin, butterfly play and ad astra quilts; arrow wall hanging; patchwork curtain; and mending under and over patching. Packed with inspiring ideas and practical guidance, Conscious Crafts: Quilting gives you the skills to get started with this fulfilling craft, and shows how the quilting process and the satisfaction of creating your own unique makes can benefit your well-being. The Conscious Crafts series places mindfulness and well-being at the heart of making. Picking out proven meditative crafts and bespoke authors, these practical, contemporary guides are an inviting introduction to reconnecting head, heart, and hands. Also available from the series: Conscious Crafts: Pottery.