Gwen Marston's
Liberated Quilting Page

---

Available Now!

Gwen's latest book!

Liberated Medallion Quilts

Published by AQS

If I do say so myself...this is a beautiful book! AQS did a great job on designing this book and I'm very pleased to have my name on it. Lots of quilts shown full page in great color. The photography is excellent too. For example you can see the individual little hand quilting stitches on the cover quilt.


This book includes quilts in a wide variety of styles, starting out with Martha Washington's medallion quilts and moving along to the "modern" quilts. I think there's something for everyone. There are 7 "how-to" projects written especially for liberated quilters (and those who are thinking about becoming liberated).


So, taking into consideration that this review is being written by the author of the book, I still think it's a very worthwhile book to have, and it's a fun read too.


This book will be 112 pages of fun reading, plus 62 stunning Liberated Medallion quilts. It is packaged in an 8 1/2" x 11" format.


Liberated Medallion Quilts is available now and can be ordered from Gwen Books 

TWO NEW WORKSHOPS

Small Studies (intermediate to advanced) and Liberated Stars (intermediate to advanced)

Bio, Lectures & Workshops 

New book

37 Sketches

It's a really beautiful book too! 37 Sketches is both an artfully designed and beautifully made book. It shows my new work built on the idea of exploring the elements of design by constructing small studies, which I quickly began to think of as sketches. I began to see these sketches in much the same way as a painter does in using sketches to explore technique and to work out color and composition ideas. These pieces are abstract compositions, worked primarily in solids. Constructing these 37 sketches provided me with a valuable and expedient way to explore new technique, color, and composition. I explain my process for making these small studies using my liberated, improvisational methods, of which many of you are very familiar, and discuss how the experience of making this series of sketches was like taking a crash course in design.


Pat Holly had this to say about 37 Sketches : "I am so excited about this book! You did a great job in the text also you explained your process very clearly and simply. This is not easy to do! Good job!" The page layouts are done in such an artful way that the text on the left page and the quilt on the right interact in a supportive way, as you can see in the two sample page spreads shown here. Patricia Ensey expressed it well by saying "The layout of the pages added greatly to the text, tying it to the art."


37 Sketches is off to New Zealand: I will be teaching at the National Quilt Symposium in Taupo, New Zealand in 2013 and have been invited to present a one-woman, month-long exhibit of the work shown in 37 Sketches at the Taupo Museum during July.


This book is beautifully crafted in the classical style and with attention to every detail. 37 Sketches is published in a first edition of 2,000 copies. The 96 page hardcover book has a Smyth sewn binding, is printed on 120 lb Gallerie Art Silk, and includes 37 color plates and additional illustrations of quilt details. The book is published by award winning Six Mile Creek Press, Ithaca, NY; printed in the United States by Capital Offset, Inc., Concord, NH; and bound by Acme Bookbinding, Charlestown, MA.

37 Sketches is available now and can be ordered from Gwen Books 




---

37 Sketches Book Reviews


Australian Homespun's magazine reviewed it in issue #104, calling it a "gorgeous little book," and one that is "Certain to become a collector's item." In describing the book they say "It is a generous sharing of ideas and an insight into how one of the legends of the modern quitmaking world works.


France's Quilt Mania reviewed it in their January/February issue: "This book, illustrated with thirty-seven studies (small quilts) is actually a foundation for a reflection and work about design and color in abstract composition."


Your last book is a book to love. Its straight forward and gets the reader focused on the form. I love everything about it.
Lee Pettigrew, Eugene, Oregon. 10/2011


Gwen has launched into a new way of creating. This book, illustrated with thirty-seven studies (small quilts), is actually the foundation for a reflection and work about design and colour in abstract compositions. It has even won an award which will be presented at the very prestigious 2012 New York Book Show in March!
Quiltmania, Issue 87, January/February 2012


Your book is over-the-top wonderful from the terrific quilts to the book's design! We're all in awe.
Julie Smith, Muir Beach, California. 2/7/2012


Links to 37 Sketches Book Reviews


The Little Red Hen
Book Plug
The Cozy Quilter
Working in a Series
Material Obsession

This is a picture taken at Gwen's recent Beaver Island Quilt Retreat showing the display of quilts from her new book: 37 Sketches.

Get 'em while they last!!
37 Sketches short sleeved Tee shirts available in limited numbers. Med, Large, XLarge, and one XXLarge. 75% cotton.$20.00 plus $3.00 shipping.

At Home With Gwen

            I begin this review of 2012 thinking about all the travel I have done, actually for many years now. While it is true that I am tired of airports, my travels have enriched my life in many ways for which I'm grateful. I do get around...and to some very fun places as you can see in the picture of me at Martha's Vineyard this past April. Thanks again Phyllis and Howard!  The next picture shows me in New Jersey in front of a charming old building where I was teaching classes. If you look at the sign above my head, you will see the initial G, which I assumed was somehow the reason I was brought to this building to teach. Thanks Carol. 



And thanks to everyone else who took care of me while I was visiting guilds around the country!  All of you were very gracious hosts, and are remembered fondly by this traveling quilt teacher.

2013...marks a new direction for me. Less travel (airline travel has gotten a lot, A LOT harder in the past number of years. I always love teaching, but I'm weary of dealing with the airlines. Therefore I have a new plan for Gwenny which involves less travel. I am taking a few jobs so you can find me by looking at my schedule right here on my webpage.

A number of years ago I began to wonder how long I should continue doing my annual quilt retreats. I finally hit on an easy way to make that decision about when I should pass it on:  Living in Michigan as I do, I'm following the autoworkers retirement plan which is "30 years and out."  2013 will be the 30^th year and my last year. Beginning in 2014, two good friends of mine, Sue Nickels and Pat Holly, will be taking over.  I'm thrilled about handing it off to them, knowing the retreat, which I have loved doing, will continue in very capable hands.  Sue and Pat are both fabulous quilt makers and teachers, and both have won many awards for their work, both in the States and Internationally. You could hardly have anyone nicer or better qualified that this sister-team. 

The retreats will still be held at the lovely White Birch Lodge in adorable Elk Rapids, a charming little northern Michigan town. After the first of the year, you will find information about their retreats on Sue's webpage: Sue Nickels

And what will I be doing once I'm not on the road all the time and running my quilt retreat.  Hmmm, maybe I will stay home more and, oh I don't know, make quilts!  Also I plan on doing some writing, (articles, maybe another book or two) continuing my series of hand quilting discussions on my webpage, and a bit of teaching. But now I'm making more time for Gwenny: I love my home and want to be here more. I like being outside and taking care of my "grounds" (when it's 5 acres it isn't a yard), and taking care of my apple orchard.    And I am grandmother...need I say more?



Happy Holidays! Gwen

My Home and Yard 

Here are some pictures of my grandsons, Grady and Matty 

...Gwen Marston Quilt Designs on Tile

Now you can own permanent images of Gwen Marston's delightful quilts in the form of art tiles with which to grace your home.
Visit New and Improved Gwen Quilt Tile web store at Loudeac Tile Studio

...Links

NEW Here is an article that was published this past November 2012 in a wonderful free (Yes I said FREE) monthly Online Quilt Magazine . This article appears here with their blessing which is very nice. Gwens article PDF 

Working in a Series: Gwen Marston and 37 Sketches Posted on January 27, 2012 by Darra Williamson

Gwens quilt showAlex Anderson and Ricky Timms posted a video of my quilt show at Back Porch on their blog page

Kyra Alex of Lily's House Weekend Quilt Workshop in Maine PDF 

How to contact Gwen
I'm not wired up yet here on Beaver Island, but please feel free to contact me at:

Gwen Marston
Box 155
Beaver Island, MI 49782
231-448-2565