Quilt Lab-The Creative Side of Science: 12 Clever Projects

by Alexandra Winston

Overview

A quilting book like no other, Quilt Lab—The Creative Side of Science by Alexandra Winston is as cerebral as it is artistic. Extrapolating from ideas such as states of matter and calculus, you’ll see scientific disciplines transformed into vibrant quilt designs. Each of the 12 projects, including 9 quilts, has a story, lesson, and idea that exemplifies its scientific design. The author also illustrates the simple “scientific process” of quilting with step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and hypotheses for customization. This mind-expanding book will encourage you to find inspiration in unusual places and learn something new!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607058045
Publisher:	C & T Publishing
Publication date:	01/01/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Alexandra Winston grew up in a sewing family and started sewing for herself in middle school. Drawing upon her art education at an engineering university, she enjoys integrating art into her mathematics classes and mathematics into her sewing projects. Alexandra lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband.

Editorial Reviews

Quilt Lab is unlike any quilting book I have read. Alexandra Winston has written a brilliant book based on maths and made it fun! Never has the words Geometry made me turn a pages, because I get quilting Geometry! Flying Geese, Courthouse steps, drunkard’s path and circles all mathematical in their own way but so not scary. The 12 projects range from a book cover, large cushion to full size quilts, each with full size templates – so important as the desire to make can come at any time and not just when there is a photocopier in sight. Each quilted project has a little written about what inspired Alexandra to make the item and the projects range from straight forward to more tricky – so a great book not just for beginners. The circles are made with an interesting method, not quite portholes – brilliantly explained and each step has good photographic reference. I really like this book, full of interesting designs and really well explained – a must for this years Christmas list if you can wait that long.

10/28/14 Poppy In Stitches

This book is filled with twelve geek chic-inspired quilt designs to ignite your intellect and imagination. You'll see scientific disciplines such as chemistry and calculus, transformed into vibrant and quirky quilts. Alexandra also included easy-to-use charts to eliminate those challenging mathematical pattern problems.

9/2/14 Fat Quarter Shop

This is one of the most fun quilt books we have encountered. Author Alexandra Winston loves math and science as well as quilting, and it is reflected in her very modern designs. You do not need an interest in science to recreate the attractive and fun patterns. There are 12 science-inspired quilt designs, from Petri Dishes to Apertures that will spark your imagination and creativity. The patterns are not always quick or easy, but the clear, concise instructions have you spinning off in your own direction in no time.

Spring 2014 Modern Quilts Unlimited

Who needs remedial math and science classes when you've got a quilt pattern book? Not only did Winston design a series of chic and ultra-modern quilt patterns based on scientific and mathematical concepts, but she also explains the concepts clearly and concisely. The resulting quilts and projects are fresh, fun and totally cool.

June/July 2014 Quilters Newsletter

As a grownup science geek, this book had me smiling from the first moment! Alexandra Winston has designed 12 clever projects inspired by sound waves, molecules, fractals, and more. She provides confident encouragement to readers while sharing her loves of geometry, petri dishes, and video games. Also a middle school math teacher, Ali uses these skills to guide readers and build their confidence with patient understanding. For each project, she shows her initial sketch, her construction method, and the final product. I particularly like the “study hall” boxes, in which she explains the science that inspired her designs. Your science friends and computer whiz family members will surely appreciate the winks and nods to their specialties in these clever projects. Use one of these patterns to create a quilt they will love and appreciate.

Spring 2014 Modern Patchwork

eInsider’s inner science geek was pretty stoked to see this new project book from quilter/author/math teacher Winston, who translates principles of math and science into vibrant, modern quilt designs and projects with 'geek chic' appeal. Each project (nine quilts and three smaller items) includes a story, lesson, and idea that exemplify its scientific design, and detailed directions and diagrams demonstrate the 'scientific process' of quilting. And best of all, these projects prove that geometry can be fun after all.

3/14/14 quilts.com newsletter

Quilt Lab is unlike any quilting book I have read. Alexandra Winston has written a brilliant book based on maths and made it fun! Never has the words Geometry made me turn a pages, because I get quilting Geometry! Flying Geese, Courthouse steps, drunkard’s path and circles all mathematical in their own way but so not scary. The 12 projects range from a book cover, large cushion to full size quilts, each with full size templates – so important as the desire to make can come at any time and not just when there is a photocopier in sight. Each quilted project has a little written about what inspired Alexandra to make the item and the projects range from straight forward to more tricky – so a great book not just for beginners. The circles are made with an interesting method, not quite portholes – brilliantly explained and each step has good photographic reference. I really like this book, full of interesting designs and really well explained – a must for this years Christmas list if you can wait that long.

10/28/14 PoppyinStitches.com

03/01/2014
Winston, a math teacher, science enthusiast, and quilter, combines her passions in this collection of projects inspired by math and science. Each chapter focuses on a specific shape, including rectangles, triangles, and circles, and concentrates on using those shapes in projects inspired by scientific theories or ideas. Sometimes the inspiration is literal, as in the molecular quilt, which features a representation of a caffeine molecule; others are more figurative, such as the echo quilt, which uses half circles of varying sizes to represent sound waves. The highlight of the book is its intelligent, thorough, and accessible overview of "quilt math"—the geometry behind quilt design, piecing, and fabric cutting. Winston's directions are technical enough to please the mathematically inclined, yet simple enough to teach those of us who haven't thought about algebra since high school. VERDICT You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy Winston's bold, modern designs, but quilters with a scientific background will love the inspiration behind the finished objects.

Library Journal