Rating: 
Summary: "Illusions are like candy to the senses"
Review: The world of optical illusions has fascinated artists for centuries and they have intrigued me for years. In Optical Illusions for Quilters, I unravels the mysteries of optical illusions, some of them for the first time. Masterpiece quilts are used to explain each illusion. Hundreds of illustrations and traditional quilt blocks show how to apply these principles to original designs, quilts and wallhangings. My focus is on quilting; however, these principles can be applied to other creative mediums. In an easy-to-understand way I encourage artists to use their imaginations, listen to their inner voice and apply this new knowledge to become "Masters of Illusions."
Rating: 
Summary: An eye-opener for all quilt enthusiasts
Review: Glance through "Optical Illusions for Quilters" and you'll be struck first by the gorgeous array of quilts of every type, from traditional pieced designs to pictorial applique. It's a top-notch quilt show you can stroll through at your leisure, with entries from nationally known quilters like Charlotte Warr Anderson and Carol Breyer Fallert as well as spectacular but less familiar works. Take a moment to read the text with each photo, though, and you'll find you're actually on a guided tour with a very knowledgeable hostess; one who will open your eyes to aspects of these works you might otherwise never notice. Karen Combs explains how these master quilters have used line, color, composition, and other visual devices to convey depth, transparency, motion, and more. With clearly written text and plenty of illustrations, she shows how you can apply these techniques in your own quilts. Whether you are a traditional or contemporary quilter, this book will help you! appreciate the quilts you view, and enliven the quilts you make. This is a book to read and enjoy, and a reference to keep close at hand.
Rating: 
Summary: very technical
Review: I have made 2 of Karen Combs patterns and while they turned out well, I would have hated to have tried them as an inexperienced quilter. Her directions are not that easy to follow and require much rereading. The book is very technical. She does wonderful designs but really needs to have the pattern instructions written by someone else and it is not her forte.
Rating:
Summary: very technical
Review: I have made 2 of Karen Combs patterns and while they turned out well, I would have hated to have tried them as an inexperienced quilter. Her directions are not that easy to follow and require much rereading. The book is very technical. She does wonderful designs but really needs to have the pattern instructions written by someone else and it is not her forte.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the novice!
Review: I was very disappointed. Book is VERY technical without much background. I think you need a very strong background and experience in drafting your own patterns. No real practical advice. I need something that will take me to the very beginning and bring me forward, not start me at the finish line.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the novice!
Review: I was very disappointed. Book is VERY technical without much background. I think you need a very strong background and experience in drafting your own patterns. No real practical advice. I need something that will take me to the very beginning and bring me forward, not start me at the finish line.
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Summary: The Illustrated Quilts are Worth the Price of the Book Alone
Review: Karen Combs does a fine job gathering examples of each "tool" used to create illusions. I've just read through the book and I feel very inspired to piece a cube. The quilts she's chosen to illustrate different techniques are amazing. If you're up for something different, this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Useful
Review: Karen Combs has done an excellent job of condensing several books on 3-D and perspective into one readable, useable source. She takes the reader step-by-step through various types of perspective problems. Not only does she do this with drawing techniques but also with a delightful and inspiring quilt gallery and a few sample projects.
The reader should realize that this is not a project book; this is a design book. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to add persepctive to their quilts. I read this book cover-to-cover when I was creating a quilt for the APNQ "Invoking Spirits" exhibition. I wouldn't have designed as nice a piece without this valuable resource.
Rating:
Summary: Technique and Inspiration
Review: This is a technique book that goes to great lengths to illustrate the variety of methods used to create illusions. Using a flat surface, angles, perspective, colors, shading and values all work to trick your mind that you are seeing depth. Use this book to drive your creativity as well as inspire you to gain more skills in this hobby. Study each of the illustrations as they are marvelous examples you learn something new each time you view this book. Art quilts are hear to stay and this is a great book to leave on your coffee table to show off to your guests that quilting has indeed come quite a long way. The face of quilting is everywhere around you, not a steriotype of our Grandma's cutting up old shirts. Enjoy this book and learn new techniques to add depth and enjoyment of this art/hobby of quilting.
Rating:
Summary: Technique and Inspiration
Review: This is a technique book that goes to great lengths to illustrate the variety of methods used to create illusions. Using a flat surface, angles, perspective, colors, shading and values all work to trick your mind that you are seeing depth. Use this book to drive your creativity as well as inspire you to gain more skills in this hobby. Study each of the illustrations as they are marvelous examples you learn something new each time you view this book. Art quilts are hear to stay and this is a great book to leave on your coffee table to show off to your guests that quilting has indeed come quite a long way. The face of quilting is everywhere around you, not a steriotype of our Grandma's cutting up old shirts. Enjoy this book and learn new techniques to add depth and enjoyment of this art/hobby of quilting.
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