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Rating: 
Summary: Ambivalent...
Review: As an African American quilter, I had mixed feelings about this book. While I felt that the quilt projects were beautiful and the book itself interesting, I felt a little cheated when I realized that the authors were not of African heritage themselves. I know that shouldn't make a difference, that Africa was their inspiration and inspiration is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but I was still disappointed. There is a rich African and African American quilting tradition out there. Please look to those books for inspiration as well.
Rating:
Summary: I ahve mixed feelings about this book
Review: I like the visual impact of the book - it is well designed and the quilts are vibrant and striking. The pattern instructions are easy to follow. But, I felt cheated when I realized that almost all the fabrics used are from England's own line of fabrics. I wish that had been clearly spelled out from the beginning - as it is in Kaffe Fassett's quilting books. Finally, England and Johnson choose to open the main text with a quote by a traveller to Africa that includes the phrase that I found particularly offensive.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspirations Abound
Review: I recently had the opportunity to purchase this book - directly from Kaye at a recent quilt show. I went back to my hotel room and was mesmerized by the content of this wonderful book. The photography is grand and the text is interesting. The projects are inspiring, as well as the richness of the textiles illustrated. Included is a great bibliography. This is well worth the dollars!
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Summary: Mary Elizabeth Johnson has given me Africa and the world!!!
Review: Quilt Inspirations from Africa is a fitting tribute to the beautiful tradition of designing and creating the complex yet simple quilt designs of Africa.The book itself is an incredible design. It warms your hands and delights your eyes as you behold the colors of African sand, sky and clay in the colors used on the cover. The graphics are clear and rich and provide a wonderful level of detail of the designs that are covered. The use of diagrams and symbols was well executed and I was especially pleased to learn the meaning of the listed Adinkra symbols and their story. They reminded me of the symbols in the book 1000 Symbols ' What shapes mean in art and myth ' written by Rowena and Rupert Shepard. As Mary has done so ably in past books, she takes us into the lives and communal folkways of the quilters, whose work she is representing to the world. And she goes one important step further ' she gives us the tools and instructions needed to help perpetuate and preserve these traditions by teaching us how to design, layout and stitch them for ourselves. Great job on an incredible book. Philip House
Atlanta, Georgia
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Source of Inspiration
Review: This book provides excellent examples of how to adapt images and ideas from other cultures to contemporary, Western objects. The reasarch is highly credible and the applications inspired and easy to follow. It is a must have for anyone who quilts or who is interested in adapting motifs form other cultures and eras to any art form, including beading and other forms of embroidery.
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Summary: Georgous photos
Review: This is a great looking book. Even though the authors are not of immediate African heritage, they have successfully caputred the flavor of African quilting and provided many great photos. The entire book is a joy to own and great to work with. I have used it successfully to make my own interpretations of African designs. I felt it was worth every penny.
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