Create Landscape Quilts

Many quilters make landscape quilts, but Meri Henriques Vahl’s landscape quilts have won several prestigious prizes.

Why do they stand out? Because her landscapes are natural and realistic, and she is able to bring the scenes she creates to life by incorporating figures into them.

In the first part of this book Meri describes the raw edge collage technique she uses to create the background scenes in her quilts. A scene can be based on a favourite photograph or any other type of image, and Meri reveals she uses images taken from a trawl through the internet in her own work. It seems too that any type of material that is the ‘right colour’ can also be used in this collage process, and nothing needs to be stuck down until you have achieved a result that you are happy with. Then, the whole picture is covered with a fine tulle to keep everything in place before being enhanced with the stitching that holds the work together. Finally, in this first section of the book there are instructions for a simple landscape collage project, that the reader can make to familiarize themselves with the technique.

The second part of the book is dedicated to the unique technique Meri has devised to create the people she places in her quilts. This she calls her paper doll technique. Using a photograph or other image each person is first copied onto cotton fabric and then the image is slowly built-up using water colour pencils, before finally being dressed in the appropriate chosen fabrics. The whole technique is a complex one, but Meri gives clear instructions to help with each stage of the procedure.

Meri also expands on how this same paper doll technique can be used for precise architectural features, animals, or other structures that you wish to include as part of your landscape.

In this book Meri has found a way of breaking down and explaining her intricate methods of landscape construction in a way that makes them easy to understand and follow. It is illustrated with beautiful photographs of her quilts that augment this text.

There are also some photographs of quilts made by some of her students, so perhaps using this book we can all have a go at making a prize-winning landscape quilt.

-- Lis Tate, Library Officer * The Quilters’ Guild *

A guide to making quilts inspired by photographs using fabric collage with tulle overlay and the author's Paper Doll technique to make realistic images.

In the introduction, Meri discusses how she came across the collage tulle method of creating landscapes. This led to her development of her paper doll technique to bring lifelike imagery into the creations. The general method is described including design considerations and the adding of soft embellishments. Stitching, and how this can enhance an image, is then covered. An example landscape project is provided for you to try. 

The paper doll technique is covered in detail. This is where an image is drawn and coloured, ideally on a batik or similarly tightly woven background with a fusible foundation. This method can be applied to buildings and other features of your landscape. 

Squaring up your quilt, adding borders and binding are all covered and the main concept is that there are no rules. 

This is a clear instruction book for those interested in making quilt landscapes. 

-- British Patchwork and Quilting * British Patchwork and Quilti