Review    - March 9, 2009
"We finally have a book that takes us deeply into the creative process. Not only does it show how creativity takes place, it also leads the artist in growth through collaboration, critique, and passion. In an unusual understanding of the variety of quilt artists that exist, we can see how different personalities create their work and progress. This is one book that will not sit on a shelf. It is destined to be referred to again and again. "

Review By: Suzanne Arney,    - March 13, 2009
""Creative ability is not reserved for a gifted few." This statement appears in a red box in the beginning of the book. Take it to heart! It's the reason i--a non-quilter, non-artist--am reading this book and why i can imagine keeping it with my favorite inspirational guides. I am a freelance art writer and educator. This book is a key that will open the creative process, and can be adapted to many contexts and ages. Each lesson has examples, exercises, and a bibliography. Readers are privy to the variety of responses offered by quilters who took Torrence’s class, and just reading those widens our scope of possibilities. Actually doing the assignments can bring back the sense of play and discovery that spark imagination.  It's a book for every person who makes art, looks at art, or wants to live a more creative life. "

Review   Seminole Sampler News - March 30, 2009
"Here again is a book that was unexpected (to me). Lorraine Torrence and Jean Mills have done, in my humble, a very good job in this text of simplifying and organizing the process of making your own designs -- the things you need to consider, the steps you might want to go through. I give this one a solid A, too. :)"

Review   Going to Pieces - April 29, 2009
"... I recently got my hands on the newest book by design teacher Lorraine Torrence, Fearless Design for Every Quilter (C&T Pub. 2009) and was delighted to see that she has presented a workshop in design in book format.
Basically, the idea of the book is this: focusing on elements of design and composition, a group of quilt artists take on small challenges and all of their results are shared and critiqued. So this book provides a lot of great information: basic principles on design and composition and color; aspects of positive critiquing; specific challenges; examples of what the artists did; and the critiques each result garnered. It's very instructive.
The book features artists of different styles and abilities, so the challenge pieces they produce vary and will appeal to different tastes. Even when the resulting piece wasn't something I was wild about, I found that I enjoyed reading about the artist's process, the problems she encountered, etc.
Working through the exercises in this book would be a great way to give yourself a home design course, or to work through with a friend. And there are springboard ideas, too, so you're not limited to the specific assignments set out here.
I was very glad to find this book, and I'll be recommending it to my friends."

Review By: Martha Sielman,    - May 4, 2009
"This is a great book to work through in order to learn more about design.  Lorraine taught a long-term course, working with 8 quilters over several months to explore principles of balance, composition, scale, and color.  Photos of the responses to each month's design challenge are included along with the group's collective critique.  You can see how different artists responded to a design problem and the strengths and weaknesses of each solution.  In the second section of the book, Lorraine challenged the group with various inspirational ideas: words, photos, working in a series, using borders, w! orking with patterned fabrics.  Again each quilter's responses are shown and critiqued.  Fascinating and very educational."

Review   FindaQuiltTeacher.com - June 24, 2009
"Lorraine Torrence and Jean B. Mills have come up with one of the most ingenious ideas I’ve seen for a book in a long time. Lorraine took eight real life quilters and led them through an in-depth class in quilt design. We, the reader, get to watch and learn. Jean gives us insight into the creative process. The students share their thoughts and the art they created in a process of design, critique, and creativity. More than a book, it is an experience every quilter should give themselves. Fearless Design for Every Quilter [C&T Publishing, 2009] is for every quilter, no matter their experience level. Each chapter includes a design assignment, the student’s solutions, critiques, a “continuing education” section, a summary of the lessons learned, and more. The diversity of artistic expression each student brings to the assignments draws us in like a magnet. It is empowering..."

Review By: Carla Jarvi,    - November 28, 2009
"This quilter's book is different from other books I've read. Others give quilting patterns with some quilting skills.  This one addresses the heart of creativity and design.  Having information on the students and their lives, their quilts, and their comments makes it believable. The part I am glad to believe is that there are two different kinds of creators (p.9). Visualizing an outcome before beginning and planning are explained as a valid creative process.  I always thought these two factors eliminated me from the running as a creative person. How freeing it is to see it defined, and also portrayed through many examples. Another valuable part of the book is to see how the critiques are done.  In today's world critiquing has a negative connotation. This book shows how it can be a positive part of the creative process as well as part of an ongoing, successful social group. The concepts and principles are illustrated so artfully that I am influenced somewhere inside. As a result I have an increase in "thinking in color and design" which is rather fun!"

Review By: Martha Heimbaugh,   On Track! - November 16, 2009
"What a great book! Finally, someone is teaching quilters about the basic art principles of design, critique, and creativity in a way that quilters can appreciate. No boring lectures or charts and graphs here, just simple exercises that, if you are willing, will make you think and learn. The book takes the reader through a series of assignments that need to be done on your own and in order. The reader then returns to the book to read and discover how other students handled the same assignment. The book can be used on your own, or used as a workbook in a group setting. This book does require effort in order to get the most out of it, but the potential for learning is high. If want to become better at design, learn how to critique your own work, and learn to be more creative, this book may be just what you are looking for."