Thomas Knauer began his career teaching design at Drake University before turning to quilting. He has designed fabrics for several leading manufacturers, and his work has been exhibited in quilt shows and museums across the globe, including the International Quilt Study Center & Museum, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, Des Moines Art Center, the Melbourne Fringe Festival, and the Cranbrook Art Museum. Knauer is the author of Why We Quilt, as well as two previous books, including The Quilt Design Coloring Workbook. Find him online at www.thomasknauersews.com.  

Books by Thomas Knauer

  • Why We Quilt
    In this tribute to today’s vibrant quilting community, prize-winning quilter and teacher Thomas Knauer showcases a stunning collection of quilts from a wide range of contemporary makers, accompanied by their testimonials about what inspires and imbues their craft with meaning. From temperance quilts to the AIDS quilt, there’s a rich history of individuals and communities using fabric and thread to connect with others and express themselves, both personally and politically. Why We Quilt blends bits of this history with the stories and work of today’s leading quilters, highlighting themes of tradition, community, consumerism, change, and creativity. With a unique die-cut cover and a richly layered design, this book will enthrall designers, quilters, and all types of handcraft enthusiasts.
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  • The Quilt Design Coloring Workbook
    The Quilt Design Coloring Workbook calls on an unlikely but exciting muse to help inspire quilt designers: modern art. More than 90 full-page ready-to-color design prompts invite quilters to try new color combinations and pattern experiments. Author Thomas Knauer’s innovative reimagining of quilt design highlights the very principles that threw the traditional art world into upheaval 100 years ago, such as prioritizing balance over symmetry and simplicity over realism. By stitching together modern art theory with hands-on design and coloring activities, this interactive workbook bursts at the seams with creativity. 
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