Constantinople Quilts: 8 Stunning Appliqué Projects Inspired by Turkish Iznik Tiles

Even if you never get past the pictures of Iznik pottery tiles, Harvey’s book has merit, for the blues, greens, and rusts of Turkish ceramics crafted during the height of the Ottoman Empire are a feast for the eyes. Harvey, an Australian quilt-shop owner, explains the tiles’ history in Turkish locales, and then she gets down to the business of turning patterns on clay into quilt designs. Basic instructions begin with lessons on the sewing machine and on fabric and batting. How-to instructions include tracing designs, using templates, and using machine appliqué for corners and angles. The eight projects range from small to large, starting with a Geliboulu (aka Gallipoli, site of major WWI battles) carry-all. Harvey has also designed blue cushions and a bed scarf fit for a sultan of the Ottoman dynasty, two table runners (a two-toned blue, based on ceramics from the city of Nicaea, and a rich rust, drawn from a tile in the Eyüp Sultan Mosque), a square quilt (sewn by quilter Angela Perry), a cornflower-blue quilted garden from Topkapi, and a Turkish peacock in a Tree of Life. Clear instructions include pull-outs; difficulty level is intermediate. (Apr.)