I really like the very short overview of the history of Korea, and mostly of how one 16th century Korean woman, Sim Saimdang, defied all the prejudices against women as individuals and as artists and created a rich collection of beautiful paintings. These paintings were the inspiration for all the incredible quilts included in the book. Artists from all over the world were invited to contribute to the book and, using their own sensibility, knowledge and style, to create contemporary quilts based on Sim Saimdang's designs. It is amazing how each artist transformed the design handed out to her/him into a truly personal quilt

      Not a how-to book, "Quilting in the Morning Calm" is an incredible source of ideas for delicate appliqué designs and, what I found quite interesting, very original and beautiful border and setting ideas.

      The quality of the paper and of the lay-out, the beauty of the photographs of Korean places, people and plants and each artist's comments about her experience in creating her quilt, make reading Shirley and Sheila's book a very enjoyable experience. It is definitely a book all serious appliqué and Orient lovers should have in their library.

      To order this book or Shirley's previous books "Quilting with Manhole Covers" and "Treasures Underfoot", contact Carriage Trade Press, PO Box 51491, Eugene , OR 97405. Website: www.carriagetradepress.com.