Quilting the new classics 20 inspired quilt projects : traditional to modern designs

There's still a lot of debate as to what constitutes "modern quilting." Is it about minimalism? Fabric choice? Overall design and layout? Quilter Muska doesn't attempt to define traditional vs. modern quilting, but she does draw fascinating parallels between traditional quilting and its contemporary variations, presenting first a series of inspirational quilts from museums and private collections, followed by the traditional version of the quilt and a modern variation. The traditional examples use both conventional design and layout and a more subdued color palette (think lots of florals and Civil War reproduction fabrics), while the modern versions take advantage of the wide variety of today's quilting fabrics, with designs incorporating some of the hallmarks of modern technique, such as creative use of negative space and asymmetrical layouts. The patterns are easy to follow and feature clear directions for cutting and piecing. Templates are provided as needed. VERDICT The overall message of the book is a good one: modern quilts are your grandma's quilts, just a little bit different. Quilters with an interest in embracing their roots and those who want to learn more about modern quilting will enjoy this collection. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.