Quilting the New Classics: 20 Inspired Quilt Projects: Traditional to Modern Designs

by Michele Muska, Meg Cox (Foreword), Janneken Smucker (Foreword)

All quilters draw inspiration from the past. But how do today's artisans put their personal stamp on classic patterns? Twenty influential quilters from across the stylistic spectrum—including Jacquie Gering, Darlene Zimmerman, Allison Aller, and Victoria Findlay Wolfe—present their unique creative vision of timeless designs. Each pattern, from bear paw to flying geese to log cabin, comes with step-by-step instructions for two adaptations, one traditional, the other modern.

Genres: Quilting, Crafts

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2014

Reviews

[Amberwench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful all-in-one book for all stages of sewing ability. Offers photos of vintage patterns in traditional colors, then shows a modern made quilt with updated colors and pattern style alterations. A good choice for a getting a variety multiple quilts from one resource. Includes yo-yo, crazy, and hexies too!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

In many cases I found the historical quilts featured for each pattern to be more inspiring than the quilts made for this book. (And they sometimes even felt more modern)

I was not a fan of most of the modern versions - in some instances because they didn't seem to deviate from the original enough to feel modern (the 9-Patch and the Crazy Quilt) and using a Disappearing 9-Patch does not seem like a "traditional" version.

They did cover some different patterns, and the sewing instructions seem to be well developed.

If I did check this book out again, it would probably be for inspiration from the traditional quilts - not the modern ones.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Older quilts pictured for inspiration, then a currently constructed somewhat traditional take on that pattern, and then a modern take.
My favorite was the yo-yo, in both the traditional but especially the modern one. It is imaginative and surprising, but still useful and striking. It's worth checking out the book just for this one quilt.
The modern bear paw is very nice.
Templates available in the back of the book.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were only 2 modern quilts that inspired me: One was a large version of a log cabin composed of 2 quadrants with logs on 2 sides of a large square and 2 quadrants with a large white square around a small dark square. A second quilt had bright nine patches interspersed with white blocks.

[Jec · Rating 4 out of 5]

using familiar blocks this is an excellent book giving options of constructing a quilt in the "traditional" fashion or in a new twist using a "modern" twist. excellent photos and instructions. highly recommended.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really nice example of historical patterns and textiles along side current the work of contemporary quilters who're making a name for themselves. Beautiful.