Hot off the shelves of newly released books is a great book, Quilting--the new classics, by Michele Muska. This is the perfect choice to introduce someone to the Modern Quilting aesthetic using Traditional Quilting as the anchor. The Modern quilts in this book say "modern" but don't scream "MODERN!!" I think even the most Traditional quilter will be able to relate to and appreciate many of the quilts in the book.

Each chapter is based on a traditional quilt block. Some of the blocks included are Log Cabin, Flying Geese, Bear Paw and Dresden plate. There are 10 different blocks in the book.

First Michele introduces the reader to the block, gives some history about the origin of the block and shows examples of quilts made in the 1800s and 1900s. Then 2 contemporary quilters each make a quilt using the block. One quilter makes a Traditional quilt and the other makes a Modern quilt. Each of the 20 quilters explains their inspiration for making their quilt and gives a short bio. It's fun to meet the makers.

Probably my favorite quilt in the book is Elisa Sims Albury's Modern Bear Paw which she has titled "Berry Hunt". Her inspiration is the book Bluberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. There is a track of Mama size bear paw blocks with another set of small Baby Bear paw blocks next to Mama's. Elisa even picked fabrics which echo the muted colors of the book's illustrations. It's such a delightful quilt.

Here is the back cover of the book showing 3 pairs of quilts.

This book would also be a good present for a quilter loves making Traditional quilts but is also experimenting already with some Modern quilting. Patterns for all the quilts are included.

I Michele Muska's book will appeal to many quilters. It fills a niche, bridging these two styles of quilting, in a way I haven't seen with other recently published books. Quilting--the new classics attempts to explain to quilters where our craft has come from and what quilters are doing now in the 21st century. It's really interesting collection of quilts.