Denyse Schmidt: Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration: 20 New Designs with Historic Roots (Stc Craft / Melanie Falick Book)

The quilting world "seams" to be a place of contention more and more. There are those who shun "Y" seams, and those who methodically stitch them and deem themselves "better quilters". The fact is that you still have a beautiful creation that keeps you warm. Isn't that the idea?The same goes for the term "modern quilting". There are some that think this means "radically different". Not so. Modern quilting means less fuss about exactitude, new twists , and bolder fabrics. It means larger stitches in quilting the piece, and quick completion. Modern quilting means using your leftovers and scraps as much as possible, those great bold fabrics that you love and want to show off. It means taking the old and making it quicker, off center, and using bold fabrics.This book illustrates that perfectly. Maybe some missed the part of the title that says "traditional inspiration". The old designs are clearly visible in the quilts, quite so, but modern quilting is NOT about trashing all the old quilt styles and looks, but reinventing them. It is about making them in a week, not a year. It is about simplicity. The fabric is the thing, and it can be just two fabrics to make a stark contrast or all of your scraps to make a crazy , bold statement.This book has beautiful quilts with a nod to the old. It is absolutely a modern quilting book, becasue it follows the real definition of modern quilting, not someone's idea of radical. Modern quilting does not mean radical, although some modern quilts can be just that.This book puts a new twist and flavor on the old, and follows that true definition of "modern quilting", if you are looking for "radical quilting", then this is not the book for you....but then I doubt that was ever the intent.Great book for new twists, learning about bold colors, and yes, even for those who are new to quilting. I wouldn't recommend it as a book to teach someone to quilt, but it is a good book for shaking up the old just a little, and learning the true modern quilting techniques.I love taking this book off the shelf and just looking at the quilts. They are truly inspiring, and do not go off the deep end.

The book is filled with beautiful photos that inspire the quilter in me. The projects in the book appeal to a range of experience levels, so a beginner will enjoy just as much as an experienced quilter. Almost, if not all, projects have notes about how to create the quilt with a slight variation to give even more design options and doubles the # of potential projects inside. Instructions are clear and well written, and for the one quilt I have made so far, the materials required were sufficient to complete the project. No one wants to come up short!

I find that many of today's quilt patterns rely heavily on overly "cutesy" fabrics and are more suited for children than an adult. That is fine if your quilt is for a child, and I make plenty of them, but sometimes you want to appreciate the quilt for the quality of the design. The patterns in this book rely on beautiful piecing and rich colors, and, while quite modern-looking, still have the appearance of heirlooms. I think Denyse Schmidt has found the perfect sweet spot between traditional and modern quilting, and I was in awe going through this book. Reading about her inspiration and the history behind the designs was informative and enjoyable. I think she is a fantastic artist, and I hope she will continue creating such gorgeous quilts. Finally, this book is of such wonderful quality, that it is more like a coffee table book than a quilting manual.

I was hoping for a dynamic, colorful and new take on old favorites. It's OK but not in my opinion worth the read.

Lovely photo's of beautiful quilts. I'm considering making the Snake Trail for my granddaughter. It looks like a good pattern to learn curves on. I love modern and old quilt patterns so this was perfect for me. Thanks Denise Schmidt for taking the time to write this book!

I loved this book as much for inspiration as for its instruction. A newbie quilter I was working with became enamored with the book, so I gave my original copy away. Recently bought this one and it was in very good condition. Glad to have it back on my bookshelf!

I’ve been wanting this book for some time...as I’ve checked it out at the library on numerous occasions. Glad to own my own copy.

Love this book!!! I made a crib quilt version of the Snake Trails quilt in this book, and am about to start the Orange Peel/Robbing Peter to Pay Paul design. Every quilt is pretty, and doable! Instructions are first rate as well as book layout. I literally want to make every quilt in this book!

I have only been quilting for the the last couple of years and although I am fascinated by the history of quilting, I am not overly fond of busy quilts.This book gives a short, one page introduction to the originals of each quilt pattern and details the various names by which you may have heard of the pattern.Denyse then goes on to clearly explain how she interpreted the pattern to make the quilt as simply as possible. I think this is a lovely quilt book, in fact one I wish I had written myself. I mean that as a compliment.I have not made any of the quilts and will revise my comments when I have. I awarded four stars, as I prefer a spiral bound book to lay flat and open beside my sewing machine.

Beautiful, clearly written and illustrated.A fine example of how to design great quilts using inspired colour and fabric choices! There are some very good designs here that will remain classic and timeless and I recommend this book to anyone interested in design rather than simple (sic) piecing. Well worth the cover price.

Nice book but way too traditional for me. I like modern and this book isn't. But it is a lovely book just not for me.

Would recommend to any budding quilter, really beautiful contemporary quilts and easy to follow instructions, I would be interested in any future books Denise releases

This is a beautiful book, but more traditional than modern. It has a modern look to the cover, but a definite '70's and '80's look and feel inside. It has a little information on a lot of techniques - Broderie Perse, Hawaiian, Stamped Quilts, etc., and basic quilting instructions, but nothing that says "modern" to me. I would recommend it as a basic history of quilting type of book, but for insight into modern quilting, I'd look elsewhere.