Quilting the New Classics by Michele Muska

What a great book!

Quilting the new Classics by Michele Muska  is absolutely packed with information and fresh inspiration for all quilters. Ten traditional quilt patterns, such as Yo-Yo's, Bear's Paw, and Crazy Quilts are featured in both classic and modern presentations, complete with instructions for each of the 20 quilts, by 20 different working designers. Therefore, this book is a great introduction to quilting as well as a tremendous new resource for the seasoned quilter.

Michele's philosophy on creativity that fed the concept and execution of this book is worth noting:  In all her artwork she strongly believes in working in the moment, and quilting is no different. She enjoys the process of creating as much as the end result. That is what Michele believes her new book "Quilting the new classics" will do for her readers. Her hope is for readers to take liberties in the creative process once they learn the basics. It is also why she gave the designers in her book free reign to design a quilt based on the pattern they were given.

I was honored indeed to be asked to contribute to the Crazy Quilting Section, being given the task of creating a "modern" crazy quilt.  And I surely took some liberties!

Now, then, how did I do that?

Crazy quilts are by nature over-the-top, busy concoctions of stitching, fabrics, and embellishments, all in a somewhat random design.  Not what I think of as "Modern" at all.  To me, a modern CQ would have to bestripped down to what I perceive is the essence of the genre: random piecing, some seam embroidery, a mix of fabrics. Nothing extra, just a bold and graphic take on the pure form of crazy quilting.

So that is what I tried to do, and I loved every second of my quilt's creation.

There is a brand new construction technique that Michele's free rein allowed me to explore.

Full instructions are in the book!

And it is the same from all the designers: beautiful traditional renditions of time honored quilt patterns are juxtaposed with their modern, liberated interpretations.   (Valerie Bothell created the traditional crazy quilt in her exquisite Victorian manner.)

Plus.....the book's design itself is absolutely gorgeous. You will get so much value for your purchase.

I will be hosting a give-away of one copy of this marvelous book, drawing one name from the comments to this post exactly one week from today.  So you will have until Sunday night, November 9th to enter.  Please make sure I have a way to reach you!

Other stops on the Blog Tour for this book are below.  You'll be able to see how others have contributed and what their process was like.

October:

20-Michele Muska http://www.lolarae.com/blog.html

21--Leslie Tucker Jenison

 http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com

22- Jannken Smucker http://www.janneken.org/category/blog/

23--Valerie Bothell

​: http://pinkbunnykansas.blogspot.com​

24--Kaari (French General) : www.frenchgeneral.blogspot.com

25--Elisa Sims Albury : www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com

26--Heather Joneswww.oliveandollie.com

27--Victoria Findlay Wolfe​

http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com

28--Amy Smart : http://www.diaryofaquilter.com

29--Jackie Kunkel: http://cvquiltworks.com/blogs/blog

30-Pat Sloan  http://blog.patsloan.com/

31-- Shelly Pagliai http://prairiemoonquilts.com/?page_id=62

November

1--Allie Aller www.alliesinstitches.blogspot.com

2--Kristin Omdahl   www.styledbykristin.com

3-- Jaquie Gering http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/

Pat Sloan, aka “The Voice of Quilting” for her American Patchwork and Quilting radio show , at 4:00 pm eastern

http://toginet.com/shows/americanpatchworkandquiltingradio

FG, IG Newsletters:

22-- Marie Bostwick http://www.mariebostwick.com/

 

Thank you, Michele, for this awesome opportunity to create something new, which for me was very exciting.  I know readers will find so many great ideas in this book's pages.