Vintage Quilt Revival: 22 Modern Designs from Classic Blocks

Twenty classic quilt blocks are presented in Vintage Quilt Revival with examples of how to use them for a non-traditional quilt design. There are three categories for ways to look at the quilt differently: variations on placement/size; color or pattern; and form - intentionally offset lines or repeating the pattern. The twenty blocks are then used to create three different sampler quilts - one by each of the authors/designers - to show how the same core pattern can look very different through the use of placement, fabric choices, or framing and sashing.I picked the book up because I like the Cut Glass Baby Quilt pattern so much and wanted to read more closely the instructions, maybe also see what else would catch my eye.The photos are beautiful with modern bright colors - lots of secondary and tertiary hues with white and tan. The instructions are very clear with several diagrams for each block, showing the layout of the pieces and how they fit together. In fact, there are instructions for the central block for each design as well as the larger quilt (or pillow or tote bag...). There are also design notes for each project, explaining the technique, skill level, and what makes it "modern" (this last one is a bit of a stretch for me for some of them, but I think the authors were trying not to repeat anything and they do include a little story explanation). Scattered throughout are little history snippets which may or may not tie into the project they are associated with.The paperback book comes with a CD from Interweave of paper piecing templates, and I believe the ebook version has a downloadable PDF file. Over half of the projects use paper piecing, even if they're built entirely out of rectangles and half-square triangles. I haven't taken a look at the CD, mostly because I don't have a printer to even bother with the templates, so they're fairly useless. I'll probably end up with a ruler, protractor, and some trial-and-error to make my own cutting templates when I'm ready to start my Cut Glass quilt.Also, while the book does have instructions for how to paper piece and some of the basic tools needed, it's not an introductory book at all, and it only talks about the patterned quilt tops. Many of the patterns are labeled as suitable for beginners, but really one should have at least some experience with matching points and corners before picking this book up.