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Review: Shots and Stripes book

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Kaffe Book cover Shots Stripes

Kaffe Fassett and coauthor Liza Prior Lucy have a new book out this month, Kaffe Fassett Shots and Stripes. Happily, I received a review copy from the publicist at STC Craft who allowed me to ask the authors a few questions. You can read the interview here. The cover quilt gives a hint that this book is a departure for Kaffe. His trademark bright color palette is still with us, but the emphasis is solids, not the vibrant florals everyone associates with him. Incidentally, his florals do show up on the backs of the quilts in the book.

The 24 projects in this book include bed-size quilts, throws, wall hangings, table runners and cushions/pillows. While I was writing this review, HGTV’s Property Brothers came on my TV. In case you are not familiar with the series, two brothers visit homeowners who need help selling their property. The brothers do some renovating and redecorating so the owners can get top dollar for their present home, all to get them into their next one. All through this episode they dogged the homemade quilt on the couple’s bed saying it was an outdated choice. They replaced it with a comforter. After their house sold, the wife hands the quilt to the brothers and they pitch it back and forth like a hot potato. My thought at that very moment was, “they’ve never seen a Kaffe quilt”. The right quilt can give a space a fresh modern look as easily as a modern painting or a coat of gray paint. Why proclaim all quilts old-fashioned? Kaffe does not do old-fashioned or boring for that matter. Warned in art school to not be pulled in by the lure of the crafts like quilting and knitting, I’m so glad he went there. He’s undeniably a master of color and his fabric is always in my stash category of “too pretty to cut”.

Kaffe and Liza show us the inspiration for the projects they created for the book. We see some colorful crates in Istanbul then Overlapping Tiles, (pg 145-6). Pastel row houses become Korean Log Cabin, (pg 84-5). We also get a peek at Kaffe’s home as it’s used as a backdrop for a project or two. I would love to see Kaffe’s entire home, perhaps in a future book, hint, hint. As with all of Kaffe and Liza’s quilting books, this one has high production value (nice size  on quality paper, beautiful photos, lack of typos). Even if you have no intention of making any of the projects it would be an asset on any coffee table. For those who do embark on making some of the projects, they do include instructions, though be aware, they are not geared to a beginning sewer or quilter.

I’m giving away a copy of Shots and Stripes to a lucky Craft Gossip reader.

Stay tuned for giveaway details in a future post!

Comments

  2. I got to go to a lecture Kaffe gave at the NE Quilt Museum in Lowell. I didn’t know that he was warned away from “crafts”. The quilting and knitting world sure are lucky to his genius in our midst. I agree that his quilts are an art for, with their stunning and fresh approach to color and pattern Thanks for the chance to win this book. Cynthia

Have you read?

10 Modern Zig Zag Quilts That Feel Fresh and Graphic

Zig zag quilts have been around for decades, but modern quilting has completely reinvented them.

Gone are the busy calicos and tightly packed traditional layouts (although we still love those too). Today’s modern zig zag quilts lean into negative space, bold contrast, oversized blocks, and intentional color choices. The result? Clean, graphic quilts that feel more like art than heirloom.

If you’ve been searching for modern zig zag quilt patterns, contemporary chevron quilt ideas, or bold triangle quilt layouts, this guide focuses specifically on quilts that feel current, fresh, and design-forward.

Let’s talk about what makes a zig zag quilt “modern” — and then dive into patterns that truly showcase it.

What Makes a Zig Zag Quilt Feel Modern?

Modern zig zag quilts usually include one or more of these elements:

  • High contrast color palettes
    • Large-scale blocks
    • Negative space
    • Limited fabric prints
    • Minimalist layouts
    • Strong directional flow

Instead of relying on busy fabric to create interest, modern zig zag quilts use structure and contrast to do the heavy lifting.

Now let’s look at patterns that do this beautifully.

Descending Zig Zag Quilt

This pattern shifts the zig zag direction gradually across the quilt, creating a sense of movement that feels almost architectural. It’s not just repetition — it’s progression. Using a tight color palette here really enhances the modern feel.

Best for: Confident beginners and up
Fabric tip: Try a monochrome gradient for a dramatic effect.

 Lightning Zigzags

This version leans bold and graphic, especially when made in high contrast solids. The sharp peaks give it an energetic edge. It’s ideal if you want your quilt to feel like a statement piece.

Best for: Modern home décor
Fabric tip: Black + white or navy + cream works beautifully here.

Jelly Roll Triangle Quilt

Pre-cuts meet modern design. This pattern uses jelly roll strips to streamline cutting while keeping the zig zag lines crisp. The layout feels clean and organized rather than busy.

Best for: Quick finishes
Fabric tip: Choose solids or tone-on-tone prints for a sleeker look.

 Zig Zag Without HSTs

If trimming triangles isn’t your thing, this strip-pieced version creates the chevron illusion using straight seams. The result still feels graphic and modern, especially in minimal color schemes.

Best for: Beginners who love clean lines
Fabric tip: Stick to two strong contrasting colors.

Modern Chevron Tutorial – Lickety Split

This pattern embraces simplicity. Large zig zag rows and generous spacing give the design breathing room. It’s subtle, sleek, and very contemporary.

Best for: Minimalist quilters
Fabric tip: Low-volume background with bold accent color.

Super Easy Zig Zag Quilt

While colorful, this quilt can easily lean modern if you limit the palette and increase contrast. Scale plays a huge role here — bigger blocks feel more current.

Best for: Scrap lovers going modern
Fabric tip: Group scraps by color families to avoid visual chaos.

Herringbone Chevron Baby Quilt

This softer interpretation still feels modern thanks to clean construction and thoughtful color placement. It’s subtle but intentional.

Best for: Nursery décor
Fabric tip: Muted neutrals with one standout accent color.

Zig Zag Rail Fence

Rotating rail fence blocks to create zig zag movement gives you a modern feel without heavy triangle piecing. The structure feels orderly and balanced.

Best for: Fast weekend projects
Fabric tip: Alternate light and dark strips for clear definition.

Make This: Zig Zag Chevron Quilt

This quilt allows fabric to shine while maintaining strong geometry. The negative space makes it feel lighter and less crowded than traditional versions.

Best for: Modern scrap control
Fabric tip: Use solids as anchors between prints.

Modern Fuse Applique Zig Zag Quilt

Adding applique over zig zag piecing introduces texture without overwhelming the layout. It’s a hybrid technique that feels playful but still modern.

Best for: Creative experimentation
Fabric tip: Keep background neutral to let applique stand out.

How to Keep Your Zig Zag Quilt Looking Modern

If you want your zig zag quilt to feel fresh instead of traditional, focus on:

  • Value contrast over print variety
    • Bigger blocks over tiny repeats
    • White or low-volume backgrounds
    • Limited color palettes
    • Clean quilting lines (straight-line quilting works beautifully)

Modern quilting is less about complexity and more about intentional simplicity.

Zig zags are timeless — but with the right fabric and scale, they can feel completely current.