The Baltimore album appliqué style is among the most rigidly traditional of all. What makes a Baltimore album - the elaborate fruit and flower appliqué patterns - doesn't allow for much creativity of design for the quilter. Or does it? Jane Townswick undertakes in her new book to show how quilters can put new wine in old bottles by ringing changes on traditional album blocks. Starting with a significant example of the style, an 1857 quilt from New York state belonging to the State Historical Association, Townswick shows the reader how to update and vary the traditional blocks in the quilt for a fresh and contemporary look that still is clearly in the Baltimore tradition. Townswick also uses fabric selection to update her look, and the effects of including Skydyes and other contemporary fabrics are refreshing and new. The book is full of tricks and techniques for easier appliqué. If you think Baltimore albums tend to be a bit stuffy, this book is a good antidote!