While Karen McTavish's quilting has a definite foot in traditional patterns, as evidenced by her excellent wholecloth work, she is a dichotomy to say the least. This very contemporary quilt artist with lovely scroll tatoos down her arms, is funny, insightful, and multi-talented. Rather than saying, I don't know how or I can't, she says why not? and then breaks down the elements of design into workable pieces. I love her and I love her books. ( )