Great question!
I did one quilt back in 1980, going by a 1970's book by a famous 'modern quilter' (Michael James?) who was doing quilts like old Frank Stella and 60's pop art movement. I used scissors and I measured with a regular ruler and a carpenter's retractable rule. I didn't quilt again until just three years ago and I was in shock when I found out about the rotary cutter, and clear plastic rulers! Whoa! Old way? In the rear-view mirror!
I would like to go back to safety-pin-basting but I am a weak woman, and spray works for me just fine.
However, I threw out my steam iron and use a dry iron and I love it.
And if you ask Ricky Tims or Kaffe Fassett ... I bet they have that 1960's art-style quilt book on their shelves and it has inspired them.