There's a difference between purposefully mismatched points and points that are off because of a poor pattern. Much like anything, intention is just as important as execution. Saying "there might be gaps but never mind" is not adequate. If there are supposed to be gaps or the points don't match then make a point of it rather than it being poor design and execution. If I make a scrappy quilt and I don't have quite enough fabric to make things totally right then I say fair enough it's not going to match, but it's scrappy so not to worry too much, the design allows for that in certain places. If I'm making a twisted bargello then corner not matching is a huge issue. That's why I spend so long on the design of the pattern and the maths to ensure it is as perfect as can be so the cutting and putting together is as easy and mistake free as possible. Designing a pattern sets a certain standard, in quilts as in clothing, and saying "it's modern it doesn't matter" does not let off poor design. Everything should be a design feature that has been created on purpose, not because of poor workmanship.
In regards to Shame they's American, that is entirely a pain for us Brits as postage has become extortionate, half the places don't ship here and barely anything is available in pdf. It's not anything to do with nationality aside from that. Much like I want batik stamps from Bali but can't get them unless I fly over there. It makes lots prohibitively expensive. Standard letter shipping is £25 right now, so a big quilting pattern or fabric would be eye watering.
I really enjoy modern quilts and have made a few over the years (in fact my spiral swans quilt probably counts) and have another in the planning stage and I'm quite aware of style choices. In fact I rarely make anything considered "traditonal" at all. The concept of a curved ruler is to help create pieces that will piece neatly together, without giving you a headache or needing to FPP. If one creates a simple pattern like that table runner with a ruler that fails to match points that the designer just says "meh" about it then why would I buy either the ruler or the pattern when I could much more easily make an FPP template so every point matches, or mismatches, as a solid design feature.
And in my opinion the point of piecing is to create designs and shapes out of small pieces of fabric that either emphasise or hide the individual pieces that make up blocks and quilts to whatever size required. Whether or not the maker is happy with it is besides the point. Not everyone values precise points or the extra time doing so can create and that is fine. Each maker may do as they please. But when producing something like a commercial pattern seams should piece perfectly or the design feature of mismatch should be an actual feature, not a failing of the pattern. Otherwise those sewers who desire perfectly matched points will have wasted their money, time, fabric, and effort on something that will never work.
At no point has anyone said it's not a "real quilt". The disgruntlement has been on the quality of the pattern, in a similar manner that happens in the lightside when awful examples of patterns are shown on the cover of patterns, or when people sew something up that is obvisouly flawed and the problem is the design of the pattern. When purchasing things, they should be fit for use and up to standard.
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