I think my quilting style reflects...
Why?
I like combining elements and techniques
that make me happy!
My roots are planted deep in traditional quilting
after 20+ years...and I like to break the rules.
I have never liked quilt police or quilt snobs
of any professed quilting style.
Lets take a look at some of the 2019 Quilt Con quilts.
I don't mention makers because
this post is about MY THOUGHTS
on traditional vs modern
and not about WHO made the quilt.
This quilt looks and feel modern
with solids, two colors and amazing quilting
in the negative space.
BUT curves and circles have been in quilt designs
forever and a day.
Solids here, in a rainbow color flow,
Negative space quilting...yep there is a lot
of that when one uses solids.
BUT
The clam shell pattern and echo quilting
(lines that repeat in same design)
speaks very traditional to me.
Here are two designs of quilt blocks that are traditional
but presented with modern aesthetics.
Left looks like traditional cathedral window blocks.
A traditional window has folded fabric in it
and this quilt does not.
These blocks look flat to me...
Using curves to make the cathedral design
very modern.
The flying geese have been in quilts a long time.
I doubt an entire traditional quilt
would be "just" geese, but maybe.
Again, solid color fabrics speak to modern design.
Straight organic line quilting brings the modern feel home.
This pretty modern quilt is designed with solid and
prints that read solid...the black and white
and a pop of color caught my eye.
The spiral quilting of the negative space, very modern.
and a pop of color caught my eye.
The spiral quilting of the negative space, very modern.
The two things make this look traditional to me.
Drunkards Path (curves) quilt blocks AND
I remember a guild quilt challenge called
Black and White and a Spot of Bright.
I remember a guild quilt challenge called
Black and White and a Spot of Bright.
The modern spin on the traditional Log Cabin Block
had me spinning. I love the modern wonky design
and the use and placement of color for a modern feel.
The Traditional Log Cabin Block has a very
structured light and dark side
of specific sizes of fabric pieces.
Finished blocks can be arranged
in a variety of layout designs.
Next is a rectangular block quilt.
Traditional in the sense that the rectangles
might have been strip pieced.
NOT SEW here.
Modern improv piecing of the rectangles.
The solid colors and straight line quilting
lend to the modern aesthetic.
I see a stained glass quilt here.
Stained glass has been a traditional technique
The window panes were usually made with
a black bias tape with a sticky back that
was pressed on and stitched down.
Here the gray fabric represents window panes and
incorporated into the piecing of the improv blocks.
The quilting in each block of color...
"echo" the lines and feels traditional to me.
The wonky design makes is very modern.
I did a double take when I looked at this eye catcher.
At first glance I saw circles with a novelty print
inside the big circles.
The appliqued (traditional technique) "rocks"
with supporting characters are on each big rock.
What I saw were very modern and unique
"I Spy blocks" made modern.
The wonky spiral quilting and wavy background
quilting made this one "sing out loud"!
I have never been on board with all that is professed
to be MODERN. For instance,
I get annoyed when I hear batiks are now
acceptable in modern quilts...really?
Traditional quilters have been using batiks
for a very long time. .
I loved them, sewed them and then
SOLD my stash of them!
I am old enough to know
"what goes around comes around"
For me...I have always danced to my own drummer...
BUT
to be MODERN. For instance,
I get annoyed when I hear batiks are now
acceptable in modern quilts...really?
Traditional quilters have been using batiks
for a very long time. .
I loved them, sewed them and then
SOLD my stash of them!
I am old enough to know
"what goes around comes around"
For me...I have always danced to my own drummer...
BUT
when traditional collides with modern...
Kwilty Pleasures do happen.
