pittsburgpam

This might be a controversial subject but looking a lot of the quilts that seem to win all the shows I am not in love with them. There are a lot of "art" quilts, scenes of one subject or another or totally abstract. I appreciate the time and effort and the artistic expression, about as much as I can appreciate a painting. They don't even look like quilts to me, a lot of them.

Where does the traditional quilter fit into all that? Can you show me a "traditional" quilt that won Best Of Show? First Place? Second Place?

I am more of a traditional quilter. I like symetry and precision piecing, the use of color that gives a new look to an old favorite or a new way of putting them together.

Rose Marie

I agree and find the use of color makes all the difference in the world with a quilt pattern.
Art quilts are nice to look at and admire at shows but not my thing, I want something usefull.

kluedesigns

i'm an art quilter. i can make a more traditional style quilt - thats where everyone starts to learn quilting.

quilting is an artistic expression and therefore a matter of personal taste.

i don't take offense to your question. i can admire your work just as well as you can admire mine - good art and skill is just that - regardless of the style.

if we all made the same quilts the quilt world would be boring.

as far as shows go - i have found in all my traveling to quilt shows that certain shows favor a certain style.

in NYC modern art quilts are the name of the game - when a traditional is up against Paula Nadelstern or Anna Faustino you've got to be 110% on your game to win.

now move the show to Lancaster, PA and you've got to do a traditional piece and if you really want to win you better not use a stitch regulator and even better would be to hand piece and quilt if you want to increase your odds of winning.

quiltbugs

I agree, Pam. I think most all of them are very beautiful, and they certainly take a lot of talent to make, but I also think they are more of "Fabric Art" than quilts. They just are not what I think of as a "quilt". This is not meant to be derogatory in any way, shape or form; they are simply a "different" object. Some are absolutely breathtaking in the talent and skill taken to make them, but are they actually "quilts"?

kluedesigns

thats an excellent point and i think that might be why they call themselves fiber artists and not quilters.

a quilt is typically meant to be slept with or used to wrap around the human form and art quilts are never meant to be used in this fashion.

when a client wishes to commission a project from me the first conversation is do you wish to use this as a quilt or a piece of art on the wall.

Sharon M

when I think of quilts I do gravitate towards traditional. I certainly can appreciate the talent, work, time and experise that goes into the "art quilt" but with my style of decorating would not want to use them on a bed. IMO they are at their best displayed on walls as art. But that is just how I feel. I agree with kluedesigns, it depends what section of the country or world you are in what is more popular. Also think from experience in my area that quilts tend to run in trends at the local quilt shows. One year bargello was so popular and that was all we were seeing around here. Now that meandering quilting is popular I hardly see a quilt done any other way. A lot of quilts are dated by their material or type of pattern that was so popular during certain times....we are now living in a time were a lot of quilting will be known for its art form rather than quilts that were once known to keep us warm. We are a big enough world to accept all kinds of quilting and I am just happy that we have so many people that are so knowledgeable and skilled in all of the methods and that I can see pictures of so many of them right here on our board :D

amma

I think the definition of quilt is that it have a back, batting and backing. Over the decades/centuries they have transitioned, nothing at all like great-great-great-great-grama used to make out of used clothing and fabric scraps. I wonder if decades/centuries ago if some quilters looked at crazy quilts as art quilts, or more elaborate blocks like Mariner's Compass or Baltimore Blocks as art quilts too??? My grandmother (born in 1901) thought that a quilt needed to be hand pieced, hand quilted, hand tracing pieces onto the fabric and cut with "real" scissors to be considered a "quilt", but that was grama's way :D :D . I love all quilts, styles, but hand pieced and hand quilted of any kind are very special to me. I am so glad that there is room for everyone's own interpretation of a "quilt" in the quilt world. :D :D

Moonpi

I am currently working on both types. I love the freedom of the art quilts, but traditional piecing keeps me focussed. My quilts are not made for exhibitions, though.

Why judges may prefer one over another is a mystery to me. I can overlook technical flaws if the overall quilt has great design and color. Others need every stitch in place, "just so" to consider a piece worthy.

Quilting changes more than any other art I have been involved with - hand piecing purists and longarmers who can enhance a top's appearance with their own artistry. It's all good.

shaverg

Pam, I am pretty traditional myself. We were just at the Glendale Ca. quilt show last week. They had a beautiful traditional pieced and applique, it won best in show. This was a very large show too. I think there is always a place for traditional.

Pam if you are in Pittsburg, CA, not sure. The Amador Quilters have their show at the Alameda County fair grounds, the 25th and 26th of April. Parking is free if you attend the show. You should go, I think you would love it. Great show and great vendors.

quiltswithdogs

My favorite style is traditional patterns. I only have about 6 years of experience so I still have many many patterns to try. Fun!

But, this past Christmas was financially so hard, we could not afford to buy even one present even for our wonderful daughters. So, using only fabrics I already had, I made one for each of them as well as for my mom, sister and nieces. With my medical issues I knew I didn't dare make anything big or too difficult or it might not get done in time. So, I tried small quilted fabric landscapes and put them into frames that I bought with a gift card I had gotten for my birthday. So, it was all free and a huge hit! Of course, my sweet family members already have wallhangings, pillows, quillows, lapquilts and my daughters each have a bedquilt. So the "artsy" project was different and as it turns out, conversation pieces for their visitors. So, I like this landscape quilting too.

Always a history buff, when I go to a quilt show, I mostly love the traditional style. I must admit, however, that I am also amazed at the art quilts.. especially when there are people in it and with such perfect shading on faces that when you step back, it looks like a photo! I can't draw or paint, so wonder, how do they do that? Were they fine artists first?

Cathy