Difference between traditional, contemporary, modern, art quilting
 

1. If asked by a non quilter or newbie, how would you describe the differences between traditional, modern, contemporary and art quilting?
2. Would you lump all of these styles into the heading of "fiber art". If not, why not ?
3. Do you think major quilt shows have room for all of these different styles, or should they each have their own shows?
4. do you think the same judges can fairly judge all of these styles? Please explain your answer.
5. While most big shows require the entrant to provide info about the quilt such as maker, quilter (if different than maker), design source if not original, etc, the placards by the displayedquilt doesn't provide those details at some shows. Do you think that is fair to all who may have had a part in the overall success of the quilt?

Thank you for sharing your insights.

I s there an extra credit question? ;-)

I think including 'art quilt' in 'fiber art'
would be similar to saying
'a cat' is 'a mammal'

The questions are actually good - but not easily answered in a sentence or two.

Nor if entering a show. I know.

I will address #5, wherein you state that some shows don't display all the credits. I don't agree with the premise of that statement. I've been to major shows such as Houston and Paducah, and many, many smaller regional/local shows. Every single one of them did a great job of listing the maker, quilter, designer and/or inspiration. In fact, I can't remember ever attending a show that didn't list that info.

I can only give my opinions but here is what I perceive the differences to be:

"Traditional" applies to the tried-and-true old patterns that have been done for decades, if not centuries.
"Contemporary" means updated for today. It can include the traditional patterns done in updated fabrics and settings.
"Modern" is a category of patterns and fabrics that departs from all the form and rules of traditional quilting. Anything goes.
"Art Quilting" is more about creating a work of art than a blanket. Art quilting is usually quite labor intensive and is quilted very densely, making a great item to hang in a gallery, but not so much to cover yourself with for warmth!

"Fiber Arts" is a very broad category that all these styles of quilting fall into, but so do so many other things-- any and everything created with fiber of any kind.

These are only my layman's understanding of these terms.

I can't really speak to the other things you asked, as I have never participated in any kind of quilt show.

My layman's terms are quite unsophisticated - but I'll put them out there for someone to jump on!

Traditional quilting - in my mind - would/could also include the following -

The covers/blankets made from whatever one could get one's hands for the purpose of warmth. The quilts made by the women from Gee's Bend are an example of that. The workmanship could vary widely. They could be tied or held together with big stitches. The ones that were meant to be used and used hard. What we called 'utility quilts.;

It seems that even among quilters, that the lines between the categories are blurred.

sewbizgirl explained it the way I understand the terms.

There was a discussion on another thread about "utility quilting" - which some of us understood to be the process of making quilts for everyday use - but others declared that it was a type of "bigger stitching" to hold the layers together.

Slippage i(misunderstanding) in communication is a common thing.

I, too, was very (unpleasantly) surprised at some of the first responses on this thread.

Congratulations Sally, on your Best of Show Win in 2009, with your Fishy Serenade.
Is there a 2013 show coming up, that you are preparing to enter?

http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/co...ws-large-crowd
http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/si...?itok=MTSiztQ-

I was interested in this post because I have been looking to put a label on the type of quilts that I prefer to do. I really don't care what label they have, but I would sort of like to be able to say something when a traditional quilter asks what kind of quilting I do. All I really know is that most of my quilts are not traditional and not art.

So I found the definitions quite informative, and I am glad to know them.

I still don't have a name for exactly what I prefer, but that is okay. I just like nontraditional quilts ...that is probably good enough for me. :) I seem to prefer white in my quilts and less quilting on the front....that is what I tell folks right now, when they ask. And it is okay to not be labeled....I just thought for a minute I might be. :)

Dina

There are "official" definitions as noted by Holice, recognized by a formal organization process, and must be known for certification. There are many more informal definitions, which perhaps for your own purpose, as noted, fit the bill. Some of these used and are often seen in other threads here on the QB. Eg. when someone asks what is "modern quilting"? "low volume"? "traditional" etc. And each time, many different interpretations are put forth ... and sometimes those may even conflict among themselves ... and with the "official" ones. Another example, by going to many of the "modern quilt websites" (guilds and otherwise), you will see different interpretations of what a "modern" quilt is.

SallyNeckvatal has presented quite a detailed list of questions. Ones were there is no simple answer, as depending on the reason for the sourcing of the info, we might have different answers.

What category was the 2009 blue-ribbon quilt of Sally's pictured? Beats me! Maybe that's the problem here...

I'd say there is no real answer as there could be many crossovers in categories. Maybe traditional if you only used those quilt blocks the way they have been used for years - but then you can quilt them in myriad ways so would that change the category?

If the definition of a quilt is 3 layers of fabric sewn together in a certain way - what then is this?
I make 2 small quilts and quilt them. Then I put a sweatshirt pattern on the quilt, cut out and use those quilts for front and back of the shirt. The arms are still 3 layers of fabric, but quilted with fancy machine stitches.

I have a traditional quilt with traditional quilting, I have an "art" quilt on the sleeves, and I have a garment.

Many embroidery machines can quilt in the hoop - what does that fall under?

If this was spurred by a run-in with the "quilt police" then they need another way to judge quilts if it isn't apparent which category. You can't compartmentize everything.

Wow. Interesting discussion. I have no answers for you mostly because I am not interested in lables. I just do what I love and patterns that interest me. I hope you find the answers to you quesstions. Good luck.

As a old woman who comes from a family of quilters my answers are my thoughts only and may not be what you are looking for, Traditional to me are the patterns my grandmother and mother used to hand piece in the 30's and 40's that were handed down from their mothers and grandmothers. In my mind the contemporary is the newer patterns that have come out in the 50's forward. The modern in my mind is the use of blocks, circles, cubes and shapes to create the pattern.Art quilts I love to make are cutting fabrics to make a picture or work of art from fabric. As for quilt shows I no nothing about putting one together I just enjoy seeing the beautiful work done by other quilters.

I have been wondering,though- for a show - how would/could one make the categories 'level playing fields'? And with so many styles - some with what appear to have several things going on at one time - where would one enter the item? Or if it didn't 'fit' exactly, would the person just take it back home and not show it?

I have not entered shows - but from what I've read - it seems like an entrant needs to get the rules/guidelines - and THEN make the quilt/item to fit the category.

(Makes me think of 'teaching to the test' - rather than teaching so the students learn how to think and reason on their own.)

And - also - how would/could one verify that an entrant's information is completely factual or a critical fact or two has either been omitted or stated inaccurately?

As far as 'judging fairly' - I would think that workmanship standards would be fairly consistent - how are the bindings put on, are the points pointy, etc. - and that - I would hope - that Judges A, B, and C would be pretty much in agreement on that.

As far as appeal - are judges biased? I've seen some quilts that I thought were very attractive from a distance - and not so well made - and vice-versa.

I would guess that judging a quilt show is a bit like judging figure skating.

Meaning...very subjective. :)

about nr. 4.

I am sure just as some artists are more knowledgeable and prefer modern art, others prefer impressionistic, others renaissance art, like Da Vinci, etc. They are going to be biased towards their preference.

If a judge really loves "modern quilting", they will naturally prefer that type of quilt and they can't help it. The same goes with traditional, contemporary or art. I think they should be each in their own category. I don't think that an art quilt and a traditional Wedding Ring are apples = apples. I think they are more like like apples=oranges. Both fruit, but definitely different.

But in truth, I am a nobody and my opinion really doesn't for anything. So, while it is my opinion, in the big world of quilting, it is nothing.

I suppose that a judge could learn to judge fairly each kind of quilt, but I would think that they would be better at one or the other.

Another example
.......... An Irish Chain is a traditional pattern .....
though if one is made with modern styled prints in way out colours
.......... is the resulting quilt still considered traditional?



Re shows/fairs ... yes, read/study the classes and the specs
... and know the definitions specific to that show.

Do Not Assume!

WE ARE ALL SOMEBODY--JUST BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A FAMOUS NAME DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE NOBODY. Justflyingin-- you have some very nice quilt tops that you make- I would have to say you are a very good person who takes the time to make and donate so others may have. I am sure there are a lot more who do the same. So I do not consider anybody nobody because we all are somebody. Some just know more and do more than others. All depends on what sparks your passions and your life.

I think you are greatly underestimating the ability of any professional judge, not just quilting judges, to set aside their personal preferences and judge solely on the merit of the work/art/animal/performance/talent they are judging at that moment in time.

The Best of Show winner at the first ever International Modern Quilting show, QuiltCon 2013 in Austin, was a double wedding ring. Do you believe that happened just because the judge favored traditional quilts over modern quilts?

The boundries between quilt styles cannot be nailed down and many times the distinctions are solely in the eyes of the beholder. The desired ideals for all styles, however, remain the same...quality workmanship, powerful design, and a masterful use of color. Those can be judged regardless of personal taste or whether the quilts are competing in one category or many.

Too many questions to be answered in this forum.

I am certainly no authority on the different styles is quilts/quilting. But like everyone else, I have my own opinions. ;)
Traditional to me brings to mind things like double wedding ring, grandmothers flower garden, four patch, hand embroidered state flowers, and all the others from the era of our parents and grandparents, usually done in vintage type fabrics.
Modern brings to mind designs like rectangle in a frame, ones done primarily with jelly roll strips, Bargello, ones with lots of "white space" and blocks or circles of color.
Modern can also be traditional patterns done in more unique color combinations. Or would that be considered Contemporary?
I think of Art Quilts as being things like landscapes, portraits, thread painting, as well as wall hangings that are just "different".

Fiber art includes knitting, crocheting, embroidery of all types, weaving, tatting, lace making, braiding, etc. as well as quilting and any other type of sewing.

Can't answer anything about quilt shows as I've only been to two so far.

I do know that judging in the art category at a local county fair had been known to be very much determined by the judges taste. (For a number of years if it wasn't a floral landscape or a cowboy on a horse it didn't stand a chance. Lol!)

Maybe I am underestimating their ability to be fair and well-balanced....

Why was a double wedding ring quilt entered into a modern quilting exhibition?

My own experiences as to judged competition is the local county fair and cross stitch. I had one cross stitch project win a blue ribbon which shouldn't have won anything--it was one of those kits that the color was prestamped onto the fabric--all I had to was to cross stitch over the top of the colored fabric--total cop out as to skill required!--that project was so "small" and not all that wonderful--yes, it looked great, but didn't actually take much skill to do.. A couple of my other rather good projects didn't get anything--I just laughed. And I figured that some judge somewhere (fair judge or not), really just didn't know. It didn't deserve to be judged higher than my other ones. (My family entered my projects in my absence--I was already here in Poland when they decided to enter my stuff in the fair.)

So, as to my own meager experience in judged competitions, says that the judges lean to one type or the other....

I watched a cooking show (Chopped) where the judge didn't like raw onion and got upset when the participant gave him raw onion in the appetizer and the main course. The judge said that the competitor wasn't paying attention to the client when he did that. (Judges are people too and sometimes can't get past their own bias.) I personally didn't see that the judges' personal taste buds (raw onion or not) should determine whether the cook actually did a good job at cooking.

I certainly don't mean to pick at anyone about judged competitions, but I've learned to take all these kinds of things with grains, if not chunks, of salt. Anything that has a chance of bias, whether diving competitions, figure skating, gymnastics, including fiber arts, etc...the winners may or may not actually be the best in the land/world. (I suppose I'm cynical.) --for sure the winners are the ones that the judges chose and that is all I really know.

And that's okay with me. My self-worth isn't based on what any human judge says about my work--cross stitch or quilting, etc.

I hope justflyingin you're going to have a better day. I love to make quilts, no matter what the category someone wants to put it in. They will not be perfect, they will not be entered into competition, but, they will be loved. If you don't love what you're doing, then don't do it, just saying.

I have no answers for you either. Your questions reminded me of an article Bonnie Hunter wrote. I will try to attach a link.
http://mystarsblog.com/2013/07/18/th...ney-to-modern/

I'm having a great day. I am not sure what you are getting at.

I so totally agree :) As for me no labels, I never did fit into a box and that is fine with me.

Thanks for posting the link to this article!

I wonder if the answers/classifications might vary according to the level of the show/exhibition?