how do you know what your style is?
 

Im a new quilter and I just go for what I like! If I see a cute pattern or fabric I figure I will plan to do that one day. I looked over my small stash since Im a newbie and I have a good variety. I guess Im wondering what is traditional anyways. I know what modern is and I dont tend to lean that way much. Are these the only two styles?

Oooo...interesting question!

I think "traditional" and "contemporary" are broad enough that every style can be slotted into one or the other, but because they are so broad they are almost meaningless. For instance, if I described a quilt as a "William Morris" quilt it would mean a very specific look, with very specific colors, and even a certain technique (applique, I believe) in most cases. Yet that could be considered as "traditional" as any nine-patch in feedsack cotton!

When people ask me what kind of quilting I do I tend to describe the techniques and the colors I prefer to use, rather than a style. If pressed I might say "leaning toward contemporary", but even then I would feel the need to qualify that extensively.

I'll be curious to see what others say on this thread!

Alison

This is a great question! Looking forward to reading more responses.

I agree with what Alisonquilts posted about any style (persay) fitting into either type. Like you, I try what I like and want to experiment/learn at the time. Yet, mainly all of the quilts I create are considered Scrappy. Which again can fit into either catergory.

From what I feel, "traditional" would be anything that has a repetitve block, and the block has a name, and a story behind it:) Usually the quilt would have a border, and geometry of block placement is highly symmetrical.

However, I think it would be too restrictive to classify everything into 2 distinct categories. Nowadays, it is common to see traditional blocks using not so traditonal colors, placements, etc.

I like the contemporary feeling of non traditional quilts. But I have grown to learn that traditional quilt patterns have been around for so long, there must be an enduring beauty in them. I am exploring vintage and traditional patterns/blocks, but when I make them, I will add my personal touch - may it be placement, color, etc.
I am also into using non traditional quilting fabrics (indigenous fabrics, silks). So, do whatever calls to you, everything else is optional :)

Oh my! What a great question. I would say, look around your house. Is it comtemporary, shabby chic, english country, american country, fifties modern? If you are making for yourself, I would say to use the colors and style from your home.

Then conversly, if you are making for someone else, use their colors and styles so they will love how it fits thier style.

Now, throwing all that aside. If you love certain colors, work on a qult with that in it. I have come across quilts in a quilt shop that doesn't fit either of these criteria, but, I just HAD to make it anyways. It fastenated me, and I had to make it. There is always a member of my family that goes bonkers over it and it becomes thiers before they leave.

And then there are Art quilts. I've done both pieced and appliqued. With thread painting, too, I don't think we can hold to just two categories.

I consider myself a traditional quilter. Very drawn to 1800s-early 20th century fabrics and patterns
Very rarely had borders, which is fine by me as I don't usually like borders.
Rarely applique, even if a pattern shows some.


My quilts are more often defined by the fabrics rather than the style: interesting, off-beat, large stark florals, plaids, stripes and the like.

I've spent hours and hours ad. nauseum looking through quilting magazines and catalogs at quilt kits and patterns. I've decided there really isn't a style I don't like, although if pushed, scrappy quilts appeal to me most. I've made scrappy, traditional, modern and even a blue jeans quilt, and enjoyed them all. Right now I'm working on the Craftsy Civil War Reproduction Block of the Month, and really getting a kick out of it! It's history, and I love history. So I guess my point is that I love quilting, and can find any number of reasons to throw myself into a particular style of quilting: the challenge of the blocks, the juxtaposition of the colors, the choice of colors, working with a new texture, just because it's a new pattern, and so on. As long as a pattern appeals to me, style is secondary. I guess I'm what you would call an "eclectic".

What possible difference does it make? They are as many quilting "styles" as there are quilters...certainly scads more than just two.

People change, styles change, tastes change, everything changes...faster now than ever. It serves no purpose at all to put yourself in any kind of labeled box. As long as you can describe what you're talking about with words and pictures so that others understand you, there is no need for labels.

I have no style.. I make what ever suits my fancy at that time... Go with what you like..you can't go wrong that way. As a quilter you will find that you will drift from colors, styles etc ... that part of the fun and intregue!

I agree completely. I have found over time, though I've only been quilting for 14 years, that my taste in fabrics and designs has moved on to other types. Just do what appeals to you. And as you get more experience, your abilities will improve and you may feel adventurous and want to try something else.

I guess I'm on the "traditional" side as I really don't care for abstract, modern quilts. I like the old patterns best. I don't do applique and don't do art quilts...I'm just a plain old country gal and like the ones my Mom and Grandma made.

Oh my gosh I like everything. My home is Shabby Chic, mauves, sage, cream and pink. But one of my most favorite fabric lines is Kansas troubles. I love the old traditional patterns, but have made lots of primitive looking quilts, crows and sheep etc. I love fabric and all kinds of quilts!

I have been a scrapbooker and paper crafter for many years and developed my "style" in that art form. It made finding my quilt style much easier. I consider myself a Modern quilter who likes straight lines, no borders, lots of white, sashing, and most of the fabrics I use have white in them. I also use white, grey or some other form of solid for a neutral.

I have no preference on style. After finding a fabric or pattern I love, the quilt grows from there. I never really plan a quilt. They usually start with a fabric and another and another......

I like all styles of fabric so I might do a quilt that is all polka- dots and then do one in batiks and then a scrappy. It is all good.
peace

Don't try to pigeonhole yourself. Make whatever you like and makes you happy. you don't need to refer to any as a "style."

That sounds alot like me. I LOVE KS Troubles, but of course, first in my heart are Civil War repros, followed by 30's repros. I normally don't think of myself as a "modern" quilter but I recently got a book that has rather modern-looking quilts in it (made from components rather than blocks) & I love it (tho I can't for the life of me remember the name of it right now... LOL!). I tend to go in spurts... shabby chic, batiks, simple patterns, applique. I know there are some people who are strictly one "style" but I'm not one of them.

I think my style is best described as 'eclectic', it changes as easily as a breeze depending on my mood, the day, the season or whatever strikes my fancy.
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I have been quilting for about 14 years and I still do not have a defined style, I make what appeals to me and I do tend to go more to the bright side. Like others have said if pressed I would say I am more contemporary.

i am drawn to vintage patterns, but i can do them in more traditional fabrics. My favorite fabrics are 30s repros...yes - definitely explore all kinds and do what your eye draws you to.

I make whatever takes my fancy at the moment, no particular style in mind. Do what makes you happy and don't limit yourself. :)

Do you go for warm or cool colors? Most of my stash is made up of warm colors, so when it comes time to put a quilt together, I can pull from these fabrics and know things are going to coordinate.

I would like to see some of these kinds of quilts. I just bought some large florals..not sure what to do with them.