I love modern quilts, I love all quilts!

Yes, Holice, I'd like to know what you had to say about Modern Quilts in the article that was published.

I like the way Modern quilts look in homes with modern decor. I'm not likely to make one for myself though. Neither of my son's wife/girlfriends favor modern decor but the grandkids might when they reach adulthood. I don't care for traditional quilts at all. I think 30's fabrics and designs are about the ugliest stuff ever made, although some of the stuff from the 70's definitely give it a run for the money. I would call the style of quilts I make contemporary.

I do think the Modern quilts tend to focus less on the piecing and more on the actual quilting.

True... didn't mean to imply that at all... What I was talking about was "scrappy", where you use anything you have.

I will have to look up the exact quote but it was something like...of the 50 or so aims/ purpose of the group, workmanship is about number 35, indicating the importance of it in moderns quilts. And some thought that for me the exciting element is freedom of design. This is not an exact quote but the gist of it. This resulted from a conversation I had with a quilter who is also a freelance writer for the newspaper. My conversation was about another subject related to the modern movement.

Not necessarily. I've done many with straight lines and a walking foot.

Holice, I read the WSJ article. thanks for noting it - very interesting.

I would think that there is no reason why modern quilt designs can't be technically complex, even virtuoso, and why construction quality might be undervalued. All elements of craftmanship should be valued in a judged quilt. I hope those modern masterpieces will hold up as long as our grandmothers' quilts did!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think of quilts as paintings composed of colored bits of fabrics - each an expression of different form and sometimes function- much like oil or watercolor paintings. Some paintings are abstract and look as if paint colors were mindlessly thrown against a blank canvas while other paintings have a painstaking view of the world around us like John Singer Sargent or Monet. Is one better than the other? Is one easier to do than another? Does it matter? I think what matters is the creative spirit that each of us finds in ourselves and how we express it to others. To take a quote from Voltaire, I may not believe in what you say but I will defend your right to say it. ....I may not like the design of a quilt or the colors but I will respect the creativity.

I like it. And my niece just saw it. She's 8yo and thinks she would like to make one like yours for her little friend. He's 6 months old. She of course wants to use baby type prints. She's just learning and plans on doing it by hand. Little does she know she's getting a sewing machine for Christmas.

Nice quilt - looks a lot like the 1930's quilt I bought up in Kitchener Ontario some years ago. Mine was nine-patch all random, but the squares were only just over an inch.

Any comments from the modern quilters on whether my 1930's quilt is modern?

I love the modern quilt aesthetic; I love that it is bringing eager, young quilters to the art/craft; I love the blend of clean, clear, updated design executed with solid, proven, traditional skills; I love that it is creating a 'stir' just as Modern Art did when it appeared on the scene; I love the possibilities it opens up. I fully support any and all growth in quilting, and I believe the Modern Quilt Movement is going to have a major place in quilt history.

This quote sums it up nicely for me (note the date).

"If we can retain the structural integrity of the traditional quilt, and add to it a contemporary approach in color and design, we will achieve a quilt which merges past and present." ~Jean Ray Laury, Quilts & Coverlets (1970)

I think traditional patterns and quilting fabrics look better in a country or classic bedroom setting. I also think modern patterns/colors look more at home in an urban setting. However...I love all quilts and would welcome any and all styles, colors and patterns that I might have gifted to me.

Once in a while I see a modern quilt which appeals to me, but for the most part they don't blow my skirt up. Nevertheless, I can appreciate them and those who like them. I think they definitely have a place in our world, I just will likely never make one.

Any new quilters into the fold is good for all of us, keeps us forefront in the marketing share.
That said all that grey depresses the heck out of me.
Grey and teal and pink will be the teens equivalent of 1980's dusty blue and mauve. Dated. Which is fine because then we all move on to something more challenging and use up the dated quilts :) Win win.

I agree with you Jeanne. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder someone once said. I try to make my quilts attractive, cherry and bright. I hope they are still around after I am dead and buried. I did see recently a show on quilting aired on PBS. Some guy made art out of recyclable aluminum cans in the shape of quilt patterns. He didn't think it fair that his art wasn't considered a quilt. In my mind as long as there is fabric on the front and back and batting in the center, it's a quilt.

Thanks, Holice, I did some reading that referenced the WSJ article. Got a chuckle out of your workmanship statement.

Well said!

Thanks for starting this thread--it's been an interesting read.
As far as quilts lasting--that depends on how they are used. The pristine examples we have from ages past were not used everyday and not allowed to lay in the sun. Right now I have a couple of 1990 era calico type 9P and snowball quilts that are deteriorating fast. Why--because my kids used them on their beds and they were thrown in the washing machine regularly. The quilts served the purpose for what they were made for.

Thanks SSK :-)

I imagine this is a conversation many, many generations have had and will have. Remember, what we now call traditional, someone used to call modern. I don't consider a modern quilter a cop-out anymore than I consider a traditional quilter old fashioned. To eachbhisown!

My take on Modern quilts
 

I agree with Sewbizgirl -" too much traditional just bores me stupid!" People tell me my quilts are more along the modern line but I just do what excites me. I make a variety of styles - some 3D, some using panels panels it just depends on the pattern and the fabrics! My quilts are not easy and most of them I design myself - http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...38-albums.html. My current quilt is Called Crazy Diamonds and I named it that because it is driving my CRAZY!

I am a big fan of quilts, to define a quilt as any class without looking at it for artistry....I'm not a big fan of all color choices people pick, but that's the thing each quilt is uniquely inspired by the maker be it color pallet and or pattern each is an individual choice...

I tend to agree with the OP. - not 100%, but it does seem that way.

But the same is with sewing patterns--"fast and easy" is the way to go. The same with cooking, "done in a flash"--"spend 10 min. or less in the kitchen and have dinner on the table (slight exaggeration)."

But what can we expect? I've seen bloggers who had never sewn until there years ago and now they are selling quilt patterns with a blog of their own. Theirs aren't going to be the technically proficient patterns out there--it just isn't possible. Some skills take years to learn--not 1-2 from start to complete proficiency.

It seems like that it is often the case that modern quilters go with "minimalist" designs--translating into "easy peasy", quick, and not high proficiency required.

I think it is a shame that more of our 60 year old+ highly skilled quilters don't have more computer skills. We could benefit from their blogs. Sigh. Instead we have more quilts with lots of white with bright colors quilts (which I also like, but are quite easy to make).

It's like seeing minimalists homes (as seen in magazines)--they have the feel of an office or a hotel--not a home. Lately they've remodeled our McDonalds and taken away any "warmth" in it--it now feels all plastic chairs and stainless steel--and not a place you actually want to stay--which may be their point, I realize.

But I don't consider 3-D, geometrics, or labyrynths, or like the one that racerh posted so "modern". I love those--and I know that designs like that are not easy--either colorwise, or skill wise.

I wish that more people like Polly at http://threemennonitequiltingsisters...ys-quilts.html

would do blogs and show us their work and sell patterns! That is an amazing quilt!

But in the end, if modern quilters will buy fabric, keep the quilt shops alive and fabric manufacturers in business, we'll all be better off. And as, they mature in their skills, they will also mature in what they post on their blogs. So, we all benefit.

But I still can't quite wrap my mind around one I read that really looked just like quilt backs I make--literally, there was no design, but the blogger was quite happy with her quilt and her new direction.

But really, to call zigzags, chevron strips, polka dots, new, is beyond crazy. These are not "new"--they may be "popular again" but they aren't new.

I'm old enough, and have been around quilting ladies long enough, to remember similar comments/complaints lodged against the newfangled quilters in the 70s who were starting to use poly-batts and throw polyester scraps into the mix. Time sided with tradition on that one.

But I also remember the traditionalists ranting about the innovation of the rotary cutter and rulers and cutting mats. And this chain piecing, and all the little tips and tricks for speeding up the process! Where is the precision? Where is the artistry? Where is the skill? Give us cardboard templates, a sliver of soap, and the old sewing sheers, because anything else is an abomination! And there can be no such thing as machine quilting unless you are constructing matress pads in a sweatshop in a third world nation, for everyone knows that quilting can only be done with a between needle with a waxed 100 % cotton thread, with a hoop or a frame, and one must strive for 10 - 12 stitches per inch. On that set of ideas, the majority has been quick to jump ship and accept rotary cutting and machine quilting. Many of you traditionalists would have been considered *way modern* in the 1980s.

Quilting always has been about innovation and taking advantage of what's available. It's also an art that is interactive with the environment in which it's made -- be it the climate or the decor sensibilities. Modern quilters are following the rules in that respect.

Take color choice: Gray in quilts is not depressing. It's the neutral that prevails in home decor now. Gray and/ or white in quilts looks good in houses that have current color schemes, while a lot of the beige and off whites just look grimy. Done well, the neutrals, whether white, gray, beige or black, allow the eye to rest a bit and give room for the visual focal points. An overly busy quilt is like a crowded sales circular. What many of us quilters think of as bright and cheery, to non-quilters looks like way too much color and "stuff" all crammed into a smallish space.

I do hear you all on the comments about sometimes knowledge base and technical level is lacking with some of the newer quilters. However, if you really want to see them look to you for input on essential skills, you'll have to temper your presentation and not come across like cranky and critical old biddies. I've made that mistake in presentation myself. I was attending a modern quilt guild sew-in, saw a young woman pressing her quilt top prior to layering. She had not pressed any of the blocks during construction, and she was making a regular mess of it. It hurt to see her doing the things she did to what was really a lovely top, made with very expensive fabrics. I wanted to be helpful and give her some tips. What she heard coming out of my mouth was not help, just mean old lady picking on her. Is she likely to ever ask me for help? No. She will just keep on mangling her quilt tops and having big lumps at the seams, and then older quilters will make snide remarks about how her construction skills are not going to stand up to the test of time, blah blah blah.

In the discussion of traditional vs. modern styles, I think there is an unspoken but very real concern/anger from the traditionalists that their craft which has taken decades to perfect, and their quilts, which are large, carefully constructed, and technically precise, are not being valued as much as oddly shaped, improvised, quickly constructed pieces put together by a 20-something blogger who threaded her first needle 2 years ago. A lot of the modern quilts are priced very high, and apparently are selling on etsy or by the bloggers privately. I admit to being among those who shake their head in surprise that a 28 x 34 "baby quilt" which is essentially one block and a lot of sashing can sell for $150 while some very elaborate queen sized numbers sit forever unloved, despite being priced so low that it's hard to believe the cost of fabric can be recovered. The thing is, the baby quilt maker had figured out her market. She's made an item that is designed to sell, as opposed to following a bunch of rules learned over a lifetime of quilting classes and retreats and guild meetings, obsessing over every matched point, and producing something that doesn't fit anyone's current decor preferences.

For myself, I had some hard thinks on that, and came to the conclusion that I am not cut out to be a seller. I make quilts because they make me happy. I get my pay-off because while making my quilt, I can let go of day to day stress and just enjoy creativity. The bonus is that family and friends love getting my quilts as gifts, and if occasionally I produce a stinker that nobody loves, then no big deal, I keep it in the back of the closet and pull it out when someone's cold.

When I removed external affirmations (either in the form of sales or of praise and positive feedback) from my equation for why I quilt, then I no longer felt threatened of so annoyed by people whose quiltmaking aesthetics are different from mine. I'd like to think that now I'd just compliment the young lady ironing her quilt top on her color and fabric choices, chat about our favorite shops, and have a pleasant conversational exchange. No need for me to show her the right way or to set her straight.

Well said, RST, with much thought and insight. Kudos.

I do like your quilt and the colors. On the whole I am not a fan of modern quilts but that's just me. I know there are people out there that love them and don't like traditional. It's a personal choice really, like anything that is created. There as many ideas as there are people quilting and it helps quilting as a whole. Have fun and work with what you love!

I had never heard of Waggas before so thank you for an interesting amount of time spent on Google.

To me, these low volume quilts look like my grandmother's quilts--and I love them. She always used scraps and muslin--they don't feel modern to me at all. Old things are new again. :)

Love that expression not that I wear, or have ever worn, skirts. ;)

I'm new to quilting. I like them all but tend toward older patterns in my choices. The little bit of history I've gathered about quilting indicates that quilting historically was very relevant in the lives of the ladies who made them. Many of the quilts they made reflected what was going on thier lives at the moment. Civil War quilts, quilts of the underground railroad, wedding quilts, etc. I'm currently reading "Quilts of the Oregon Trail' that goes into the background of some of the quilts that were made during those times. I enjoy the quilts of the 30s with thier bold geometric patterns. What is traditional now was new at some point and there may even have been some of the same controversy back then. Why not quilts that reflect the styles and attitudes of today? I think there's room for the more traditional patterns along with modern quilts and art quilts even if the modern ones don't follow all the rules. Time will sort out the ones with enough merit to become traditional from the ones that just don't measure up for one reason or another.
Rodney

I attempted my 1st quilt as a teenager cutting strips for a log cabin using sewing shears and a tissue paper pattern. Note the word attempted! Of course nothing fit right and the piecing was a nightmare. I went back to sewing clothes.

When my Mom showed me her rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat I was all in again and took a beginning quilting class in 2002. Those tools made quilting fun!

I think it's a very exciting time to be a quilter. There are so many trends to chose from, a wide array of fabrics to use and so much inspiration and sharing of ideas. It's all personal preference. I love to look at modern quilts and very complex traditional quilts... But the quilts I make tend to be somewhere in the middle. Modern quilts don't look right in my home. I don't have the dedication or attention span to make a Baltimore Album or Dear Jane for example. It's all good and I look forward to what comes along next.

I'm one who knows what I like (or don't) when I see it.

Now the thing that draws me to it may be the pattern, the color choice, the uniqueness of it, the fact that it reminds me of something, the simplicity or intricacy of it, or that undefined sense of beauty revealed that just reaches out and pulls me in.

So it is not a particular style or era that pushes my buttons. There are quilts from every style and era that I like and also ones that I don't particularly care for (including some of my own).

I can still admire the creativity and workmanship in the ones I'm quite happy for someone else to pick as their favorite since its not mine.

I've also discovered that my taste evolves and what might have been a favorite twenty years ago may or may not be as appealing now.

Only once, and I hated it. Never again!

I like quilts. I have seen some "modern" quilts that were graceful and imaginative, others that were clunky and, IMHO, ugly and / or boring. I dislike most of Kaffe's fabrics.(DH agrees with me on both points, conveniently). Many "ART" quilts leave me cold. Nonetheless, I think everyone should be accepted for their own quilting muse. I know I am opinionated and hard headed. I am well aware that my quilts have many things in common with those of my great grandmother, and things that are quite different, for example, jewel tone batiks. I will continue to do what pleases me. I hope others will find their own voices.

What is negative space?

Negative space is the "white space" --not necessarily white, but it is often a neutral-- the area without design. If you look at a newspaper sales flyer, generally there is very little white space. If you look at a beautifully printed book of poetry, sometimes there will be far more whitespace than print. Using white space indicates that the design work is important and deserves your undivided attention. It takes a lot of nerve to use white space lavishly, but the effect can be very dramatic and graphic.

RST

When my "papa" (grandfather-- died over 40 years ago), ran for office back when, he bought a full page ad and put a few small words in the middle of the page with his name, etc. That's an attention-getter!

Not a real fan of most modern quilts but remember there are no rules in quilting so you are free to make whatever appeals to you!

This is a fascinating thread. What a response it has evoked! I am thankful for the modern trend because it is a continuation of a traditional skill set. When I go to an art gallery I love the traditional because I identify with it. When I move on to some of the other "modern" presentations my mind does not always see "art". I sometimes see "engineering". My home is still furnished in traditional maple and I am comfortable with my 'traditional' quilts and wall hangings. They would not look good in my grandson's living space that is black and sleek with straight, clean lines. So, I embraced the modern and made him a quilt that is mostly black and gray with a touch of red and blue. It looks great there. I just want to make quilts and I want them loved and used so I have moved into that concept. It is fun.

A good friend had been trying to drag me into the world of quilting for years, and I kept resisting... until three years ago, when I tagged along on a trip to a real quilt shop (I'd only been in chain stores). Well, those pillowcases were so cute, I thought I'd make one for my nephew. And oh, those rag quilts look pretty simple. I could do one of those. But a real quilt? Not me. No, no, no. I admired the work that went into them, but they didn't "blow my skirt up" either (great line, there, JustABitCrazy). A few days after that trip, I stumbled on the Modern Quilt Guild, and here I am with a vintage Bernina, two FWs, way more fabric than I should and three pieced quilts finished, and other WIPs. I'm not sure if it's the colors, the simpler patterns, or the ability to do my own thing that appeals to me, but I dont' see my self making a true traditional quilt, ever. If traditional were the only option, I wouldn't be quilting today.

As for the skills, yes, I see some that are less than professional, but we all start somewhere. Each quilt I've done has taught me so much, and I hope my skills continue to improve. This last one (my avatar) I designed and boy, did that teach me so much about piecing and assembling! I worked hard to get those seams to match. FMQ appeals to me, but I struggle with it a great deal, but I see that as a challenge.

On an interesting side note, since I've started quilting and looking at more modern designs, I've noticed that my house is looking a bit (OK, a lot) dated, so I've been modernizing there, too. I've been married 35 years, the kids are gone, and I'm reinventing myself. I'm loving colors I used to turn my nose up at (orange?? gray????). I think quilting is a lot like life. Some like to hold onto the past, some like to look for new roads to travel. It's all good.

No, it isn't that easy!! And then there is matchstick quilting which is straight line quilting about 1/4 inch apart all across the quilt. I was lucky enough to attend a Jacquie Gering trunk show a few weeks ago and she had a couple that were quilted like that. The texture it gives to a quilt is amazing and the perserverance it requires to do it is mind boggling. And some of her takes on traditional blocks blow my mind - like this one:
http://jacquietps.files.wordpress.co.../01/cogs12.jpg

I started quilting about 5 years ago and began by making "kid quilts". I think I did it because the traditional colors and patterns just didn't appeal to me. If I hadn't discovered the modern movement in quilts I seriously doubt that I would still be quilting. It isn't that I don't appreciate and admire the skill that goes into traditional quilts but I don't want them for my home and I definitely don't want to make them.

I'm not fond of modern quilts, I love the traditional styles and patterns. I do like what you are doing, it does look like something a young person would like, rather abstract like abstract art.