What Modern Quilting Means to Me

Warning kids. This one is a mouthful. Grab a cup of tea. Maybe brew a whole pot!

When I first blogged about attending a Modern Quilt Guild, I was asked what it means to be a modern quilter. Labels are a funny thing, they are often ambiguous and interpreted differently by so many people. Since I'm playing a very active role in the launch of the Greater Western Sydney Modern Quilt Guild, I've spent a great deal of time thinking about what modern quilting means to me. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my own projects and deciding what categories each of them fall into. I wanted to share with you what modern quilting means to me.

First, I'm going so send you over to the Modern Quilt Guild site for a bit to see how the group interprets modern quilting. I think it's such a terrific starting point for understanding what modern quilting is all about.   Go on, have a read. I'll be here when you get back!

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Our aim with GWSMQG is to celebrate those principles of modern quilting - principles like simplicity, asymmetry, structure (or lack their of), color and reinterpretation of quilting's traditional roots. It gives us a chance to come together and talk about textiles and the modern aesthetic. Not only is it a group to laugh, smile and have fun; it's a group in which we can grow as we share our common interest in modern quilting.

I wear many hats. I am a crafter. I am an artisan. I am a quilter - sometimes modern, sometimes traditional. I am lucky to have free time to dip my toe in many ponds. I love to try new things and feel fortunate there is so much inspiration available in so many different quilting arenas.  Being a modern quilter is not mutually exclusive from other kinds of quilting. More often than not, modern quilters crossover and work in other quilting genres. We are quilters.

I've been asked several times why I feel there is a need for Modern Quilt Guilds around Australia.  We live in a lucky country where each state has an established quilt guild. Our NSW Quilt Guild offers a number of great services to its members including library services, accreditation, scholarships and more. The group is quite diverse and caters to a number of quilting styles. Why then do we need Modern Quilt Guilds?

For me, personally, I see Modern Quilt Guilds as an opportunity to come together and focus on a very specific style of quilting. When I need sneakers, I go to an athletic shoe store. Larger shops with a variety of shoes may well meet my needs, but I like to visit a specialist store where where I can have a more engaging dialogue about trainers and running. Modern Quilt Guilds allow us to have that type of engaging dialogue about modern quilting principles.  Since their launch two years ago, Modern Quilt Guilds have been highly successful around the globe.  I'm looking forward to having one nearby. I'm looking forward to meeting new friends who share that interest.

As an art student during my post-graduate studies, I became impassioned by color, movement and the subdivision of visual space. I loved the idea of being able to communicate with visual simplicity. Though I was a computer graphics student, those art school days were spent inside the university architecture program where, daily, I drew inspiration from the models and murals that graced the halls. Those principles that I explored in art school are echoed in the tenants of modern quilting.

Regularly, I read comments on flickr or blogs that say  "I like that!" or "So Great!"  These short little notes let someone know that you like something. I've left these kinds of comments myself.  Recently, I've been trying to make an effort to go beyond and leave more insightful feedback on someone's work.  I try to talk about the nuance of colors selected. I mention how curves on prints are echoed in the curves of a quilt. I leave a note explaining what it is about the project that I'm drawn to. While this is certainly nicer for the recipient of the comment, it's actually quite selfish on my part. I see something wonderful, and I want to understand why I like it. I force myself to study their work intricately so I can take away little nuggets to improve my own art. In the same way, I hope others study my work to understand why it does (or doesn't) resonate with them. I share pictures of my work not for the ego; but in the hope that as a community, we can bring out the best in one another.

I bring that same hope with me to the Greater Western Sydney Modern Quilt Guild. I want to build a community that allows us to have dialogues and develop a common language to discuss emergent trends in modern quilting. I hope we feel encouraged to celebrate someone's work not just because "It's so good!" but because they eeked out a quilt born from passion. I hope we get to learn and grow together, and come away as better people because of it.

But please don't let my intensity scare you.  GWSMQG isn't about critiquing each other's works in a negative way. It's about coming together to talk about something we love. It's about laughing and smiling and having fun.

I think there is a common misconception that modern quilters = young quilters. I want to dispel that myth right now. Modern quilting is about an aesthetic. Whether you've been quilting for six months or sixty years, you might find yourself making modern quilts. It certainly isn't about age; it's about an art form and a way of working. There aren't hard and fast rules about what makes something modern. Like all art forms, it is open to interpretation.

Holey moley, can I ramble today or what?

Still confused about what modern quilting is?  Pop over to Amazon and check out these books which really showcase the modern aesthetic:   Modern Quilting: 12 Quilts to Take You Beyond the Basics by Elizabeth Hartman, Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts by Jacquie Gehring, Modern Minimal: 20 Bold and Graphic Quilts by Alissa Haight Carlton and City Quilts by Cherri House.

How's your tea? You probably need a top up...

I decided this week to take a little time to explore my own work and decide which quilts and blocks fit with the modern principles.  The first one that came to mind was my coral and yellow diamonds in a sea of grey. It's the photo that opened this post. I believe it ticks many modern boxes - asymmetric, lots of negative space, simple, minimal, use of grey and should I ever get it quilted ... functional.

Modern quilts don't have to tick every box, of course. You shouldn't view the principles as a checklist, just a guide to get you thinking about the modern quilting moniker.

To me, one of the most exciting things about modern quilts is that they periodically nod to modern art and architecture. Despite the name, artisans have been working in this style for nearly a century. The first museum of modern art in the US opened in 1921.  Some of my favourite artists whose works hang in global Modern Art museums include Alexander Calder, Mark Rothko, Josef Albers and Piet Mondrian. I love the sense of balance and movement in Calder's work. Rothko and Albers both had such an insightful understanding of color and emotion. With the simplest of graphics, they can make you dance or move you to tears.  I believe Mondrian's impact on the modern art and architecture scene is quite well known. With that in mind, I believe these pieces from my quilt bees fall within my interpretation of modern quilt (not that they should be excluded from other categories of quilting)

Tiny blocks made for me in the Pint Size Quilt bee in homage to Josef Albers 

A block made for Sheridan in the Around the Block bee in the style of Piet Mondrian 

But modern quilting doesn't have to directly mimic modern art. I regular piece simple modern backs for my quilts that celebrate geometric and text prints. I carefully weigh up spacing and balance. Often as much thought goes into the composition of the back of my quilts as does the front.

Balance and spacing on quilt backs

Not everything I make would be considered modern. I frequently revisit traditional blocks and palettes. I believe that is an important part of being a quilter. We need to understand the roots of quilting, so we expand on them. I'll admit as a novice to quilting, that was lost of me. There's a certain amount of respect that all quilters deserve, and I didn't give it to them. I was wrong in that. I feel bad about it. I am sorry. In particular, nearly every day I feel a bit of remorse about comments I made about my wonderful Aunt LeAnn's work when I was young. I knew so little back then. I'm sorry. I love you, Leann.

With that in mind, I really hope GWSMQG can be a positive place with members who build each other up, even when projects are not their style or colors. I hope we can find nuggets of joy in every project.

Speaking of colors, I tend to work in piercing, bold color palettes. Even when I'm working with vintage influenced colors or in traditional patterns, I aim to have my quilts evoke an emotional response - be it happy, gentle, riotous or alarming.  And though it's not often acknowledged, I believe its prevalent. Modern quilters have something to say, and they use color as a voice. Colors can say quite a bit. They can say  "I lost my friend" or "I've found peace."

It was spring. I was full of hope.

London was burning. They destroyed and I needed to create.

It's all a bit overwhelming isn't it?  And quite a bit to take in for one post!  My tea has gone cold after two and a half hours of writing, so I better wrap this up...

I haven't even touched on technique and quilting style. I could ramble about modern quilting for hours. That's why I'm looking forward to our first Greater Western Sydney Modern Quilt Guild meetup on 20 August.  I'm excited about meeting new friends, as well as spending time with some Sydney area experts who are going to be joining us. I can't wait to hear how they interpret modern quilting. I also can't wait to smile, laugh and have a beer!

Are you going to come along?  Please do!

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If you can't make it to our meeting, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with quilting in the greater Sydney region.  On August 18th , you have your choice of the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild, NSW Quilt Guild, Newcastle Craft Fair, and as I was writing this long post the Sydney Modern Quilt Guild has emerged from its six month hibernation. We are a lucky country blessed with so many options.

Of course, I'm quite keen to see you on the 20th at Dooley's for the GWSMQG meetup!  Or if you are an international guest, I'd like to hear how you view modern quilting and how it influences you in the comments!

I hope I haven't kept you too long. I hope your kids aren't feeling neglected. I hope I've given you something to think about. Mostly though, I hope that as a community we continue to bring out the best in each other.