This is something I've thought a lot about lately. Ever since I started my longarm business, I've notice that we as quilters, label types quilting. I do it....especially at quilt shows. I'll go through each quilt and label the quilting. Some of my labels are "that's different" or "that's traditional" or "that's simple" or "that's modern" or "that's unique" or "that's interesting".
When I'm asked by someone to quilt for them. They will tell me what kind of quilter they are or are not. It's assumed if you do traditional quilting on a quilt you do "Feathers". Correct? It's assumed if you do Modern quilting on a quilt you do ______ what? That's the big question. I've had modern quilters tell they Definitely do not want flowers or feathers for the quilting because they are a modern quilter. Which I get so confused about, because so many "Modern Quilters" use fabric for their piecing that have flowers and feathers on it. But then again I can see where they are coming from.
I'm also a bit confused because some of your "well known" professional modern quilters out there in the modern quilting community, quilt feathers on some of their "customers modern quilts".
I think for me what defines "Modern Quilting" is quilting that is new, unique, fresh, different, out of the ordinary....and even if it is a feather, it can be a different feather, which I think can be made to look modern.
I guess I've just struggled with this for a while now and think it's interesting how we as quilters label the piecing and the quilting part of a quilt. Like I said before, I do it!
And when it comes to so many of my customer quilts that are mostly traditional, I know I can quilt a feather on their quilt and they will be tickled with joy and will get the look they want for their quilt! But when it come to my own quilts, I like to challenge myself to think out of the box....to do something different and unique and keep things new and if I mess up....with an idea I want to try, well it's better to mess up on my quilt than someone Else's!
These are a few quilts I found today to be inspirational to me.
1. 5, 2. Elements #23, 3. Mini quilt 18" sq, 4. Wonky Cross Pillow - with pebble quilting, 5. IMG_4434, 6. Quilts on Basting's ~ Liberty Circles Quilt
I really wanted to quilt my Urban Nine Patch Solids quilt I finished last week, this week. Unfortunately it will have to wait a little while longer, until I can get somewhat caught up with the longarm business.
I'm excited to share with you how I want to quilt this up though! I want to challenge myself to think outside of the box and quilt each Urban Nine Patch Block differently. I really struggled with this decision because I like my quilting to coincide with my tops and so everything feels very uniform when I'm done. But I've decided to have fun with this and hopefully I can quilt up some different and fresh ideas and give a little inspiration to those of you that still need to finish their Urban Nine Patch Quilts.
Their have been some pretty amazing ones quilted up all ready and you can go here to check them out.
Yes, the QAL is over...but that doesn't mean you can't share your progress with us all on the Flikr Group. I've still got 3 to quilt up and can't wait to see some of yours done up. I want to do a linky party in a couple of months, so to give everyone plenty of time to finish up their tops!
I may always be confused about this "what is modern quilting" and really shouldn't think about so much and maybe we all have our own definition of what it is. So....that being said I'm off to quilt some traditional feathers on a customer quilt!
~Jenny~
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