I must admit it is rather odd to me that some choose sides in quilting, loving this and hating that. So I have decided this week to write in my blog about my love of quilting styles and how to embrace all that is quilting. Year in year out at the shows, the argument rages as someone somewhere comments ‘That’s not a quilt.’
Traditional Quilts
This is where it all began – the quilting style everyone understands. At first, frugally using materials to make into a quilt for warmth. I like to think of it as the prairie spirit. From this blocks and patterns were passed down and preserved for future generations. Some argue that it simply has to be traditional or it is not quilting. There are many types of quilts in this category from Baltimore or wholecloth quilts to all the traditional blocks such as wedding ring. Yet from the roots a craft can grow, and quilting has branched in many directions.
Modern Quilts
The modern movement began in the USA and has firm connections with traditional quilting. Quilting is not stuck in a time period, it is an evolving craft and I love modern quilts. Modern can show off those who have truly honed their free motion or quilting skills. It lets the quilting shine. Modern style tends to suit our more modern homes. It caters for our desire to wrap ourselves in a quilt as well as have one on the bed. They also look good on walls. What can be wrong with more quilts, used in innovative ways?
Contemporary Quilts
There is nothing wrong with innovation. Being a little bit (or even a lot) different is fine by me. I see an overlap with Modern quilts and sometimes it is hard to work out what fits in which category. Contemporary has taken traditional and given it a twist.
Art Quilts
This seems to be the biggest area of contention. People who do not understand art quilts say they are not quilts. You might not like them, but that does not mean they are not quilts. Textile quilts fall into the same brackets with the same pre-conceived ideas of what is a quilt and what is not. This encompasses a huge category from humble pictorial quilts, which are not the same as the fine art quilts that technically fall into this category, making a statement or some kind. Yet surely there is always something to love?
Life is short. Another well-known quilting argument is not about quilting styles as such but whether to hand or machine stitch. Embrace the quilts and love them all. Most quilts have merit and someone loves them. Perhaps quilters just need to embrace the whole craft instead of creating barriers.
I am almost ready to release ‘My Quilting Journey’ recording the quilts I have made. Follow me on fb
Words, work and images copyright Karen Platt 2019
