A really good question

The Modern Quilt Guild asked yesterday: What does modern quilting mean to you? You can see the post and comments here.

I didn’t know there were modern quilts when I was younger. However, collecting quilts in my late teens,  I obviously leaned towards “modern” quilts (see below).

Modern quilts of course are not art quilts, but yet they are. True art quilts can be somewhat nonfunctional having wood and paper and paint and other things on them that would make them uncomfortable to use and not hold up well to cuddling in. A modern quilt though, just like its traditional brethren, is a fully functional piece of art. That is what I think of when asked this question anyway. But beyond that what else do I think of them?  Well, they are usually bold in color, though not always as pastels and soft colors can be just as modern. They can be random in design, maybe wonky or skewed. But not always. Perfectly straight and geometric can be just as modern as we all know.  One thing they definitely are is a personal expression of a person that then becomes a functional piece of art work. Always. Unique just like traditional quilts of old…but with an edge.

I like to think Modern Quilters are like those famous modern architects and designers from long ago. The one’s like Wright, Van der Rohe, Heath (pottery), Charles and Ray Eames (many things)  and many others, exploring different and unique ways to play with, color, space and in modern quilting’s case: fabric. Pushing at the “edge of the envelope” while all the while they’re having fun and to repeat myself: making something useful. Always something beautiful, fun and useful—-but with an “edge” to them.

Anyway, here are two of my older quilts. I have owned both of them at least 24 years now. Though they are not super modern they are when compared to many old traditional quilts. The first one? Well that one is pepto bismol pink. Seriously—a great color that I am still searching for to use. I would love to back a quilt with that color.It’s way more fabulous in person than it is in that picture. The Kona color card didn’t even come close with a pink like it—not even enough to help describe the color.

They second is the circle quilt which could be from about the 60′s or maybe the 70′s (or not since I really don’t know).  However it is look at the fabrics in use in this thing. And notice the one I did the closeup of. Does that not look like it came right out of Denyse Schmidt’s design room?!  That is a fabulous fabric. And to repeat again: Seriously!

So that’s what I think and I am enjoying reading other’s thoughts on this. What about yours?

Oh yeah, I would not have seen this so soon if Molly hadn’t made me notice it. Thanks Molly! :-)