Comments on: What does “modern quilting” mean to Elizabeth Hartman?

By: Lynda Bruce

Lynda Bruce — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:08:20 +0000

I am a traditional quilter. I love looking at all quilts and get ideas from both sides of the fences. How people use value and color, different shapes etc is inspiring. I have a step daughter who just learned to sew and I encourage her in her modern choices. I want her to be free to express her self without the quilt police I am so tied too. She is gifted with a good eye. I don’t want her to loose that.

By: Sherry Galloway

Sherry Galloway — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:45:15 +0000

I’m trying to find out if Elizabeth Hartman gives lectures at quilt guilds and if so how do I contact her to get details

By: shannon

shannon — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:23:20 +0000

Thank you for this thoughtful post! I don’t know if I’m capable of giving up traditional quilting entirely, but I think I’d at least like to try to do some modern quilting on the side.

By: thequiltersalley

thequiltersalley — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:13:24 +0000

I knew if I waited long enough, this could happen. I am thrilled a the quality of work and the visual power of these quilts.

By: duff

duff — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:11:19 +0000

don’t forget REFLECTION: One must look at the creation before, during, and especially after. Modern quilters will always show their successes as well as their failures and comment on the process. “I’m planning to…” or “I’m auditioning these fabrics for a border–what do you think?” or “In retrospect I think I should have…” or “The next time I will…” or “If you’re going to try this please be aware that…”
We learn from one another, support one another, are accepting of others’ views, and believe in MODERATION & CREATION as opposed to perfection.

By: Cheryl Arkison

Cheryl Arkison — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:45:44 +0000

Very good point. I do agree that the fabric designers are the leading charge on this.

Some other “old” or “traditional” names that come to mind: Jinny Beyer, Jennifer Sampou, Mary Ellen Hopkins, and yes, Alex Anderson!

By: Annette

Annette — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:11:14 +0000

Melissa, I completely agree with you. That was so well put!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:19:10 +0000

For me, “modern quilting” is a way to quilt, and connect with my grandmothers who quilted, without having to use the “grandmother” prints and patterns. I first got into quilting about 12 years ago, and bought a bunch of books and fabric…but never did anything with them because they never “struck my fancy”. A couple of years ago, I sold all of it at a yard sale because it JUST. WASN’T. ME. And I felt like a part of me, a part of my creativity, was just void. I wanted to quilt, but didn’t like what I saw that I would be creating. I didn’t want to quilt like my mother-in-law, who makes beautiful quilts, mind you. But traditional quilting patterns just didn’t suit my style. And then I saw a wonky log cabin on Alissa’s blog, and I’ve been hooked ever since! )

I think I’m like Elizabeth in that I am a very structured, ordered, regimented kind of person who likes to follow a plan. So, to make anything wonky and improvisational has been a journey of faith and perseverance and pluck. But I feel like there isn’t anything I can do that would screw the quilt up so much that it’s unrepairable, you know? That’s what improvisation is all about! Who knew there was freedom without boundaries!! )

And I must say that I love what my first “modern quilt” is becoming. I feel like this quilt (and my quilting style) is like a novel, and I’m the author. I have no idea how it is going to end, I just know that the “characters” are writing the novel for me.

By: Annette

Annette — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:31:24 +0000

I think this is a wonderful topic of discussion. I am relatively new to quilting but I can appreciate the beauty in both traditional and modern quilting. I know that I am more drawn to the new more modern fabrics. However, both styles of quilting appeal to me. What I would like to get across is whether a quilt is traditional or modern, someone has lovingly taken the time to piece and quilt something beautiful. There is nothing better than that. What is modern quilting to me, I think it is being free to think outside the box! Where the rules dont apply and looking at more than one way to create a quilt!

By: Live a Colorful Life

Live a Colorful Life — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:10:47 +0000

And Cheryl, I just realized I could have specifically replied to your comment. So I hope you will read below to get some more of my comments. I completely agree with you.