About Us
The Modern Quilt Guild is a community of quilt guilds across the country. The online community of modern quilters is thriving and this guild grew out of a desire to also have us meet in person. The founding branch of the guild started in Los Angeles in October of 2009. Through blogs & the internet word spread quickly of the fun they were having and now branches have started popping up all over the country. We are a young organization just getting started with planning, organizing and sorting out all we will do as an association.
We encourage anyone who’s interested to join us! Beginners are welcome.
What is Modern Quilting?
Modern quilting is a new twist on the traditional art of quilting. This may mean something as simple as using a traditional quilt block and updating it in a fresh fun new way. That includes using modern fabrics, modifying the block arrangement or even the scale of the block. The piecing could be improvisational and wonky, or it could be very exact and measured, following a pattern or creating your own. The quilting could be traditional stippling, clean straight lines or a very “free” have fun, quilt as you go style. Fabrics could be upcycled vintage sheets, custom digital printed fabric, a yummy selection from one of the new modern fabric designers, or an old fabric from an ever growing stash.
Modern quilting is sometimes difficult to define because in many ways the definition is as individual as the quilter – changing from quilter to quilter. In addition to reflecting the individual personality and personal style of the quilter it also reflects the current aesthetic of the day.
Modern quilting is also about the attitude and the approach that modern quilters take. It respects the amazing artistry and talent of the tradition of quilting, while allowing the quilter to challenge the “rules”. In fact, if there were one rule in modern quilting it would be that there are no rules.
The concept of modern quilting is not meant to divide or segregate. It is meant to welcome new quilters, of all ages, to the world of quilting in a style that they can relate to. In many ways, modern quilting takes us back to the basics of the early quilters, when women of the day used the colors and styles of their time to express themselves creatively.
January 23, 2010 at 1:22 pm |
I am so excited to see this happening all over the country! I started quilting when I was in my early 30’s and didn’t know a single soul who did the same thing. Aren’t we lucky in the Internet age!!
How wonderful that you are not feeling constrained by traditional rules and can use color/line/texture to create ART!!
What a thrill to see quilt “guilds” that are part of today’s aesthetic and mood. You go!!
January 23, 2010 at 2:07 pm |
I think what you’re doing is wonderful! I’ve been watching a new generation of young women get interested in sewing and making their own clothes and quilts for a while now, and am very excited to see this return to a pride and joy in handwork.
I’ve been sewing since I was a little girl, and also drawing and painting that long. After receiving a master of fine arts degree in painting, what I was then making became known nationally as art quilts, a fusion of sewing and painting or other hybrids between the art and craft of quilting. Most of us who call ourselves art quilters are Baby Boomers, i.e. we’re older now. And we love seeing you get your Modern Quilt Guild going worldwide in such a short time!
My favorite part of your statement is that the one rule is that there are no rules! My kinda girls! I hope you continue to embrace every kind of personal style your generation comes up with! To me, that’s where it’s at – creating freely! Good luck and many blessings, a sister radical of the cloth. Susan (Lucky) Shie
January 23, 2010 at 2:14 pm |
PS. I forgot to say that my generation began our work unknown to each other, mostly coming from feminism and/or hippiness, shifting to this mix of our studio work and what we were raised to do at home. We began in the late 70s, mostly isolated, but word of mouth spread our efforts, tho slowly. Books, articles, exhibitions, and groups happened slowly, too. When the internet came along, some art quilters were in the first groups like Genie and Compuserve, creating exhibitions of their members from around the world. As we began to make our websites, when that became an option, a lot more artists caught the art quilting bug, and it really exploded internationally.
Of course, trad quilters benefited from the internet, too, with thier guilds growing like crazy. It just amazes me that you started your first guild in October of last year, and here you are, with a long list of guilds already on your sidebar! I know there’s crazy bad stuff about the internet, but as a storytelling, diary, and political commentary artist, I am fascinated by how the internet allows us all to reach each other so well.
Sorry for the long posings. Just very psyched for you. Lucky
January 23, 2010 at 5:28 pm |
Thanks Lucky & Rayna for your comments! We certainly are lucky to have the internet which has made it easy for us to organize. We are thrilled to all be finding “in person” community through the guild. Thanks so much for your thoughts!
January 24, 2010 at 5:00 pm |
I was thrilled to find your site through “Handmade by Alissa.” What a tremendous idea for people who think outside the block. My hat goes off to you all! Women power at its finest to create another generation of quilters. Whoohoo. and Congratulations!
February 2, 2010 at 4:54 am |
I saw a reference to Modern Quilt Guild in Lauren’s blog from Louisville. I could not imagine what was so modern about a quilt guild that did not already exist in the regular quilt guilds. Our guild in VA has many members who do “modern” or art quilts, as well as the traditional quilters. All kinds, colors and ages mix to share ideas. I can’t really think of any who do the kinds of things that were popular in the 70’s and 80’s. So what is the purpose of starting another set of guilds? Maybe the guilds in other areas of the country are not open to younger members? Too stuffy? Someone, please explain this to me!
February 2, 2010 at 5:08 am |
Hi Malinda,
Really the idea is that we focus on modern quilts & quilting. All branches are certain to enjoy and learn about the tradition & history of quilting, but in terms of contemporary quilting our focus is modern. Other guilds, while often inclusive of this aesthetic, aren’t focused on it. Hope that helps!
February 11, 2010 at 6:04 am |
The definition should be difficult, in that no one style or type describes it. I’ve heard so many people who have convinced themselves that they are not artists, or quilters, simply because they had been lead to believe that there is a single, homogeneous definition of quilting.
Modern quilting is not better than traditional quilting, it’s just different. It means I can use a piece of paper in a piece, and still call it a quilt. It means that I can accept and discard standard quilting rules as I choose.
As for guilds, all guilds of a certain size will have a variety of quilters. Here is where the rubber meets the road: does the guild invite speakers who are not considered traditional quilters? Starting new groups is about focus. I enjoy many styles, and want the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of artists.
February 24, 2010 at 2:16 pm |
Sounds exciting.
February 28, 2010 at 7:31 pm |
Please let me know when there is one for Ohio. Thank You.
Robin
March 4, 2010 at 7:26 am |
Robin, where are you in Ohio? There’s a chapter starting up in Cincinnati.