I originally sat down to write a short article on this topic for my weekly newsletter, which is where I tend to write more personally about quilting. However, it grew too long to be contained to just an email! So instead, it became a blog post.
There have been so many posts and comments already shared and made about QuiltCon, that I didn’t feel I had too much more to add. There had been something floating around at the back of my mind when I was walking the show floor(s!), but I didn’t think too much further about it until I happened upon this post from Katie’s Quilting Corner about some questions she had about QuiltCon. Now, as one of the commenter’s said, there’s always going to be a little controversy about the quilt that wins Best Of Show. So I’m not going to comment on whether the winning quilt was worth it or not, but rather, what do the quilts at QuiltCon portray as to “what is modern quilting”? And how does that play into whether the judges should have access to the backstory?
Modern quilting as an art statement.
One would hope that the quilts shown at QuiltCon would be amongst the best of what the modern quilting movement has to offer. Which means it comes back, as always, to the age old question of, “What is modern quilting?” If you were to define it by what is shown at QuiltCon, you would think that modern quilts are making an artistic statement. That they range in sizes, but all have something fascinating or intriguing or different visually about them. And that perhaps prints are soooo 2015* (there was a much larger range of solids quilts there compared to QuiltCon 2015)!
*tongue in cheek
So to continue the thought about the judges having access to the backstory, if the point of QuiltCon is to present modern quilts that make artistic statements, shouldn’t the quilts then should stand for themselves? The quilt itself shouldn’t need lots of words to explain it, so therefore judges should only have access to the quilt when making their decision. Ok, and possibly the title, as that can be the last piece of the statement story.
Cotton Sophisticate by Chawne Kimber, @cauchycomplete
But that detail of how it was made or why is provided. We, the viewers, have access to that information when we walk the show and enjoy and assess the quilts. We have the ability to connect to the story, to understand how and why the quilt was constructed the way it was. We are able to learn from and fully appreciate the quilt. The story of how and why is always a part of a quilt, whether it’s made with love for a new baby, or to indulge our child’s love of pink and mermaids, or to show how much we love a friend or family member. Quilts are not just about art, they’re about the heart!
Modern quilting as making beautiful, functional quilts.
The very first sentence used on the Modern Quilt Guild website under the heading, “What is modern quilting?” states that, ‘Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design.’ But, what is functional? Generally, it would be accepted that a “functional quilt” means that it can and will be used on a bed or sofa. After all, that’s what “quilt” means, right? A warm covering? This would imply that any quilt that is of a bed-sized size should be usable as a bed quilt – both in a technical sense that it would stand up to the wear and tear of a bed quilt, and also practically in that it is made from materials that would make it a good bed quilt.
There has been a bit of discussion around the internet and social media lately about the size of quilts. Many quilts that we have seen on blogs or Instagram that were then also hanging at QuiltCon certainly seemed smaller in real life than you might’ve imagined. But why is that an issue? I think there is a valid place for smaller quilts that are just as functional as art on the wall, or turned into a pillow for the sofa, or even in pride of place as a table topper! That is just as equally valid in terms of describing the functionality of a product.
A huge quilt! ‘Overwhelming Unknown’ by Matt Macomber (@odditease)
As to the functionality of the bed-sized quilts hanging at QuiltCon? Well… technically speaking, they were definitely of high quality workmanship. Will they ever practically be used on a bed? Maybe some of them, but many of them, I’m pretty sure won’t. I mean, I don’t know that I could hand over an award-winning quilt to get loved to death on a bed or sofa myself! But how does that play into the very first statement about what is modern quilting? Is that still a valid statement to make to define modern quilting, if the quilts that are shown at QuiltCon as being a great example of modern quilting, aren’t 100% functional in the manner that one would expect quilts to be functional? I think that this year, we should be entering quilts with no white (hello stains), machine bound (hello washing machine), and backed in minky (hello cuddly!) – I’d use light green because that would mean my son would happily claim it afterwards. Now that would be a functional quilt!
Color Study triangles by Erika Mulvenna, @Erika.Mulvenna
It all comes down to semantics, doesn’t it? If you were to say “quilt” to any non-quilter, they would automatically think of something to put on your bed or sofa to be used as a covering to keep warm. Technically speaking though, a quilt is anything with three (or more) layers held together with stitching, and thus isn’t limited to any preconceived notions of size. Again, if you were to say “functional” to anyone, they would assume you meant that the object could be practically used, that it is useful. However, functional can also mean having a special purpose, that it can be used for what it was designed for, hence why quilts can be functional as wall-hangings, etc.
I certainly don’t claim to have any answers to these questions, but I do believe it is important for us to think about these things if you claim to be a ‘modern quilter’ – what is modern quilting for you, especially in light of how the Modern Quilt Guild defines it?
Jodie says
I asked the opposite question to a lady manning the traditional quilt group display at a show last weekend – What makes a traditional quilt traditional? And her definition made so much sense of not only what is traditional, but also modern, contemporary and art quilts (as they’re the show competition categories ) that it’s changed my view of what I am. I was thinking I was a modern quilter, and was toying with adding the modern group membership to my guild membership when I renew it, but now I actually think I’m a traditional quilter, and might add on the traditional group instead!
Just goes to show how a different definition can throw a whole different light on it!
Alyce says
Fascinating, I’d love hear what/how she defined it from her perspective!
Heulwen says
…I would love to know what her definition was! 🙂
Anny says
I, too would love to here the definition she gave you .
Heather says
Funnily enough, right before reading this post, I read the blog post by one of the QuiltCon judges – Cheryl Arkison http://www.cherylarkison.com/diningroomempire/2016/3/1/from-a-judges-perspective-quiltcon-2016 . You can see that she explains that when they judged the quilts they were only supplied with the title of the quilt in almost all cases, on the grounds that the quilt should speak for itself. I do agree with your point though about the questions raised by the ‘functionality’ of modern quilts, and am often surprised that some quilts are really much smaller in real life than I thought.
Alyce says
Thank you so much for sharing that post! It was really reassuring, and this particular comment was exactly the point I was trying to ponder: “These are, first and foremost, functional quilts, there aren’t ever going to be perfect quilts. Once you realize that you start looking for the maker in the piece. You want to see that a person made it and the decisions they made had intent. Yes, you still want a technically proficient quilt that will wear well and not fall apart, but putting yourself in the quilt matters so much.”
Pip says
I’ve been pondering about Modern quilts lately and have come to the conclusion that if someone thinks their quilt is Modern then it is, who am I to say whether their quilt is modern or not. For my own quilts I make what pleases me and let others decide what style it is.
I think the definition of Modern Quilting has “evolved” quite significantly since the MQG first started, cynical me says it was a marketing/branding evolution.
Alyce says
There is definitely a difference between personal “modern quilting” and MQG Quilt Shows/Publications “modern quilting”. Which is more than fine, as long as we’re not trying to compare and wonder why our quilts aren’t good enough for QuiltCon, etc etc because there is that difference. What’s most important is that we make quilts we love and that reflect who we are, not what an organisation is.
margaret says
I puzzle over modern quilts I go o a group and have often been told that what I am doing is nice but not modern . I will just continue to do what I like and maybe sit on the fence and not be in any so called group as I like traditional, crazy and all sorts
Alyce says
Unfortunately, Modern Quilt Police exist who unofficially have decided that they have the power and know-how to declare what is and what isn’t modern. I’m not referring to the Modern Quilt Guild, but just general quilters around the place. Especially online. Continue to make what you love, because that is what’s most important, not the labels!
Ruthann says
Just a thought on the quilt sizes……there is only so much display space to fill, smaller quilts means that more quilts can be juried into the show and that would be a good thing. Also, about functionality, I doubt many of the quilts I see at traditional quilt shows are used once they are returned to their owner. I can’t imagine sleeping under a quilt studded with Swarovski crystals (which many traditional show quilts seem to incorporate).
Alyce says
I LOVE that there are so many smaller quilts! For so long, I thought all quilts I made “should” be of a throw size or larger, and that my love for making baby quilts (whether actually FOR babies or not!) was “cheating”. But it’s not, and it’s a great way to be able to experiment and play with new techniques or designs. I don’t think it’s so that more quilts can be shown though, as they each have their own standard-sized handing space that is the same size regardless of the size of the quilt.
Haha, that crystal comment reminds me so much of the Tokyo quilt festivals – so many beads and crystals, and such! Which is why I think ‘functional’ has been included in the modern quilting definition, so as to differentiate between showy art quilts often seen at traditional quilt shows.
Anny says
I too am toying with the idea of “do all my quilts need to be big enough to use on a bed or as a throw?’. But I never question how big or small my paintings or photographs are. I tend to lean towards a more modernist style in most of my choices of Art, Clothes, Furnishing and such. I do this for me and to feed my artist soul. Make what makes you happy and feeds your soul.
Alyce says
That’s a great way to look at it!
tisha @ quiltytherapy says
Interesting post. I agree with Pip’s comment that “modern” has evolved over the last few years. I think most of my modern quilting friends make their quilts to be used and loved. Let your kid drag the quilt on the ground, take it to the park, and please don’t keep it in a closet.
If a quilt’s function is to be art, there is nothing wrong with hanging it on wall after a competition. Maybe the quilter made a statement piece for the show. Function is what the maker and receiver decide it is.
This is going to be an ongoing conversation on what is modern.
Alyce says
It’s certainly evolving and ongoing for myself as a “modern quilter”, that yes, a quilt’s function can be purely for displaying as art, or an artistic experiment. I used to think that my love for making smaller “baby” sized quilts was somehow cheating at making quilts, but it’s because of QuiltCon and quilters like Debbie at A Quilter’s Table that I’ve come to realise that these quilts are just as valid as a “quilt”, regardless of the size. Even if I’m not sure exactly what to do with them once they’re made, haha!
Sue says
You’ve opened a can of worms here, Alyce! My thought (from the position of armchair observer since I wasn’t at Quiltcon) was that as a juried show the quilts on display would reflect what this year’s judges consider to represent a modern quilt and their best of show pick would also reflect their particular taste – it would be impossible for that to not come into the equation no matter how much you try to put a lid on it. Some pleasure sensor in your brain must turn on when you see a quilt that you like. It kind of makes who will win a prize at a quilt show a bit like a lottery draw, it’s based a lot on how your taste lines up with that of the judges. I guess that’s why you hear stories of quilts that lose the local show but go on to win a major prize at a larger one.
Functionality isn’t necessarily size dependent – take for example the humble placemat or pot holder, both good functional minis.
I’m done now – thanks for the airing 😉
Alyce says
Worms that need to be aired and detangled and discussed, haha! Yes, there would certainly be some selection bias – I would like to know who it is that selects the quilts from the entries in the first place though. Thanks so much for adding to the conversation!
Cheryl says
To be clear, the judges did not pick the quilts in the show. The MQG has a jury that does that. But we judges were not told who is on the jury. It is the MQG’s show, it is their decision on what goes in. We judges only judged what was juried in.
Alyce says
Thank you, yes, I had assumed as such as the quilts were chosen before the end of the year, before you got there.
Heulwen says
I’m reminded of the winner of the Art Quilt category I saw at FoQ 2014 – to me it looked like two pieced bits of organza, one with a yellow-orange circular gradient and one with a blue-white circular gradient, layered one on top of the other and wafting in the air. I was…. nonplussed! I could see the patchwork, but I really couldn’t figure out where the “quilt” bit came in. But then I suppose it was, “Art, Dah-ling!”
Alyce says
It’s certainly inspiring to see how many different ways people create quilts! I assume it had the 3 layers that’s normally required for entry into quilt shows?
Shelly says
Usually show quilts are not the ones I would put on my bed – modern or traditional.
I make functional quilts. I don’t make any to be shown at a quilt competition. I am inspired by those. I actually think of myself as a utility quilter. But I still use some modern designs. I like things to be wonky and I love big stitch quilting.
But I often think of modern quilting as using low volume fabrics for visual impact. That may be an old and inaccurate way of thinking.
I hand piece and hand quilting everything I do. They all go in my washer and dryer. The first quilt I made in 1994 is still around (although I had to patch one part).
I think being someone like me means I don’t have to worry much about categories but I am always interested when the professionals share their thoughts on it. So thank you for your comments!
Alyce says
That is very true, someone like you doesn’t need to worry about categories, haha! And that’s awesome, because it just goes to show how there is something in quilting for everyone and all their likes and interests – whether it’s for fun, for art, for show, for a career.
Susan says
One of the things I’ve seen traditional quilters do over and over is break all the rules and definitions and categories to stay true to what they have the spirit to make. I begin to see this in modern quilting, too. It’s inevitable that if rules and definitions are imposed, someone is going to be breaking them. I don’t want to be defined or quantified in any way. I just want to make what I make and like it. I plan to go to the Savannah show because it’s close enough, but I generally stay away from any kind of quilt police who say, “It doesn’t fit the category.” Whatever the category is.
Susan says
P. S. This made me laugh:
“I think that this year, we should be entering quilts with no white (hello stains), machine bound (hello washing machine), and backed in minky (hello cuddly!) – I’d use light green because that would mean my son would happily claim it afterwards. Now that would be a functional quilt!”
Good to see someone with a sense of humor. =)
Alyce says
Haha, thanks 🙂 An attempt to make sure the tone of the post is as I intended – musing, not too deep.
Jennie says
All art is functional. The problem is trying to assign any art a function. In studying art history there are 3 basic functions. Those are personal, social and physical. We think of societal art being anything from graffiti to the artist Banksy and back to advertising. Physical is easy, what does it do? Is it warm like a quilt, does it make you laugh or cry. Emotions are a physical reaction. Personal is more difficult to explain. It’s an artist’s need to say something, or to work through a group of feelings?
The quilt, “my brother’s pants” was personal to the quilter, was a social message, and made you feel. The message was different for everyone who looked at it. Whatever happened to the viewer’s brother is called to their mind. If you don’t have a brother the quilt made you wonder why. The judges didn’t need a discription.
As for what determines a modern quilt, all the guidelines in the world are only worthwhile until the next quilt is made.
Alyce says
Beautiful, wise words, thank you. That’s the wonderful mystery of art, and the why – trying to express something that transcends words.