The past two weekends I have been conducting workshops with Modern Quilt Groups. I had expectations of who I would find in these groups, of what materials they would be using and the kind of quilts they would make. As I engaged with the groups I found so much more than my expectations. On the way home last night I found myself wondering what the definition of "Modern" actually is because my perception going in changed going out because wasn't exactly right. Not that I had a negative impression, I just had a preconceived idea. How often does that happen in life? We think things are as we imagine... that we know it all from surface dwelling.
Wendy were driving home from Wollongong talked the whole way about what we had learned and together we came up with this definition:
Modern Quilters are kind, open minded, eager to learn, curious about what they don't know and willing to try new things. Some are chatty and some are quiet. They laugh while they sew, help each other with techniques, share their fabric and generally are great fun to be around.
Some Modern Quilters grew up sewing. Some just started. Some are young and some are old(er). Some are confident with their technical and creative skills and some like to ask a lot of questions about how they are going.
Many Modern Quilters machine quilt....but some like to hand sew. Some use computers and some don't. Some like to recycle fabrics and some like to buy everything they see. Some shop for fabric in shops and some on the internet.
Modern Quilters have a huge variety of fabrics. Some use clean bright contemporary fabrics. Some use homespun and tone on tone prints. Some use traditional fabrics...black and whites...funky or straight. Some like random, some like points, some like big and some like small. Some hand sew and some only machine and others do both!
All of them like to make quilts. Funny that.
One of the funniest surprise realisations we had was that...wait for it...we think we might be modern quilters! All this time we thought Modern Quilters were only young, internet driven and used white with color only. OOOPs. Life hands us opportunities to learn about "Other people."
I am struck by the similarity of this situation and a few things I always teach.
1. If my quilt isn't going the way I want it to go...I go where it is taking me. What I mean is...expectations lock us into a way of thinking that might not bring about our best performance. It is always good to have an open mind and to listen, learn and enjoy surprises.
2. Stories we read when we are kids often give us a path to a happy life. For me it was Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr Seuss. That book also has another story, What was I afraid of? Which also rings true. Sometimes when we see different we are afraid. That is a human reaction but just like building biceps, we can exercise that reaction out of our lives and find friendship and similarity in what is different. It expands our horizons.
We may look different, act different and assume to think different but we are all quilters and that is a connecting thread that makes us all friends. I very much enjoyed learning as I taught the last few weekends. If you have a "traditional group" and "modern group" in your area, maybe it would be a good idea to have a joint meeting every once in a while to see what the other group has to offer in the way of new and old combinations. You too might be surprised!
Here we all were after 2 fun days of Modern Wedge workshoping. Just look at the variety of results...photo roll:
So if you are interested in learning more about the Modern Quilters movement in Australia (or anywhere really!) how about putting this on your calendar or even better..how about entering a quilt in the show!!!!
Gotta be in it to win it! Get on board...
That reminds me, I got a few lessons on Instagram this weekend as well from some lovely modern thinking gals. Worth a few giggles...follow me on @matobsgirl and maybe I'll get the hang of it! dashing off. k
Your post made me smile tonight, Kathy. I often think of 'those green pants' after I've had an 'unanticipated' good experience!
What a wonderful variety of wedge blocks. Your photos always get my creative wheels turning ~ thanks!
Posted by: Jan | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 11:43 AM
It looks as if you had a really fun weekend, gorgeous fabrics and blocks.
Rather than define myself as either a
"traditional" or "modern" quilter I prefer to call myself an Eclectic quilter as I think that covers everything :)
Posted by: Pip | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 03:28 PM
I think it better not to pigeonhole ourselves. I am drawn to Modern Quilts the same way I am drawn to traditional quilts with an eye to the colour and the workmanship. Sounds like we are all Modern Quilters from what you discovered.
Posted by: Amanda Bergamin | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 04:11 PM
Firstly, I can't find you on Instagram! Are you sure that's your username? (I'm @buttontreelane so add me and I'll add you back)
Secondly, the modern quilting movement is moving forward at a rapid rate. It's so good to to watch and be involved with as it develops. Canberrra Quilters formed a modern quilting group which meets monthly, in May 2012. It's been getting bigger and bigger since - last meeting I think we had 36 members attend. It's been so wonderful to see this group develop.
Posted by: Michelle | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 04:23 PM
Thanks again for such a wonderful workshop Kathy. Learning options with wedges was wonderful, having you share your experience with colour and contrast was amazing, but your encouragement and wisdom is the real inspiration I will take from this past weekend.
Oh and instagram lesson #4 - to share your username write it as @matobsgirl (you're missing the 's', the @ symbol in front means it's a username).
Posted by: Jessica | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 07:15 PM
Looks like you all had a great weekend. Looking forward to the next workshop and oh! I love your new fabric line Kathy - can't wait to use it.
Posted by: Margaret Ross | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 08:58 PM
Found you on Instagram thanks to so e of the comments above lol! Great post, I often ponder wether I am a modern quilter or not!
Posted by: Jessica | Monday, 31 March 2014 at 09:04 PM
Hi Katy I stopped by your blog for a look, and saw your post on what is modern..I have been quilting since 1985 and even then there people who separated themselves as "modern" . Nancy Crow comes to mind .
I went to my local quilt shop and asked the lady for the modern fabrics , she pointed me in a direction. Then I asked her for her Civil War
collection to which she also said " I hope you are not putting them all in the same quilt" . WOW !!To me that is modern to mix to do as I please. But she said OH NO!! Modern is a style , not progressive thinking !!!! hahahahaha
Posted by: Izzy | Wednesday, 02 April 2014 at 04:35 AM
I have always thought of you as a modern quilter. I have followed you since your first book came out.
Posted by: Penny R | Wednesday, 02 April 2014 at 03:54 PM
Oh how I wish I could play with you...
Posted by: Peggy Holt | Sunday, 06 April 2014 at 04:26 AM