Saturday 13 December 2014

Being modern my way

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy from Material Obsession in person and came away with not only feeling inspired but some of the fabric from her first line.

If I were to make a Desert Island Discs of top quilt blogs which inspire and excite me on a regular basis, then hers would be in there. I completely love the quilts she and those around her produce,  for their individuality, for being that little bit different. But does that make them modern? More on that later.

I chose this feature fabric just because.



Deciding to feature large areas of one fabric in a quilt are slightly outside my comfort zone.

I like being outside my comfort zone.

And I wanted to create a scrappy quilt with a limited scrappy colour zone and these are not normally colours I'd either gravitate towards, nor put together.

So, game on.


I made a 60 degree triangle shape around the bird to surround it all. In the process that meant I couldn't cut the same sized shape from all the birds and remedied this by cutting the remainder of the birds out individually and applique them to solid fabric (yes, I used solid fabric. More on that later).

I also took some of the trailing leaves, cut those out individually and applique them to the solid triangles. All the applique pieces have been sewn in place with a layer of batting behind them so that, in theory,when I come to layer the quilt top with batting and backing and then quilt it, the applique pieces will pop out some more.

And this is what I have ended up with.



Now a couple of days ago I posted a screen grab on Instagram of my 'rejection' confirmation for this quilt which I had submitted to QuiltCon.


It was very much a last minute decision to enter and I was swayed more than anything by the fabulous quilting done on it by Krista Withers - she'll be teaching at QuiltCon next year by the way.


I kind of knew I was on a wing and a prayer with this one because it doesn't fit many of the Modern Quilt Guild's definitions of what it believes modern quilting to be, namely:


  • graphic areas of solid colour
  • improvisational piecing
  • minimalism
  • expansive negative space

So when I got the 'rejection' email from QuiltCon I wasn't surprised and I put it up on Instagram more as a tongue in cheek response to those who were posting screen grabs of their 'acceptance' emails. I didn't take the 'rejection' personally, had a bit of a chuckle to myself, fired off some flippant responses to those who commented and chalked the whole thing up to all part of life's rich tapestry. (Which would be made up of lots of prints btw, not solids).

But then the whole QuiltCon reject/accept thing kind of gained momentum on social media and people started emailing me about it and and blog posts were appearing and suddenly the debate had a life of its own.

Having been at the receiving end of the QuiltCon experience before I have broad enough shoulders to know everyone is feeling their way along a new path and are doing their best. I actually don't have a problem with who gets in and who doesn't. That's life. Latifah has an excellent post Former QuiltCon Juror Tells All that is well worth a read. My only small comment on this would be I didn't like how you couldn't actually enter your quilt into the category you had in mind - in my case it was 'Modern Traditionalism.' Seemed a bit odd but open to hearing why.

However, for what it's worth, my own personal points are:


  • If you're paying to be considered to enter a quilt competition and you are not accepted, would it not be possible to at least have a one or two line explanation? I know a comment has been made on Latifah's post that it is not industry practice to explain why something has not been accepted. However, we're talking about a Guild which has only been formed within the last few years with a definition of modern quilting which many people struggle to either accept/get their heads round. I was fortunate in that I didn't make my quilt specifically to enter QuiltCon although a lot of people did. How are those people supposed to know how to move forward if they don't know what it is about their quilts that wasn't 'modern' enough? I realise 'modern' is subjective so were the decisions to not accept those quilts that weren't accepted based solely on gut instinct or were there criteria  that had to be fulfilled? You might not like/agree with the feedback but at least you know where you stand. The MQG could add the caveat 'no correspondence will be entered into' to stop any ping ponging of emails. At least people will know why they are throwing their toys out the pram. 

  • why does a quilt need to have 'graphic areas of solid colour' to be considered modern? Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner are two fabric designers who spring to mind who excel at designing loud, blowsy, stunning fabric designs and both are/have been involved lecturing at QuiltCon. Would a quilt chocked full to the gunnels with their fabrics be considered 'modern'? Ditto some of the instructors for QuiltCon next year - some of them are not what I would call 'modern' quilters by the MQG definition.  Ditto the online quilt fabric stores favoured by 'modern' quilters, with tag lines such as 'your online source for modern quilting cottons' and 'modern quilting fabrics' where 80% of their stock is prints.

  • When does 'modern' stop being 'modern' and its definition redefined? Freddie Moran was ahead of her time and I still think she produces exciting, different and visually stimulating quilts. Looking at her work though, would she fit within the constraints of today's definition of 'modern'? I mentioned Kathy Doughty/Material Obsession earlier. She's innovative and different...but 'modern'? What about some of the massively popular quilt bloggers out there - by the MQG's definition they're not producing 'modern' quilts yet it is their types of quilts people are drawn to and the makers themselves believe they are 'modern' quilters.
There are so many quilters out there (both established and new) who feel they identify as 'modern' quilters. I myself have recently let my membership lapse of the (British) Quilters Guild because it feels as much me as flower arranging. I know my style is all over the place but I definitely gravitate towards, what I perceive to be, 'modern' quilters. I feel at home with the loose meaning of the word 'modern.'

From what I can see, 'modern' quilting is a broad church of styles. The MQG has chosen a definition so constrictive and narrow it's almost like its own sect. Let's broaden the definition and open ourselves up to a range of 'modern' quilting styles and in the process welcome more people and more ideas.

We'll all be richer for it.

Amen.

48 comments:

  1. Thought provoking ideas and very true. Any movement in art or creativity should evolve as otherwise it would no longer be modern. I visited the fab Malevich exhibition at the Tate London showing his progression as he tried different art movements and ultimately created his own style. When I started quilting and reading blogs I was drawn to modern bloggers and still love some of their work but there is much more out there.
    I love the work of Rita at Red Pepper Quilts and think it is modern but I'm sure it would not pass the constraints of the quild. I think the MQG was set up to reflect the changing use of colour and solids and to move away from traditional perceptions. My mother in law and I both quilt and I bought her a subscription to one of the new British quilting mags which she likes but commented the fabrics are too modern.
    I think we should be comfortable in our own skins (fabric) and embrace our style. I do think if you pay to enter something feedback would be helpful. Look forward to receiving comments.

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    1. RPQ was indeed one blog I was alluding to.. So many quilters have become energised by the emergence of 'modern quilting' and there is a whole quilt industry feeding our desire to be a 'modern quilter' yet I just don't see this reflected in the MQG's definition.

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  2. here here, I sent an e-mail to the MQG with my thoughts on the selection process... Not what you said, but I am totally saying that what you said needs to be heard too - especially the AB/AMH part. (But then they tend to make quilt to sell a line of fabric - it makes more sense to have those quilts be chock-a-block full of fabrics from that line. To the exclusion of other fabrics, which saddens me - but I'm not trying to make a living at least in part by selling my fabric line.)

    I do what I do & don't care how it is defined.

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  3. I think we are moving on to Post Modern Quilting as those initially drawn to quilting by the modern movement have gained in confidence and skills and want to do something more challenging and less restrictive.This debate is similar to the debate about Art Quilts a few years ago. We are all quilters and colour and fabric choices are very much personal preference. However, design and construction skills can be compared and evaluated regardless of personal taste. Clarification of the criteria for selection for Quilt Con would seem to be in order here.

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    1. Annie! that is exactly what I was thinking...it is one thing to be able to sew a few wonky squares together in the middle of an expanse of solid fabric, but quite another to have the skill and creativity to put a variety of fabrics together in a way that is pleasing, and use sewing skills like paper piecing, curves and other advanced techniques to create a well-made quilt. I feel like Quilt Con missed an important element of the talent involved in quilting (craftsmanship and execution) by limiting "modern" quilts to such a narrow aesthetic.

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  4. Maybe instead of defining what they want as 'modern' the guild should just give their criteria - and then I think a lot less quilts would have been entered, as so many clearly do not fit these criteria! 'Modern' is just way too broad a definition!

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  5. This is a great post - I don't have a blog but I've been reading them for the last several years since I decided to learn to make a quilt... hah several million yards of fabric later, I am fascinated by the arguments I sometimes read about "modern or not". I'm much more in line with your general philosophy - I honestly don't know how I would classify myself if forced to pick a quilting label. I just make things that I like with fabric that I like (or try to at least). It might be possible that I think the debate is silly because I sew/quilt solely for personal enjoyment and have another source of income, but I really do have trouble understanding the need for labels, especially if the only options are the incredibly broad categories of "modern" or "traditional". It makes me think of a friend of mine who recently told me her husband said she's not a "real" runner because she walks for a few minutes during her runs. I've known her to log upwards of 20 miles a week - if it ends up she walked a total of two of those, does that mean she didn't run the other 18? I guess my point is I think this problem becomes inherent with labels - an expectation to live up to. And clearly the expectation in this case is a very specific interpretation of "modern", which is fine - but should be advertised/explained as such to people who want to participate.

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    1. I'm also a quilter for personal pleasure. The only time I really think about being 'modern' is when the words MQG and QuiltCon pop up. I would just like them to be wider with their definition and then they will (IMO) attract more people.

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  6. before I even started reading, I thought of Kathy D when I saw your diamond/bird quilt! I love her style and that of all the Material Obsession folks. I think your thoughts on the MQG are spot on. Seeing the criteria that defines modern struck me as really narrow...like whoever wrote it was describing their own style, but not really that of a whole movement. Modern Quilters are really a generation of people, and there are so many branches of the modern quilting tree. There are only so many ways solid color strips or squares can be sewn together, which leads me to feel that the narrow definition as stated will have a very short lifespan in the grand scheme of quilting as an art form. Thank you for your thoughts!

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  7. Here here! I agree that it's time for a broader definition of modern. I understand that the MQG was founded based on a certain aesthetic. But it's grown way bigger than that now. It should reflect and embrace the styles of the majority of its members.

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  8. Boy, well put, Alison. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't all a bit like the Emperor's clothing.

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  9. Well I quilt what I like ... I buy fabrics because they are cheap I buy fabrics because I like them but I know I don't have anything they fit to ... I make quilts all prints, all solids I try to avoid the usual suspects (grey, white) there ... I don't think about modern quilting or traditional quitling I do not care what THEY (whoever they are) deem to be modern, traditional, a 70ies revival a copycat or whatever ... I think purely by principle I will have to do a modern blocks with traditional fabrics kind of quilt .. ha now I know where I will put my 2 charm packs that I won a year or two ago to good use ...

    I would say you make Island Quitlign quilts ... you have a style that is not everyone elses it's the make thinks pop, fabric/pattern overload kind of style ... you do however not do MGQ-style quilts (just because they all it modern doesn't make it modern ...maybe they should be called solid-style as that seems to be the minimal denominator in all "modern" definitions ... you know like we know put that lemon yellow, fuchsia pink and green-ish turquoise with balck in the 80ies/90ies ... back then it was modern ... so in hmm 20 or 30 years they will be know as the "solid path" new millenia quilting or so ...

    I like your quilts, though I could probably never make them myself as they are not "me" ... I'm still playing around refusing to have my own style, so whenever I do something that looks like it could be a repeat of something I did before I tend to go "ohnononononon" do something else, and if it's just to discover that I absolutely hate it (strangely there always seem to be others that like those quilts espcially) ...

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    1. You make some interesting points and I would agree my style is not the MQG style. So where does that leave people like me when it comes to QuiltCon?

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    2. well maybe nowhere ... I mean why do you need to be part of it ..MQG is obviously not your "cup of tea" so why should one of their own shows be? ... I know it's one of the big shows but there are others - and if they keep their criteria this limiting they will loose out on a whole lot of quilts whose makers will maybe band together in a style-movement ... make your own thing ... look for exhibitions and things that are more geared towards your style ...

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  10. I like to hope that in 10 years, someone will look at my quilts (aka my art, my love, my moods, my expressions) and say "Dang, these are all so different...doesn't really fall under any category." There are so many quilts, that when viewed for 10 seconds, I can tell who did it. I don't want that. And I fear that is what happens when people are forced to design within a small number of limitations. I love the quilts that have been chosen for QC as well as those that have not. And that whole IG feed #quiltconreject is outstanding! That's the best thing that could have happened - I've had more appreciation there than I could ever get elsewhere. The fact that over 1300 quilts were submitted at all is a celebration. It shows excitement and pride and fellowship. Surely, 95% of them were worthy of public devouring. But space is a real factor. The fact is, only 'X' number of quilts can be shown. At some point, pulling names out of a hat would have been as fair as anything. MQG has grown so big so fast, it's hard to keep up. I don't envy those in the position of having to defining art. Thanks for the post, I love the conversation!

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    1. I love the conversation too. It's challenging yet respectful and those are the best conversations to have. Thank you.

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  11. Such a thought provoking post. You are quite right...many of the quilters whose work I admire too would fall outside the MQG definition of modern. I think there are far more categories than just modern and traditional, however it seems that the quilting world is defined by whether you are a "modern" or "traditional" quilter. I wouldn't fall into either of these categories. I dislike beiges, and dark heavy colours, don't use a lot of negative space, dislike improv, but I do like the modern fabrics and colours, and the modern type designs. Interestingly though, many of the blocks and designs we use now have a beginning way back in history and often when we think something is a new design, it will have been repeated somewhere in the past. I think it's important to remember why we quilt...you and I both quilt for personal pleasure and we make what we like and that is the main thing.

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  12. When the MQG implored modern quilt guild branches throughout the world to join their national guild (i.e. pay them quite a bit of money), their definition was MUCH looser and seemed to include anything and everything. I found this upsetting, it felt like they were just trying to get everyone to join them and hand over high dues to them. Mixed messages within this debate are truly rampant.

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  13. Not up to speed with the MQG regulations but it all sounds very confusing. I love your Spiderweb with a difference quilt and can't understand why it was rejected. Their loss I would say. Love your new work in progress. Great colours, again a very different palette and look to the quilt. Another winner I would say. You certainly know how to blend colours and fabrics, Alison.

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  14. I've been listening to this conversation over the past few days and I'm with Debbie about the fact that there were so many quilts entered and there is only space for a small percentage of them - so I don't think that the quilts were rejected because they weren't modern or weren't good enough outright but purely because they don't have space for all of the entries so there were lots of rejects ! oh and love your quilt - don't care what category it is !!

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    1. I don't think my quilt was rejected, hence why I paranthesised the word each time.. I just would like to see a broader interpretation of 'modern.'

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  15. It's all very interesting, the reactions I mean. I find it interesting that you don't think your quilt matches your bulleted modern points. To me it does have graphic areas of solid color. I don't take that rule to mean solids only, rather areas of full color. You totally have that and improvisational piecing as well. There could even be an argument for your negative space. It could also be a traditional quilt as it looks like some of the spiderweb quilts of the 1800's. I think it's wonderful that the start of the MQG has helped attract people and industry to a previously fairly neglected art. Just before this movement there were so many shows that were made up of batiks or civil war fabric quilts. I think many people consider themselves as modern because they are using "modern" fabrics. But I think what they mean is they are using contemporary, or recently produced fabrics. And they are actually "traditional" quilters. There is a definite aesthetic, and rules as to what defines that, for the MQG just as there are for Mid-Century Modern houses or textiles. Perhaps what we all need to do is enter all of the quilt shows we can so we can flood the world with our creativity and individual view points.
    In one local show about 90 percent of the quilts were made by people the same age and with similar styles. I wish more people would enter so we could see lots more diversity. I mean how fun would it be to see these two quilts of yours (quite different styles) next to a landscape quilt and a minimalist quilt.

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    1. Interesting viewpoint and I am. It put off and will look to enter more quilt shows. We all need to!

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    2. *I am not put off...it should have read!

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  16. oh and there's another really good blog post on this subject over at the silly boo dilly - thought you might enjoy it !
    http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/accepted-or-rejected-thoughts-about.html

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  17. "modern" is about as narrow and helpful a definition as "quilt". I also didn't really like not being able to choose a category - seemed a bit weird. I'm interested to see where mine end up and if it's the same I would have chosen

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    1. hahahahahahahaha! As we Jewish people like to say: "from your mouth to God's ears" ;-)

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  18. Even though I belong to a modern quilt guild and, by default, to the MQG, I gave up trying to figure out what is considered 'modern'. I just make what appeals to me. I will never be entering a contest or offering anything for display at a quilt show so it really doesn't matter to anyone but me.

    I love your new quilt. I think it is wonderful. Those colors aren't really in my comfort zone, either, but WOW! Good job.

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  19. Cheers, my friend. I thought the exact same thing about fabric design having been lured to the MQG's SewDown Nashville in large part because of Anna Maria Horner and Carolyn Friedlander's workshops (i.e., incredibly talented and well-respected designers of not-so-solid fabric lines). On the one hand yes, I understand that being limited to select 1 quilt for every 4 entries (I read somewhere from someone who knows something that the acceptance rate was 26%) does mean that, inevitably, lots of beautiful works by very talented people will not make the cut. That said, call me naive, but I've seen certain designs in the #quiltconreject pool where I can think of no other explanation for their non-acceptance other than the plain fact that the MQG--which, as you've noted, defines "modern quilting" in a considerably narrow way--must not have been after for that particular style quilt. Because if they were, they surely would not have turned down the opportunity to showcase such exemplary work. And that's what's puzzling/disconcerting, because if the guild as a whole is supposed to represent its members and we're working towards "inclusiveness" in the industry, then why is this massive, bi-annual show a celebration of such a slim aesthetic? And (gasp) at that, one that I don't exactly relate to. Don't get me wrong, there are a few quilts I'm sure I would love to see in person in Austin. But I suspect that the majority of what I find inspirational, original, and show-worthy will be at home with the talented individuals who made them. So why exactly am I paying to be a part of a guild of which I'm not exactly a part? ...tbd.

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    1. Not a lot more I can say to this other than I would have expected nothing less from you than a well thought out response :-)

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  20. I missed the Instagram initial discussion because I don't have a smart phone (I'm a Luddite that way). My hunch is that the onlinenes of the modern quilting movement amplified initial reactions to having been excluded. I'm guessing people in the past who didn't get traditional quilts juried into national traditional shows had similar feelings, but didn't have the means of amplification. The amplification can be a good thing if we learn from it; if it doesn't just become a group pout.

    An analogy: A high school student is best in class, goes on to college and is not grouped with other best-in-class people and is suddenly 'average.' National shows are a bit like that.

    My quilt wasn't juried in either. I like thinking of it as neck and neck with one that got in rather than an instant 'no,' Thanks to SillyBoDilly for making that point and to leanne for pointing us to that blog (a new one to me).

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    1. I'm not arguing QuiltCon's right to accept/reject certain quilts. The point I'm making is that the 26% accepted conformed to a rigid set of aesthetics set down by the MQG, which, in my opinion, are too rigid

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    2. I will be looking for that when I go to the show in February. I'm very curious to see what is actually in. (Perhaps Instagram folks know already--I'm wondering if all accepted quilts have been shown on Instagram.) One MQG person, Heather Grant, lectured about modern quilts in a much less rigid way. One can hope her view gains ground.

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  21. ps something is wrong on blogger when using the wordpress (and others in the open category)--the capcha screen flashes on and off before the number can be read and typed in. you may want to report it.

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  22. Very interesting post. What the Quiltcon criteria showed to me was that I am not a modern quilter. At least, not if I use their standards. Which I am totally fine with - I think I am going to call myself a "New Traditional" quilter as I love prints and repeated blocks far too much to give them up for solids and negative space!!

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  23. these two quilts make my heart skip a beat...wonderful

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  24. I think your quilt is modern. Maybe they had too many low volume/bright quilts. Maybe this was a year of lots of spider web variations and they didn't need one more. You never know. I saw a quilt today that got in and I like it a lot. I don't know if it fits in a narrow definition. I have been to many quilt shows with no quilts at all that I would say was modern, so yes, there is a difference. The attempt to codify the difference gets everyone anxious, but there is a difference.

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  25. I agree with Taos Sunflower at 13! Also, I'm a bit fed of up of this term 'negative space'… Surely it is just space? I would like to see them open up their guidelines because who wants to see a load of quilts that conform to such a narrow set of rules? I also agree with other comments that the business of selling fabric is so caught up with quilt making that the lines are blurred somewhat.

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  26. Your new quilt is fabulous by the way! It's a great use of a large print :)

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  27. Our MQG has just affiliated with the Modern section of the Quilter's Guild rather than the MQG- I think we may all fit better with tehri description to be honest though I still hate the word modern, the correct word is contemporary! :P

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  28. Yes, yes, so much yes. This is a great post Alison and describes my thoughts way more eloquently than I could have. I did make my quilt for the show deadline, but would have made it regardless of the show or not, so at the end of the day I have a quilt that I'm insanely proud of and will be entered into more (less restrictive) shows. I agree it would be really nice to have a bit of feedback about why it wasn't accepted.

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  29. I find this whole discussion to be very interesting. I live in a small city in the American South and there is no local modern quilt guild, so I belong to the regular local guild. I'm 30, the average age of the other members is probably in the 50s or 60s. The other members of my guild make very traditional quilts and I make quilts a lot like yours - I LOVE printed fabrics and veer toward these rather than solids or large empty spaces. Certainly my guild members would consider me to be a very modern quilter, yet by the MQG definitions I guess I don't fit! I would never make most of the quilts that my fellow guild members do, or make the choices they make in terms of fabric, color, or pattern. And most don't always "get" my quilts either. Yet I can appreciate their quilts for the talent, expertise, time, and love that have been put into them, and I know that they appreciate that I am continuing the quilting tradition. The perspective on what is considered modern is very interesting to me.

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  30. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. It seems like the MQG definition is so limiting, it really makes me want nothing to do with all of it. I don't consider myself a modern quilter, but sometimes I make things that I think are somewhat modern but they don't fit within that definition. I understand that they need to set guidelines that help them narrow down the submissions, but it's just not for me. Anyone that would turn down your gorgeous quilt is crazy.

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  31. Yes. Amen!

    Definitions are constrictive. The line between what's "modern" and what's not is blurry at best; I'd rather leave it blurry than try to categorize every single quilt as "in" or "out" when clearly many quilts are complex in nature, having more than one influence. I love the cross-over and blending of styles which to me is more exciting visually than quilt making by a set of rules not to mention more of a personal expression.

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  32. I really like both of these quilts ... the quilting on the second one is incredible!

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