Podcast 229 — Thoughts On Quilt Con, Modern Quilting, and “The Bedspread Set”
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Running time: 00:41:41 Size: 20.0 MB
Hi Quilters —
Yes — there is an all new podcast! I’m still traveling and my silly ipad won’t let me post pictures. So, when I get home, I will add all of the pictures and links that I referred to in the ‘cast.
In the meantime, enjoy the podcast.
Here’s what I promised you:
The link to Cheryl Arkison’s Blog post on her QuiltCon judging experience.
The quilts that I liked the best at QuiltCon. If the photo doesn’t have a ribbon in it, they didn’t get a ribbon — which the majority of these quilts I’m showing you, did not. I think they’re amazing, and inspiring. I wish I had the maker’s names and the quilt’s title, but I didn’t catch those.
My badges collected. Score!
My dear friend, Lizzy House, who will be married in June. Congrats, Lizzy!
Love the bees.
This is probably my favorite quilt of the whole show. Look at the picture below and you’ll find out why.
Each of the dots was painted, dividing the dots – and then hand-stitched with chunky thread to separate them further. This is so expressive, so arty. I just love it!
I love grayscale quilts — so profoundly stating VALUE.
Okay — this is the ultimate “modern” Modern quilt. The designs remind me so much of the 60’s Beatnik era, and I.G.Y. (the International Geophysical Year). I love this one too.
I also love the design of this quilt. Clean, sharp, simple.
And this one — so similar to the one above.
I love the translucence of this quilt – the barely there design of the circle that flows out from the center circle. So cool.
And finally, Victoria Findlay Wolfe’s “Mr. Swirly Bones”, which won a Judge’s choice award, and the Viewer’s Choice award. Victoria won the Best of Show at the very first QuiltCon.
©2016 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved
Fun chat – keep it up 🙂
Thanks for another great summary of a quilting event! Quiltcon is definitely on my vacation list for 2017. It’s disappointing to learn that folks are encouraging an “us vs. them” mentality for traditional and modern quilters. Fortunately, I don’t get that impression from any of my local quilt shops or any classes that I have taken. Hopefully, nobody bought those tacky t-shirts—everyone knows that all quilters are cool!! Now, those t-shits that make fun of fabric hording…um, I mean collecting, are quite funny.
First, I really like your podcast. Lots of great information. I was surprised by your response to the button though- “I’m not a regular quilter, I’m a cool quilter”. I think that’s less of a dig on “regular quilters” and more about their fear of not being cool because of how non-quilters view the art (i.e. The Bedpread Crowd). People who don’t know the history of quilting, quilters and non-quilters alike, often think of grannies so modern quilters are always trying to explain the difference.
And I have to say, the button doesn’t say anything about age. It doesn’t say “I’m not a regular quilter, I’m a young, hip quilter.” I’m almost 40 now so I sort of see the age issue from both sides. I’ve been dabbling in quilting for many years. My fascination with quilting started when I was much younger and learned about how quilts were used to give directions and send messages to slaves seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad. I find that’s a fact that most people don’t know and when I tell them it sort of changes the way they view quilts too. While a person still might not like quilts or might prefer a modern quilt it gives them a new respect for the history of quilts.
Also, I never thought of people who’ve been quilting for a long time as old and have nothing to offer. I respect their knowledge and experience and wanted to tap into the knowledge they have. I think, if you remember back to when you started, you probably felt that way too.
I find the main difference between modern quilt and traditional quilts is the fabric. Now, that’s obvious so I’ll be more clear. Traditional quilts were about repurposing the fabric and resources available because they had to and so that style is less about the fabric and more about creating beauty through the patterns and quilting design. They also tied the generations together, when women worked together to create a quilt. Modern quilts are often more about showcasing the fabric itself. It’s also something people do for enjoyment and relaxation, not necessity. But even still, many younger quilters began quilting because of someone in their lives who crafted, a mother, grandmother, neighbor.
And ultimately, if there’s a younger person who sees traditional quilting as lame and for old people and old people couldn’t possibly be cool enough to get modern quilting, I think you’re mature enough to understand that that’s just an immature mindset. Why be worried about that? When they get older they’ll realize that’s ridiculous.
Lisa K. — those t-shirts were the ones that were sold out by the 2nd day…
I would like to hear more about your family. I have been listening since your son was 13, so I feel like I know them too!
Great comments about us and them. I joined a modern quilt guild for awhile and they were very welcoming. But I realized I’m not a modern quilter. I love the fabrics but I love the traditional patterns. I’ve kept an individual membership because the website has such great resources.
Thanks for the informative podcast! I always enjoy hearing what’s new in the world of quilting. I’m a very traditional quilter that enjoys all quilts whether Modern or Art, etc. Our Desert Quilters of Nevada Quilt Show has its last day tomorrow. One of our elderly ladies (80’s) made the most beautiful Modern quilt that she designed herself. ( She has always been a traditional quilter, too!) I think the “cool t-shirt” crowd would be stunned! LOL Seriously, though, I think Christa Watson will be a huge force in bringing quilters of all types together. That’s just the way she has always been. (She gave a wonderful lecture today on the Modern quilt with a bed turning.)
I was also appalled by the cool quilter button you discussed until I mentioned it to my 18-year-old and she laughed. She explained that the button is a funny twist on a famous quote from the movie Mean Girls. The original quote was ” I’m not a regular Mom, I’m a cool Mom” and, in context was poking fun at the attitude rather than putting down “regular” moms.
Anyway- so happy you are podcasting again!
Deborah — thank you so much for the perspective! I’ll have to mention that on the next podcast. Thank you So much for the encouragment — and for listening!
Judy — thanks so much! It’s so good to hear from you. Christa very definitly is a force for bringing things together, and I love that.
Hi Annie! Love that you’re back to podcasting! I was listening to you today as I was driving to meet a friend, and then go to ‘Rosie’s”, here in San Diego. It was your podcast recorded at Quilt-Con. I was telling my friend about it as we drove to Rosie’s and would you believe that while she was a Quilt-Con, she and her friend were sharing your table as you were recording??? Talk about a small world! I was telling her who you were, and how I had been to your workshop at Paradise Sewing in Poway recently. She’s a longarm quilter and I was sharing with her your talk with Krista. Anyways… so glad to hear you again, and I’m hoping one day you do get to teach at Asilomar, you deserve to be there!
I just listened to your podcast today and I SO agree that we are all quilters and no matter what style of quilt you create, it’s awesome to be a quilter! I have always had a hard time squishing myself into a set group because I love making all types of quilts. Thanks so much for sharing your insight.
Thank you so much Leah! It’s so nice to hear from you.