A lot of discussions have been had lately over what defines ‘modern’ quilting. Is it the fabric one chooses? The unconventional construction methods that break from tradition? The function of the finished pieces as art or utilitarian? And of course the definition of modern itself is left to interpretation because what is defined as modern today will no doubt change drastically to what will be defined as modern 20 years from now. So why all the commotion?
In my mind I think most of the controversy is about change. Though change is the natural progression of life, we human beings like predictability, habit and rote. We like knowing some things stay the same because consistency and uniformity anchor us in our fast acting and topsy-turvy world. The last thing most of us want to see in the area of our lives we consider relaxing and recreational, is change to the way it has always been done. Stress is associated with learning new things and keeping up with the latest and greatest. And let’s face it, in the textile world a lot of people have the idea that quilting is a traditional craft that doesn’t need to change to stay relevant.
I have rather the opposite opinion really. I think change is what keeps me, as a quilter, on my toes. I’m no expert and will never learn all there is to know about the traditional ways of constructing a quilt, but I know I like change. I like making my brain think to tackle a challenge. I like stimulating ‘the little grey cells’ as Agatha Christie’s detective Poirot is so fondly refers to thinking. I get bored easily in doing the same technique or methods over and over again. As an example of this I have a very difficult time committing myself to a repeating block quilt. The thought of having to make the same block 30-40 times just does my head in. However my attitude changes on this if I’m constructing relatively similar blocks varying bits here and there so that each block is the same, but different. A prime example of this dichotomy is the twist on the traditional log cabin I’m presently working on that I’m piecing by hand, with random solid fabrics and varying the log sizes as I construct each block. Though all the finished blocks are 8 ½ square when completed, the logs themselves vary at my whim as I’m piecing the block so one block may have 8 different colors representated when finished and another 12. It makes each block unique independently but with a unified look when pieced together as a top and that keeps my interest.
So in the end the controversy over what defines modern means very little to me. As long as my ‘little grey cells’ continue to be challenged, I’m good with it all.
McKenna Powell is a second generation quilter who likes to produce quilts of all shapes, sizes and genres, primarily as a hand piecer.