Do you live in Melbourne? Do you like to quilt? Do you dream about qulting even though you haven’t started yet? Do you love fabric? Have you joined the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild yet?
The Modern Quilt Guild began late last year in the USA. Here’s some information about it purloined straight from their blog:
The Modern Quilt Guild is a community of quilt guilds across the country. The online community of modern quilters is thriving and this guild grew out of a desire to also have us meet in person. The founding branch of the guild started in Los Angeles in October of 2009. Through blogs & the internet word spread quickly of the fun they were having and now branches have started popping up all over the country. We are a young organization just getting started with planning, organizing and sorting out all we will do as an association.
We encourage anyone who’s interested to join us! Beginners are welcome.
What is Modern Quilting?
Modern quilting is a new twist on the traditional art of quilting. This may mean something as simple as using a traditional quilt block and updating it in a fresh fun new way. That includes using modern fabrics, modifying the block arrangement or even the scale of the block. The piecing could be improvisational and wonky, or it could be very exact and measured, following a pattern or creating your own. The quilting could be traditional stippling, clean straight lines or a very “free” have fun, quilt as you go style. Fabrics could be upcycled vintage sheets, custom digital printed fabric, a yummy selection from one of the new modern fabric designers, or an old fabric from an ever growing stash.
Modern quilting is sometimes difficult to define because in many ways the definition is as individual as the quilter – changing from quilter to quilter. In addition to reflecting the individual personality and personal style of the quilter it also reflects the current aesthetic of the day.
Modern quilting is also about the attitude and the approach that modern quilters take. It respects the amazing artistry and talent of the tradition of quilting, while allowing the quilter to challenge the “rules”. In fact, if there were one rule in modern quilting it would be that there are no rules.
The concept of modern quilting is not meant to divide or segregate. It is meant to welcome new quilters, of all ages, to the world of quilting in a style that they can relate to. In many ways, modern quilting takes us back to the basics of the early quilters, when women of the day used the colors and styles of their time to express themselves creatively.
What does “modern quilting” mean to you?
To me, it is all about colour and pattern. I really like traditional quilt blocks, but I like them put together in colours that are vibrant and strong. I think modern quilting is about having the courage to just have a go and try new things. Not worrying too much about the “rules” while learning from the wealth of quilting experience that has gone before. Taking all the things that you admire about quilting and putting it together in a way that moves you.
Although I consider myself to be a beginner quilter (albeit one with a long sewing history) I am excited to be one of the first members of the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild. Please come over and join us!
