Traditional and Nontraditional

Eclectic Blues Top

Smoke Rings Top

Trellis Top

Exploring a question is what makes quilting interesting for me.  This exploration started with an overheard comment (yes, I’m an introvert), a quilter who said she loved the modern aesthetic, and sadly wondered what to do with her beautiful William Morris fabric collection.  And I thought, ”Why can’t I use traditional fabric to make something that is not traditional?” Here is my attempt to answer this question:  

• “Eclectic Blues” celebrates my favorite style, with nothing perfectly matching. I like the way the spirals emphasize the chaos in the surrounding borders. It makes me feel a bit dizzy. Is it traditional? No!

• “Smoke Rings” honors the beauty of William Morris fabric with a twist. The appliquéd smoke rings are similar, but not exact. The layout is traditional but the bright red setting is not. It makes the blocks pop.

• I unearthed a pile of leftover log cabin watercolor blocks and added an X. I planned to make the X black, but as I laid strips down I didn’t like the black line dividing the light section. I tried lighter colors, and liked the shimmer of gold. “Trellis” has energy and interest.

My advice to anyone interested in this question is enjoy the process.  Change the layout or the color.  Try manipulating traditional patterns by adding stripes or x’s.  Lay the fabric down and look.  Be present as you work, aware of what you like or don’t like. 

I gain much satisfaction knowing I’m using what I have.  I’ve freed up space in my sewing room, I’m moving fabric out that has been sitting around for awhile because it is not what I reach for naturally.  And I have interesting quilts to gift, lessons I’ve learned, and experiences to draw on for future work.