Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Traditional Quilts?


I fell in love with traditional quilts from the very first. Not orchestrated modern traditional ones where every fabric coordinates perfectly, but quilts that worked within the framework of traditional and showcased the maker’s artistic skills and joie de vivre.

I admired but was not really inspired by most quilts shown locally in the 70’s and 80’s. After going to many shows, I finally found ones that made my heart skip a beat when exhibits featuring quality vintage quilts began to appear, and I discovered books filled with quilts from other eras. These quilts really rocked. They had exuberance, color, design excitement, whimsy, simplicity and elegance, all more or less within the “rules” of quilting.

That is not an easy accomplishment for a quilter. Those “other” qualities can sometimes suffer because a quiltmaker is so intent on executing the technicalities properly, and perhaps resorting to using a traditional “scheme” for the quilt that they may take a backseat. The art of the quilt can suffer.

I never really made a planned quilt. They grew and developed as I worked even though I always started with a plan. Even the plan in my mind was subject to drastic change at any moment, but I never threw out the basics of the construction and style of a traditional quilt.

At first these changes were tentative and minor. It was still a log cabin with darks on one side of the red chimney square, and lights on the other, but the fabrics were not all from one line, or one scale of print, or even all prints or solids but a mix of whatever I thought looked great.

I used drab colors with sparks of bright. Mud colors and subtle palettes were my signature look. Later I used more saturated colors, but subtle and subdued will always be pleasing to me.

I tried to work keeping in mind the spirit of quilters from the past who had no quilt shops, no fabric budget, but had to make do. They used their ingenuity and creativity to make wonderful quilts that still delight the viewer.

Later I ventured out into the array of new fabrics available as quilting flourished worldwide, and decided that strict “repro” quilts were not my thing, just as doing cross stitch designs and following the color charts never worked for me either. New threads and quilting techniques, designs and free motion methods all have affected the outcome of my quilts. Growth is a good thing in quilting, and keeps traditional quilts vibrant and fresh, ever changing, ever new.

I liked to play with my own color combinations, drawing on old quilts that wowed me as inspiration and then playing with variations of the traditional. Quilting motifs began as a continuation of designs used for hundreds of years, but have now changed and grown and are individual to me. Their roots are firmly based in tradition.

I still behave, and play by the rules: straight lines are straight, corners are not lopped off, precision in workmanship is very important to me. But within the structure and framework of traditional I have found much room for creative expression.

I continue to like the feeling of a challenge met when corners meet properly, geometry works out, bindings go on well.

Traditional in my mind has morphed into “classic.” It is a style of quilting based on an accumulation of history, culture, style that has worked for centuries in the decorative arts. It will continue to work in this century and beyond, but will leave room for growth, for creativity, fun, personal viewpoint, and color and design exploration.

A traditional quilt is a challenging and many times difficult quilt to make. The rules are not easy. Technical skills sometimes take years to achieve. Errors are easy to spot and can bring down the entire project. A quilter choosing this format has tough standards, a demanding task, a brave and intrepid spirit.

The rewards are worth it though. A true traditional quilt or “classic” can be exhibited in an art gallery and hold its own with contemporary art. It will also look perfect on a bed. It would command a room in an historic house, yet be a dramatic focal point in a NY loft apartment, all function, steel, glass, chrome, and brick.

It transcends time. It would be at home in the past, present, or future.
A traditional quilt will never be a trend or a fad, but reflect current styles and popular textiles melded with the quiltmaker’s personal art, all within a time-honored and tested format.

A traditional quilt lasts.

In this day of "trend du jour" in quilting, do not apologize for being a traditionalist. Create quilts, be proud of them, and explore your own art in this amazing genre of quilting.

"Butternut Summer," above 1998, and "Shadows of Umbria," below, at Paducah, 2008, two of my favorite classics.

Keep quilting,
Diane




10 comments:

Dena said...

It's nice to hear I'm not the only one who designs a quilting project as I work on it. Yes. I start with a general plan, but I know it will always be modified as I work. Thank you for a very insightful post.

Rona Duncan said...

Love the traditional, or "classic", quilts. Thank you for inspiring us to continue the path. Thank you for all you do for the quilting world. Your work is fabulous and it makes me want to practice, practice, practice. Keep it up! Hope to see you in Houston in just about a week.
Rona Duncan :-)

YankeeQuilter said...

Thanks for the inspiring post. Classic...like it!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I am probably easily defined as a modern, rather than traditional, quilter. That works for me. But I have great disdain for modern work that does not at least acknowledge the skill and basic of classic quilting. I love this post.

Diane Gaudynski said...

And I love contemporary styles, art quilts, folk art, pictorial, all of it. "Quilting" carries a very large umbrella! I did want to point out that traditional is still valid, and continues to earn our respect and admiration for all it entails and how much influence it has had on all styles.

It's wonderful we have so many choices and avenues to pursue as we explore our personal styles in quilting.

Kay said...

I think the word "classic" is a wonderful one. Thanks for using it and bringing it to my attention.

Anonymous said...

Well-spoken. Classic means enduring.

Andrea in MN

Anonymous said...

Love the word 'classic' in this context. Your post highlights the fact that a combination of good design and good workmanship mixed with a creative mind will produce wonderful original quilts.
I also love your use of mud colours.
Judy B

Morna Crites-Moore said...

OMG, what a gorgeous quilt! (I found you via Diane Loomis).

Unknown said...

Yay Diane!! You and I think so much alike...