I spent a fair amount of time earlier this summer working on descriptions for the…
Zombie Ocean Waves Quilt
The Modern Quilt Guild has been running one of their fabric/quilt
challenges wherein members are provided some small amount of fabric and
then make a quilt using that fabric. They photograph and share
the quilt with the online community and their local guild (if they have one). You can see some of the entries on their blog, and if you are a member, you can also cruise around in the communities pages and see more.
I was initially unsure if I would join in on this challenge as I tend to
work best when I can follow my whimsy and not worry about rules and
deadlines. I was eventually wooed into taking part because
(1) we
only had to use a small amount of the provided fabrics
(2) we were
allowed to combine those fabrics with any solids we liked
(3) we were
additionally allowed to mix in any printed fabric that was from Riley Blake (the fabric manufacturer who was sponsoring the challenge)
(4) Riley Blake put out a line of fabric called
“Zombie Apocalypse” that filled me with enormous glee and desire to
stitch.
Seriously, Zombie Apocalypse, it looks so adorable and the colors are
cute and wonderful, but when you zoom in, it’s lessons on zombies, destruction drawings, and the polka dots are heads…decapitated
heads!
I knew I wanted to keep the Zombie Apocalypse fabric line together and it mixed
fairly well with a couple of prints from the challenge and I also had
an idea of what quilt pattern I wanted to use, so it all fell into place
and I dove into the challenge.
The pattern I wanted to use is “Ocean Waves,” this is a traditional
pattern. I had seem a couple of antique quilts using this pattern that
were really lovely, so I wanted to give it a try. I thought it would
work well with the colors in Zombie Apocalypse and that the larger square
blocks would be a great place to show off some of the larger scale
prints from the fabric line.
When I first came up with this plan, I was on an airplane, with just a snapshot of an antique quilt sitting on my phone. I looked at the quilt and tried to doodle out the pattern…which was the half-square triangles go, etc…
Not ever having looked at a pattern for this quilt, I didn’t know that it is usually constructed so that the big squares are actually four triangles. The following picture of Dawna’s quilt makes that more obvious:
I really didn’t want to cut the fabric for the large squares because I wanted to preserve the scenes and figures in the zombie fabrics. Finding an Ocean Waves pattern that didn’t force me to cut up my large squares took a while and I ended up making my own plan, with a little help from my friends, one
which I will post about next week (well, hoprefully next week, I’m teaching full time this semester, so blogging has been tricky to find time for!)
Here’s the quilt:
I love this thing.
it makes me so happy.
Also…. I don’t think this is a modern quilt.
Part of the reason I made this quilt as my “modern challenge” was that I
wanted to take the opportunity to explore this area of
quilting–traditional patterns in modern fabrics–to see how I felt
about it when the quilt in hand was my own quilt.
You see, at last year’s QuiltCon there was a section of quilts called
“Modern Traditionalism” and when I walked through that section of quilts
I was a bit overtaken by confusion. Because the quilts don’t fit my
definition of “modern quilts.” And while I could go on a bit about
that, I think that what it boils down to for me is this: fabric choice
is not enough.
I mean Zombie Apocalypse is really un-traditional fabric and I don’t think
it makes my quilt modern. So many so-called modern fabrics are
brightened-up, recolored, and re-sized traditional prints–how can they
be enough?
Why would we call traditional patterns in different colors modern? I
think a lot of it comes down to liking the quilts and liking the people
who are making these quilts. Because take, for example, the quilts in Vintage Quilt Revival: 22 Modern Designs from Classic Blocks
appeal to me and probably to you and to lots of folks who love modern
quilts just a bit more than traditional quilts. Also, the women that
wrote Vintage Quilt Revival are all lovely people, who are bloggong and
instagramming and generally being a part of the stuff that modern
quilters are a part of. But does that make their quilts or quilts in
their style modern? To me, the answer is no. And I don’t mean that as
an insult, because to me “modern” is not a codeword for “good”, modern
defines a specific aesthetic.
I have been accused of creating confusion around the question of “what is
a modern quilt” because I named my flickr group “Fresh Modern Quilts.”
Did I then create the idea that fresh = modern? Updated = modern?
Here’s my response: the title of the flickr group is “Fresh Modern
Quilts” because it seemed to me, back in Feb 2008, that “Modern Quilts”
didn’t cover the range of quilts that I was looking to have collected in
the photo pool. I specifically added the word “fresh” in order to
cover those quilts that are like my zombie quilt–a tradional
quilt with some fresh elements. Also, and I hope this is understood, I
am just one person who likes and thinks about quilts and shares her
thoughts, I am not The Decider, I’m just a quilter and someone who
processes most of her experience through words.
I took up my own modern challenge in making this quilt–thinking about
it as a “modern traditional” quilt and rejecting that category more and
more as i worked. i think it is fresh, I love it a lot, but that’s the
end for me.
Details of the quilt:
measures 72″ x 96″
Fabrics are: entire Zombie Apocalypse line from Emily Taylor Design with Riley Blake, two
challenge fabrics from Riley Blake / MQG. Moda Bella Off-White, Moda
Bella Zen Gray, Cotton Couture Gray, Kona Black, Kona Tangerine, Cotton
Couture Tangerine, Kona Grass, Cotton Couture Kryptonite, Kona Capri,
Moda Bella Robin Egg.
Binding: Riley Blake dots
Backing: Widescreen and fabrics from the front + a little Kona Curry
Quilted by Kathy Koch of Thread Bear Quilting LLC in a Zombie Panograph from Sweet Dreams Quilt Studio.
With thanks to Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics for ordering Zombie Apocalpyse bundles when I requested them (Pink Castle is sold out, but the fabic is still avaialbel in a few shops on etsy); Debbie of Esch House Quilts for helping me puzzle out some piecing; Jenna of How to Be Jenna and Emily of EmmmyLizzzy for helping me realize my dream of a zombie quilting design when I had almost given up; Kathy of Thread Bear for amazing and quick quilting; and Accuquilt for the lovely cutter and dies that made this much precision pieceing possible (any imperfect seams come from my own laziness and lack of perfectionism, not faulty cutting).
As always, thanks for reading and looking and sharing your thoughts!
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LOVE IT. I have a a piece of the zombie apocalypse that's only about 1/3 of a yard . I'm not sure what i'll do with it. I"ll have to think on it for a while.
It's such a fun line! I'm sure you'll think of something great!
Ocean Waves is a pattern that I've always wanted to do 'updated'. I love your quilt and now I can visualize this pattern in a 'modern' color scheme.
Thanks! I should be able to post my tutorial for it before too long!
Hi. Met you at camp stitch a lot last summer. I made a zombie apocalypse quilt also, but I used the Riley Blake pattern with a few changes to the borders. The fabric and kits are available at Q first in Quilting at 859.554.5800. I love your quilt, and your pattern choice is perfect for the fabric.
Thanks so much, Lin! We're seeing you again at Stitchalot, aren't we?
How could one ever go wrong with Zombie Apocalypse, right?! 🙂 Love this version of such a traditional pattern. My teenage son, though not a big quilt lover would go Ga-ga over this.
Hillary
Thank you!
I love this quilt! I can't believe you managed to find a zombie quilting pattern as well! I don't even have a fondness for zombies, but this is seriously awesome. I'll have to look into the Ocean Waves pattern….I think it would be a perfect way to display some fabric I love.
Thanks!
decapitated heads for polka dots? GENIUS!
Right?
I too have always wanted to make an ocean waves quilt – but what I enjoyed most about this post was your thoughtful examination of whether you considered it 'modern'. Good to see some reflection along this line. I tend to agree that just because a quilt matches modern decor, doesn't mean it is a 'modern' quilt design.
Thank you so much!
Hi, Rossie: When I first started reading your post I thought, "Why do we have to label everything? Can't we just like it?" But the more I read, the more I agreed with you. I love, love, love this quilt, and I do understand why you wouldn't consider it truly modern. For me, I like to call these quilts transitional, the same term interior designers use to merge traditional and contemporary styles. Whatever you call it, this quilt is gorgeous!
Thank you! I think "transitional" could be a very helpful term. I think that these quilts that some call "modern traditional" are a little tricky especially for those of us who are regularly talking to traditional quilters about what the difference between modern and traditional might be. Thanks for sharing!
I appreciate your thoughts on the 'modern' label, and the fact that you made a traditional quilt and had the guts to call it that! I've been thinking that over the last few years, the online community (unintentionally of course) has come to see modern quilting as the 'in group'. If my quilt isn't modern, then it's also not interesting or original.
I have many more thoughts on this topic, as I'm sure you do. Overall though, it just makes me kinda sad that quilters are feeling pressure to make their quilts modern, just to validate themselves as quilters. Or maybe that's just been me?
I don't think it's just you. I know amongst my in-town quilter friends, even the people who are very interested in talking about "what is a modern quilt," there's a pretty strong belief that you should just make what you want and not worry about it!
I think pressures are different for folks who are looking to sell or be sponsored, but on that note, I know pattern writers and book writers who are adamant about keeping the "modern" label away from their stuff!
What is the cut size of your large square? And what is the finished size (in the finished block) of you half-square triamgles? Would appreciate a reply-thanks.
There will be a tutorial eventually (I am hoping to be done with it soon). But the cut size of the large squares is 8 and 5/8ths and the finished size of the HSTs is 3".
Great quilt, I'd never have thought to use that pattern for that fabric but it works so well!
I think so too! Thanks so much!
First of all, thank you for your honesty and openness to discussion. I completely respect your artistry and where you're coming from; I have often struggled with the inquiry myself and tend to agree that simply using modern fabrics won’t necessarily transform a traditional design to a modern one. That said, assuming I understand you correctly, this post leaves me feeling somewhat frustrated by your conclusion and its impact on those of us who might not come within your somewhat limited definition.
To start, I wonder why it is that you feel the need to treat "modern" and "traditional" as mutually exclusive categories? I'm reluctant to concede that only those two labels exist for all the extraordinary works being produced in the present quilting movement, but also don't see why there can't be any overlap either.
On a related note, the "modernism" to which you allude for me evokes sentiments of abstract expressionism, pop art, postmodernism, and deconstructivism. By way of example, my work is—more often than not—unlike any of these subsets of the contemporary art movement. And while it's surely rooted in traditional quilting, it's nonetheless inspired and propelled by unique facets of modern life. So if we feel compelled to label whatever this is that we’re all doing—collectively or otherwise—why strike an entire classification from a system that’s already in short supply?
I think we may well be coming at the label "modern traditionalism" from different angles. To me, the term just seems oxymoronic in the extreme. Some other terms that people have thrown into the comments–transitional, crossover–make more sense to me. How do you define "modern traditionalism"? Or do you prefer another term?
Also, whom does it impact and how does it affect them to call an ocean waves quilt "traditional"? On the flip, I think the effect of calling quilts like this one "modern" is to ignore the long and varied history of quilting and all the looks that fall within traditional quilting. Another commenter was encouraging me to consider my quilt somewhat-if-not-completely-modern because of the use of white and other solids–but those traits are in the antique quilt that started me on my journey to making an ocean waves quilt, so how can they be in the antique and also be what defines my quilt as different?
I do think we're coming at this from different angles since I vastly prefer the use of the term "modern" to refer to a specific aesthetic or set of aesthetics, rather than to mean "now' or "in the modern age" or to refer to construction techniques or anything along those lines. You're far from alone in your definition, if I'm understanding you correctly, it's just not one that I understand as being useful for creating distinctions within art spaces, especially when talking about things being made within months of each other.
I think we're coming at "modern quilting" from different angles. As you mentioned, you prefer the use of the term "modern" to refer to a specific aesthetic, whereas I view "modern quilting" as a movement that encompasses a broader variety of genres, each adding something unique to the creations and conversations that are forging this new frontier.
So at the end of the day we've each just assigned relatively dissimilar definitions to the same term. That's not a bad thing, but it's certainly helpful in evaluating why we think and react in the ways that we do.
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I love your quilt! Great use of the fabrics and lovely colours. To me, your quilt is a modern interpretation using a traditional block (just like the wonderful quilts in Vintage Q Revival). You have taken a traditional block, changed the piecing method to make it fit your plan, used lots of solids to give it an open feel and not used a border. This is what gives it have a modern feel for me. If you'd added asymmetry it would definitely have been modern! But whether it is "labelled" or not – it's a great quilt 🙂
I'm glad you love it, I do too! Since the original antique quilt I was looking had all of the attributes you refer to (except that I can't be sure how they pieced it), I find myself unwilling to stake a claim to being modern on them! I'm so much more comfortable calling it fresh!
I love your examination of our modern and traditional quilting categories. We love quilting. We love quilts. That is always a first step. At the end of the day we are all in the same "tribe". But within that category, we all have our unique taste. Modern art and modernism are a very specific category, which some quilts fall into and some do not. Also traditionalism, implies a sense of history, historical patterns but is a pretty broad idea. I may not care for the fabrics used in a modern quilt or I can love the fabrics used in a traditional quilt (like your ocean waves quilt). One day I can be making a traditional quilt and the next a "modern" quilt (with my husband, I joke that I am about a 50% modern quilter), but I probably use 100% modern fabrics. If you look at traditional Amish quilts they can look a lot like what we define as "modern traditionalism" today. Also the Gee's Bend quilts are often referenced in "modern" quilting. I doubt either of these groups would define themselves as "modern". I love your way of looking at it as not positive our negatives, but as all part of this glorious craft we love.
I mean, in the 1980's I wore stirrup pants. I thought my pants were awesome, but in 2014 I cringe every time I see a picture of myself in stirrup pants. Who know what I will think of my own work in 30 years? Taste is such a personal thing. My stirrup pants were super current and modern back then. Okay, that might not have made sense…
PS – Love this quilt! Love your work!
Thanks so much! And goodness, yes, what will anyone make of this all in 30 years?
Love love love the quilt & omg the Zombie fabric- I am now on a mission to seek that out & get some for me! 😀
Fantastic!
Yeah, but the antique quilt with the big red squares pictured above also has those traits you name (uncut big squares, all solids in the big squares, and background all the same solid). I sometimes worry that part of the reason we're trying to call traditional quilts "modern" is due to having low information about all the variety in traditional quilts. I do like the use of the term "crossover" but again, does that mean, we're going to ahistorically refer to the antique quilt as a "crossover" when it predates "modern" by several decades?
I love the Zombie Apocalypse fabric as well. I've bought a good few 1/2yds of it but am still mulling over what to make with it, maybe a Zombie bag?
And I've been slightly confused about the Modern Quilt definitions as well. Have seen lots of blogs where people are showing their "modern" quilts and quite a few of them are actually traditional quilt patterns but just in modern fabrics. I also think that just using new fabrics does not make it modern!
Wonder if some of the reasoning for calling quilts modern that people don't want to be associated with anything that seems uncool or grannyish. Think this whole division of modern and traditional categories is not really working.
I agree that it's not working. And I wonder where it is all going! Will definitions emerge that are more descriptive of the difference? Will the difference cease to exist? As long as I get to make what I want and chat about it, I'll be happy! 🙂
I love your cheerful zombie quilt 🙂
Thanks for another thought-provoking post. It seems the closer I look at these labels we use to describe quilts, the less I understand them. Last week I saw a mindblowingly cool-looking quilt with lots of intense solid yellow, no borders and no sashing that I would describe as totally "modern" but was very old.
I love those quilts when they pop up…blowing to bits all distinctions about what's new and what's old. 🙂
Very fun! Graphic and Bright. What's not to love?
Modern / transitional/ traditional with a twist….In the end it doesn't matter what we call them. What matters (to me) is does the maker enjoy the process and the outcome? Has she learned anything at all, either about herself or her craft? And also, as my dear grandmother used to say, "did it keep you off the streets and out of the Beergarten?" If you can answer yes to any of those things…well, in my Granny's eyes, you've accomplished something.
Yes, that is good advice about what matters. I do just find it fun to think about these things though!
I absolutely LOVE this quilt. I have some of the Zombie fabric, and have been pondering how to best put it to use. Your quilt does that wonderfully. I also really appreciate your thoughtful comments on what makes a "modern" quilt- because I am often stuck on that, myself…
Thanks!
I, too, love the discussions you start Rossie, and appreciate you sharing your views.
I agree that modern traditionalism is a huge oxymoron and do like the term transitional as someone suggested. Using modern fabrics and traditional pattern or blocks does not a modern quilt make, in my mind. then again, I think the Gee's Bend quilts look "modern" so maybe I equate modern with improv?
Or "modern" with a specific aesthetic, as I do? Because a vintage item can fit an aesthetic from another time. And those Gee's Bend quilts are inspirational for a lot of modern quilters, so I don't think the relationship is fairly direct!
I think your a wonderful quilter, but decapiated heads? Zombies? The quilt makes me sad when I see it.
It would be a sad quilt for me if it was depicting warfare or school violence or something along those lines–something real and bad that people actually confront. Since it is all fictional enemies it just seems silly and fun to me–a halloween quilt of sorts. I read a study that zombies are on the rise in cultural products because we're anxious about how much we are tied to technologies like smart phones. Oh well, I'm sorry you don't like how this quilt makes you feel! Can I suggest an antidote? Have you seen the Guady Kitty Quilt? Pure joy and cuteness! Find it at http://emmmylizzzy.blogspot.com/2013/10/gaudy-kitty-quilt.html
Perhaps that is why I never developed an interest in zombie themed shows! I live in the middle of nowhere and have no smart phone. I do particularly love your insightful discussions about quilts and have learned to think about what I make and what I see out in blogland. The internet is my only contact with fellow quilters and I find you refreshing.Regards, Sue Summerall
[…] from the conversation that and I had with Sarah @ No Hats in the comments of my post on my ocean waves quilt (and my feeling that my quilt isn’t modern.) I learn so much from my community here on this blog (and on flickr and instagram, at events […]