This weekend is the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild's biennial show. This is an enormous…
Modern Quilts Exhibit – Writing About Modern Quilts (part 2 of 2)
I spent a fair amount of time earlier this summer working on descriptions for the quilts that my guild, the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild, had selected to hang in our special exhibit, “Modern Quilts.” at the GAAQG’s biennial show.
Today’s post is to share the quilts and the writing with you. There’s an earlier post with the introductory essay, click through here to read it..
I have permission from each quilter to share my photos of their quilts with you. I’ve also watermarked each photo with the quilt maker’s name, to minimize confusion in this age of Pinterest and screen shots.
Where did these descriptions come from? For the most part, the first paragraph is straight from the quilter, it is their explanation of their quilt and its inspiration. In some cases, this was lightly edited by me for space or clarity or to include more information about the pattern used. The second paragraph was written by me, but was informed by the discussions that the jury had while putting the show together. Since our mission was to try to educate folks about modern quilting and all the things it can entail, we discussed, as a group, adding this to each description. All text was then approved by the quilter and run by the jury.
I’ve added, for this blog post, in italics, links to the quilter’s blogs, Instagram accounts, and other social media beneath the quilts so that you can get to know and perhaps follow these amazing quilters!
A bit about the guild: The Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild was founded in 2011 and is a non-profit organization, our goal is to create a positive community where modern quilters can share knowledge of their craft, learn new sewing techniques, engage in charitable activities, and discuss topics relating to the quilting community. We are members of The Modern Quilt Guild. Our members range from beginning quilters to professionals, everyone is welcome to come and join in on the fun! Read more about the guild on our blog: The Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild.
The quilts were selected by a jury pulled from our membership. As it was an educational exhibit, we tried to represent the range of modern quilting with the best possible examples of different trends and ideas. As a member of the jury, I couldn’t believe how spoiled for choice we were, there were so many beautiful quilts that we didn’t have the space to hang.
Due to limited space and time, these photos are far from perfect, but I think you’ll understand the beauty of each quilt.
The ordering of the quilts is not meaningful, it simply corresponds to the quilt frame originally assigned to each quilt by the jury and so it is the order that my notes are in!
1.
Curried Fraction Quilt
Made
by Rossie Hutchinson
by Rossie Hutchinson
Quilted
by Bernie Olszewski
by Bernie Olszewski
Based on a similar design by Cheryl Arkison, I made a gray fraction quilt for my cousin as he graduated from high
school. The popularity of that quilt
online led to requests for a pattern.
Thus, with Cheryl’s permission, I wrote a pattern and made the Curried
Fraction Quilt. Both fraction quilts and a pattern for making your own appear in Quilting with a Modern Slant by Rachel May (2014).
school. The popularity of that quilt
online led to requests for a pattern.
Thus, with Cheryl’s permission, I wrote a pattern and made the Curried
Fraction Quilt. Both fraction quilts and a pattern for making your own appear in Quilting with a Modern Slant by Rachel May (2014).
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its
disappearing grid structure, its use of solids, and its improvisational
piecing.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its
disappearing grid structure, its use of solids, and its improvisational
piecing.
I blog at www.r0ssie.blogspot.com and am on Instagram at r0ssie_fmq. My pattern for this improvisational quilt can be found in Quilting with a Modern Slant by Rachel May (2014).
2.
Modern
Pickled Relish
Pickled Relish
Made
by Pam Kleinschmidt
by Pam Kleinschmidt
Quilted
by Pam Kleinschmidt
by Pam Kleinschmidt
This
quilt was made by Pam as part of a challenge within the guild. Pam used the “Modern Pickle Relish”
pattern by Modern Quilt Relish.
quilt was made by Pam as part of a challenge within the guild. Pam used the “Modern Pickle Relish”
pattern by Modern Quilt Relish.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
negative space and solids. The dense and
varied free-motion quilting is typical of many modern quilts.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
negative space and solids. The dense and
varied free-motion quilting is typical of many modern quilts.
Pam served as the tireless chair of our committee for this exhibit. You can follow Pam on Instagram as pamyjam.
3.
Fire
Stacks
Stacks
Made
by Kathy Koch
by Kathy Koch
Quilted
by Kathy Koch
by Kathy Koch
I
saw this pattern on Jacquie Gering’s blog and just knew I had to make it. I
loved the fabric showcased and the simplicity of the design—a perfect first
quilt for my new RV.
saw this pattern on Jacquie Gering’s blog and just knew I had to make it. I
loved the fabric showcased and the simplicity of the design—a perfect first
quilt for my new RV.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its simplicity
and asymmetry.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its simplicity
and asymmetry.
Kathy is a professional long-armer (you’ll see her listed as the quilter for many of our quilts!) You can find her online at www.threadbearquilting, or www.facebook.com/ThreadBearQuilting, and she is on Instagram as librkat.
4.
Woodland
City
City
Made
by Rebekah
by Rebekah
Quilted
by Rebekah
by Rebekah
Looking
for a mid-century feel, I made this quilt by adapting Elizabeth Hartman’s Rapid City pattern. I fussy cut the fabric to
feature the bird and squirrel prints from Charley Harper and improvisationally pieced
around them.
for a mid-century feel, I made this quilt by adapting Elizabeth Hartman’s Rapid City pattern. I fussy cut the fabric to
feature the bird and squirrel prints from Charley Harper and improvisationally pieced
around them.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it is
improvisational, mid-century inspired, and has an unconventional layout.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it is
improvisational, mid-century inspired, and has an unconventional layout.
Rebekah is a long-time blogger, you can find her at Don’t Call Me Becky. On Instagram she’s rebekah725 and her flickr account is jrcraft.
5.
Otis
the Owl
the Owl
Made
by Kathy Koch
by Kathy Koch
Quilted
by Kathy Koch
by Kathy Koch
I
made this little owl for my daughter. It
is a pattern from one of my favorite designers: Shape Moth.
made this little owl for my daughter. It
is a pattern from one of my favorite designers: Shape Moth.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it is paper
pieced—a technique that is gaining traction amongst modern quilters. The mixed neutral prints used in the
background are typical of many modern quilts.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it is paper
pieced—a technique that is gaining traction amongst modern quilters. The mixed neutral prints used in the
background are typical of many modern quilts.
(I already told you this, but…) Kathy is a professional long-armer (you’ll see her listed as the quilter for many of our quilts!) You can find her online at www.threadbearquilting, or www.facebook.com/ThreadBearQuilting, and she is on Instagram as librkat.
6.
Comma
Link
Link
Made
by Debbie Grifka
by Debbie Grifka
Quilted
by Debbie Grifka
by Debbie Grifka
Rather
than line these blocks up into a perfect grid, it was more interesting to turn
them around and break them up. The result reminds me of a broken chain link
fence. The pattern is my own — Chain Link by Esch House Quilts.
than line these blocks up into a perfect grid, it was more interesting to turn
them around and break them up. The result reminds me of a broken chain link
fence. The pattern is my own — Chain Link by Esch House Quilts.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
alternative grid work. It is a good
example of appliqué being used in a modern quilt.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
alternative grid work. It is a good
example of appliqué being used in a modern quilt.
Debbie is a professional quilt designer and a blogger. You can follow her blog Esch House Quilts and she’s eschhousequilts on Instagram. You can buy Debbie’s pattern for this quilt here: Chain Link by Esch House Quilts.
7.
Indian Summer
Made by Jennifer Bernstein and Members of
the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild Bee
the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild Bee
Quilted by Kathy Koch
This quilt was made as part of the round
robin bee at the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild. Each month a different guild
member took home the quilt and added to it.
This quilt was made for and inspired by Jennifer Bernstein. Jennifer
choose Essex yarn dyed linen in sand as the background fabric and specified the
color scheme for the patchwork to reflect the feeling of late summer days.
robin bee at the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild. Each month a different guild
member took home the quilt and added to it.
This quilt was made for and inspired by Jennifer Bernstein. Jennifer
choose Essex yarn dyed linen in sand as the background fabric and specified the
color scheme for the patchwork to reflect the feeling of late summer days.
This quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor
Modern Quilt Guild because it is improvisational and contains a lot of negative
space. We also wanted to showcase the
collaboration that is an important part of the modern movement.
Modern Quilt Guild because it is improvisational and contains a lot of negative
space. We also wanted to showcase the
collaboration that is an important part of the modern movement.
Jennifer is a lawyer and a quilter who blogs at Brave Little Chicken and she’s bravelilchicken on Instagram.
8.
The Kelp Quilt
Made by Rossie Hutchinson and
members of the Mid Mod Quilt Bee (Yahaira Ferreira, Cheryl
Arkison, Amanda Carestio, Debbie Grifka, Rebekah C., Robin Ferrier, Lauren
Hunt, Blair Stocker, and Jacquie Gering)
members of the Mid Mod Quilt Bee (Yahaira Ferreira, Cheryl
Arkison, Amanda Carestio, Debbie Grifka, Rebekah C., Robin Ferrier, Lauren
Hunt, Blair Stocker, and Jacquie Gering)
Quilted by Bernie Olszewski
I made this quilt as part of an online
quilt bee–The Mid Mod Quilt Bee, a group of quilters that use mid-century
modernism as a touchstone as they create quilts together. I drew up a design, dyed a bunch of red and
orange fabric, pieced a sample row, posted pictures, mailed out fabric, and
then the members of the bee each pieced a row for me and mailed it back.
quilt bee–The Mid Mod Quilt Bee, a group of quilters that use mid-century
modernism as a touchstone as they create quilts together. I drew up a design, dyed a bunch of red and
orange fabric, pieced a sample row, posted pictures, mailed out fabric, and
then the members of the bee each pieced a row for me and mailed it back.
This quilt was chosen by the Ann
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of solids and minimalist design. It also showcases the collaboration that is an important part of the modern movement.
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of solids and minimalist design. It also showcases the collaboration that is an important part of the modern movement.
You kind find a tutorial for making a quilt like this on my blog: Kelp Quilt Tutorial. (I already told you this, but…) I blog at www.r0ssie.blogspot.com and am on Instagram as r0ssie_fmq.
9.
Just
Passing Through
Passing Through
Made by Rosalie Everett
Quilted by Joyce Brenner
I’ve been quilting since 1994, this is my first try at modern quilt! Love it! This is a merging of my husband and my favorite colors and our gray golden doodle thinks it’s hers! The pattern is Just Passing Through by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr
Quilted by Joyce Brenner
I’ve been quilting since 1994, this is my first try at modern quilt! Love it! This is a merging of my husband and my favorite colors and our gray golden doodle thinks it’s hers! The pattern is Just Passing Through by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr
This quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of solids and expansive negative space.
Rosalie isn’t using a blog or Instagram, so if you want to see more of her work, you’ll just have to come to a guild meeting and chat with her!
10.
Single
Girl
Girl
Made
by Rebekah
by Rebekah
Quilted
by Kathy Koch
by Kathy Koch
I
purchased this Denyse Schmidt pattern in 2008 and spent 5 years staring at it
and mustering up the courage to make my own version. This pattern is an updated version of the
Double Wedding Ring Quilt– which makes it a modern twist on a traditional
pattern.
purchased this Denyse Schmidt pattern in 2008 and spent 5 years staring at it
and mustering up the courage to make my own version. This pattern is an updated version of the
Double Wedding Ring Quilt– which makes it a modern twist on a traditional
pattern.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it was made using
a pattern that has become absolutely iconic for modern quilters.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it was made using
a pattern that has become absolutely iconic for modern quilters.
(I already told you this, but…) Rebekah is a long-time blogger, you can find her at Don’t Call Me Becky. On Instagram she’s rebekah725 and her flickr account is jrcraft.
11.
Atomic Pinwheels
Made by Lynn Harris
Quilted by Lynn Harris
Atomic Pinwheels was inspired by an
old tile design. I was interested in the
challenge of piecing the interlocking rectangles and squares that allow the
pinwheels to spin in opposite directions and I loved being able to show off
large pieces of this large scale retro fabric!
old tile design. I was interested in the
challenge of piecing the interlocking rectangles and squares that allow the
pinwheels to spin in opposite directions and I loved being able to show off
large pieces of this large scale retro fabric!
This quilt was chosen by the Ann
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of bold colors and graphic print.
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of bold colors and graphic print.
Lynn is a blogger, quilt designer, and professional long-arm quilter. You can follow Lynn on her blog, The Little Red Hen and on Instagram at thelittleredhen_lh. You can buy Lynn’s pattern for this quilt here: Atomic Pinwheels Quilt Pattern.
12.
Twisted
Made
by Pam Kleinschmidt
by Pam Kleinschmidt
Quilted
by Pam Kleinschmidt
by Pam Kleinschmidt
I
made this quilt following the “Twisted”
pattern by Carolina Patchwork. This
quilt is a gift and my fabric choices were influenced by a desire to match the
modern, cool lifestyle of its intended owners.
made this quilt following the “Twisted”
pattern by Carolina Patchwork. This
quilt is a gift and my fabric choices were influenced by a desire to match the
modern, cool lifestyle of its intended owners.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
alternate gridwork and highly geometric look.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
alternate gridwork and highly geometric look.
(I already told you this, but…) Pam served as the tireless chair of our committee for this exhibit. You can follow Pam on Instagram as pamyjam.
13.
Daisy Chain
Made by Lynn Harris
Quilted by Lynn Harris
I saw this reverse appliqué block
in an antique red and white quilt. I wanted to try it out! My son influenced my color choices and
childhood memories shaped the placement of the blocks.
in an antique red and white quilt. I wanted to try it out! My son influenced my color choices and
childhood memories shaped the placement of the blocks.
This quilt was chosen by the Ann
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of minimalism and expansive
negative space. It is a good example of
reverse appliqué being used in a modern quilt.
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of minimalism and expansive
negative space. It is a good example of
reverse appliqué being used in a modern quilt.
You can see far better images of this quilt in Minimal Quiltmaking by Gwen Marston
and buy Lynn’s pattern for this quilt here: Daisy Chain Pattern (I already told you this, but…) Lynn is a blogger, quilt designer, and professional long-arm quilter. You can follow Lynn on her blog, The Little Red Hen and on Instagram at thelittleredhen_lh.
and buy Lynn’s pattern for this quilt here: Daisy Chain Pattern (I already told you this, but…) Lynn is a blogger, quilt designer, and professional long-arm quilter. You can follow Lynn on her blog, The Little Red Hen and on Instagram at thelittleredhen_lh. 
14.
Boats Boats Boats!
Made by Brenda Ratliff
Quilted by Kathy Koch
This quilt is the July 2015 pattern for
the national Modern Quilt Guild. It
features alternate grid layout and negative space to create a modern take on a
half square triangle.
the national Modern Quilt Guild. It
features alternate grid layout and negative space to create a modern take on a
half square triangle.
This quilt was chosen by the Ann
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it is improvisational, uses solids, and
contains a lot of negative space.
Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because it is improvisational, uses solids, and
contains a lot of negative space.
Brenda is a quilt designer, blogger, and owner of Pink Castle Fabrics. She’s also the President of the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild. Follow this busy lady on instagram (justabitfrayed) and on her blog:
Just a Bit Frayed. The pattern for this quilt will be available to the public at a later date!
Just a Bit Frayed. The pattern for this quilt will be available to the public at a later date!
15.
Zephyr
Made
by Debbie Grifka
by Debbie Grifka
Quilted
by Debbie Grifka
by Debbie Grifka
Simplified
leaves have enduring appeal for me, as does a beautiful blue sky. Creating this
quilt helped me endure this long winter. I was honored to have my quilt pattern
for Zephyr distributed to all of the members of the Modern Quilt Guild in
February.
leaves have enduring appeal for me, as does a beautiful blue sky. Creating this
quilt helped me endure this long winter. I was honored to have my quilt pattern
for Zephyr distributed to all of the members of the Modern Quilt Guild in
February.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
negative space and solid fabric. It is a
good example of appliqué being used in a modern quilt.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
negative space and solid fabric. It is a
good example of appliqué being used in a modern quilt.
(I already told you this, but…) Debbie is a professional quilt designer and a blogger. You can follow her blog Esch House Quilts and she’s eschhousequilts on Instagram.
16.
Lotta
Plusses
Plusses
Made
by Debbie Grifka
by Debbie Grifka
Quilted
by Debbie Grifka
by Debbie Grifka
I’ve
long admired the work of Yoshiko Jinzenji and the way her background fabrics
and blocks sometimes meld. This fabric by Lotta Jansdotter was the perfect
opportunity for me to play with this idea. The pattern is my own: Think
Positive from Esch House Quilts.
long admired the work of Yoshiko Jinzenji and the way her background fabrics
and blocks sometimes meld. This fabric by Lotta Jansdotter was the perfect
opportunity for me to play with this idea. The pattern is my own: Think
Positive from Esch House Quilts.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
negative space and alternative grid work.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
negative space and alternative grid work.
(I already told you this, but…) Debbie is a professional quilt designer and a blogger. You can follow her blog Esch House Quilts and she’s eschhousequilts on Instagram.
17.
Lyric
Quilt
Quilt
Made
by Emily Schildhouse
by Emily Schildhouse
Quilted
by Emily Schildhouse
by Emily Schildhouse
This is a wedding quilt I made for my
sister. I chose a stanza of lyrics from
the musical Rent – a favorite of my sister and I, and fitting for a wedding
quilt. The piecing technique is from
Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci.
sister. I chose a stanza of lyrics from
the musical Rent – a favorite of my sister and I, and fitting for a wedding
quilt. The piecing technique is from
Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci.
This quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor
Modern Quilt Guild because it is improvisational and uses text.
Modern Quilt Guild because it is improvisational and uses text.
A vintage sheet aficionado, garment sewer, and quilter, Emily spends most of her days parenting her lovely family. You can follow her glitter- and bubble-filled adventures on instagram emmmylizzzy and on her blog emmmylizzzy.
18.
Somewhat
Herringbone
Herringbone
Made
by Dorie Schwarz
by Dorie Schwarz
Quilted
by Dorie Schwarz
by Dorie Schwarz
This
quilt is an interpretation of a braid or herringbone pattern. It was inspired
by the Improv Chevrons tutorial on the blog Six White Horses.
quilt is an interpretation of a braid or herringbone pattern. It was inspired
by the Improv Chevrons tutorial on the blog Six White Horses.
This
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
improvisational piecing and negative space.
The use of white and the limited color palette are typical of many
modern quilts.
quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild because of its use of
improvisational piecing and negative space.
The use of white and the limited color palette are typical of many
modern quilts.
Dorie is computer whiz who writes patterns for quilts and handmade toys. You can find her on her blog: Tumbling Blocks and on instagram: tumblingblocks
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Amazing collection of quilts and quilters – some I've familiar with and looking forward to exploring those I do not know. Thanks for such a comprehensive and insightful peak into the show.
What a talented group you are! Fabulous quilts! Thank you, Rossie, for writing this up.
Thanks for doing such a wonderful post on the exhibit! I'm so glad you included Ginia's amazing quilt too 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing these, I've really enjoyed looking through the photos and reading about each quilts maker, then getting to pop over to their blogs and read a bit more 🙂
What a wonderful group of quilts! I especially love the information included with each quilt and why it would be chosen as a modern quilt. Well done!!!
Thank you so much for this post and the last one. Marvelous eye candy and food for thought!
Awesome write up! Thanks for easing the pain of not being able to attend the show!