our recent quilt show

Greetings!  Please find below a snapshot album of our recent quilt show.


Here's the essay that introduced the exhibit:
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What is a modern quilt?

There is no simple, singular, agreed-upon answer to this question.

For me, a modern quilt is one that matches a particular aesthetic. There is probably some expanded negative space, heavy use of solids, something simple/minimal/stark about it. And these quilts can be from any time. I have seen many vintage quilts that have the modern aesthetic. Utility quilts from decades past look just like the improv quilts so many modern quilters produce today.
For others, modern quilting is less about the actual quilts and more about the people making them--people who came together online before they came together in person, people who are all about making things for themselves, to suit themselves, without worrying overmuch about rules and labels and aesthetic categories. For these folks, modern quilting is a movement, it's a community, it's a trend within the general renaissance of the handmade, it's something that seems new and yet traditional. Blossoming and rooted.

This exhibit is of quilts made by members of the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild. We're a group that started meeting in 2011 with a few women sitting around a table at the library. Slowly, we've grown, with new people arriving all the time (you are welcome to join us). We meet to share our projects and our skills and our enthusiasm. And we were asked to exhibit some of our members' work at this show.  We tried to select quilts that illustrate some of the aesthetic trends in modern quilts, but you will also see quilts that represent the movement more than a particular aesthetic--we've got a couple of collaborative quilts here. And some that show how traditional patterns have been interpreted with a twist or that simply show a particular method or look that has been popular.

I hope you leave our exhibit with some understanding of what people mean when they talk about modern quilting. If you'd like to know more about the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild please talk to one of our members (at least one will be hanging around the exhibit) or check out our blog a2mqg.blogspot.com or email us a2modernquiltguild@gmail.com

Enjoy!
Rossie Hutchinson
VP of Membership, A2MQG

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Quilts were juried into the show by a volunteer committee from the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild.

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And here are the photos of the exhibit!  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 all of our notes are in!

1.

Curried Fraction Quilt

Made by Rossie Hutchinson

Quilted 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).

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.

Rossie blogs at www.r0ssie.blogspot.com  and is on Instagram at r0ssie_fmq. Her pattern for this improvisational quilt can be found in Quilting with a Modern Slant by Rachel May (2014).

2.

Modern Pickled Relish

Made by Pam Kleinschmidt

Quilted 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. 

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.

Pam served as the tireless chair of our committee for this exhibit.  You can follow Pam on Instagram as pamyjam.

3.

Fire Stacks

Made by Kathy Koch

Quilted 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.

This 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

Made by Rebekah

Quilted 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.

This 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

Made by Kathy Koch

Quilted by Kathy Koch

I 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.

(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

Made by Debbie Grifka

Quilted 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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

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. 

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.

You kind find a tutorial for making a quilt like this on Rossie's blog: Kelp Quilt Tutorial.  (I already told you this, but...) Rossie blogs at www.r0ssie.blogspot.com  and is on Instagram as r0ssie_fmq. 

9.

Just 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

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

Made by Rebekah 

Quilted 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.

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.

(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!

This quilt was chosen by the Ann 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

Quilted 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.

This 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.

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.

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.  

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. 

This quilt was chosen by the Ann 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!





15.

Zephyr

Made by Debbie Grifka

Quilted 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.

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.

(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

Made by Debbie Grifka

Quilted 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.

This 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

Made by Emily Schildhouse

Quilted 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.

This quilt was chosen by the Ann Arbor 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

Made by Dorie Schwarz

Quilted 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.

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.

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 


And, this story seems like it would be incomplete without mentioning that A2MQG member and GAAQG President Ginia Forrester won the "viewer's choice" award for her quilt "Modern Lily," which was hanging in the larger show.  Here's a picture of Ginia with this beautiful quilt, which she made for her nephew.  You can find Ginia on her blog Early Morning Quilter and on Instagram as earlymorningquilter.