Though motivation for machine quilting has been difficult to find, finishing this Tilted Tiles quilt - a pattern for MQG members, written by Charles Cameron - is a priority because our Central Florida MQG January-due challenge is to make something from the MQG website. Whether it's a block, a pillow, or a quilt, we're to explore the MQG website and use a resource to make something. My choice is Tilted Tiles which I pieced while on a September quilt retreat.
I always feel grateful to have two hollow core doors that I can lay across IKEA Finvaard trestles to make a large basting table. I've gotten a bit lazy about exclusively using masking tape to hold down the backing sides, having become comfortable using large plastic clamps, from Lowe's, to hold a couple sides in place. In this pic, the clamps are at the far end of the table.
Gosh, look at the difference in fabric colors between daytime natural light and overhead daylight bulbs (above), and only nighttime lighting from overhead daylight bulbs (below). Interesting!
Anyway, quilting has begun - a combo of walking foot quilting; ruler quilting; and free motion quilting.
I also cut fabric scraps to piece a 36" X 48" baby quilt for a Central Florida MQG charity.
It will be a combo of solids and prints that I'll work on during Saturday's Central Florida MQG Sew Day at the nearby Oxford Community Center.
Sherry, a friend in the South Florida MQG texted me this photo a few days ago. She was shopping at Michael's and found the quilting book First Time Quiltmaking, written by me and published in 2006. She commented, "I spy Linda!" This picture is in the back of the book. Gosh... this was 16 years ago! The photo of me, friends, and students in my beginner quiltmaking class was taken on interior steps in our church: Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, Iowa. It's remarkable that the book is still in print.
New MQG Modern Tenets
In early October, the MQG (Modern Quilt Guild) put out a request for member applicants who would be interested in participating in a group effort to update the written characteristics of a modern quilt. I applied on October 10 and learned via email on November 2 that my input was invited.
The MQG asked us to consider the "tenets" of modern quilts. I'm accustomed to using the word "characteristics," but they mean the same thing.
Basically, the MQG wants to know if we agree that the current list of modern quilt characteristics tenets is still applicable, and if any new tenets need to be added. This is the current MQG description of a modern quilt (tenets are in bold):
Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. “Modern traditionalism” or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.
Over the course of ten days, I consulted with MQG friends - Karen, Beth, Rosemary, Sherry, and Maureen - to discuss the survey I was asked to complete. Did I agree that the tenets already listed are still relevant?
Yes.
As well, I was asked to identify, describe and provide 12 quilt photos that supported any new tenet(s) I proposed.
With friends guiding me, these are the three new tenets I submitted:
MAXIMALISM - Maximalism is more-is-more. It's a design tenet that attracts interest by its expression of bold playfulness. A quilt might be considered busy with a repetitive single shape, but maximalism takes design further with the dense use of many shapes in the same quilt. These are not limited to: squares, polygons, triangles, and circles. Whether improv-cut, or deliberately pieced, a combination of many shapes and fabric colors give maximalism it’s strength and interest.
COMBINATION QUILTING - As machine quilting with hand quilting (on one quilt) gains popularity among modern quilters, this intentional focus makes quilting a second (quilt top design is first) visual element that adds texture while retaining a quilt’s functionality. With combination quilting, a quilter purposely machine quilts leaving space for hand quilting with thicker thread, giving more surface interest and texture to the finished quilt.
REPURPOSED - Choosing to create a modern quilt with reclaimed, older, cast-off, or vintage fabric is not only thrifty, but can make an especially significant quilt. Materials used are, but not limited to: blue jeans/denim; cotton shirts; pajamas; hankies; tablecloths; sheets; flour sacks, and vintage quilt blocks.
I provided 12 photos in support of each tenet. Today was the survey deadline. Those of us who submitted tenets (I know of two other quilters who are participating because they talked about it on Instagram) will hear again from the MQG by mid-December, at which time they'll let us know next steps.
Thus far, it's been a privilege to participate and speak on behalf of modern makers. Thank you friends for supporting me in this endeavor!
Top Ten Books
Periodically, I like to review my books-read rating sheet to see how titles rank in order. Since
I last did this in May, these are my top ten-rated audiobooks:
1) The Water Keeper, Charles Martin
2) When Crickets Cry, Charles Martin
3) The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn
4) Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt
5) Dirt Creek, Hayley Scrivenor
6) Not a Sound, Heather Gudenkauf
7) The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, Jamie Ford
8) The Good Sister, Sally Hepworth
9) The Reading List, Sara Nisha Adams
10) Daisy Darker, Alice Feeney
I can't say enough good things about the five books (so far), I've read by Charles Martin who lives in Jacksonville, Florida. I'm a huge fan!
Book Recommendations
It probably won't come as a surprise that I really enjoyed
The Letter Keeper, Charles Martin's second book in the "Murphy Shepherd series." (The first is
The Water Keeper.)
This book finds Murphy back in Colorado at the safe compound he and Bones have created for abducted girls. While making another trip to rescue a girl, Murphy is nearly blown to bits in an attempted assassination. He spends weeks recovering, while he and Bones try to determine who is after Murphy, When they realize their safe place might be in peril, they make plans to take everyone into hiding.
But as they're making plans, on a day that should be one of great celebrations the hospital is attacked. Once again Murphy must draw on every investigative skill and resource at his disposal to find and save the people he loves most.
Linda's score: 4.5/5.0
The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths is the 12th book in the "Ruth Galloway series" and it doesn't disappoint. Two more books remain in the series.
Ruth and her daughter Kate have moved away from their isolated salt marsh home, are living in a house with Ruth's partner Frank, and Ruth has taken a teaching position at Cambridge. Of course this takes her far from DCI Nelson, and her previous work as a forensic archeologist, helping the police investigate buried bodies.
Yet a case arises in Norfolk where March has been accused of two murders. When March demands that Ruth be called in to unearth the bodies - after March tells her where they're buried - Ruth and Nelson are working together again. When it turns out that Ruth has just returned from a writer's retreat where she has befriended Crissy, who is the ex-wife of March, Ruth and Nelson are thrust into a collaboration to find the truth. Doing what each of them does best, and with multiple cases to solve, they must determine who has been killing young blonde-hair women, who were last seen pedaling a bicycle.
Linda's score: 4.0/5.0
The Cloisters by Katy Hays begins in Walla Walla, Washington where Ann Stillwell is mourning her father's death, has graduated from college, and is anxious to get away.... to New York city for a summer internship at the M.E.T. She unexpectedly finds herself assigned to The Cloisters, a museum of medievel art where she works as a researcher with Rachel. Together, they're trying to find information for the Cloisters director, who wants to create an exhibit about fortune telling.
Ann becomes involved with the gardener, Leo, who knows more than most people about deadly herbs. When she uncovers a 16th century set of tarot cards, she senses their power and finds herself with an uncomfortable ability to discern the past and future. They're each embroiled in relationships that vie for control, and could even turn into deadly ambition.
Linda's score: 3.9/4.0
It probably won't come as a surprise that I really enjoyed The Letter Keeper, Charles Martin's second book in the "Murphy Shepherd series." (The first is The Water Keeper.)
I've been having problems trying to photograph and have the true colour show up, like yourself tried natural daylight, near the window, away from the window, in another room and then wait until there is a little more shade and try again. I find that certain colours are very difficult to show true. I do like your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting to read your suggested updates for the definition of modern quilting. Beautiful quilt top you've basted and started quilting! It looks like they've come out with a second edition to your beginning quilt making book in recent years! It is definitely still out there on Amazon!
ReplyDeleteThe color change based on the lighting is really apparent in your example. You gave a lot of thought to the suggestions for tenets. It will be interesting to see the direction they go and how yours compare to others submitted. It's a bit of a moving target, so your thoughts may help expand the definition to reflect what quilters are doing.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that the MQG reached out to folks for feedback. Thanks for thoughtfully participating!
ReplyDeleteI am not drawn to making Modern quilts, but I do like the improv nature and the machine quilting styles that are used. The characteristics/tenets you have listed really point out some of the things I have admired, but haven't thought about. I especially agree with the concept of combination quilting. Recently, I have seen a few quilts that combine machine and hand quilting and they were stunning. I particularly liked the way they drew the eye to different areas of the design.
ReplyDeleteI just finished blubbering my way through "When Crickets Cry." It was a great read. I finished "The Lantern Men" and the two remaining books in the Ruth Galloway series. They were all enjoyable. I have added "The Cloisters" to my reading list. We only live about an hour north of upper Manhattan, but we haven't visited the Cloisters in about 10 years. It's a very special place. I'll try to visit again after I read the book. Thanks for introducing me to the novels of Charles Martin.
I bet it was fun to see that photo from the book. You were sporting your Florida tan even back then in Iowa. It will be interesting to see what the MQG does with new thoughts on modern. Your suggestions were good. I've always found their opening statement of modern quilts being 'primarily functional' to be in question. What does that mean? I think it was originally meant to imply modern quilts were used, not hung on walls. That has certainly changed as more and more modern quilts in the show are not the type to be snuggled under. Perhaps they try to hard to define themselves.
ReplyDelete