I have just watched the current episode of TQS with Pat Blaire. Her painted & machine quilted quilts are wonderful. I cannot agree with the views that these types of quilts do not belong in the Quilting World. My Dad always used to say that there was room for everyone in the world and that it was a very good thing we were all different as the world would be a boring place if we were all the same - I think he had it right! I appreciate traditional quilting, admire hand quilting and totally see why Alex loves this form of quilting (though I do not do the H word), love all forms of appliqued quilts.....But I must say that quilts with various forms of painting or mixed media really excite me. I have been quilting for well over 20 years and am more than ready to move on from traditional piecing & applique to more creative and contemporary art quilts. Time is the only thing that prevents me exploring this more fully.
Thumbs up to Hollis, Pat and all the extremely talented art quilters. What about Katie Pasquini Masopust (did I get the sp correct?) - it cannot be said that she is not immensely talented.
I also LOVED Melinda Bula's appliqued quilts in an earlier episode in this series of TQS. Her quilts are hardly traditional and she is using the various shades of commercial fabric instead of the inks Pat uses. So what? Each of us needs to explore what works for us.
BE OPEN TO OTHER METHODS & STYLES - VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!! I don't think we should allow "traditional quilting police" to spoil free expression & creative thought.
Liz in Vancouver, BC

PDQuilt....
That was indeed very interesting. Thank you! I wonder how they would have catagorized those quilts. Yes, I think anything that is different is scrutinized and picked apart.
I love traditional quilts, they are georgeous and beautiful but I don't plan on making any that are elaborate. (I almost said never then realized that wasn't true) I am an art quilter and also do a lot of fabric painting that goes into my quilts. I am a new quilter and am learning a lot about the quilting process. I feel that the sewing process of a quilt is just as much of an art as the painting process. Carolyn

PDQuilt wrote:
Wow, that's interesting! Thanks for sharing it, PDQuilt.

I kind of think the fact that this thread has a vaguely uncomfortable undertone is a good thing. It means people are thinking and debating an important issue. That's how we broaden our perspectives, isn't it?

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

Per definition, a quilt is 3 layers, stitched together

When it comes down to shows I do agree there should be different categories for different techniques.

But, when it comes to quilting in general, I love the fact that we do different things in different ways. Even if I do not do traditional piecing using traditional patterns I find a LOT of inspiration looking at all those wonderful quilt. Same goes for evey quilt I see.

Way back, they did quilt, using what they had and the techniques they knew! Today we have more options when it comes to all aspect of quilting, and I do feel thats the way it should be. I do not have a lot of time for quilting, but I enjoy it sooo much and it brings such pleasure into my life, that I mostly make "easy-quilts".

As a community, I find that I love that we are a group of people, doing our quilting the way we find gives us joy, newbies, hobby-quilters, professionals. I learn new things every day even if I have had quilting as a passion for 20 years. I want any technique to blossom under the skillful hands of those who are making them.

I feel strongly about the fact that there is not such a thing as a "wrong" way of quilting, just different categories

This conversation, to me, has an uncomfortable, yet vaguely familiar undertone. The old, "different from me doesn't belong" theme creeps into all areas, doesn't it? So check out the best in show at Quilt National from a few years past, 1981:

http://www.quiltnational.com/gallery3.htm
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Quilting has really evolved since I started over 25 yrs. ago. I'm still a very traditional quilter in my own work. I've always loved American history and I think that's the connection to my love for Civil War fabrics and early patterns. I have learned to appreciate everyone's work, though, even if it's not something I'm interested in making myself. I think some of us non-artists have felt intimidated by all the quilts being produced by people that can actually draw more than stick figures! I used to wonder how any of us "just regular" people could compete with these quilts!!! But, I'm no longer intimidated--I just ENJOY all the wonderful work out there and it's alot of fun to learn how it was accomplished. I'm finally very happy to make those soft, usually hand quilted, traditional quilts that make my heart "sing." I do agree that different styles should be in like categories to be fair at shows. Judy in Torrance

This is a very interesting and thought provoking thread - I had not come across it until today.

Although I don't recall the details, I had heard that the original quilts were made in Egypt centuries upon centuries ago. And that they were two layers of cloth (not pieced) with a layer of batting in between that were quilted/sewn together. So in essence they were whole cloth quilts.

So I have to wonder, although we see painted whole cloth quilts as newer quilt types and an evolving form of the art, are they really more traditional than what we refer to now as the "traditional pieced" quilts???

Maybe the Hollis' are closer to the original, original quilts than at first thought.....

I agree with you Maride...expressing ones self in fabric in any way that gives you a feeling of accomplishment and pride in your work is what it is all about. Great quote also. Karen

I totally agree with you Maride and love the quote. I say Vive la difference.
Maggi

This is my first time posting in the forum, but here I go.

I love painted quilts and do make them myself often. They are no different than buying a panel and quilting it, and I don't see any objections to that. Not everyone has the skill or time to piece a quilt to have something to do quilting on. I love quilting but not piecing. I leave that to the traditional quilters, whom I admire for the amazing pieces of work they come up with. I wish I could make one, but I hate doing the same things everyone else is doing. I have never followed a pattern. I seem to deviate too often. I want every quilt that I make to be unique on every sence, and I never make anything twice.

We live in a world that is constantly changing, and our taste changes too. If we were meant to stick to traditional, is it then wrong to quilt or sew by machine at all? If that was the case, quilting should be only done by hand.

I read somewhere: If we are all thinking the same, no one is thinking.

Just my two cents worth.

Maride

Wren1010 wrote:
I second that, do think someone might hear? debbie

I agree about there needs to be separate categories for the traditional and art quilts. It is probably not feasible, but I would even like to see separate but equal "Best of Show" awards for both also.

I too do not agree that there is no place for painted quilts in shows. Traditional piecing and quilting still play an important part but it would be a great shame if quilting was not allowed to evolve, just as language does. As far as machine quilting goes, it does take a great deal of skill and thought to use it in a way that enhances your quilts - it is not just an add -on. Over here in the UK there are, more often than not, separate categories for art quilts and contemporary quilts. Maggi

This is an interesting thread.

I have to admit that whenever I see a painted quilt, I kind of feel like it's "cheating," somehow, because it's not pieced or appliqued. But then, I feel the same way about raw-edge applique.

I can still enjoy the beauty of the image and admire the workmanship, though. I'm often quite taken with the quilting on such pieces, especially if it's been done on a longarm.

It has never occurred to me to think of painted quilts as whole-cloth quilts before. And of course that's exactly what they are! When I think of them that way, they no longer seem like "cheating." Thanks for broadening my perspective!

I do think painted quilts should have their own category in shows.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada